Isaya 13
1 Tamko kuhusu Babeli, ambalo Isaya mtoto wa Amozi alipokea:
A declaration about Babylon, that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
2 Kwenye mlima wa wazi imewekwa bendera ya ishara, lia kwa sauti kwao, wapungie mikono waende kwenye lango la wenye vyeo.
On the bare mountain set up a signal flag, cry aloud to them, wave your hand for them to go into the gates of the nobles.
3 Nimewamuru watakatifu wangu, ndio, nimewaita watu wangu wenye nguvu kutekeleza asira yangu, na hata watu wangu wanojigmba na kujiinua wenyewe.
I have commanded my holy ones, yes, I have called my mighty men to execute my anger, even my proudly exulting ones.
4 Kelele za umati wa watu kwenye milima, za watu wengi! Kelele za ghasiaza ufalme kama mataifa mengi yamekusanyika pamoja! Yahwe wa majeshi anapanga jeshi kwa vita.
The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of many people! The noise of a tumult of the kingdoms like many nations gathered together! Yahweh of hosts is mustering the army for the battle.
5 Wametoka katika nchi ya mbali, kutoka juu ya upeo wa macho. Ni Yahwe na silaha zake za hukumu, kuhiharibu nchi yetu.
They come from a far country, from way over the horizon. It is Yahweh with his instruments of judgment, to destroy the whole land.
6 Omboleza maana siku ya Yahwe imekaribia; itakuja na uharibifu kutoka kwa Mwenyenzi.
Howl, for the day of Yahweh is near; it comes with destruction from the Almighty.
7 Hivyo basi mikono ining'inizwe kama kiwete, na kila moyo ulioyeyuka.
Therefore all hands hang limp, and every heart melts.
8 Itawatisha; maumivu na uchungu atawapa wao, kama mwanamke ambaye anajifungua. Watangalia kwa kushangaa kwa kila mmoja mmoja; nyuso zao zitakuwa kama moto.
They will be terrified; pain and agony will seize them, like a woman in labor. They will look in astonishment at one another; their faces will be aflame.
9 Tazama, siku za Yahwe zinakuja na laana kali wingi wa hasira, kuifanya nchi yenye ukiwa na kuharibu wenye dhambi katika nchi.
See, the day of Yahweh comes with cruel wrath and overflowing anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy the sinners from it.
10 Nyota ya mbinguni na matangamano havitatoa nuru yake. Jua litakuwa giza na hata mwenzi hautaangaza.
The stars of heaven and the constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened even from dawn, and the moon will not shine.
11 Nitaihadhibu nchi kwa maovu yake na makosa ya uovu wao. Nitamaliza kiburi cha majivuno na nitawashusha wenye kiburi wasiwe makali.
I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud and will bring down the arrogance of the ruthless.
12 Nitawafanya watu kuwa nadra zaidi ya dhahabu nzuri na watu kuwa vigumu kupatikana zaidi ya dhahabu safi ya Ofiri.
I will make men more rare than fine gold and mankind harder to find than the pure gold of Ophir.
13 Hivyo basi nitazifanya mbingu kutingishika, na dunia itayumba kutoka sehemu iliyoko, Kwa hasira ya Yahwe wa majeshi, na siku ya hasira yake.
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, by the fury of Yahweh of hosts, and on the day of his fierce anger.
14 Kama Paa anayewindwa au kama kondoo wasio na mchungaji, kila mtu atageukia watu wake na kukimbia kwenye nchi yake.
Like a hunted gazelle or like a sheep with no shepherd, every man will turn toward his own people and will flee to his own land.
15 Kwa yeyote atakayeonekana atauliwa, na yeyote atakayekamatwa atauliwa kwa upanga.
Every one who is found will be killed, and every one who is captured will die by the sword.
16 Watoto wao watakatwa vipandevipande mbele ya macho yao. Nyumba zao zitavamiwa na wake zao watabakwa.
Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be plundered and their wives raped.
17 Tazama, ninakaribia kuwakoroga Wamede ili wawavamie wao, ambao hawaoni maana ya fedha wala furaha ya dhahabu.
Look, I am about to stir up the Medes to attack them, who will not be concerned about silver, nor do they delight in gold.
18 Mishale yao itawachoma vijana wadogo. Hakutakuwa na shimo kwa watoto wao na hawatawacha watoto wao.
Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants and they will not look with pity on children.
19 Na Babali ufalme unaovutia zaidi, fahari ya mapambo ya wakaldyo, itaangamizwa na Mungu kama Sodoma na Gomora.
Then Babylon, the most admired of kingdoms, the splendor of Chaldean pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 Hapatakuwa na wenyeji wala wakazi kutoka kizazi kimoja hadi kizazi kingine. Mwarabu atapiga hema lake uko wala wachungaji hawatalaza mifugo yao pale.
It will not be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. The Arab will not pitch his tent there, nor will shepherds have their flocks rest there.
21 Lakini wanyama pori wa jangwani watalala pale. Nyumba zao zitajaa bundi; na mbuni watakaa huko na mbuzi pori wataruka pale.
But wild animals of the desert will lie there. Their houses will be full of owls; and ostriches and wild goats will skip about there.
22 Fisi watalia kwenye ngome yao, na mbeha katika maeneo yao mazuri. Mda wao umekaribia, na siku zao hazitachelewa.
Hyenas will cry in their fortresses, and jackals in the beautiful palaces. Her time is near, and her days will not be delayed.
