1. God showed Isaiah son of Amoz this message about Babylon:
2. “Raise a flag on that mountain where nothing grows. Call out to the men. Wave your arms to let them know they should enter through the gates for important leaders.
3. “I have separated these men from the people, and I myself will command them. I have gathered these proud, happy soldiers of mine to show how angry I am.
4. “Listen to that loud noise in the mountains. It sounds like crowds of people. People from many kingdoms are gathering together. The Lord All-Powerful is calling his army together.
5. They are coming from a faraway land. They are coming from beyond the horizon. The Lord will use this army as a weapon to show his anger. They will destroy the whole country.”
6. The Lord’S special day is near. So cry and be sad for yourselves. A time is coming when the enemy will steal your wealth. God All-Powerful will make that happen.
7. People will lose their courage. Fear will make them weak.
8. Everyone will be afraid. They will stare at each other with shock on their faces. Fear will grip them like the pains of a woman in childbirth.
9. Look, the Lord’S special day is coming! It will be a terrible day. God will be very angry. He will destroy the country and wipe out the sinful people who live there.
10. The skies will be dark. The sun, the moon, and the stars will not shine.