1. This is a message about a desert beside the sea:Enemies from a hostile nationattack like a whirlwindfrom the Southern Desert.
2. What a horrible visionwas shown to me—a vision of betrayaland destruction.Tell Elam and Mediato surround and attackthe Babylonians.The Lord has sworn to endthe suffering they caused.
3. I'm in terrible painlike a woman giving birth.I'm shocked and hurt so muchthat I can't hear or see.
4. My head spins; I'm horrified!Early evening, my favourite time,has become a nightmare.
5. In Babylon the high officialswere having a feast.They were eating and drinking,when someone shouted,“Officers, take your places!Grab your shields.”
6. The Lord said to me,“Send guards to find outwhat's going on.
7. When they see cavalry troopsand columns of soldierson donkeys and camels,tell them to be ready!”
8. Then a guard said,“I have stood day and nighton this watchtower, Lord.
9. Now I see column after columnof cavalry troops.”Straight away someone shouted,“Babylon has fallen!Every idol in the citylies broken on the ground.”
10. Then I said, “My people,you have suffered terribly,but I have a message for youfrom the Lord All-Powerful,the God of Israel.”
11. This is a message about Dumah:From the country of Seir,someone shouts to me,“Guard, how much longerbefore daylight?”