Isaiah 21
1 [I received] this message [from Yahweh about Babylonia], [a land that is] near the [Persian] Gulf [but which will soon be] a desert. [An army] will soon come from the desert to invade that land; it is an army that causes its enemies to be terrified, an army that will come like a whirlwind from the south.
Oracle contre la steppe enveloppée par la mer Prompt: comme les ouragans qui traversent le Midi, il vient du désert, d’une région terrible.
2 Yahweh showed me a terrifying vision. [In the vision I saw an army] that will betray/deceive 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!”
Une vision effrayante m’a été révélée: "L’Oppresseur opprime, le ravageur ravage. Alerte, Elam, à l’assaut, Mèdes! Je vais mettre fin aux soupirs.
3 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.
Voilà pourquoi mes reins sont saisis de tremblement, les douleurs m’ont envahi comme les douleurs d’une femme qui enfante. Je suis pris de vertige au point de ne plus entendre, terrifié au point de ne plus voir.
4 I cannot think straight/correctly, and I tremble. I was eager for it to be nighttime, but now it is night, and I am horrified.
Mon esprit s’égare, la frayeur m’a terrassé; la nuit qui m’était si chère s’est changée pour moi en épouvante.
5 [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] they should get up and prepare their shields, [because they are about to be attacked]!
On dresse la table, on étend les tapis, on mange, on boit. "Debout, princes, huilez le bouclier!"
6 Then Yahweh said to me, “Put a watchman [on the wall of Jerusalem], and tell him to shout/proclaim what he sees.
Voici, en effet, ce que m’a dit le Seigneur: "Va, place le guetteur à son poste, qu’il annonce ce qu’il verra!"
7 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!”
II verra une file de cavaliers, des chars conduits par des coursiers, des hommes montés à dos d’ânes, des hommes montés à dos de chameaux; puis il percevra une rumeur, une formidable rumeur.
8 [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.
Et il s’écriera avec la force du lion: "Sur la tour, Seigneur, je me tiens constamment le jour, et toutes les nuits je suis à mon poste."
9 Now, I saw a man riding in a chariot pulled by two horses. [I called out to him], and he answered/shouted, ‘Babylon has been destroyed! All the idols in Babylon lie in pieces on the ground!’”
Et voici qu’arrivent des hommes à cheval, des chars traînés par des coursiers. De nouveau, élevant la voix, il dit: "Tombée, elle est tombée Babylone, toutes les idoles de ses divinités gisent à terre, réduites en pièces!
10 My people [in Judah], [the army of Babylon has caused] you to suffer greatly [as though] [MET] you were grain that was threshed and (winnowed/thrown up into the air for the wind to blow away the chaff). [But now] I have told you what the Commander of the armies of angels the God whom we Israelis [worship], told me [about Babylon].
Ah! ma paille triturée, ô fils de mon aire! Ce que j’ai appris de la part de l’Eternel-Cebaot, Dieu d’Israël, je vous l’annonce.
11 [I received] this message [from Yahweh] about Edom: Someone from Edom has been calling/shouting to me saying, “Watchman, how long will it be before the night is ended? [DOU]”
Oracle contre Douma: Une voix crie vers moi de Séir: "Guetteur, où en est la nuit? Qu’en est-il de la nuit, guetteur?"
12 [I], the watchman, replied, “It will [soon] be morning, but after that, it will [soon] be night again. If you want to inquire [again about what will happen in our country], come back and inquire again.”
Le guetteur répond: "Le matin vient, puis ensuite la nuit. Si vous voulez des nouvelles, interrogez; refaites le même chemin, venez."
13 [I received] this message about Arabia: Give this message to people traveling in caravans from Dedan [town in northwest Arabia], who camp in the scrub there. Tell them to bring water for those who are thirsty.
Oracle contre l’Arabie: Dans les forêts de l’Arabie, passez la nuit, caravanes de Dedân.
14 And you people who live in Tema [city in northwest Arabia], must bring food for the (refugees/people who are fleeing from their enemies).
Vous, habitants du pays de Têma, portez de l’eau au-devant de ceux qui ont soif, présentez aux fugitifs le pain qu’ils réclament.
15 They are fleeing in order not to be killed by [their enemies’] swords and not to be shot in battles by arrows.
C’Est devant les glaives qu’ils ont fui, devant les glaives tranchants, devant les arcs tendus et devant la violence des combats.
16 Yahweh said to me, “Exactly one year from now, all the greatness of the Kedar [area in Arabia] will end.
Voici, en effet, ce que m’a dit le Seigneur: "Encore une année, pareille aux années du travailleur salarié, et c’en sera fait de toute l’opulence de Kédar;
17 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.”
et les survivants des nombreux archers, des guerriers, enfants de Kêdar, seront réduits à peu de chose." C’Est l’Eternel, Dieu d’Israël, qui l’a proclamé.
