Isaiah Chapter 21
1 Oracle About the Sandy Wastes Beside the Sea
Like a haboob sweeping in from the Negev,
catastrophe will sweep in through the desert from a terrible land.
2 I see a harsh vision:
plunderers plundering; destroyers destroying.
Go on, Elam; lay siege, Media.
I’m going to put an end to the groaning Babylon’s caused.
3 My body’s in agony;
pangs have seized me like a woman in labor.
I’m so faint I can’t hear,
so scared I can’t see.
4 My mind is reeling, the horror is overwhelming;
I longed for the twilight;
now I’m afraid of the dark.
5 The people are setting tables and spreading rugs to sit on;
they’re eating and drinking. But—
“Get up, captains; oil the shields for battle!”
Is 21:1-5
6 Then Yahveh said to me,
“Station a sentry to report what he sees.
7 When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,
a donkey train, a camel caravan,
he needs to stay alert.”
8 Then the sentry shouted like a lion,
“Yahveh, every day I’ve manned my station on the tower;
every night I’ve stood at my post.
9 Now at last, here come riders, horsemen in pairs.
They’re reporting, ‘Fallen! Babylon’s fallen!
its images shattered on the ground.’”
10 My threshed people, winnowed on the threshing floor!
I’m reporting what I’ve heard
from Yahveh of Hosts, the God of Israel.
Is 21:6-10
11 Oracle About Edom
Someone keeps calling to me from Seir,
“Watchman, what time is it?
How long till morning?”
12 The watchman answers,
“Morning is coming, but night will soon return;
if you want updates, come back later
and ask again.”
Is 21:11-12
13 Oracle About Arabia
Caravans of Dedanites, you have to spend the night
hiding in the deserts of Arabia.
14 People in Tema, bring water for these thirsty refugees;
meet them with food,
15 because they’re running from the drawn sword,
the bent bow, the press of battle.
16 This is what Yahveh told me,
“A year from now, as a hired hand’s contract would read, Kedar’s splendor will end. 17 Its surviving archers and strong men will be few;
I, Yahveh God of Israel, have spoken.
Is 21:13-17