Isaiæ 21
1 onus deserti maris sicut turbines ab africo veniunt de deserto venit de terra horribili
The oracle on the desert of the sea: As storm-winds in the South which with a rush from the desert, do come from a terrible land,
2 visio dura nuntiata est mihi qui incredulus est infideliter agit et qui depopulator est vastat ascende Aelam obside Mede omnem gemitum eius cessare feci
[So] hath, a grievous vision, been told me: —the deceiver, is deceiving. And the spoiler, is spoiling, Go up, O Elam Besiege O Media, All the sighing she hath caused, have I made to cease.
3 propterea repleti sunt lumbi mei dolore angustia possedit me sicut angustia parientis corrui cum audirem conturbatus sum cum viderem
For this cause, are my loins filled with anguish, Pangs, have seized me, as the pangs of her that is giving birth, —I writhe so that I cannot hear, I tremble, so that I cannot see:
4 emarcuit cor meum tenebrae stupefecerunt me Babylon dilecta mea posita est mihi in miraculum
My heart fluttereth, A horror, terrifieth me, —My twilight of pleasure, hath he turned for me into a time of trembling.
5 pone mensam contemplare in specula comedentes bibentes surgite principes arripite clypeum
[Ye thought] to prepare the table—spread the mat—eat—drink! …Arise ye chieftains anoint the shield!
6 haec enim dixit mihi Dominus vade et pone speculatorem et quodcumque viderit adnuntiet
For, thus, hath My Lord said unto me, —Go, set the watchman, What he seeth, let him tell!
7 et vidit currum duorum equitum ascensorem asini et ascensorem cameli et contemplatus est diligenter multo intuitu
When he seeth A train of horsemen in double rank, A train of asses, A train of camels, Then shall he hearken attentively with diligent heed.
8 et clamavit leo super specula Domini ego sum stans iugiter per diem et super custodiam meam ego sum stans totis noctibus
Then cried he. A lion! On the watch, O My Lord, had I been standing continually, by day, And at my post, had I been stationed whole nights; —
9 ecce iste venit ascensor vir bigae equitum et respondit et dixit cecidit cecidit Babylon et omnia sculptilia deorum eius contrita sunt in terram
When lo! here was a train of men coming. With horsemen in double rank, —And one began and said, Fallen! fallen! is Babylon, And all the images of her gods, are smashed to the ground!
10 tritura mea et fili areae meae quae audivi a Domino exercituum Deo Israhel adnuntiavi vobis
O thou My threshing! And the grain of my corn-floor! That which I have heard from Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, Have I declared, unto you.
11 onus Duma ad me clamat ex Seir custos quid de nocte custos quid de nocte
The oracle on Dumah: Unto me, is one crying—out of Seir, Watchman! how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?
12 dixit custos venit mane et nox si quaeritis quaerite convertimini venite
Said the watchman, There cometh a morning. But also a night, —If ye will enquire, enquire, ye—Come, again!
13 onus in Arabia in saltu ad vesperam dormietis in semitis Dodanim
The oracle on Arabia, —Among the shrubs in Arabia, must ye lodge, Ye caravans of Dedanites.
14 occurrentes sitienti ferte aquam qui habitatis terram austri cum panibus occurrite fugienti
To meet the thirsty, bring ye water, —Ye dwellers in the land of Tema; With bread for him, get in advance of him that is in flight!
15 a facie enim gladiorum fugerunt a facie gladii inminentis a facie arcus extenti a facie gravis proelii
For, before swords, have they fled: Before a sword that is drawn, Before a bow that is bent, And before the stress of war.
16 quoniam haec dicit Dominus ad me adhuc in uno anno quasi in anno mercennarii et auferetur omnis gloria Cedar
For, thus, hath My Lord said unto me, —Within a year according to the yearn of a hireling, shall fail all the glory of Kedar;
17 et reliquiae numeri sagittariorum fortium de filiis Cedar inminuentur Dominus enim Deus Israhel locutus est
And, the remnant of the record of bowmen, The heroes of the sons of Kedar, shall become few; For Yahweh God of Israel, hath spoken.
