U-Isaya 31
1 Maye kulabo abehlela usizo eGibhithe, abeyama emabhizeni, bethemba izinqola ngoba zizinengi, labagadi bamabhiza ngoba belamandla kakhulu, kodwa bengakhangeli koNgcwele kaIsrayeli, njalo bengadingi iNkosi!
Woe to those who descend into Egypt for assistance, hoping in horses, and putting their trust in four-horse chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are exceedingly strong. And they have not believed in the Holy One of Israel, and they have not sought the Lord.
2 Kanti layo ihlakaniphile, izaletha ububi, njalo kayiyikuwabuyisa amazwi ayo; kodwa izavukela indlu yabenzi bobubi, njalo imelene losizo lwabenzi beziphambeko.
Therefore, being wise, he has permitted harm, and he has not removed his words, and he will rise up against the house of the wicked and against those who assist the workers of iniquity.
3 Ngoba amaGibhithe angabantu, kabasuNkulunkulu, lamabhiza awo ayinyama, kawayisimoya. Lapho iNkosi izakwelula isandla sayo, osizayo uzakhubeka losizwayo uzakuwa phansi, njalo bonke baphele kanyekanye.
Egypt is man, and not God. And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. And so, the Lord will reach down his hand, and the helper will fall, and the one who was being helped will fall, and they will all be consumed together.
4 Ngoba iNkosi itsho njalo kimi: Njengesilwane lebhongo lesilwane kubhongela phezu kwempango yakho, lapho ixuku labelusi libizelwe ukumelana laso, kasiyikwesaba ilizwi labo, njalo kasiyikuzithoba ngenxa yomsindo wabo; ngokunjalo iNkosi yamabandla izakwehla ukulwela intaba yeZiyoni loqaqa lwayo.
For the Lord says this to me: In the same way that a lion roars, and a young lion is over his prey, and though a multitude of shepherds may meet him, he will not dread their voice, nor be afraid of their number, so will the Lord of hosts descend in order to battle upon mount Zion and upon its hill.
5 Njengenyoni eziphaphayo, ngokunjalo iNkosi yamabandla izavikela iJerusalema; ivikela, izayophula; isedlula, iyikhulule.
Like birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts protect Jerusalem, protecting and freeing, passing over and saving.
6 Phendukelani kuyo okuyo abantwana bakoIsrayeli bahlubuke ngokujulileyo.
Be converted to the same depth that you have drawn away, O sons of Israel.
7 Ngoba ngalolosuku bazalahla, wonke umuntu izithombe zakhe zesiliva lezithombe zakhe zegolide, ozandla zenu zilenzele zona ukuba yisono.
For in that day, a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have made for you unto sin.
8 ISiriya izakuwa-ke ngenkemba engeyisiyo yomuntu olamandla, lenkemba engeyisiyo yomuntukazana izayiqeda; kodwa izabalekela inkemba, lamajaha ayo abe yizibhalwa.
And Assur will fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of man will devour him. And he will not flee from the face of the sword, and his young men will be subject to a penalty.
9 Izakwedlulela edwaleni layo ngokwesaba, leziphathamandla zayo zesabe uphawu, itsho iNkosi, omlilo wayo useZiyoni, lesithando sayo siseJerusalema.
And his strength will pass away in terror, and his princes will flee in fear. The Lord has said it. His fire is in Zion, and his furnace is at Jerusalem.
