6. The Lord said to me,“Go. Have a man be a lookout for the city.Have him report what he sees.
7. If he sees chariots and teams of horses,donkeys or camels,he should pay very close attention.”
8. Then the lookout called out,“My Master, each day I stand in the watchtower watching.Every night I have been on guard.
9. Look. I see a man coming in a chariotwith a team of horses.”The man gives back the answer,“Babylon has fallen. It has fallen!All the statues of her godslie broken on the ground.”
10. My people are crushed like grain on the threshing floor.My people, I tell you what I have heard from the Lord.He is the Lord of heaven’s armies,the God of Israel.
11. The message about Dumah:Someone calls to me from Edom.He says, “Watchman, how much of the night is left?Watchman, how much longer will it be night?”
12. The watchman answered,“Morning is coming, but then night will come again.If you have something to ask,then come back and ask.”
13. The message about Arabia:A group of traders from Dedanspent the night near some trees in Arabia.
14. They gave water to thirsty travelers.The people of Tema gave foodto those who were escaping.
15. They were running from swords.The swords were ready to kill.They were running from bows ready to shoot.They were running from a hard battle.
16. This is what the Lord said to me: “In one year all the glory of the country of Kedar will be gone. (This is a year as a hired helper counts time.)
17. At that time only a few of the archers will be left. Only a few of the soldiers of Kedar will be left alive.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.