U-Isaya 3
1 Ngoba khangela, iNkosi, uJehova wamabandla, izasusa eJerusalema lakoJuda insika lodondolo, insika yonke yesinkwa, lensika yonke yamanzi,
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,
2 iqhawe, lendoda yempi, umahluleli, lomprofethi, lomvumisi, lomdala,
the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder,
3 induna yamatshumi amahlanu, lowemukelekayo ngobuso, lomeluleki, lombazi ohlakaniphileyo, lowazi amalumbo.
the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.
4 Ngizabanika abafana babe yiziphathamandla zabo, lezihluku zizabusa phezu kwabo.
“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
5 Labantu bazacindezelwa, omunye komunye, njalo ngulowo lalowo kumakhelwane wakhe; ijaha lizadelela omdala, lodelelekayo ohloniphekayo.
The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.
6 Lapho umuntu ezabamba umfowabo wendlu kayise athi: Wena ulesembatho, woba ngumbusi wethu, lokhukuchithakala kube ngaphansi kwesandla sakho;
A man will seize his brother within his father’s house: “You have a cloak—you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of rubble.”
7 uzaphakamisa ngalolosuku athi: Kangiyikuba ngumelaphi, ngoba endlini yami kakulakudla kakulasembatho; lingangimisi ngibe ngumbusi wabantu.
On that day he will cry aloud: “I am not a healer. I have no food or clothing in my house. Do not make me leader of the people!”
8 Ngoba iJerusalema ikhubekile, loJuda uwile, ngoba ulimi lwabo lezenzo zabo kumelene leNkosi, ukuvukela amehlo obukhosi bayo.
For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.
9 Ukukhangeleka kobuso babo kuyafakaza ngabo; bememezela izono zabo njengeSodoma, kabazifihli. Maye kumphefumulo wabo! Ngoba bazenzela okubi.
The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.
10 Tshelani olungileyo ukuthi kuzakuba kuhle kuye; ngoba bazakudla isithelo sezenzo zabo.
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
11 Maye kokhohlakeleyo! Kuzakuba kubi kuye; ngoba umvuzo wezandla zakhe uzakwenziwa kuye.
Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.
12 Abantu bami, abacindezeli babo ngabantwana, labesifazana bayababusa. Bantu bami, abakhokheli benu ngabaduhisi, basanganisa indlela yemikhondo yenu.
Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
13 INkosi izimisele ukuphikisana, imi ukuthi yahlulele abantu.
The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.
14 INkosi ingena kusahlulelo labadala babantu bayo leziphathamandla zayo; ngoba lina lidle isivini; impango yomyanga isezindlini zenu.
The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.
15 Lina libachobozelani abantu bami, lichola ubuso babayanga? itsho iNkosi uJehova wamabandla.
Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?”
16 INkosi yasisithi: Ngenxa yokuthi amadodakazi eZiyoni eziphakamisile, ehamba elule intamo, ehuga ngamehlo, ehamba ngokuqoqomela ehamba, ekhencezisa izigqizo enyaweni zawo,
The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty— walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles—
17 ngakho iNkosi izakwenza inkanda yamadodakazi eZiyoni ibe loqweqwe, leNkosi izanqunula izitho zawo zangasese.
the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”
18 Ngalolosuku iNkosi izasusa ubuhle bezigqizo zawo, lezicwatsho, lamasongo anjengenyanga,
In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;
19 amacici, lamasongo, lezimbombozo,
their pendants, bracelets, and veils;
20 amaqhiye, lezigetsho, lamabhanti, lemifuma, lezintebe,
their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
21 izindandatho, lamacici amakhala,
their signet rings and nose rings;
22 izigqoko zemikhosi, lamajazi, lezembatho, lezamba,
their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses;
23 lezibuko, lezigqoko zelembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, lamaqhele, lamaveyili.
and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.
24 Kuzakuthi-ke endaweni yamakha kube levumba, lendaweni yebhanti kube khona igoda, lendaweni yenwele ezilungiswe kuhle kube khona impabanga, lendaweni yesigqoko esihle kube khona isaka, ukutsha endaweni yobuhle.
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.
25 Amadoda akho azakuwa ngenkemba, lamaqhawe akho empini.
Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.
26 Lamasango ayo azakhala alile; yenziwe ize izahlala emhlabathini.
And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
