Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon
1
The 1oracle concerning the wilderness of 2the sea. 3As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land.
2
A stern vision is told to me; 4the traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O 5Elam; lay siege, O 6Media; all the 7sighing she has caused I bring to an end.
3
Therefore my loins are filled with anguish; 8pangs have seized me, like the pangs of a woman in labor; I am bowed down so that I cannot hear; I am dismayed so that I cannot see.
4
My heart staggers; horror has appalled me; 9the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.
5
10They prepare the table, they spread the rugs,a they eat, they drink. Arise, O princes; 11oil the shield!
6
For thus the Lord said to me: "Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.
7
When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, let him listen diligently, very diligently."
8
Then he who saw cried out:b 12"Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights.
9
And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!" 13And he answered, 14"Fallen, fallen is Babylon; 15and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground."
10
O 16my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you.
11
The 17oracle concerning 18Dumah. One is calling to me from 19Seir, "Watchman, what time of the night? Watchman, what time of the night?"
12
The watchman says: "Morning comes, and also 20the night. If you will inquire, 21inquire; come back again."
13
The 22oracle concerning 23Arabia. In the thickets in 24Arabia you will lodge, O 25caravans of 26Dedanites.
15
For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the press of battle.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)