1This is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Disaster is coming from the desert like wind blowing in the south. It is coming from a terrible country.
2I have seen a terrible vision. I see traitors turning against you and people taking your wealth. Elam, attack the people! Media, surround the city and attack it! I will bring an end to the pain the city causes.
3I saw those terrible things, and now I am in pain; my pains are like the pains of giving birth. What I hear makes me very afraid; what I see causes me to shake with fear.
4I am worried, and I am shaking with fear. My pleasant evening has become a night of fear.
5They set the table; they spread the rugs; they eat and drink. Leaders, stand up. Prepare the shields for battle!
6The Lord said to me, "Go, place a lookout for the city and have him report what he sees.
7If he sees chariots and teams of horses, donkeys, or camels, he should pay very close attention."
8Then the lookout called out, "My master, each day I stand in the watchtower watching; every night I have been on guard.
9Look, I see a man coming in a chariot with a team of horses." The man gives back the answer, "Babylon has fallen. It has fallen! All the statues of her gods lie broken on the ground."
10My people are crushed like grain on the threshing floor. My people, I tell you what I have heard from the Lord All-Powerful, from the God of Israel.
11This is a message about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Edom, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much longer will it be night?"
12The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, but then night will come again. If you have something to ask, then come back and ask."
13This is a message about Arabia: spent the night near some trees in Arabia.
14They gave water to thirsty travelers; the people of Tema gave food to those who were escaping.
15They were running from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, from a hard battle.
16This is what the Lord said to me: "In one year all the glory of the country of Kedar will be gone. (This is a year as a hired helper counts time.)
17At that time only a few of the archers, the soldiers of Kedar, will be left alive." The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.