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.
Dies ist die Last über die Wüste am Meer: Wie ein Wetter vom Mittag kommt, das alles umkehrt, so kommt's aus der Wüste, aus einem schrecklichen Lande.
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!”
Denn mir ist ein hartes Gesicht angezeigt: Der Räuber raubt, und der Verstörer verstört. Zieh herauf, Elam! belagere sie, Madai! Ich will allem Seufzen über sie ein Ende machen.
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.
Derhalben sind meine Lenden voll Schmerzen, und Angst hat mich ergriffen wie eine Gebärerin; ich krümme mich, wenn ich's höre, und erschrecke, wenn ich's ansehe.
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.
Mein Herz zittert, Grauen hat mich betäubt; ich habe in der lieben Nacht keine Ruhe davor.
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]!
Ja, richte einen Tisch zu, laß wachen auf der Warte, esset, trinket. “Macht euch auf, ihr Fürsten, schmiert den Schild!”
6 Then Yahweh said to me, “Put a watchman [on the wall of Jerusalem], and tell him to shout/proclaim what he sees.
Denn der Herr sagte zu mir also: Gehe hin, stelle einen Wächter, der da schaue und ansage.
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!”
Er sieht aber Reiter reiten auf Rossen, Eseln und Kamelen und hat mit großem Fleiß Achtung darauf.
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.
Und wie ein Löwe ruft er: Herr, ich stehe auf der Warte immerdar des Tages und stelle mich auf meine Hut alle Nacht.
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!’”
Und siehe, da kommt einer, der fährt auf einem Wagen; der antwortet und spricht: Babel ist gefallen, sie ist gefallen, und alle Bilder ihrer Götter sind zu Boden geschlagen.
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].
Meine liebe Tenne, darauf gedroschen wird! was ich gehört habe vom HERRN Zebaoth, dem Gott Israels, das verkündige ich euch.
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]”
Dies ist die Last über Duma: Man ruft zu mir aus Seir: Hüter, ist die Nacht schier hin? Hüter ist die Nacht schier hin?
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.”
Der Hüter aber sprach: Wenn der Morgen schon kommt, so wird es doch Nacht sein. Wenn ihr schon fragt, so werdet ihr doch wieder kommen und wieder fragen.
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.
Dies ist die Last über Arabien: ihr werdet im Walde in Arabien herbergen, ihr Reisezüge der Dedaniter.
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).
Bringet den Durstigen Wasser entgegen, die ihr wohnet im Lande Thema; bietet Brot den Flüchtigen.
15 They are fleeing in order not to be killed by [their enemies’] swords and not to be shot in battles by arrows.
Denn sie fliehen vor dem Schwert, ja, vor dem bloßen Schwert, vor dem gespannten Bogen, vor dem großen Streit.
16 Yahweh said to me, “Exactly one year from now, all the greatness of the Kedar [area in Arabia] will end.
Denn also spricht der Herr zu mir: Noch in einem Jahr, wie des Tagelöhners Jahre sind, soll alle Herrlichkeit Kedars untergehen,
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.”
und der übrigen Schützen der Helden zu Kedar soll wenig sein; denn der HERR, der Gott Israels, hat's geredet.
