1
This is the heavy burthen of the waste sea: A grievous vision was shewed unto me, like as when a storm of wind and rain rusheth in from the wilderness, that terrible land.
2
Who so may deceive (said the voice) let him deceive: Who so may destroy, let him destroy. Up Elam, besiege it O Madai, for I well still all their groanings.
3
With this, the reines of my back were full of pain: Pangs came upon me, as upon a woman in her travail. When I heard it, I was abashed: and when I looked up, I was afraid.
4
Mine heart panted, I trembled for fear. The darkness made me fearful in my mind.
5
Yea soon make ready the table, (said this voice) keep the watch, eat and drink: Up ye Captains, take you to your shield,
6
for thus the Lord hath charged me: Go thy way, and set a watchman, that he may tell what he seeth.
7
And when he had waited dilengently, he saw two horsemen: the one riding upon an Ass, the other upon a camel.
8
And the lion cried: lord, |LORDE| I have stand waiting all the whole day, and have kept my watch all the night.
9
With that came there one riding upon a chariot, which answered, and said: Babylon is fallen, she is turned upside down, and all the images of her gods are smitten to the ground.
10
This (O my fellow thresshers and fanners) have I heard of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, to shew it unto you.
11
The heavy burthen of Dumah. One of Seir, cried unto me: watchman what hast thou espyed by night? Watchman, what hast thou espyed by night?
12
The watchman answered: The day breaketh on, and the night is coming: If your request be earnest, then ask and come again.
13
The heavy burthen upon Arabia. At even ye shall abide in the wood, in the way toward Dedanim.
14
Meet the thirsty with water (o ye citizens of Hema) meet |mete| those with bread that are fled.
15
For they shall run away from the weapon, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the great battle.
16
For thus hath the Lord |LORDE| spoken unto me, over a year shall all the power of Cedar be gone, like as when the office of an hired servant goeth out:
17
And the remnant of the good Archers of Cedar, shall be very few: For the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.