1 I will stand at my watch

and station myself on the ramparts;

I will look to see what he will say to me,

and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

2 Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation

and make it plain on tablets

so that a herald may run with it.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

it speaks of the end

and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come

and will not delay.

4 “See, the enemy is puffed up;

his desires are not upright—

but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

5 indeed, wine betrays him;

he is arrogant and never at rest.

Because he is as greedy as the grave

and like death is never satisfied,

he gathers to himself all the nations

and takes captive all the peoples.

6 “Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying,

“ ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods

and makes himself wealthy by extortion!

How long must this go on?’

7 Will not your creditors suddenly arise?

Will they not wake up and make you tremble?

Then you will become their prey.

8 Because you have plundered many nations,

the peoples who are left will plunder you.

For you have shed human blood;

you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

9 “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain,

setting his nest on high

to escape the clutches of ruin!

10 You have plotted the ruin of many peoples,

shaming your own house and forfeiting your life.

11 The stones of the wall will cry out,

and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.

12 “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed

and establishes a town by injustice!

13 Has not the Lord Almighty determined

that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire,

that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors,

pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,

so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!

16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.

Now it is your turn! Drink and let your nakedness be exposed!

The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you,

and disgrace will cover your glory.

17 The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you,

and your destruction of animals will terrify you.

For you have shed human blood;

you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

18 “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?

Or an image that teaches lies?

For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;

he makes idols that cannot speak.

19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’

Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’

Can it give guidance?

It is covered with gold and silver;

there is no breath in it.”

20 The Lord is in his holy temple;

let all the earth be silent before him.

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower,

And will watch to see what he will say unto me,

And what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the Lord answered me, and said,

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables,

That he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time,

But at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

Though it tarry, wait for it;

Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:

But the just shall live by his faith.

5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine,

He is a proud man, neither keepeth at home,

Who enlargeth his desire as hell,

And is as death, and cannot be satisfied,

But gathereth unto him all nations,

And heapeth unto him all people:

6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him,

And a taunting proverb against him, and say,

Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long?

And to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee,

And awake that shall vex thee,

And thou shalt be for booties unto them?

8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations,

All the remnant of the people shall spoil thee;

Because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land,

Of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house,

That he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house

By cutting off many people,

And hast sinned against thy soul.

11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall,

And the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood,

And stablisheth a city by iniquity!

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts

That the people shall labour in the very fire,

And the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink,

That puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also,

That thou mayest look on their nakedness!

16 Thou art filled with shame for glory:

Drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered:

The cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee,

And shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.

17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee,

And the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid,

Because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land,

Of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it;

The molten image, and a teacher of lies,

That the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach!

Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver,

And there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple:

Let all the earth keep silence before him.

1 I will climb up to my watchtower

and stand at my guardpost.

There I will wait to see what the Lord says

and how he will answer my complaint.

2 Then the Lord said to me,

“Write my answer plainly on tablets,

so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

3 This vision is for a future time.

It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,

for it will surely take place.

It will not be delayed.

4 “Look at the proud!

They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.

But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

5 Wealth is treacherous,

and the arrogant are never at rest.

They open their mouths as wide as the grave,

and like death, they are never satisfied.

In their greed they have gathered up many nations

and swallowed many peoples.

6 “But soon their captives will taunt them.

They will mock them, saying,

‘What sorrow awaits you thieves!

Now you will get what you deserve!

You’ve become rich by extortion,

but how much longer can this go on?’

7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action.

They will turn on you and take all you have,

while you stand trembling and helpless.

8 Because you have plundered many nations;

now all the survivors will plunder you.

You committed murder throughout the countryside

and filled the towns with violence.

9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses

with money gained dishonestly!

You believe your wealth will buy security,

putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.

10 But by the murders you committed,

you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.

11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you,

and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.

12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities

with money gained through murder and corruption!

13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised

that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?

They work so hard,

but all in vain!

14 For as the waters fill the sea,

the earth will be filled with an awareness

of the glory of the Lord.

15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk!

You force your cup on them

so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.

16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced.

Come, drink and be exposed!

Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment,

and all your glory will be turned to shame.

17 You cut down the forests of Lebanon.

Now you will be cut down.

You destroyed the wild animals,

so now their terror will be yours.

You committed murder throughout the countryside

and filled the towns with violence.

18 “What good is an idol carved by man,

or a cast image that deceives you?

How foolish to trust in your own creation—

a god that can’t even talk!

19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,

‘Wake up and save us!’

To speechless stone images you say,

‘Rise up and teach us!’

Can an idol tell you what to do?

They may be overlaid with gold and silver,

but they are lifeless inside.

20 But the Lord is in his holy Temple.

Let all the earth be silent before him.”

1 I will stand my watch

And set myself on the rampart,

And watch to see what He will say to me,

And what I will answer when I am corrected.

2 Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision

And make it plain on tablets,

That he may run who reads it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry.

4 “Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine,

He is a proud man,

And he does not stay at home.

Because he enlarges his desire as hell,

And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied,

He gathers to himself all nations

And heaps up for himself all peoples.

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,

And a taunting riddle against him, and say,

‘Woe to him who increases

What is not his—how long?

And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?

7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?

Will they not awaken who oppress you?

And you will become their booty.

8 Because you have plundered many nations,

All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,

Because of men’s blood

And the violence of the land and the city,

And of all who dwell in it.

9 “Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,

That he may set his nest on high,

That he may be delivered from the power of disaster!

10 You give shameful counsel to your house,

Cutting off many peoples,

And sin against your soul.

11 For the stone will cry out from the wall,

And the beam from the timbers will answer it.

12 “Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed,

Who establishes a city by iniquity!

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts

That the peoples labor to feed the fire,

And nations weary themselves in vain?

14 For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor,

Pressing him to your bottle,

Even to make him drunk,

That you may look on his nakedness!

16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.

You also—drink!

And be exposed as uncircumcised!

The cup of the Lord’s right hand will be turned against you,

And utter shame will be on your glory.

17 For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you,

And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid,

Because of men’s blood

And the violence of the land and the city,

And of all who dwell in it.

18 “What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it,

The molded image, a teacher of lies,

That the maker of its mold should trust in it,

To make mute idols?

19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’

To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’

Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,

Yet in it there is no breath at all.

20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple.

Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

1 I will stand like a guard to watch

and place myself at the tower.

I will wait to see what he will say to me;

I will wait to learn how God will answer my complaint.

2 The Lord answered me:

“Write down the vision;

write it clearly on clay tablets

so whoever reads it can run to tell others.

3 It is not yet time for the message to come true,

but that time is coming soon;

the message will come true.

It may seem like a long time,

but be patient and wait for it,

because it will surely come;

it will not be delayed.

4 The evil nation is very proud of itself;

it is not living as it should.

But those who are right with God will live by faith.

5 “Just as wine can trick a person,

those who are too proud will not last,

because their desire is like a grave’s desire for death,

and like death they always want more.

They gather other nations for themselves

and collect for themselves all the countries.

6 But all the nations the Babylonians have hurt will laugh at them.

They will make fun of the Babylonians

and say, ‘How terrible it will be for the one that steals many things.

How long will that nation get rich by forcing others to pay them?’

7 “One day the people from whom you have taken money will turn against you.

They will realize what is happening and make you shake with fear.

Then they will take everything you have.

8 Because you have stolen from many nations,

those who are left will take much from you.

This is because you have killed many people,

destroying countries and cities and everyone in them.

9 “How terrible it will be for the nation that becomes rich by doing wrong,

thinking they will live in a safe place

and escape harm.

10 Because you have made plans to destroy many people,

you have made your own houses ashamed of you.

Because of it, you will lose your lives.

11 The stones of the walls will cry out against you,

and the boards that support the roof will agree that you are wrong.

12 “How terrible it will be for the nation that kills people to build a city,

that wrongs others to start a town.

13 The Lord All-Powerful will send fire

to destroy what those people have built;

all the nations’ work will be for nothing.

14 Then, just as water covers the sea,

people everywhere will know the Lord’s glory.

15 “How terrible for the nation that makes its neighbors drink,

pouring from the jug of wine until they are drunk

so that it can look at their naked bodies.

16 You Babylonians will be filled with disgrace, not respect.

It’s your turn to drink and fall to the ground like a drunk person.

The cup of anger from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you.

You will receive disgrace, not respect.

17 You hurt many people in Lebanon,

but now you will be hurt.

You killed many animals there,

and now you must be afraid

because of what you did

to that land, those cities, and the people who lived in them.

18 “An idol does no good, because a human made it;

it is only a statue that teaches lies.

The one who made it expects his own work to help him,

but he makes idols that can’t even speak!

19 How terrible it will be for the one who says to a wooden statue, ‘Come to life!’

How terrible it will be for the one who says to a silent stone, ‘Get up!’

It cannot tell you what to do.

It is only a statue covered with gold and silver;

there is no life in it.

20 The Lord is in his Holy Temple;

all the earth should be silent in his presence.”

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will speak with me, and what I shall answer concerning my complaint. 2 And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

4 Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith. 5 Yea, moreover, wine is treacherous, a haughty man, that keepeth not at home; who enlargeth his desire as Sheol, and he is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all peoples. 6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and that ladeth himself with pledges! 7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booty unto them? 8 Because thou hast plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder thee, because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all that dwell therein.

9 Woe to him that getteth an evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the hand of evil! 10 Thou hast devised shame to thy house, by cutting off many peoples, and hast sinned against thy soul. 11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth a city by iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, to thee that addest thy venom, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! 16 Thou art filled with shame, and not glory: drink thou also, and be as one uncircumcised; the cup of Jehovah’s right hand shall come round unto thee, and foul shame shall be upon thy glory. 17 For the violence done to Lebanon shall cover thee, and the destruction of the beasts, which made them afraid; because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all that dwell therein.

18 What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he that fashioneth its form trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? 19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise! Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. 20 But Jehovah is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer as to my reproof. 2 And Jehovah answered me and said, Write the vision, and engrave it upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but it hasteth to the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; for it will surely come, it will not delay. 4 Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright within him: but the just shall live by his faith.

5 And moreover, the wine is treacherous: he is a proud man, and keepeth not at rest, he enlargeth his desire as Sheol, and he is like death and cannot be satisfied; and he assembleth unto him all nations, and gathereth unto him all peoples. 6 Shall not all these take up a proverb about him, and a taunting riddle against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? —and to him that loadeth himself with pledges! 7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and they awake up that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? 8 Because thou hast plundered many nations, all the rest of the peoples shall plunder thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city, and all that dwell therein. 9 Woe to him that getteth iniquitous gain to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the grasp of evil! 10 Thou hast devised shame to thy house, by cutting off many peoples, and hast sinned against thine own soul. 11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. 12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth a city by unrighteousness! 13 Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.

15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, —that pourest out thy flask, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! 16 Thou art filled with shame instead of glory; drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of Jehovah’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and a shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. 17 For the violence done to Lebanon shall cover thee, and the destruction of beasts which made them afraid; because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city, and all that dwell therein. 18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it? the molten image, and the teacher of falsehood, that the maker of his work dependeth thereon, to make dumb idols? 19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake! to the dumb stone, Arise! Shall it teach? Behold it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. 20 But Jehovah is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him!

1 I will stand at my guard post. 

I will station myself on the wall. 

I will watch to see what he will say to me 

and what answer I will get to my complaint. 

2 Then the Lord answered me, 

“Write the vision. 

Make it clear on tablets 

so that anyone can read it quickly. 

3 The vision will still happen at the appointed time. 

It hurries toward its goal. 

It won’t be a lie. 

If it’s delayed, wait for it. 

It will certainly happen. 

It won’t be late. 

4 “Look at the proud person. He is not right in himself. 

But the righteous person will live because of his faithfulness.

5 Also because wine is treacherous 

he is arrogant and never rests. 

He has a large appetite like the grave. 

He is like death—never satisfied. 

He gathers all the nations to himself. 

He collects all the people to himself. 

6 Won’t all of them ridicule him, 

directing clever sayings and riddles at him, like: 

“ ‘How horrible it will be for the one who makes himself rich 

with what is not his own 

and makes himself wealthy on loans. 

How long will this go on?’ 

7 Won’t your creditors suddenly rise up 

and those who are going to shake you wake up? 

Then you will become their prize. 

8 You have looted many nations. 

All the rest of the people will loot you 

because of the slaughter and violence done 

to lands, cities, and all their inhabitants. 

9 “ ‘How horrible it will be for the one who uses violence 

to get things for his own household 

in order to set his nest up high 

and save himself from disaster.’ 

10 You have planned disgrace for your household 

by cutting off many people and forfeiting your own life. 

11 A stone in the wall will cry out. 

A beam in the roof will answer it. 

12 “ ‘How horrible it will be for the one who builds a city by slaughter 

and founds a town by crime.’ 

13 Isn’t it from the Lord of Armies 

that people grow tired only to feed the flames 

and nations exhaust themselves for nothing? 

14 But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory 

like the water covers the sea. 

15 “ ‘How horrible it will be for the one who makes his neighbor drink 

from the bowl of God’s rage, 

making him drunk in order to stare at his nakedness.’ 

16 You are filled with disgrace rather than glory. 

Drink! Yes you! And expose yourself as godless. 

The cup in the Lord’s right hand will come around to you, 

and disgrace will cover your glory. 

17 The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, 

and the destruction done to the animals will terrify you 

because of the slaughter and violence done 

to lands, cities, and all their inhabitants. 

18 “What benefit is there in a carved idol 

when its maker has carved it? 

What benefit is there in a molded statue, a teacher of lies, 

when its maker has molded it? 

The one who formed it trusts himself 

to make worthless idols that cannot speak. 

19 ‘How horrible it will be for the one 

who says to a piece of wood, “Wake up!” 

and to a stone that cannot talk, “Get up!” ’ 

Can that thing teach ⸤anyone⸥? 

Just look at it! 

It’s covered with gold and silver, 

but there’s absolutely no life in it.” 

20 The Lord is in his holy temple. 

All the earth should be silent in his presence. 

1 I will stand at my guard post

and station myself on the lookout tower.

I will watch to see what He will say to me

and what I should reply about my complaint.

2 The Lord answered me:

Write down this vision;

clearly inscribe it on tablets

so one may easily read it.

3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

it testifies about the end and will not lie.

Though it delays, wait for it,

since it will certainly come and not be late.

4 Look, his ego is inflated;

he is without integrity.

But the righteous one will live by his faith.

5 Moreover, wine betrays;

an arrogant man is never at rest.

He enlarges his appetite like Sheol,

and like Death he is never satisfied.

He gathers all the nations to himself;

he collects all the peoples for himself.

6 Won’t all of these take up a taunt against him,

with mockery and riddles about him?

They will say:

Woe to him who amasses what is not his—

how much longer?—

and loads himself with goods taken in pledge.

7 Won’t your creditors suddenly arise,

and those who disturb you wake up?

Then you will become spoil for them.

8 Since you have plundered many nations,

all the peoples who remain will plunder you—

because of human bloodshed

and violence against lands, cities,

and all who live in them.

9 Woe to him who dishonestly makes

wealth for his house

to place his nest on high,

to escape from the reach of disaster!

10 You have planned shame for your house

by wiping out many peoples

and sinning against your own self.

11 For the stones will cry out from the wall,

and the rafters will answer them

from the woodwork.

12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed

and founds a town with injustice!

13 Is it not from the Lord of Hosts

that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire

and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?

14 For the earth will be filled

with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory,

as the waters cover the sea.

15 Woe to him who gives his neighbors drink,

pouring out your wrath

and even making them drunk,

in order to look at their nakedness!

16 You will be filled with disgrace instead of glory.

You also—drink,

and expose your uncircumcision!

The cup in the Lord’s right hand

will come around to you,

and utter disgrace will cover your glory.

17 For your violence against Lebanon

will overwhelm you;

the destruction of animals will terrify you

because of your human bloodshed and violence

against lands, cities, and all who live in them.

18 What use is a carved idol

after its craftsman carves it?

It is only a cast image, a teacher of lies.

For the one who crafts its shape trusts in it

and makes idols that cannot speak.

19 Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up!

or to mute stone: Come alive!

Can it teach?

Look! It may be plated with gold and silver,

yet there is no breath in it at all.

20 But the Lord is in His holy temple;

let everyone on earth

be silent in His presence.

1 I will stand at my watchpost,

and station myself on the rampart;

I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,

and what he will answer concerning my complaint.

2 Then the Lord answered me and said:

Write the vision;

make it plain on tablets,

so that a runner may read it.

3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time;

it speaks of the end, and does not lie.

If it seems to tarry, wait for it;

it will surely come, it will not delay.

4 Look at the proud!

Their spirit is not right in them,

but the righteous live by their faith.

5 Moreover, wealth is treacherous;

the arrogant do not endure.

They open their throats wide as Sheol;

like Death they never have enough.

They gather all nations for themselves,

and collect all peoples as their own.

6 Shall not everyone taunt such people and, with mocking riddles, say about them,

“Alas for you who heap up what is not your own!”

How long will you load yourselves with goods taken in pledge?

7 Will not your own creditors suddenly rise,

and those who make you tremble wake up?

Then you will be booty for them.

8 Because you have plundered many nations,

all that survive of the peoples shall plunder you—

because of human bloodshed, and violence to the earth,

to cities and all who live in them.

9 “Alas for you who get evil gain for your houses,

setting your nest on high

to be safe from the reach of harm!”

10 You have devised shame for your house

by cutting off many peoples;

you have forfeited your life.

11 The very stones will cry out from the wall,

and the plaster will respond from the woodwork.

12 “Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed,

and found a city on iniquity!”

13 Is it not from the Lord of hosts

that peoples labor only to feed the flames,

and nations weary themselves for nothing?

14 But the earth will be filled

with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

as the waters cover the sea.

15 “Alas for you who make your neighbors drink,

pouring out your wrath until they are drunk,

in order to gaze on their nakedness!”

16 You will be sated with contempt instead of glory.

Drink, you yourself, and stagger!

The cup in the Lord’s right hand

will come around to you,

and shame will come upon your glory!

17 For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you;

the destruction of the animals will terrify you—

because of human bloodshed and violence to the earth,

to cities and all who live in them.

18 What use is an idol

once its maker has shaped it—

a cast image, a teacher of lies?

For its maker trusts in what has been made,

though the product is only an idol that cannot speak!

19 Alas for you who say to the wood, “Wake up!”

to silent stone, “Rouse yourself!”

Can it teach?

See, it is gold and silver plated,

and there is no breath in it at all.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple;

let all the earth keep silence before him!

1 I will stand at my post,

and station myself on the rampart.

And I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,

and what he will answer concerning my complaint.

2 Then Yahweh answered me and said,

“Write the vision and make it plain on the tablet

so that it might be read quickly.

3 For there is yet a vision for the appointed time;

it will give witness to the end, and it will not lie.

If it tarries, wait for it,

for it will surely come and not delay.

4 Look! His spirit within him is puffed up;

it is not upright.

But the righteous shall live by his faithfulness.

5 How much less the defiant;

the arrogant, treacherous man?

He who broadens his throat like Sheol,

and who, like death, is not satisfied,

and who gathers to himself all the nations,

and harvested for himself all the peoples,

will not succeed.

6 Shall not all of these take up a taunt against him,

with ridicule and riddles against him, saying,

‘Woe to him who heaps up what is not his’?

For how long?

And, ‘Woe to him who makes himself heavy with pledges’?

7 Will not your creditors suddenly rise up

and awaken those who make you tremble?

Then you shall be as plunder for them.

8 Because you plundered many nations,

all the remaining nations will plunder you

on account of the blood of humanity

and violence against the land,

and against cities and all who live in them.

9 Woe to him who obtains profit from evil gain for his house,

to set his nest on high,

to be saved from the hand of misfortune!

10 You have plotted shame for your house,

cutting off many peoples

and sinning against your life.

11 For the stone will cry out from the wall,

and the plaster from the wood will answer it.

12 Woe to him who builds a city by bloodguilt,

and who founds a city by wickedness!

13 Look! Is it not from Yahweh of hosts

that people labor for mere fire,

and nations exhaust themselves for mere vanity?

14 For the earth will be filled

with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh,

like the waters covering the sea.

15 Woe to him who gives a drink to his neighbors,

pouring out your wrath and also making them drunk

in order to see their nakedness!

16 You will be sated with shame rather than glory.

Drink also yourself, and expose yourself!

The cup of the right hand of Yahweh

will come around upon you

and disgrace upon your glory.

17 For the violence of Lebanon will cover you,

and the destruction of wild animals will shatter them

on account of the blood of humanity,

and the violence against the land,

against a city and all the inhabitants in it.

18 What value is an idol

when its carver has fashioned it,

a molten idol, a teacher of lies?

For he who fashioned his creation trusts in it,

though making mute idols!

19 Woe to him who says to the wood, ‘Wake up!’

And to a lifeless stone, ‘Arise!’

Can he teach?

Look, it is covered with gold and silver,

and there is no breath within it.

20 But Yahweh is in his holy temple.

Let all the earth be silent before him.”

1 I will go up to the lookout tower.

I’ll station myself on the city wall.

I’ll wait to see how the Lord will reply to me.

Then I’ll try to figure out how to answer him.

2 The Lord replies,

“Write down the message I am showing you in a vision.

Write it clearly on the tablets you use.

Then a messenger can read it

and run to announce it.

3 The message I give you

waits for the time I have appointed.

It speaks about what is going to happen.

And all of it will come true.

It might take a while.

But wait for it.

You can be sure it will come.

It will happen when I want it to.

4 “The Babylonians are very proud.

What they want is not good.

“But the one who is right with God

will live by faith.

5 “Wine makes the Babylonians do foolish things.

They are proud. They never rest.

Like the grave, they are always hungry for more.

Like death, they are never satisfied.

They gather all of the nations to themselves.

They take their people away as prisoners.

6 “Won’t those people laugh at the Babylonians? Won’t they make fun of them? They will say to them,

“ ‘How terrible it will be for you

who pile up stolen goods!

You get rich by cheating others.

How long will that go on?

7 Those who owe you money will suddenly rise up.

You charge them too much interest.

So they will wake up

and make you tremble with fear.

Then they will take away

everything you have.

8 You have robbed many nations.

So the nations that are left will rob you.

You have spilled man’s blood.

You have destroyed lands and cities

and everyone in them.’

9 “How terrible it will be for the Babylonians!

They build their kingdom with money

they gained by cheating others.

They have tried to make the kingdom

as secure as possible.

After all, they did not want to be destroyed.

10 They have planned to wipe out many nations.

But they have brought shame on their own kingdom.

So they must pay with their own lives.

11 The stones in the walls of their homes will cry out.

And the wooden beams will echo that cry.

12 “How terrible it will be for the Babylonians!

They build cities by spilling the blood of others.

They establish towns by committing crimes.

13 I am the Lord who rules over all.

Human effort is no better than wood that feeds a fire.

So the nations wear themselves out for nothing.

14 The oceans are full of water.

In the same way, the earth will be filled

with the knowledge of my glory.

15 “How terrible it will be for the Babylonians!

They give drinks to their neighbors.

They pour the drinks from wineskins

until their neighbors are drunk.

They want to look at their naked bodies.

16 But the Babylonians will be filled

with shame instead of glory.

So now it is their turn to drink

and be stripped of their clothes.

The cup of anger in my powerful right hand

is going to punish them.

They will be covered with shame instead of glory.

17 The harm they have done to Lebanon

will bring them down.

Because they have killed so many animals,

animals will terrify them.

They have spilled man’s blood.

They have destroyed lands and cities

and everyone in them.

18 “If someone carves a statue of a god, what is it worth?

What value is there in a god

that teaches lies?

The one who trusts in another god

worships his own creation.

He makes statues of gods that can’t speak.

19 How terrible it will be for the Babylonians!

They say to a wooden god, ‘Come to life!’

They say to a stone god, ‘Wake up!’

Can those gods give advice?

They are covered with gold and silver.

They can’t even breathe.

20 But I am in my holy temple.

Let the whole earth be silent in front of me.”

1 I will stand on my guard post

And station myself on the rampart;

And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,

And how I may reply when I am reproved.

2 Then the Lord answered me and said,

“Record the vision

And inscribe it on tablets,

That the one who reads it may run.

3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

4 “Behold, as for the proud one,

His soul is not right within him;

But the righteous will live by his faith.

5 “Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man,

So that he does not stay at home.

He enlarges his appetite like Sheol,

And he is like death, never satisfied.

He also gathers to himself all nations

And collects to himself all peoples.

6 “Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him,

Even mockery and insinuations against him

And say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his—

For how long—

And makes himself rich with loans?’

7 “Will not your creditors rise up suddenly,

And those who collect from you awaken?

Indeed, you will become plunder for them.

8 “Because you have looted many nations,

All the remainder of the peoples will loot you—

Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,

To the town and all its inhabitants.

9 “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house

To put his nest on high,

To be delivered from the hand of calamity!

10 “You have devised a shameful thing for your house

By cutting off many peoples;

So you are sinning against yourself.

11 “Surely the stone will cry out from the wall,

And the rafter will answer it from the framework.

12 “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed

And founds a town with violence!

13 “Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts

That peoples toil for fire,

And nations grow weary for nothing?

14 “For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

15 “Woe to you who make your neighbors drink,

Who mix in your venom even to make them drunk

So as to look on their nakedness!

16 “You will be filled with disgrace rather than honor.

Now you yourself drink and expose your own nakedness.

The cup in the Lord’s right hand will come around to you,

And utter disgrace will come upon your glory.

17 “For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you,

And the devastation of its beasts by which you terrified them,

Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,

To the town and all its inhabitants.

18 “What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it,

Or an image, a teacher of falsehood?

For its maker trusts in his own handiwork

When he fashions speechless idols.

19 “Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’

To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’

And that is your teacher?

Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,

And there is no breath at all inside it.

20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple.

Let all the earth be silent before Him.”