1. An oracle about Babylon, which Isaiah, Amoz’s son, saw.
2. On a bare mountain raise a signal;cry aloud to them;wave a hand;let them enter the officials’ gates.
3. I have commanded my holy ones;I have called my warriors,my proud, jubilant ones,to execute my wrath.
4. Listen! A roar on the mountains like that of a great crowd.Listen! An uproar of kingdoms,of nations coming together.The Lord of heavenly forces is mustering an army for battle.
5. They are coming from a distant land,from the faraway heavens,the Lord and the instruments of his fury, to destroy the whole land.
6. Wail, for the day of the Lord is near.Like destruction from the Almighty it will come.
7. Then all hands will fall limp;every human heart will melt,
8. and they will be terrified.Like a woman writhing in labor,they will be seized by spasms and agony.They will look at each other aghast,their faces blazing.
9. Look, the day of the Lord is coming with cruel rage and burning anger,making the earth a ruin,and wiping out its sinners.