13 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.

Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

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An Oracle against Babylon

13 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[a] 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.[b]
Wail, for the day of Yahweh is near;
    it will come like destruction from Shaddai![c]
Therefore all hands will grow slack,
    and every human heart will melt,
    and they will be dismayed.
Pangs and labor pains will seize them;
    they will tremble like a woman giving birth.
They will stare at one another,[d]
    their faces flushing.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 13:3 Literally “exultant of”
  2. Isaiah 13:5 Literally “all of the land/earth”
  3. Isaiah 13:6 Often translated “the Almighty”
  4. Isaiah 13:8 Literally “A man will stare at his neighbor”
  5. Isaiah 13:8 Literally “faces of flames”