Isaiah 21:11–17

Oracles about Edom and Arabia

11 The 1oracle concerning 2aEdom.

One keeps calling to me from bSeir,

“Watchman, 3how far gone is the night?

Watchman, 3how far gone is the night?”

12 The watchman says,

“Morning comes but also night.

If you would inquire, inquire;

Come back again.”

13 The 1oracle about aArabia.

In the thickets of Arabia you 2must spend the night,

O caravans of bDedanites.

14 Bring water 1for the thirsty,

O inhabitants of the land of aTema,

Meet the fugitive with bread.

15 For they have afled from the swords,

From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow

And from the press of battle.

16 For thus the Lord said to me, “In a ayear, as 1a hired man would count it, all the splendor of bKedar will terminate;

17 and the aremainder of the number of bowmen, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, will be few; for the Lord God of Israel bhas spoken.”