the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Contemporary English Version
Isaiah 21
The Fall of Babylonia[a]
1 This is a message about a desert beside the sea:[b]
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."
How Much Longer?
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.
16 The Lord said to me:
A year from now the glory of the people of Kedar[h] will all come to an end, just as a worker's contract ends after a year. 17 Only a few of their warriors will be left with bows and arrows. This is a promise that I, the Lord God of Israel, have made.
