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.
A message about the desert by the sea. Like storm winds passing through the Negev, something is coming 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 horrifying vision that has been explained to me. The betrayer still betrays; the destroyer still destroys. Elamites and Medes, go ahead, attack and lay siege to Babylon, for I'm putting a stop to all the pain it has caused.
3 Omubiri gwange kyeguvudde gulumwa, n’obulumi bunkwata, ng’omukazi alumwa okuzaala; nnyiize olw’ebyo bye mpulira, bye ndaba bimazeemu amaanyi.
As a result my body is filled with agony. I'm overwhelmed with pain, like the pain of a woman giving birth. I am confused by what I hear; I am distressed by what I see.
4 Omutima gwange gutya, Entiisa endetera okukankana; Akasendabazaana ke nnali njayaanira, kanfukidde ekikankano.
My mind falters; I shake in panic. The night I looked forward to has become terrifying.
5 Bateekateeka olujjuliro, bayalirira ebiwempe, ne balya, ne banywa! Mugolokoke mmwe abakulembeze, musiige engabo amafuta.
They set the table, they spread out the rugs, they eat and drink… “Get up, officers! Prepare your shields for battle!”
6 Kino Mukama ky’aŋŋamba nti, “Genda ofune omukuumi akuleetere amawulire ku ebyo by’alaba.
This is what the Lord told me: “Go! Have a lookout keep watch, and make sure he reports 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 coming pulled by pairs of horses, riders on donkeys and on camels, he should watch very carefully, paying close attention.”
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 “Sir, I've stood here on the watchtower day after day; night after night I've remained 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.’”
Now look! A man in a chariot with a pair of horses is coming.” Then he said, “Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the idols of its gods lie smashed on the ground!”
10 Abantu bange, abasesebbuddwa ku gguuliro, mbategeeza kyempulidde okuva eri Mukama Katonda ow’Eggye, Katonda wa Isirayiri.
My poor downtrodden people, so badly mistreated, I have told you what I have heard from the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel.
11 Obunnabbi obukwata ku Duuma: Waliwo ankowoola okuva mu Seyiri ng’ayogera nti, “Omukuumi, bunaakya ddi? Omukuumi, bunaakya ddi?”
A message about Edom. A voice is calling to me from Seir, asking, “Watchman, what time of night is it? Watchman, what time of night is it?”
12 Omukuumi ayanukula bw’ati nti, “Bulikya, era buliziba. Bw’obaako ne ky’obuuza kibuuze okomewo nate.”
The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but the night is coming again soon. If you want to ask again, then come back and ask.”
13 Obunnabbi obukwata ku Buwalabu: Mmwe Abadedeni abatambulira mu bibinja, abasiisira mu bisaka bya Buwalabu,
A message about Arabia. Caravans from Dedan, spend the night in the bushes.
14 muleetere abalumwa ennyonta amazzi; mmwe ababeera mu Teema, muleetere abanoonyi b’obubudamu emmere.
People of Tema, take water to the thirsty, meet the refugees with food.
15 Badduka ekitala, badduka ekitala ekisowole, badduka omutego ogunaanuddwa, badduka n’akabi k’entalo.
They're running away from a fierce battle, from swords, drawn swords, from bows and arrows.
16 Bw’ati Mukama bw’aŋŋamba nti, “Mu mwaka gumu, ng’endagaano gye bakolera omukozi bw’eba, ekitiibwa kyonna ekya Kedali kirikoma.
This is what the Lord told me: “Within one year, just as a contract worker precisely counts years, 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.
There will only be a few left of the archers, the warriors of Kedar.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.
