Isaiah 21:5–7

5 They set the tables,

they spread the rugs,

they eat, they drink!

Get up, you officers,

oil the shields!

6 This is what the Lord says to me:

“Go, post a lookout

and have him report what he sees.

7 When he sees chariots

with teams of horses,

riders on donkeys

or riders on camels,

let him be alert,

fully alert.”

5 They prepare the table,

they spread the rugs,

they eat, they drink.

Arise, O princes;

oil 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.”

5 Look! They are preparing a great feast.

They are spreading rugs for people to sit on.

Everyone is eating and drinking.

But quick! Grab your shields and prepare for battle.

You are being attacked!

6 Meanwhile, the Lord said to me,

“Put a watchman on the city wall.

Let him shout out what he sees.

7 He should look for chariots

drawn by pairs of horses,

and for riders on donkeys and camels.

Let the watchman be fully alert.”

5 Prepare the table,

Set a watchman in the tower,

Eat and drink.

Arise, you princes,

Anoint the shield!

6 For thus has the Lord said to me:

“Go, set a watchman,

Let him declare what he sees.”

7 And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen,

A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels,

And he listened earnestly with great care.

5 They set the table;

they spread the rugs;

they eat and drink.

Leaders, stand up.

Prepare the shields for battle!

6 The Lord said to me,

“Go, place a lookout for the city

and have him report what he sees.

7 If he sees chariots and teams of horses,

donkeys, or camels,

he should pay very close attention.”

5 They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink: rise up, ye princes, anoint the shield. 6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman: let him declare what he seeth: 7 and when he seeth a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of asses, a troop of camels, he shall hearken diligently with much heed.

5 Prepare the table, appoint the watch; eat, drink: arise, ye princes, anoint the shield. 6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me: Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. 7 And he saw chariots, horsemen by pairs, a chariot with asses, a chariot with camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed.

5 Set the table. 

Spread the rugs ⸤by the table⸥. 

Eat. Drink. 

Get up, you leaders! 

Prepare your shields for battle! 

6 This is what the Lord says to me: 

Post a watchman. 

Have him report whatever he sees. 

7 He will see chariots, pairs of horsemen, 

riders on donkeys, and riders on camels. 

Let him watch carefully, very carefully. 

5 Prepare a table, and spread out a carpet!

Eat and drink!

Rise up, you princes, and oil the shields!

6 For the Lord has said to me,

“Go, post a lookout;

let him report what he sees.

7 When he sees riders—

pairs of horsemen,

riders on donkeys,

riders on camels—

he must pay close attention.”

5 They prepare the table;

they spread the rugs;

they eat; they drink.

Rise up, commanders;

oil the shield!

6 For thus the Lord said to me:

“Go, post a lookout;

let him announce what he sees.

7 When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,

riders on donkeys, riders on camels,

let him watch closely,

very closely.”

5 Set out the table in order!

Spread out the rugs!

Eat! drink!

Rise up, commanders;

smear the shield!

6 For the Lord said this to me:

“Go, set a watchman in position.

He must announce what he sees.

7 When he sees riders,

a pair of horsemen,

riders of donkeys,

riders of camels,

then he must listen attentively,

paying attention, paying special attention.”

5 In my vision the Babylonians set the tables.

They spread the rugs out.

They eat. They drink.

Get up, you officers!

Rub your shields with oil!

6 The Lord said to me,

“Go. Put a guard on duty on Jerusalem’s walls.

Have him report what he sees.

7 Tell him to watch for chariots

that are pulled by teams of horses.

Tell him to watch for men riding on donkeys or camels.

Make sure he stays awake.

Make sure he stays wide awake.”

5 They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink;

“Rise up, captains, oil the shields,”

6 For thus the Lord says to me,

“Go, station the lookout, let him report what he sees.

7 “When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,

A train of donkeys, a train of camels,

Let him pay close attention, very close attention.”