1 I will stand like a guard to watch.I will stand on the tower.I will wait to see what the Lord will say to me.I will wait to learn how to answer his complaint.
2 The Lord answered me:“Write down what I show you.Write it clearly on stone tabletsso whoever reads it can run to tell others.
3 It is not yet time for the message to come true.But that time is coming soon.The message will come true.It may seem like a long time before it happens.But be patient and wait for it.These things will happen.They will not be delayed.
4 See, the nation that is evil and trusts in itself will fail.But those who do right because they trust in God will live.
5 “Wine can trick a person.In the same way the Babylonians are fooled by their pride.Their desire for wealth is like a grave’s desire for death.They always want more and more.And, like death, they collect other nations for themselves.They make them their own people.