Babylon Is Fallen (Revelation 18:1–8)
1 UDB Yahweh gave this message about a land soon to become a desert: An army will soon come from the southern Judean wilderness to invade that land; they are an army that causes their enemies to be terrified, an army that will come sweeping through the wilderness from a terrible land. BSB BSB: This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
2 UDB Yahweh showed me a terrifying vision: In the vision I saw an army that will betray people and steal their possessions after they conquer them. Yahweh said, "You armies from Elam and Media, surround Babylon and prepare to attack it! I will cause the groaning and suffering that Babylon caused to cease!" BSB BSB: A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”
3 UDB Because of that, my body is full of pain; my pain is like the pain that women who are giving birth experience. When I hear about and see what God is planning to do, I am shocked. BSB BSB: Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.
4 UDB My heart shakes within me, and I tremble with fear. Early evening is my favorite time of day, but now terror has taken over and I am afraid. BSB BSB: My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight I desired has turned to horror.
5 UDB In the vision I saw that the leaders of Babylonia were preparing a great feast. They had spread rugs for people to sit on; everyone was eating and drinking. But you should get up and prepare your shields, you princes of Babylon, because you are about to be attacked! BSB BSB: They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
6 UDB Then Yahweh said to me, "Put a watchman on the wall of Jerusalem, and tell him to shout what he sees. BSB BSB: For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
7 UDB Tell him to watch for chariots pulled by pairs of horses and men riding camels and donkeys, coming from Babylon. Tell the watchman to watch and listen carefully!" BSB BSB: When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.”
8 UDB So I did that, and one day the watchman called out, "Day after day I have stood on this watchtower, and I have continued to watch during the day and during the night. BSB BSB: Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.
9 UDB A man comes riding in a chariot pulled by two horses. I called out to him, and he answered, 'Babylon has been destroyed! All the idols in Babylon lie in pieces on the ground!'" BSB BSB: Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”
10 UDB My people in Judah, the army of Babylon has caused you to suffer greatly as though you were grain that was threshed and winnowed. But now I have told you what Yahweh, commander of the angel armies, whom we Israelites worship, told me about Babylon. BSB BSB: O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel.
The Burden against Edom (Isaiah 34:5–17)
11 UDB Yahweh gave this message about Edom: Someone from Edom has been calling to me, saying, "Watchman, how long will it be before the night is over?" BSB BSB: This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
12 UDB The watchman, replied, "It will soon be morning, but after that, it will soon be night again. If you want to ask your question, then ask it now, and then come back again." BSB BSB: The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”
The Burden against Arabia 13 UDB Yahweh gave this message about Arabia: Give this message to people traveling in caravans from the town of Dedan in northwest Arabia, travelers who camp in the scrub there. Tell them to bring water for those who are thirsty. BSB BSB: This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.
14 UDB And you people who live in the city of Tema in northwest Arabia must bring food for the refugees who are fleeing from their enemies. BSB BSB: Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.
15 UDB They are fleeing in order not to be killed by their enemies' swords and not to be shot in battles by arrows. BSB BSB: For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
16 UDB Yahweh said to me, "Exactly one year from now, all the greatness of the region of Kedar in Arabia will end. BSB BSB: For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.
17 UDB Only a few of their soldiers who know well how to shoot arrows will remain alive. That will surely happen because I, Yahweh, have said it." BSB BSB: The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.