Isaaya 21
1 Obunnabbi obukwata ku Ddungu eririraanye ennyanja: Ng’embuyaga bwe zikunta nga ziyita mu nsi ey’obukiikaddyo, bw’atyo alumba bw’ava mu ddungu eririraanye ensi etiisa.
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 Nfunye okwolesebwa okw’entiisa: alyamu olukwe akola omulimu gwe, n’omunyazi anyaga. Eramu, lumba! Obumeedi zingiza! Ndikomya okusinda kwonna kwe yaleeta.
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 Omubiri gwange kyeguvudde gulumwa, n’obulumi bunkwata, ng’omukazi alumwa okuzaala; nnyiize olw’ebyo bye mpulira, bye ndaba bimazeemu amaanyi.
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 Omutima gwange gutya, Entiisa endetera okukankana; Akasendabazaana ke nnali njayaanira, kanfukidde ekikankano.
My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror.
5 Bateekateeka olujjuliro, bayalirira ebiwempe, ne balya, ne banywa! Mugolokoke mmwe abakulembeze, musiige engabo amafuta.
They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
6 Kino Mukama ky’aŋŋamba nti, “Genda ofune omukuumi akuleetere amawulire ku ebyo by’alaba.
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
7 Bw’alaba amagaali n’ebibinja by’embalaasi, n’abeebagazi ku ndogoyi oba abeebagazi ku ŋŋamira yeekuume, era yeegendereze.”
When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.”
8 Awo omukuumi n’ayogera mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka ng’agamba nti, “Mukama wange, buli lunaku nnyimirira ku munaala, buli kiro mbeera ku mulimu gwange.
Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.
9 Laba omusajja wuuno ajjira mu ggaali, ng’alina n’ekibinja ky’embalaasi. Era ayanukula bw’ati nti, ‘Babulooni kigudde, weewaawo kigudde. Ebifaananyi bya bakatonda baakyo byonna bibetenteddwa wansi ku ttaka.’”
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 Abantu bange, abasesebbuddwa ku gguuliro, mbategeeza kyempulidde okuva eri Mukama Katonda ow’Eggye, Katonda wa Isirayiri.
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 Obunnabbi obukwata ku Duuma: Waliwo ankowoola okuva mu Seyiri ng’ayogera nti, “Omukuumi, bunaakya ddi? Omukuumi, bunaakya ddi?”
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 Omukuumi ayanukula bw’ati nti, “Bulikya, era buliziba. Bw’obaako ne ky’obuuza kibuuze okomewo nate.”
The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”
13 Obunnabbi obukwata ku Buwalabu: Mmwe Abadedeni abatambulira mu bibinja, abasiisira mu bisaka bya Buwalabu,
This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.
14 muleetere abalumwa ennyonta amazzi; mmwe ababeera mu Teema, muleetere abanoonyi b’obubudamu emmere.
Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.
15 Badduka ekitala, badduka ekitala ekisowole, badduka omutego ogunaanuddwa, badduka n’akabi k’entalo.
For they flee from the sword— the sword that is drawn— from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
16 Bw’ati Mukama bw’aŋŋamba nti, “Mu mwaka gumu, ng’endagaano gye bakolera omukozi bw’eba, ekitiibwa kyonna ekya Kedali kirikoma.
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 Ku b’obusaale abaliwona, ne ku basajja abalwanyi abazira ab’e Kedali, walisigalawo batono.” Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri ayogedde.
The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
