5  cThey prepare the table,

they spread the rugs,1

they eat, they drink.

Arise, O princes;

doil the shield!

6  For thus the Lord said to me:

“Go, set a watchman;

let him announce what he sees.

7  When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,

riders on donkeys, riders on camels,

let him listen diligently,

very diligently.”

8  Then he who saw cried out:2

e“Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord,

continually by day,

and at my post I am stationed

whole nights.

9  And behold, here come riders,

horsemen in pairs!”

fAnd he answered,

g“Fallen, fallen is Babylon;

hand all the carved images of her gods

he has shattered to the ground.”

10  O imy threshed and winnowed one,

what I have heard from the Lord of hosts,

the God of Israel, I announce to you.

11 The joracle concerning kDumah.

One is calling to me from lSeir,

“Watchman, what time of the night?

Watchman, what time of the night?”

12  The watchman says:

“Morning comes, and also mthe night.

If you will inquire, ninquire;

come back again.”