Isaiæ 21
1 Onus deserti maris. Sicut turbines ab Aphrico veniunt, de deserto venit, de terra horribili.
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 Visio dura nunciata est mihi: qui incredulus est, infideliter agit: et qui depopulator est, vastat. Ascende Aelam, obside Mede: omnem gemitum eius cessare feci.
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 Propterea repleti sunt lumbi mei dolore, angustia possedit me sicut angustia parturientis: corrui cum audirem, conturbatus sum cum viderem.
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 Emarcuit cor meum, tenebrae stupefecerunt me: Babylon dilecta mea posita est mihi in miraculum.
My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror.
5 Pone mensam, contemplare in specula comedentes et bibentes: surgite principes, arripite clypeum.
They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
6 Haec enim dixit mihi Dominus: Vade, et pone speculatorem: et quodcumque viderit, annunciet.
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
7 Et vidit currum duorum equitum, ascensorem asini, et ascensorem cameli: et contemplatus est diligenter multo intuitu.
When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.”
8 Et clamavit leo: Super speculam Domini ego sum, stans iugiter per diem: et super custodiam meam ego sum, stans totis noctibus.
Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.
9 Ecce iste venit ascensor vir bigae equitum, et respondit, et dixit: Cecidit, cecidit Babylon, et omnia sculptilia deorum eius contrita sunt in terram.
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 Tritura mea, et filia areae meae, quae audivi a Domino exercituum Deo Israel, annunciavi vobis.
O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel.
11 Onus Duma ad me clamat ex Seir: Custos quid de nocte? custos quid de nocte?
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 Dixit custos: Venit mane et nox: si quaeritis, quaerite: convertimini, venite.
The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”
13 Onus in Arabia. In saltu ad vesperam dormietis, in semitis Dedanim.
This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.
14 Occurrentes sitienti ferte aquam, qui habitatis terram Austri, cum panibus occurrite fugienti.
Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.
15 A facie enim gladiorum fugerunt, a facie gladii imminentis, a facie arcus extenti, a facie gravis praelii:
For they flee from the sword— the sword that is drawn— from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
16 quoniam haec dicit Dominus ad me: Adhuc in uno anno, quasi in anno mercenarii, et auferetur omnis gloria Cedar.
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 Et reliquiae numeri sagittariorum fortium de filiis Cedar imminuentur: Dominus enim Deus Israel locutus est.
The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
