Isaiah 21:1–10

A Vision of the Fall of Babylon

21This is a message about Babylonia. Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land. ²I have seen a vision of cruel events, a vision of betrayal and destruction.

Army of Elam, attack! Army of Media, lay siege to the cities! God will put an end to the suffering which Babylon has caused.

³What I saw and heard in the vision has filled me with terror and pain, pain like that of a woman in labour. ⁴My head is spinning, and I am trembling with fear. I had been longing for evening to come, but it has brought me nothing but terror.

⁵In the vision a banquet is ready; rugs are spread for the guests to sit on. They are eating and drinking. Suddenly the command rings out: “Officers! Prepare your shields!”

⁶Then the Lord said to me, “Go and post a sentry, and tell him to report what he sees. ⁷If he sees men coming on horseback, two by two, and men riding on donkeys and camels, he is to observe them carefully.”

⁸The sentry calls out, “Sir, I have been standing guard at my post day and night.”

^9*Suddenly, here they come! Men on horseback, two by two. The sentry gives the news, “Babylon has fallen! All the idols they worshipped lie shattered on the ground.”

¹⁰My people Israel, you have been threshed like wheat, but now I have announced to you the good news that I have heard from the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel.