Isaiah 13:1–6

The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

On a bare hill raise a signal;

cry aloud to them;

wave the hand for them to enter

the gates of the nobles.

I myself have commanded my consecrated ones,

and have summoned my mighty men to execute my anger,

my proudly exulting ones.

The sound of a tumult is on the mountains

as of a great multitude!

The sound of an uproar of kingdoms,

of nations gathering together!

The Lord of hosts is mustering

a host for battle.

They come from a distant land,

from the end of the heavens,

the Lord and the weapons of his indignation,

to destroy the whole land.

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;

as destruction from the Almighty it will come!

A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

Raise a banner on a bare hilltop,

shout to them;

beckon to them

to enter the gates of the nobles.

I have commanded those I prepared for battle;

I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath—

those who rejoice in my triumph.

Listen, a noise on the mountains,

like that of a great multitude!

Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms,

like nations massing together!

The Lord Almighty is mustering

an army for war.

They come from faraway lands,

from the ends of the heavens—

the Lord and the weapons of his wrath—

to destroy the whole country.

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;

it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

A pronouncement concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

Lift up a banner on a barren mountain.

Call out to them.

Signal with your hand, and they will go

through the gates of the nobles.

I have commanded my consecrated ones;

yes, I have called my warriors,

who celebrate my triumph,

to execute my wrath.

Listen, a commotion on the mountains,

like that of a mighty people!

Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms,

like nations being gathered together!

The Lord of Armies is mobilizing an army for war.

They are coming from a distant land,

from the farthest horizon—

the Lord and the weapons of his wrath—

to destroy the whole country.

Wail! For the day of the Lord is near.

It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah son of Amoz received this message concerning the destruction of Babylon:

“Raise a signal flag on a bare hilltop.

Call up an army against Babylon.

Wave your hand to encourage them

as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty.

I, the Lord, have dedicated these soldiers for this task.

Yes, I have called mighty warriors to express my anger,

and they will rejoice when I am exalted.”

Hear the noise on the mountains!

Listen, as the vast armies march!

It is the noise and shouting of many nations.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has called this army together.

They come from distant countries,

from beyond the farthest horizons.

They are the Lord’s weapons to carry out his anger.

With them he will destroy the whole land.

Scream in terror, for the day of the Lord has arrived—

the time for the Almighty to destroy.

The oracle of Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

Raise a signal on a bare hill,

lift up your voice to them;

wave the hand and may they enter the gateways of the noblemen.

I myself I have commanded my consecrated ones,

I have also summoned my mighty warriors concerning my anger,

the ones who exalt over my majesty.

A sound, a noise is on the mountains,

the likeness of many people!

A sound of the roar of the kingdoms,

of nations gathering!

Yahweh of hosts is mustering an army for battle.

They are coming from a distant land,

from the end of the heavens,

Yahweh and the weapons of his indignation,

to destroy the whole earth.

Wail, for the day of Yahweh is near;

it will come like destruction from Shaddai!

The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain,

Exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand,

That they may go into the gates of the nobles.

I have commanded my sanctified ones,

I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger,

Even them that rejoice in my highness.

The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people;

A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together:

The Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.

They come from a far country, from the end of heaven,

Even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation,

To destroy the whole land.

Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand;

It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.