Isaya 21
1 Tamko kuhusu jangwa pembezoni mwa bahari. Kama dhuruba yenye upepo inayotokea kupita Negevi kuelekea jangwani, kutoka kwenye aridhi ya kutisha.
The burden of the desert of the sea. Just as the whirlwinds approach from Africa, it approaches from the desert, from a terrible land.
2 Nimepewa maono ya kusikitisha: Wasaliti wamepanga hila, na waharibifu kuharibu. Nenda juu na uvamie, Elamu; zingira Media; Mimi nitasimamisha maumivu yao yote.
A difficult vision has been announced to me: he who is unbelieving, he acts unfaithfully, and he who is a plunderer, he devastates. Ascend, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I have caused all its mourning to cease.
3 Hivyo basi simba wangu wamejawa na maumivu; ni kama mwanamke anayejifungua kwa uchungu yamenipata mimi; Nimeina chini kwa kile nilichokisikia; nimesumbuliwa kwa kile nilichokiona.
Because of this, my lower back has been filled with pain, and anguish has possessed me, like the anguish of a woman in labor. I fell down when I heard it. I was disturbed when I saw it.
4 Moyo wangu unajinga, nimetitishika kwa hofu. Mapema jioni, mda wangu mzuri kwa siku, imeniletea hofu.
My heart withered. The darkness stupefied me. Babylon, my beloved, has become a wonder to me.
5 Wameandaa meza, wametawanya vitambaa, na wanakula na kunjwa; tokea, mkuu, pakeni ngao yenu kwa mafuta.
Prepare the table. Contemplate, from a place of observation, those who eat and drink. Rise up, you leaders! Take up the shield!
6 Hiili ndilo Bwana aliloniambia, ''Nenda, baada ya mlinzi; lazima atoe taarifa kwa kile atakacho kiona.
For the Lord has said this to me: “Go and station a watchman. And let him announce whatever he will see.”
7 Kama ataona gari, jozi ya farasi, farasi juu ya punda na farasi juu ya ngamia, hivyo basi anatakiwa kuwa makini na kuwa macho.''
And he saw a chariot with two horsemen, and a rider on a donkey, and a rider on a camel. And he considered them diligently, with an intense gaze.
8 Mlinzi analia nje, ''Bwana, ninasimama juu ya mnara siku zote, kila siku, na kwa nguzo yangu nitasimama usiku wote.''
And a lion cried out: “I am on the watchtower of the Lord, standing continually by day. And I am at my station, standing throughout the night.
9 Tazama gari linakuja na wakiwa wawili wawili. anaita, ''Babeli umeanguka, umeanguka, na sanamu za kuchonga za miungu yao zimevunjika chini.''
Behold, a certain man approaches, a man riding on a two-horse chariot.” And he responded, and he said: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! And all its graven gods have been crushed into the earth!
10 Watu wangu niliwapururu na kuwapepeta, watoto niliyewatoa kwenye sakafu yangu mwenyeweNilichokisikia kutoka kwa Yahwe wa majeshi, Mungu wa Israeli, Nimekutangazia wewe.
O my threshed grain! O sons of my threshing floor! What I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I have announced to you.”
11 Tamko kuhusu Duma. Mtu mmoja amenita mimi kutoka Seiri, ''Mlinzi, ni kitu gani kilichobakizwa usiku?
The burden of Dumah, cried out to me from Seir: “Watchman, how goes the night? Watchman, how goes the night?”
12 Mlinzi akasema, ''Asubuhi itafika na vilevile usiku. Ikiwa unataka kuuliza basi uliza; na urudi tena.''
The watchman said: “Morning approaches with the night. If you are seeking: seek, and convert, and approach.”
13 Tamko kuhusu Arabia. Katika jangwa la Arabia mmeutumia usiku, enyi misafara ya Dedanite.
The burden in Arabia. In the forest you shall sleep, in the evening on the paths of Dedanim.
14 Leteni maji kwa wenye kiu; wenyeji wa nchi ya Tema, waoneni watuhumiwa kwa mikate.
You who inhabit the land of the south: upon meeting the thirsty, bring water; meet the fugitive with bread.
15 Maana wameukimbia upanga, kutoka upanga unaotolewa, kutoka kwenye upinde ulopinda, na kutokana na uzito wa vita.
For they are fleeing before the face of swords, before the face of a sword hanging over them, before the face of a bent bow, before the face of a grievous battle.
16 Maana hili ndilo Bwana alichosema na mimi, ''Ndani ya mwaka mmoja, kama mtu aliyeajiriwa kwa mwaka ataona, utukufu wa Kedari utakwisha.
For the Lord said this to me: “After one more year, just like one year for a hired hand, all the glory of Kedar will be taken away.
17 Ni baadhi ya ya wavuta upinde, mashujaa wa Kader watabakia,'' maana Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, amesema.
And the remainder of the multitude of strong archers from the sons of Kedar will be few, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”
