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Enemies from a hostile nation
attack
like a whirlwind
    from the Southern Desert.
² What a horrible vision
    was shown to me—
a vision of betrayal
    and destruction.
Tell Elam and Media^[c]
to surround
and attack
    the Babylonians.
The Lord has sworn to end
    the suffering they caused.

³ I'm in terrible pain
    like a woman giving birth.
I'm shocked and hurt so much
    that I can't hear or see.
⁴ My head spins; I'm horrified!
Early evening, my favorite time,
    has become a nightmare.

⁵ In Babylon the high officials
    were 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 out
    what's going on.
⁷ When they see cavalry troops
    and columns of soldiers
on donkeys and camels,
    tell them to be ready!"

⁸ Then a guard^[d] said,
"I have stood day and night
    on this watchtower, Lord.
⁹ Now I see column after column
    of cavalry troops."

Right away someone shouted,
    "Babylon has fallen!
Every idol in the city
    lies broken on the ground."

¹⁰ Then I said, "My people,
    you have suffered terribly,
but I have a message for you
from the Lord All-Powerful,
    the God of Israel."

¹¹ This is a message about Dumah:
From the country of Seir,^[e]
    someone shouts to me,
"Guard, how much longer
    before daylight?"

¹² From my guard post, I answered,
"Morning will soon be here,
    but night will return.
If you want to know more,
    come back later."

¹³ This is a message for Arabs
who live in the barren desert
    in the region of Dedan:^[f]
You must order your caravans
¹⁴ to bring water for those
    who are thirsty.
You people of Tema^[g]
must bring food
    for the hungry refugees.
¹⁵ They are worn out and weary
from being chased by enemies
    with swords and arrows.