21 How did the faithful city become a prostitute?

She who was full of justice—

with righteousness embedded in her,

but now ended up as murderers.

22 Your city’s silver has turned into junk metal.

You wine is now mixed with water.

23 Your leaders are rebels and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves bribes and kick-backs.

They don’t defend the fatherless,

and don’t even think about standing up for the widow.

24 Here’s the declaration of the Yisrael’s powerful master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh:

“Oh well, I’ll get relief from my opponents,

≈ and avenge myself on my enemies;

25 I’ll turn my actions against you,

and refine your junk metal with chemicals

to remove all your impurity.

26 Then I’ll restore your judges like they were before,

and your counsellors like they were at the start.

Afterwards you’ll be a faithful city called ‘The city of integrity’.”

27 Tsiyyon (Zion) will be set free by justice,

and those who repent, set free by doing what is right.

28 But those who rebel or disobey will be shattered,

and those who abandon Yahweh will come to their end,

29 because they’ll be ashamed of the shrines that you liked at the sacred oak trees,

and you’ll all be disgraced by the gardens that you chose to worship idols in.

30 You’ll all be like an oak tree with withered leaves,

≈ and like a garden that has no access to water.

31 The strong man will be like kindling and his work like a spark,

and both of them will burn together in a fire that no one can put out.

2 This is the message the Amots’s son Yeshayah (Isaiah) saw concerning Yehudah (Judah) and Yerushalem (Jerusalem):

2 Near the end of time, the mountain where Yahweh’s house is

will be established as the most important mountain.

It will become more famous than any other hill,

and all the nations will flow to visit it.

3 Many different peoples will come and say,

“Come on, let’s go up to Yahweh’s mountain—

to the temple of Yakov’s (Jacob’s) God,

so he can teach us his ways and we can walk in his paths.”

Because God’s instructions will emanate from Tsiyyon (Zion),

≈ and Yahweh’s message will spread out starting from Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

4 He’ll judge between the nations,

≈ and will settle cases for many different peoples.

They’ll hammer their swords into plough blades,

≈ and their spears into pruning hooks.

The nations will stop attacking each other,

and they won’t go to war again.[ref]

5 You descendants of Yakov,

come and walk in Yahweh’s light.

6 Yes, you’ve abandoned your people, Yakov’s descendants,

because they’re too influenced by eastern ideas

and they practice divination like the Philistines,

and they make deals with sons of foreigners.

7 Their land is full of silver and gold,

≈ and there’s no limit to its wealth.

The land also is full of horses,

≈ and there’s no limit to its chariots,

8 Their land is full of idols.

They worship the craftsmanship of their own hands—

≈ what their fingers have made.

9 Then a person will be bowed down,

≈ and a man will be humbled,

but not forgiven.

10 Go into a cave in the rocks,

or hide in a hole in the ground

from the terror from Yahweh

and from the blinding light of his majesty.[ref]

11 Proud people will be humbled,

≈ and the arrogant will be take a lesson,

and Yahweh alone will be honoured on that day.

12 because Commander-in-chief Yahweh has chosen a day

for judgement against those who are proud and aloof,

and against every arrogant person—they’ll all be humbled.

13 It’s also against all the high and mighty cedars in Lebanon,

and all the oak trees in Bashan,

14 against all the massive mountains

and all the high hills,

15 against every high tower

and fortified wall,

16 against all the ships from Tarshish

and all those beautiful sailing ships.

17 Humankind’s pride will be humbled

and the arrogance of people will be cut off,

and only Yahweh will be honoured at that time.

18 All the idols will be completely eliminated.

19 Yes, men will go into the caves in the rocks

and into holes in the ground,

to escape from the terror of Yahweh,

and from the blinding light of his majesty,

when he takes action to terrify the earth.

20 On that day, people will throw away

their gold and silver idols which they made to worship.

They’ll throw them into rabbit holes and bat caves.

21 Then they’ll crawl into the crevices in the rocks

and into the openings in the ragged cliffs,

to escape from the terror of Yahweh,

and from the blinding light of his majesty,

when he takes action to terrify the earth.

22 Don’t put your faith in humankind who need air to breathe,

because what can they do about anything?

3 Yes, listen, the master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh will take supply and support

away from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and from Yehudah (Judah)—

all the supply of bread and of water,

2 the top warriors and regular soldiers,

the judges and prophets,

the diviners and elders,

3 the unit captains and respected officials,

the counsellors and expert craftsman,

and any skillful enchanters.

4 “Then I’ll put young people in place as their leaders,

≈ and children will rule over them.

5 After that, the people will be oppressed—

one person fighting another,

and a man being taken advantage of by his neighbour.

The lad will insult the elderly,

and the dishonourable insult the honourable.

6 Indeed, a man will seize his brother in his own father’s house:

‘You have a coat so be our ruler,

and this ruin will be under your control.’

7 That will cause him to shout out,

‘I have no intention of helping. I don’t even have enough food and clothes for my own household.

and in my house there is no bread and there is no clothing.

Don’t try to make me the ruler of the people.’ ”

8 Yes, Yerushalem has stumbled,

and Yehudah has fallen,

because their words and actions are against Yahweh,

defying his royal authority.

9 You can tell their intentions by the look on their faces,

and they talk about their disobedience like the people in Sodom did.

They don’t try to hide it.

Their lives won’t end well because they’ve brought suffering on themselves.

10 Tell those who do what’s right

that they’ll be rewarded for their good deeds.

11 But the wicked won’t end well.

They’ll be repaid appropriately for their actions.

12 Even children will oppress my people,

≈ and women rule over them.

Those who guide you lead my people astray

≈ and confuse your progress to make you follow the wrong path.

13 Yahweh is getting ready to make his case

and is standing ready to judge the peoples.

14 He will come to pronounce judgement on the elders of his people and their leaders:

“Yes, all of you, you’ve taken all the fruit from the vineyard—

the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

15 Why do you crush my people

and rub the poor people’s faces into the ground?”

That’s the declaration of my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

16 Then Yahweh said:

“Because Tsiyyon’s (Zion’s) daughters are proud,

and they walk with their chins stuck out and with flirting eyes—

walking and mincing their steps and tinkling their feet,

17 Then my master will shave the heads of Tsiyyon’s daughters,

≈ and Yahweh will make their foreheads bald.”

18 At that time my master will remove their fancy ankle bracelets and headbands, crescent necklaces

19 and earrings, bracelets and veils,

20 scarves, armlets, and sashes, perfume bottles and charms,

21 rings on their fingers and in their noses,

22 festive robes and capes, veils and purses,

23 fine clothes and underwear, and their turbans and shawls.

24 When that happens, there’ll be a stink instead of fragrance,

a rope instead of a nice sash,

baldness instead of a styled hairdo,

sackcloth instead of fancy clothes,

brands on the skin instead of beauty,

25 Your men will die from the sword

and your warriors in the battle.

26 The city gates will mourn and wail,

and she’ll end up just sitting their on the ground, alone.

4 When that happens, seven women will take hold of one man, saying,

‘We’ll eat our food and wear our clothes.

Just let us marry you so we can take your name

to remove our shame.’

2 At that time, Yahweh’s branch will become beautiful and glorious,

and the produce of the land will be a source of pride and delight for what remains of the Israelis. 3 All who remain in Tsiyyon, i.e., the remnant in Yerushalem, will then be his people who are destined to continue to live. 4 Surely my master will wash away the filth of Tsiyyon’s daughters, and clean up the blood stains from the middle of Yerushalem using the spirit of judgement and the spirit of fire. 5 Then over all of Mt. Zion and her assemblies there, Yahweh will place a canopy over all the splendour—creating cloud during the day, and smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire during the night.[ref] 6 During the day, it’ll be a shelter that gives shade from the heat, as well as being a cover and place to get out of the storm and rain.

5 Let me sing, please, to my dearest one,

a song for my darling about his vineyard.

My dearest had a vineyard on very fertile hillside.[ref]

2 He dug it over and cleared it

and planted it with choice vines.

He built a watchtower in the middle of it

and also hewed a winepress in a rocky portion.

Then he waited for it to produce grapes,

but it produced sour, wild grapes.

3 So now, you who lives in Yerushalem

≈ and man from Yehudah,

judge, please, between me and between my vineyard.

4 What more could have been done for my vineyard,

that I haven’t already done for it?

I waited for it to produce grapes,

but why did it produce wild grapes?

5 So now, listen please,

because I’ll tell you what I’m going to do to my vineyard:

I’ll remove the hedge around it and burn it in a fire.

I’ll tear its wall down so people can trample over it.

6 Then I’ll allow it to become overgrown.

It won’t be pruned or hoed, and thistles and thorns will grow through it.

Then I’ll command the clouds not to rain on it any more.

7 Yes, Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s vineyard is Yisrael,

and the people from Yehudah are his nice plants.

Then he waited for justice, but look, slaughter came.

He waited for people to do what’s right, but listen, screaming came.

8 Those who acquire houses won’t end well,

≈ or those who add to their fields until there’s no room left.

→ Then the poor are made to remain alone in the middle of the country.

9 I heard Commander-in-chief Yahweh say:

‘Surely many houses will end up empty—

≈ even large and nice ones won’t have anyone living in them.

10 A large vineyard will produce a measly amount of juice,

≈ and ten baskets of seed will only give a harvest of one basket of grain.

11 Those who get up early in the morning to get a strong drink won’t end well,

≈ yes, those who loiter into the night as wine inflames them.

12 They celebrate with harp and lyre,

tambourine and flute and wine,

but they don’t care about anything that Yahweh does,

≈ in fact, they don’t even know what he’s done for them.

13 Therefore, my people will be exiled because of their for lack of understanding,

and its honourable people are hungry,

≈ and the parched crowds are thirsty.

14 Therefore, the grave has enlarged its appetite

≈ and opened its mouth without limit.

and its elite and its crowd will descend into it,

along with its noisy crowd and those celebrating.

15 Everyone will be brought into submission and humbled.

≈ All the proud people will be humiliated,

16 and Commander-in-chief Yahweh will be honoured for his justice.

≈ God will demonstrate his holiness by doing what is right.

17 Then the lambs will feed in their pastures,

≈ and fattened calves will graze around the houses.

18 Those who pull in wickedness with cords of lies won’t end well,

≈ and nor will those who drag disobedience along behind them with cart ropes.

19 They say, ‘Let him hurry,

≈ let him speed up his work so we can see what he’s doing,

and let the counsel of the holy one of Yisrael approach,

≈ and let it come and let us know.’

20 Those who call evil good, and good evil, won’t end well.

≈ Nor will those who make darkness for light and light for darkness,

≈ or who set bitter as sweet and sweet as bitter!

21 Those who are wise in their own eyes won’t end well,

≈ nor those who think they’re clever.

22 Those who are experts at drinking wine won’t end well,

≈ nor those whose strength is mixing strong drinks,

23 or those who take a bribe then say a wicked person is innocent,

≈ or those that deny justice to innocent people.

24 Therefore, the roots of their families will rot,

≈ and their flowers will flower away like dust

just like how a tongue of fire devours stubble in a field

≈ and the dry grass goes up in flame,

because they’ve rejected Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s instructions,

≈ and they’ve despised the message from the holy one of Yisrael.

25 That’s why Yahweh got very angry at his people,

and he’s taken action against them and has struck them.

The mountains tremble and their corpses become like garbage in the streets.

In all these things, his anger doesn’t subside,

≈ and he doesn’t withdraw the actions he’s started.

26 He’ll signal to faraway nations

≈ and will whistle to those at the ends of the earth.

Then wow, how quickly they’ll show up.

27 Those enemy armies won’t get tired or stumble.

≈ They won’t stop for a rest or to sleep.

They never take their weapons off,

≈ or loosen the straps on their sandals.

28 Their arrows are sharp,

≈ and all their bows are strung.

Their horses have hooves as hard as flint,

≈ and their chariot wheels are like a windstorm.

29 Their roar sounds like a lion,

≈ and they growl like young lions.

They seize their prey and carry it off,

→ and there’s no rescuer in sight.

30 They will roar above their prey on that day,

≈ like the roaring of the ocean.

If someone looks across the land they’d only see darkness and distress.

≈ The light has been darkened by the clouds.

6 In the year that King Uzziyah died, I saw my master sitting on a tall, elevated throne, and his long robe covered the temple floor.[ref] 2 There were ‘serafs’ standing above him. They each had six wings—they used two to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and two to fly with. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Commander-in-chief Yahweh is holy, yes, fully holy.

The whole earth is filled with his splendour.”[ref]

4 Whenever one of them spoke, the sound of their voices make the doorways shake, and the temple was filled with smoke,[ref] 5 and I said,

“This isn’t going to end well for me. Yes, I’m doomed because I am a man with unclean lips,

and I live among a people with unclean lips,

and yet my eyes have seen the king: Commander-in-chief Yahweh.”

6 Then one of the ‘serafs’ flew to me. He was holding a hot coal that he’d taken off the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with that coal and said,

“Look, this has touched your lips,

and your guilt has been taken away

≈ and the price has been paid for your sin.”

8 Then I heard my master ask, “Who will I send? Who will go on our behalf?”

“I’m here,” I answered. “Send me.”

9 Then he said,

“Go and tell that nation:

‘Listen closely, but don’t understand,

and see clearly, but don’t perceive.’[ref]

10 Fatten the heart of this people,

≈ and dull its ears and dim its eyes.

Otherwise it might see with its eyes

≈ and hear with its ears

and understand with its heart,

→ and turn and be healed.”

11 So I asked, “Until when, master?”

And he replied:

“Until cities are desolate—without inhabitants,

≈ and the houses are without people,

→ and the land is a ruined wasteland,

12 and Yahweh has driven the people far away,

→ and the middle of the country is almost totally deserted.

13 If there’s still a tenth of the people in it,

→ then disaster will turn back and burn everything.

Like an elm or an oak tree that’s been cut down but still has a stump—

→ so too the sacred remnant is the nation’s stump.”

7 During the reign of King Ahaz (son of Yotam, son of Uzziyah) in Yehudah (Judah), King Retsin from Aram and King Pekah (son of Remaliah) from Yisrael, went up to Yerushalem attack it, but they weren’t able to conquer it.[ref] 2 Tt was reported to David’s descendants that Aram (Syria) stands by with Efrayim, and the king and the people trembled just like the trees in the forest shaking in the wind.

3 Then Yahweh told Yeshayah, “Please go out with your son Shear-Yashuv to meet Ahaz at the end of the channel from the upper pool, near the road to the field where they wash clothes, 4 and tell him, ‘Be careful and calm and don’t be afraid. Don’t let your courage melt away because of these two tails of smoldering firebrands, i.e., by the anger of Retsin and Aram and Remalyah’s son. 5 Yes, they’ve plotted together against you, saying, 6 “Let’s go up against Yehudah together and terrify her. Let’s break into her and crown Taveal’s son as king right there in the middle of her.” ’

7 However, my master Yahweh says:

‘That’s not going to happen.

≈ They won’t succeed

8 because Aram’s capital is Damascus

and Damascus’ leader is Retsin.

Nevertheless, with sixty-five years Efrayim (Yisrael) will no longer exist as a nation.

9 Efrayim’s capital is Shomron (Samaria).

and Shomron’s leader is Remalyah’s son.

If you don’t keep believing,

then you’ll end up not standing.’ ”

10 Later, Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, 11 “Ask your god Yahweh for a sign of confirmation for yourself. Request an incredible miracle.”

12 “No, I won’t ask,” Ahaz replied. “I refuse to test Yahweh.”

13 Then Yeshayah said, “You descendants of David need to listen. It’s bad enough that you’re wearing out the people, but why are you also annoying my god? 14 Because of that, my master will take the initiative himself to choose a sign: listen, a young, virgin woman[fn] will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and will name him ‘Immanuel’ (which means ‘God is with us’.).[ref] 15 He’ll know how to refuse evil and do good by the time that he can eat yoghurt and honey. 16 However, before the child is old enough to do that, the countries of the two kings that you’re afraid of, will become deserted.

17 But instead, Yahweh will bring the Assyrian king to attack you and your people, and David’s dynasty will be under it’s greatest stress since Efrayim (Yisrael) broke away from Yehudah (Judah).”

18 When that happens, Yahweh will whistle for a fly that’s in Egypt’s distant streams, and for a bee that’s in Assyria. 19 They’ll all come and settle down in deserted valleys and cracks in the rocks, and in all the thornbushes and watering holes.

20 At that time, my master will use a hired razor from beyond the Euphrates to shave the head and legs of the Assyrian king, and to remove his beard.

21 In those days, a farmer will preserve a single, young cow alive, and a couple of sheep. 22 However, because they’ll produce so much milk, they’ll produce yoghurt, because everyone left in the country will eat yoghurt and honey.

23 During that period, every block of land with a thousand grapevines that would have been worth a thousand silver coins, will just be full of thistles and thorns. 24 Because it’ll be so overgrown with briers, men will hunt there with their bows and arrows. 25 All the hills that had been cultivated, will now be off limits because of all the thistle and thorns, and sheep and cattle will be left there to tread it down.

8 Then Yahweh told me, “Get yourself a large, stone tablet and inscribe the name ‘Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz’ (which means ‘Quickly plunder and grab the loot’) on it, 2 and I’ll get my reliable witnesses to attest for me: the priest Uriyah, and Yeverekyah’s son Zekaryah.

3 Then I slept with my wife, the prophetess, and she got pregnant and in due course, gave birth to a son. Yahweh told me, “Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, 4 because before he’s old enough to call out ‘papa’ or ‘mama’, the riches from Damascus and the plunder from Shomron (Samaria) will all be taken to be presented to the Assyrian king.

5 Then Yahweh continued to speak to me again, saying, 6 “Yehudah has refused the gentle waters of Shiloah and instead requests help from King Retsin and Remalyah’s son King Pekah, 7 so therefore my master will send the waters of a large, powerful river onto them: the Assyrian king and all his majestic power. It’ll come like a flood filling all the channels then overflowing all its banks. 8 It will sweep across Yehudah, flooding yet moving on until it reaches your neck. It’s edges will cover your entire country, Immanuel.”

9 Raise the war cry, peoples, and be terrified,

and listen, all you distant places in the world.

Prepare yourselves for war and to be shattered.

Prepare yourselves for war and to be shattered.

10 Make whatever plans you want, but they’ll come to nothing.

Give a presentation but it won’t stand, because God is with us.

11 Yes, Yahweh spoke strongly to me, and warned me not to behave like other people, saying, 12 “Don’t say ‘conspiracy’ everyone time that other people do, and don’t be afraid when they’re afraid, and don’t live in dread.[ref] 13 Only honour Commander-in-chief Yahweh, and be concerned about him and fear him. 14 He’ll be like your safe retreat. He’ll be both the stone that strikes and the rock that makes both Yisrael and Yehudah stumble, and like a trap for the inhabitants of Yerushalem.[ref] 15 Many people will stumble over that stone and that rock and fall and be broken, or be snared and captured.”

16 Tie up this report and seal up these instructions for my apprentices. 17 I’ll wait for Yahweh to act. He’s distanced himself from Yakov’s descendants, but I’ll continue to expect his help.[ref]

18 Both I myself, and the children that Yahweh has given me, are like directions and warning signs for Yisrael, that come from Commander-in-chief Yahweh who lives on Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion).[ref]

19 When they tell you all to consult mediums and fortunetellers who chirp and mutter, shouldn’t the people consult their god rather than the dead guiding the living?

20 Shouldn’t it be the written instructions that they talk about? If they’re not following this message, dawn will never arrive for them, 21 and they’ll be distressed and hungry as they pass it by. Then because they’re hungry and angry, they’ll curse their king and their god as they look upwards. 22 They’ll look back to the ground, and wow, only see trouble and darkness—gloom, distress, and thick darkness thrusting out at them.

9 However, it won’t not cover over those who are distressed. Previously he humiliated the Zevulun and Naftali regions, but later, he’ll honour the way of the sea—beyond the Yarden river—Galilee of the nations.[ref]

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a powerful light.

≈ The light has shone on those who’ve lived in a land of darkness.[ref]

3 You have multiplied the nation itself.

You’ve increased its happiness.

≈ They celebrate in front of you

like the happiness at harvest time.

≈ Like their excitement when dividing the plunder,

4 because you’ve shattered the chains on its neck,

and the stick whacking its shoulders.

You’ve broken the rod of his oppressor

like when you defeated Midyan.

5 Yes, every warrior’s boot treading loudly will be burnt,

along with every piece of clothing with blood on it,

6 because a child is born for us.

A son is given to us

≈ and the government will be on his shoulder.

He’ll be called ‘Amazing adviser’,

‘Greatest God’, ‘Forever father’, ‘Prince of peace’.

7 His government will be without borders—

with peace that’s never broken.

He’ll rule on David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

to establish it and sustain it with justice and with fairness from now onwards.

The zeal of Commander-in-chief Yahweh will do that.[ref]

8 My master sent a message against Yakov,

≈ and it dealt with Yisrael,

9 and all the people will know it—

Efrayim and those who live in Samarya.

With a proud and arrogant heart they’ll say,

10 “The bricks have fallen, but we’ll rebuild with beautiful chiselled stone.

≈ The sycamores are felled, but we’ll replace them with expensive cedar.”

11 But Yahweh will send King Retsin against them as an adversary,

and will stir up their enemies—

12 the Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west,

and they’ll be a big mouth that’ll gobble Yisrael up.

Even then, Yahweh’s anger won’t subside.

≈ He’ll still be taking action against them.

13 The people still won’t return to the one who struck them,

≈ and they won’t strive to know Commander-in-chief Yahweh

14 so he’ll cut off Yisrael’s head and tail—

high palm branches and low reeds, all on the same day.

15 Yisrael’s leaders are that head,

and the lying prophets are that tail.

16 These people’s guides have led them the wrong way,

so the ones being guided were destroyed.

17 Therefore, my master won’t be happy about their young men,

nor will he have compassion for their fatherless and their widows,

because everyone one of them is godless and does evil things,

and every mouth speaks out foolish things.

With all that going on, his anger never goes away,

and he continues to take action against them

18 because wickedness burns like fire.

It burns up the thistles and thorns,

and it spreads to the trees in the forest

as smoke swirls up into the air.

19 Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s anger causes the entire land to be scorched,

and then the people become the fuel for the fire

as each man doesn’t even spare his own brother.

20 They devoured on the right but were still hungry.

They ate on the left, but it didn’t fill them up,

so everyone ate the flesh on their own arms.

21 Menashsheh fought Efrayim, then Efrayim found Menashsheh,

then they fought together against Yehudah.

Even through all that, his anger didn’t subside,

and he continues to take action against them.

10 Those who make wicked laws won’t end well,

≈ nor will administrators who write troublesome edicts,

2 suppressing the rights of the needy,

≈ and robbing the poor among my people of justice,

making widows become plunder,

≈ and preying on the fatherless.

3 Then what will you all do for the judgement day,

≈ and for the destruction coming from far away?

Who will you all flee to for help then,

and where will you leave your wealth?

4 All they can do is to crouch among the prisoners,

or fall among the killed.

In all these things, Yahweh’s anger doesn’t subside,

and he continues to take action against them.

5 Assyria won’t end well.

The rod of my anger and the staff of my rage is in their hands,[ref]

6 I’ve sent their king against an arrogant nation

≈ and against the people that I’m angry with.

I order him to plunder the plunder and to prey on the prey,

and to trample them—trodden down like the mud in the streets.

7 However, that’s not what’s in his mind,

and he doesn’t even think about those things,

because he’s bent on destruction

and the elimination of not just a few nations.

8 In fact, he says,

“Aren’t all my commanders like kings?

9 We destroyed Kalno liked we did at Karkemish,

Hamat like Arpad, and Shomron (Samaria) like Damascus.

10 I’ve already punished idolatrous kingdoms,

and their idols and images were more impressive that those in Yerushalem and Shomron,

11 so just like I did to Shomron and its idols,

I’ll will also do to Yerushalem and its idols.”

12 In due course, when my master has finished all his work against Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) and against Yerushalem, I’ll deal with the result of the Assyrian king’s proud plans and the arrogant attitude that he displays, 13 because he says,

“It was my own strength and initiatives that got me this far,

and by using my wisdom, because I was discerning.

Now I’ve removed the boundaries of the peoples,

and I’ve stolen their treasures,

and like a powerful animal, I’ve brought down the inhabitants.

14 My hand has seized the wealth of the nations

just like someone taking the eggs out of a nest.

I gathered it from all over the world

but no one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth and chirped.

15 Will the axe say its greater than the person who swings it?

≈ Will the saw praise itself more than the one who uses it?

As if a rod could move those who are lifting it up,

≈ or a staff could lift up what’s not made from wood.

16 Therefore, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh

will make his muscular warriors waste away,

and instead of the Assyrian king getting glory,

he’ll get his fingers burnt like with a burning flame.

17 Then Yisrael’s light will become a fire,

≈ and its holy one a flame,

→ and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.

18 His beautiful forest and his fruitful land

will be steadily destroyed,

like a sick person who wastes away.

19 There’ll be so few trees left in his forest that even a child could count them.

20 At that time, the remnant of Yisrael, i.e., the survivors of Yakov’s descendants, will no longer rely on that king who makes them suffer, but instead will rely on Yahweh, Yisrael’s holy one. 21 A remnant of Yisrael will return to their powerful god. 22 Although the Israelis are currently very numerous, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed because justice must prevail[ref] 23 Yes, complete destruction has been decreed by my master Yahweh and he’s about to apply it throughout the country.

24 Because of that, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says, “My people living in Tsiyyon (Zion), don’t be afraid of the Assyrians. They’ll beat you with a rod and raise their staff against you like the Egyptians did 25 for a little while longer, and then I’ll be upset with the Assyrians and my anger will lead to their destruction. 26 Commander-in-chief Yahweh will wave a whip against them, like when the Midianites were struck at Orev rock, and wave his staff over the sea like they did leaving Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim). 27 Then at that time, he’ll lift his load off your shoulders and his yoke from off your neck, and that yoke will be broken as you begin to thrive again.

28 The enemy has come to Ayat, passed through Migron, storing their supplies north of Yerushalem at Mikmas. 29 They’ve crossed over the pass. They camped at Geba. Ramah is trembling, and Gibeah of Shaul has fled.

30 Cry out for help daughter of Gallim,

pay attention Layshah,

you’ll suffer Antoti.

31 Madmenah flees,

the residents of Gevim are taken to safety.

32 Yet today he will stand at Nod,

shaking his fist at the daughter of Tsiyyon—

the hill of Yerushalem.

33 Listen, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh will cut off the branches with a crash,

and the tallest of the tall will be cut down,

≈ and the high and mighty will be brought low.

34 He’ll chop down the thickets in the forest with an axe,

→ and Lebanon will be felled by the mighty one.

11 Then a shoot will come out from the stump of Yishay (Jesse),

and a branch from his roots will grow to produce fruit.[ref]

2 Yahweh’s spirit will be with him—

a spirit of wisdom and understanding,

a spirit of good advice and strength,

a spirit of knowledge and striving to obey Yahweh.

3 ≈ He’ll be happy to respect and honour Yahweh.

He won’t judge just by what can be seen,

≈ or make decisions just from what can be heard,

4 but he’ll judge the ordinary people with justice

≈ and decide fairly for the poor in the world.

He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

≈ and with the breath of his lips, he’ll execute the wicked.[ref]

5 His waistbelt will be doing what’s right,

≈ and the strap for his hips will be faithfulness.

6 At that time. the wolf will live with the lamb,

≈ the leopard will lie down with the young goat,

≈ and the cow and the young lion and the calf,

→ all there together, and a little child will lead them.[ref]

7 The cow and the bear will graze together.

Their young will lie down together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 A child will play over the cobra’s hole,

≈ and the toddler will stretch his hand over the viper’s nest.

9 There’ll be no more pain or destruction on all my sacred mountain,

because the world will be full of knowledge about Yahweh,

just as the waters cover the sea.[ref]

10 Then on that day, Yishay’s (Jesse’s) root will stand as a signal to the peoples. Nations will search for him, and his residence will be wonderful.[ref] 11 At that time, my master will again exercise his power to recover a remnant of his people who remain in Assyria, Egypt, Patros, Kush (Ethiopia), Elam, Shinar, Hamat, and from various islands.

12 He’ll raise a banner for the nations,

and gather the Israelis who were banished—

≈ assembling the Jews who were scattered right around the world.

13 Efrayim’s jealousy will go, and Yehudah’s enemies will be eliminated.

≈ Efrayim will no longer be jealous of Yehudah, and Yehudah will no longer treat Efrayim as enemies.

14 They will swoop down the slopes to attack the Philistines on the west.

≈ Together they’ll plunder the peoples in the east.

They’ll take over Edom and Moab,

≈ and the Ammonites will become their subjects.

15 Then Yahweh will completely destroy the gulf from the Egyptian sea,

≈ and wave his hand with his scorching wind over the Euphrates river

→ and divide it into seven streams that can be crossed in sandals.[ref]

16 There’ll be a highway for the remnant of his people coming from Assyria,

≈ just like when Yisrael came out of Egypt.

12 Then on that day you’ll say,

“I’ll praise you, Yahweh, because although you were angry at me,

your anger subsided and you’ve comforted me.

2 Yes, God is the one who saves me.

I will trust him and not be afraid

because my strength and the one I sing about is Yah—Yahweh,

and he’s rescued me from my enemies.[ref]

3 Then you’ll cheerfully get water

from the springs of salvation.

4 “Give thanks to Yahweh,” you’ll say at that time.

“Ask him for help.

Tell all the people groups what he’s done.

Tell everyone how wonderful he is.

5 Sing to Yahweh because he’s done amazing things.

Make sure everyone in the world knows about them.

6 Yell and shout happily, you inhabitants of Tsiyyon (Zion),

because Yisrael’s holy one is powerful among you.”

13 This is the heavy message about Babylon, which Amots’ son Yeshayah (Isaiah) saw:[ref]

2 Raise a banner on the bare mountain.

Call out to them and wave your hand,

and enter the gates of the princes.

3 I have commanded my sanctified ones

as well as angrily summoning warriors—

my boasting, arrogant ones.

4 There’s a loud noise from the mountains,

like that from many people.

It’s the sound of uproar from the kingdoms—

nations that are gathering.

Commander-in-chief Yahweh is mustering an army for battle.

5 They’re coming from a far country,

≈ from the end of the heavens.

They’re the instruments of Yahweh’s judgement,

≈ coming to destroy the entire country.

6 Start wailing because Yahweh’s day is close,

≈ and destruction from the powerful one will come.[ref]

7 That’s why all hands hang limp,

≈ and the heart of every person melts.

8 They’ll have pangs of dismay,

≈ and agony will seize them like a woman who writhes in labour.

They’ll stare at their neighbours in astonishment

with their faces flushed red.

9 Yes, Yahweh’s day is coming—

a cruel day with of fierce anger and rage,

to make the earth a desolate place

as sinners are destroyed from it.

10 The stars in the sky and their constellations

won’t shine their light.

The sun coming out will be dark,

≈ and the moon won’t be shining its light.[ref]

11 I will punish the world for its evil

≈ and the wicked for their disobedience.

I’ll put an end to the pride of the arrogant,

≈ and bring down the arrogance of the ruthless.

12 I’ll make humans more rare than pure gold,

≈ and people more scarce than the gold from Ofir.

13 So I’ll make the sky wobble,

and the earth will be shaken out of its place

by the fury of Commander-in-chief Yahweh

on the day of his raging ≈ anger.

14 Then like a gazelle being hunted

or sheep without a shepherd,

everyone will turn to their own people group

and they’ll all flee back to their own countries.

15 Everyone who’s discovered (in Babylon) will be run through with a spear,

≈ and everyone who’s caught will be killed by the sword.

16 Their children will be smashed to pieces right in front of them.

Their homes will be looted and their wives raped.

17 Listen, I’m stirring the Medes up against them,

who don’t value silver or care about gold.

18 Their arrows will strike down the young men.

They’ll have no mercy on your infants,

≈ and won’t show any pity on your children.

19 Yes, that admirable kingdom of Babylon,[ref]

the pride of the Chaldeans,

will be destroyed by God like Sodom and Amorah (Gomorrah) were.

20 It’ll never be inhabited again,

≈ or lived in from one generation to the next.

The Arabs won’t even set up their tents there,

≈ and the shepherds won’t rest their flocks there.

21 But desert animals will live there,

≈ and jackals will live in the houses.

Ostrich chicks will grow there

≈ and wild goats will romp around there.

22 Hyenas will howl in its towers,

≈ and jackals in the nice palaces.

Her time is coming to an end,

≈ and her lifetime won’t be extended.

14 Yahweh will have compassion on Yakov,

≈ and will choose Yisrael again,

and settle them on their own land.

Foreigners will join with them,

≈ and attach themselves to the Israeli people.

2 The nations will take them back to their own place,

and in Yahweh’s land, the Israelis will take them as male and female servants.

They’ll take their captors captive,

≈ and they’ll rule over their oppressors.

3 Then at the time when Yahweh gives you a break from your anguish and suffering,

≈ and from the hard labour you did as slaves,

4 then you’ll taunt Babylon’s king with this song,

“How the oppressor has stopped,

≈ and how his fury has ceased.

5 Yahweh has broken the wicked peoples’ staff,

≈ the golden rod of the rulers.

6 In your rage, you struck the people groups with never-ending blows,

≈ ruling the nations in anger—persecuting them without restraint.

7 Now the whole world is in restful peace.

People have broken out with a shout of celebration.

8 Even the cypress trees are happy about your demise,

≈ as as the cedars in Lebanon.

Now that you’re powerless,

→ no one comes up to cut us down.

9 Down below, the grave is excited

≈ waiting for your arrival.

It wakes up the dead for you—all the kings of the earth,

≈ raising them from their thrones—all the kings of the nations.

10 They’ll all speak and tell you

that you have been made weak like them,

in fact become completely like them.

11 Your reputation has been brought down to the grave,

≈ along with the sound of your harps.

Maggots are spread to be your mattress,

≈ and worms are your blanket.

12 How you’ve fallen from heaven, you shining son of the dawn.[ref]

≈ You’ve been cut down to the ground, you who defeated nations.

13 You had said to yourself,

‘I will climb up to the heavens above God’s stars.

≈ I will elevate my throne and I will rule on the mountain

where they assemble on Tsafon’s heights.

14 I’ll go up above the tops of the clouds,

≈ I’ll make myself like the most high one.’

15 Nevertheless you’ve been taken down to the grave—

≈ to the remotest parts of the pit.

16 Those who see you there will stare at you.

≈ They’ll ponder your fate—

if you’re the man who make the earth tremble?

≈ The one who made kingdoms shake?

17 The one who turned the world into a wilderness,

and tore down its cities?

The one wouldn’t release his prisoners of war to go home?

18 All the kings of the nations have laid down in honour—

each one in his own tomb,

19 but you have been thrown out of your grave,

like an unwanted branch that’s thrown away.

Those killed with the sword surround you like how clothes wrap around a person.

They went down to the stones in the pit like a trampled corpse.

20 You won’t be buried with them because you’ve ruined your land.

You’ve killed your people—

the offspring of the wicked will never be mentioned again.

21 Prepare for the slaughter of his children because of their fathers’ disobedience,

in case they rise up and possess the earth,

and fill the world with their cities.

22 Commander-in-chief Yahweh declares, “I will take action against them and erase Babylon’s name and their remnant and their future offspring. 23 I’ll make it into a place where owls live, and pools of water, and I’ll sweep her with the broom of destruction.” That’s the declaration from Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

24 Commander-in-chief Yahweh has promised,[ref]

“Everything that I intended will certainly happen,

≈ and what I’ve planned will come to pass.

25 To break Asirya (Assyria) in my land,

≈ and trample them down on my hills.

Its yoke will be lifted from their necks

≈ and its burden lifted from their shoulder.

26 That’s the plan for the whole world,

≈ and Yahweh’s hand is ready to strike all the nations.

27 Commander-in-chief Yahweh has made his plans and who could prevent him?

≈ His arm is stretched out and who could turn it back?

28 In the year that King Ahaz died, this message came:[ref]

29 All you Philistines, don’t celebrate that the rod that struck you is now broken,

because out of the root of that snake, a viper will grow,

and its result will be a darting adder.[ref]

30 Then the poor will graze in my pastures,

≈ and the needy will lie down in safety.

I will kill your root with famine,

≈ and it will kill your survivors.

31 Wail, you gate. Cry out, you city.

Philistia, all of you will melt away,

because smoke comes from the north,

and no soldier is alone in his ranks.

32 What will Philistia answer to the messengers from that nation?

Remember that Yahweh has founded Tsiyyon (Zion),

and it’s in her that the afflicted among his people will find safety.

15 Here is a message for Moav (Moab):[ref]

So, in a night Ar in Moav will be laid waste, destroyed.

≈ So, in a night Kir in Moav will be laid waste, destroyed.

2 They’ve gone up to the temple, and Divon up to the hills to weep.

≈ Moav wails about Nevo and Medeva.

All their heads are bald.

≈ All their beards are cut off.

3 In their streets they wear sackcloth.

≈ On their (flat) roofs and in the square, everyone wails,

→ coming down in tears.

4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out—their voice is heard as far as Yahats.

≈ So too, the soldiers from Moav call out as their spirit trembles inside them.

5 My heart cries out for Moav, those who flee to Tsoar and to Eglat-Shelishiyah,

because they weep as they climb the Luhit ascent,

≈ yes, on the road to Horonaim, they cry loudly from their suffering.

6 The Nimrim spring has dried up so the grass has withered.

≈ The vegetation has disappeared so there’s no more greenery.

7 Because of that, they take the wealth they’ve made and their savings,

→ and they carry it away across the stream with the willows.

8 Yes, the cry has surrounded the Moav region,

and her wailing has carried as far as Eglayim and Beyt-Eylim,

9 because the Dimon stream is full of blood,

→ However, I’ll bring more on Dimon.

I’ll send a lion for Moav’s survivors,

≈ and for the remnant of the land.

16 Send a ram to Yehudah’s ruler

from Sela in the wilderness to the mountain of the daughter of Tsiyyon (Zion).

2 Then just like birds flutter away from a nest that’s disturbed,

so too the Moav women will head to the fords at the Arnon river.

3 Bring some advice. Make a decision.

Make some shade that’s dark in the middle of the day.

Hide the fugitives.

≈ Don’t expose the refugees.

4 Let Moav’s refugees live among you.

Be a shelter for them from the destroyer,

because the oppressor will give up.

Destruction will cease.

The oppressors will disappear from the land.

5 A king will be established based on loyal commitment.

A descendant of David who will rule with faithfulness—

one who judges fairly and strives for justice,

and who quickly does what is right.

6 We’ve heard about Moav’s excessive pride,

and their haughtiness and arrogance,

but their boasting is empty.

7 So Moav mourns for itself—all of them.

They long for the raisin-cakes from Kir-Hareset.

They’re completely overcome

8 because Heshbon’s fields have dried up

as have Sevmah’s grapevines.

The rulers of nations have trampled down its best grapevines.

They reached Yazer—wandering through the wilderness.

Its shoots spread out—passing over the ocean.

9 So I’ll weep along with those weeping in Yazer for Sevmah’s grapevines.

I’ll water you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh,

because they’re shouting about your summer fruits and your harvest.

10 People will no longer be happy in their orchards,

≈ and celebrations will disappear from the vineyards.

There won’t be any singing or shouting in the winepresses,

≈ and the shouting of those treading the grapes will cease.

11 My stomach tightens like a harp string when I think about Moav.

≈ My insides groan about Kir-Hareset.

12 The people of Moav wear themselves out praying at their hilltop shrines.

≈ They go to their temple to pray, but it doesn’t help them.

13 That’s what Yahweh already said about Moav, 14 and now he says that within three years like a hirer labourer, Moav’s honour will disappear, because out of their large population, only a small and insignificant group will remain.

17 A message for Damascus:[ref]

Listen, Damascus will cease to be a city

≈ and will become a heap of rubble.

2 Aroer’s cities will be abandoned to sheep and goats.

They’ll lie down there and there’ll be no one around to frighten them.

3 Forts will disappear from Efrayim

≈ and Damascus will lose its kingdom.

The remnant from Syria (Heb. Aram) will be a prize for the Israelis.

That’s what Commander-in-chief Yahweh says.

4 At that time, Yakob (Jacob/Israel) will become insignificant.

The fat on his body will waste away.

5 Originally the harvester reaped all the grain,

→ then it was stalks of grain,

→ then an individual picking up a stalk of grain,

→ in the Refa’im valley.

6 ≈ There’ll be a few stalks left over,

like beating an olive tree to ge the two or three olives at the top,

or four or five on the upper branches.

That’s what Yisrael’s god Yahweh says.

7 At that time humankind will look at their maker,

≈ and turn their eyes to the holy one of Yisrael.

8 They’ll stop trusting the altars that they themselves made,

≈ They’ll stop noticing the Asherah poles and incense altars crafted with their own fingers.

9 At that time, their fortified cities will be abandoned like a deserted part of the forest,

≈ and their summits will be abandoned and desolate as Yisrael advances,

10 because you’ve forgotten the god who saved you,

≈ and you didn’t remember the rock that you used for protection.

So you sow pleasant plantations

and plant vine cuttings from a stranger.

11 You nurture what you’ve planted,

and in the morning, your seed will have sprouted,

but the harvest will become a heap in a time of sickness,

and the pain will be incurable.

12 The confusion of many peoples won’t end well.

they roar like the roaring oceans

and the nations rumble like the rumble of a large waterfall.

13 Yes, the nations rumble like many rivers,

but he’ll scold them and they’ll flee away.

and be chased like how the wind chases chaff over the hills

and like whirling dust blown ahead of a storm.

14 Then in the evening, oh my, terror!

by it’s gone by morning.

That’s what happens to those who plunder us,

and the outcome for those who rob us.

18 You won’t end well, you land of whirring wings

that’s on the far side of Ethiopia’s (Cush’s) rivers.[ref]

2 You who send ambassadors across the ocean

skimming over the water in papyrus vessels.

You swift messengers, go to the nation where the people are tall and smooth-skinned—

a people who are feared—a very powerful nation

from a land that’s divided by rivers.

3 All you inhabitants of the world

and those who live on the earth,

look when a signal is raised on the hills,

and listen when you hear a trumpet sounding.

4 This is what Yahweh told me:

I’ll remain quite and pay attention from my place,

like when heat shimmers with light,

like a cloud of mist in the heat at harvest time.

5 Before the harvest starts, when the blossoming has finished,

and the flowers are forming into grapes,

then he’ll cut off the unwanted shoots with the pruning knife

and cut away the long tendrils.

6 They’ll be left there for the birds of prey from the hills,

and the wild animals across the land.

The birds of prey will spend the summer on them,

and then the animals across the land will spend the winter on them.

7 At that time, a gift will be brought for Commander-in-chief Yahweh,

from those tall, smooth-skinned people who are feared by every nation.

That very powerful nation whose land is divided by rivers.

They’ll take it to Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) where Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s name is known.

19 A message for Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim):[ref]

Look, Yahweh’s riding on a swift cloud and he’s coming to Egypt.

Egypt’s idols will tremble in front of him,

and its people will lose their courage.

2 Then I’ll stir Egypt up against Egypt,

→ so brothers will fight their brothers and neighbours against neighbours,

≈ city against city and kingdom against kingdom.

3 Egypt’s spirit will be weakened from within

→ and I will confuse its advice,

so they’ll consult idols and the spirits of the dead,

≈ as well as mediums and diviners.

4 Then I’ll hand Egypt over to a cruel master—

≈ a strong king will rule over them.

That’s what the master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says.

5 The waters from the sea will dry up,

≈ and any river will drop in level and empty out.

6 Then the low rivers will stink,

and Egypt’s canals will dry up.

The reeds and rushes will wither.

7 There’ll be exposed areas at the river mouth,

and all the cultivated land along the river

will turn to dust and cease to exist.

8 The fishermen will wail and mourn—

everyone who throws a hook into the Nile will grieve,

along with all those who spread a fishing net over the surface of the waters.

9 Flax workers will be ashamed,

as will those who weave white cloth.

10 Egypt’s foundations will be crushed,

and their hired workers will be discouraged.

11 Tsoan city’s officials are foolish.

≈ Far’oh’s (Pharaoh’s) wise counsellors are stupid.

How could you all tell Far’oh that you’re the son of wise people—

a son of ancient kings?

12 So where are your wise advisors now?

Please let them explain to you

so they’ll know what Commander-in-chief Yahweh has planned for Egypt.

13 Tsoan’s officials have become fools.

≈ Memphis’s leaders have been deceived.

Their tribal leaders have led Egypt astray.

14 Yahweh has mixed a confused spirit into them,

so they’ve misled Egypt is everything it does,

making them stagger like a drunkard in his own vomit.

15 No one in Egypt can do anything—

whether head or tail, palm branch or reed.

16 When that happens, the Egyptians will tremble like women, dreading Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s raised fist held against them. 17 Yehudah (the land of Judah) will become an object of terror to Egypt. Whenever they’re reminded of Yehudah they’ll become afraid, because of what Commander-in-chief Yahweh is planning against them.

18 At that time, there’ll be five cities in Egypt where they’ll speak out in Hebrew, and make oaths by Commander-in-chief Yahweh. (One of those cities will be called ‘the city of destruction’.)

19 At that time, there’ll be an altar to Yahweh in the middle of Egypt, and a stone pillar to him on their shared border. 20 It’ll be for a sign in Egypt and a witness to Commander-in-chief Yahweh, because when they’re oppressed and cry out to Yahweh for help, he’ll send a saviour and defender for them who will rescue them. 21 Then Yahweh will become known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh that day, and they’ll worship him with sacrifices and offerings, and they’ll make a commitment to Yahweh and then they’ll honour it. 22 Then Yahweh will strike Egypt—striking then healing, and they’ll turn to Yahweh and he will take notice of their requests and will heal them.

23 At that time, there’ll be a highway from Egypt to Assyria (Heb. Ashshur), so Assyrians will go to Egypt and Egyptians will go to Assyria, and they’ll worship together. 24 Yisrael (Israel) will be the third in the group with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the middle of the region 25 when Commander-in-chief Yahweh will bless them saying, “Blessed be my people Egypt, and Assyria, the work of my hands, and Israel, my inheritance.”

20 In the year before the Assyrian King Sargon sent his top army commander to Ashdod, and he attacked and captured it, 2 Yahweh told Yeshayah (Isaiah, Amots’ son), “Take off the sackcloth and the sandals that you’ve been wearing.” So he started walking around naked[fn] and barefoot. 3 Later Yahweh said, “Just as my servant Yeshayah has been walking around naked and barefoot for three years, it’s a sign and a prophecy about Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) and Ethiopia (Heb. Kush). 4 It’s a sign that the Assyrian king will lead away captives from Egypt and Ethiopia—young men and old, barefoot and naked with their buttocks exposed—to Egypt’s shame. 5 They’ll be discouraged and ashamed because of their unfounded confidence in Ethiopia and their boasting about Egypt. 6 Those who live along those coastlines will say, “Listen, we fled there for help because that was our hope to be saved from the Assyrian king—how can we escape now?”

21 A message for the wilderness beside the ocean:

It comes like whirlwinds sweeping through the desert,

coming from a nation that induces terror.

2 I’ve been given a distressing vision.

The deceitful deceive and the destroyer destroys.

Go up Elam. Lay siege, Media.

I’ll make all her groaning come to an end.

3 That’s why my stomach tightens.

Pangs of anguish seize me like a woman giving birth.

I’m stunned by what I hear.

≈ I’m terrified by what I see.

4 My heart falters—I’m overwhelmed and I shudder.

≈ The twilight that I longed for has turned into trembling.

5 They’re setting the table and spreading out the rugs.

They’re eating and drinking.

Take action you officials. Oil up your shields.

6 My master has told me to station a watchman who’ll tell what he sees. 7 When he sees a rider or a pair of horses, or someone riding a camel or a donkey, he must pay attention—very careful attention.

8 Then the watchman[fn] calls out,

“My master, I’ve stood day after day on this watchtower,

≈ and spent the nights stationed at my post, 9 so listen, a rider is coming with a pair of horses, and he brings the news that Babylon has fallen, yes fallen, and all its carved idols lie broken on the ground.”[ref]

10 Oh my down-trodden people who’ve been trampled all over.

I’ve passed on to you all what I heard from Yisrael’s god, Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

11 A message for Dumah:

Someone’s calling me from Edom, “Watchman, how long will it be before the night is over?”

12 “The morning’s coming but also the next night. If you all want to ask, ask now, then come back again later.”

13 A message for Arabia:

You’ll all overnight in Arabia’s forest, you Dedanite caravans.

14 Bring water out to meet the thirsty.

You who live in Tema bring some food for the fugitives

15 because they’ve fled from the approaching army with their swords held out in front of them,

≈ and from the taut bows and from the stress of battle.

16 Yahweh told me that in exactly one year from now,

≈ like the end of the labourer’s contract,

all the greatness of Kedar in Arabia will come to an end.

17 Only a few of Kedar’s archers will remain from their warriors,

because Yisrael’s god Yahweh has spoken.

22 A message for the Valley of Vision (Yerushalem/Jerusalem):

What’s happening to you all that you’ve all gone up to your flat rooftops?

2 The city is full of noise and commotion.

≈ The town is so boisterous.

Those dead bodies weren’t killed in fighting.

≈ They didn’t die in battle.

3 All your leaders fled together but they were captured without an arrow being shot.

All the others were captured together, even though they had fled far away.

4 Therefore I said: Don’t look at me!

I’m weeping bitterly so don’t rush to comfort me

concerning the destruction of my people,

5 because it’s a day of panic and trampling and confusion

from the master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh—

breaking down a wall in the Valley of Vision and crying out to the mountain.

6 Elam picked up the quiver with chariots and horseriders,

≈ and Kir uncovered their shields.

7 Our most productive valleys became full of chariots,

≈ and the horseriders took position at the city gates.

8 He uncovered Yehudah’s defences,

and that day you looked for the weapons in the Forest House.

9 You all saw that there were many breaches on the David’s City,

and you fetched water from the lower pool.

10 You all counted Yerushalem’s houses,

and pulled some down to fortify the city wall.

11 You all made a reservoir between the two walls for the water from the old pool,

but you didn’t put your trust in the one who made it

and didn’t consider its designer from long ago.

12 Tnen my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh called for weeping and wailing,

and for heads to be shaved and for sackcloth to be worn. 13 But look! There’s celebration and gladness.

They’re killing cattle and slaughtering sheep,

and eating meat and drinking wine,

saying, ‘Let’s eat and drink today because we’ll die tomorrow.’[ref]

14 So now, Commander-in-chief Yahweh has revealed to me: ‘You all won’t be forgiven for that wickedness until you die.’

15 My master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says:

Go to the administrator who’s in charge of Shevna.

16 Ask what right you have to come here to carve yourself a tomb—

chiselling a tomb to rest in, out of the tall cliff?

17 Listen man, Yahweh is about to take firm hold of you,

and he’s about to hurl you away.

18 He’ll swing you round and round like a ball,

tossed out into a wide open land where you’ll die.

Your impressive chariots will be there,

but what a terrible disgrace for your master’s household.

19 I will push you out of your official role,

≈ and he’ll pull you down from your position.

20 Then at that time, I’ll summon my servant Elyakim (Hilkiyah’s son) 21 and I’ll put your robe and sash on him, and give him the authority that you had. He’ll be like a father to those who live in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and right across Yehudah (Judah). 22 Then I’ll place the key to David’s house on his shoulder and he’ll open the door that no one will be able to shut. Then he’ll shut it, and no one will be able to open it.[ref] 23 I’ll fasten him in, like a peg into something solid, and he’ll become a wonderful throne for his father’s house.

24 Then they’ll hang all the great things from his father’s house onto him—the offspring and descendants from the small containers and cups through to the largest jugs. 25 Commander-in-chief Yahweh declares that at that time, the peg driven into the firm place will give way, and break off and fall, and the burden that was relying on it will fail. Yahweh has spoken.

23 A message for Tsor (Tyre):[ref]

Cry loudly, you ships from Tarshish because your home port has been destroyed. It’s been reported to them from Kittim (Cyprus ). 2 Be silent you who live along the coast, you traders from Tsidon (Sidon) who cross the ocean to be filled. 3 The grain from Shihor across the waters and the harvest from the Nile became hers, and it became the commerce of the nations.

4 Be ashamed Tsidon because the ocean has spoken.

The stronghold by the sea said,

‘I haven’t been in labour or given birth,

≈ and I haven’t raised young men or young women.’

5 When the report reaches Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim),

they’ll be very upset about what happened to Tsor.

6 Sail over to Tarshish.

Cry loudly, you who live along the coast.

7 Is this your happy city that’s been around since ancient times—

whose feet carried her to settle in a far away place?

8 Who planned that for Tyre, the bestower of crowns,

whose traders are princes,

≈ whose merchants were honoured around the world?

9 Commander-in-chief Yahweh planned it to dishonour the pride from all that splendour—

≈ to treat the honoured people of the world with contempt.

10 Go across your land like the river does.

You daughter of Tarshish, there’s no restraint any more.

11 He’s stretched his hand over the ocean.

He’s made the kingdoms tremble.

Yahweh has commanded Kanaan to destroy its fortresses.

12 He said, ‘You won’t continue celebrating, you oppressed young daughter of Tsidon.

Take action and go across to Cyprus but you won’t get any peace there.’

13 Look at the Chaldeans’ country—those people have come to nothing.

The Assyrians allocated it to animals that live in the wilderness.

They erected siege-towers against it—

demolishing its palaces and turning it into a pile of rubble.

14 Cry loudly, you ships from Tarshish.

because your fortress has been destroyed.

15 After that time, Tsor (Tyre) will be forgotten for seventy years like the lifespan of a single king. At the end of those seventy years, what will happen to Tsor will be like the prostitute in this song:

16 Take a harp and go around the city, you forgotten prostitute.

^ Play many songs so that you’ll be remembered.

17 Then at the end of those seventy years, Yahweh will visit Tsor. It’ll return to hiring itself out and to her prostitution with all the world’s kingdoms on this planet. 18 But their earnings and profits will be set apart for Yahweh. It won’t be stored up or hoarded, because it will belong to those who live in Yahweh’s presence for buying plenty of food and beautiful clothes.

24 Listen, Yahweh is about to devastate the world

≈ and about to leave it in ruins.

He’ll twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.

2 Then the priest won’t be any better off than the people,

the master than his slave,

the mistress than her maids,

the seller than the buyer,

the borrower than the lender,

or the creditor than the debtor.

3 The world will be totally devastated and completely plundered.

It’ll be plundered because Yahweh has spoken this message.

4 The land has dried up and everything has withered.

≈ The world has declined and withered.

≈ Its prominent people declined as well.

5 The world has been defiled by its inhabitants

because they’ve broken the laws,

disregarded the decree,

broken the eternal agreement.[fn]

6 That’s why a curse has consumed the world,

and its inhabitants are found guilty.

Therefore earth’s inhabitants will decrease

and only a few will be left.

7 The new wine has dried up—the grapevine has deteriorated.

All the people who were cheery are now groaning.

8 The happy sound of the tambourines ceases.

The loud celebrations stop.

The harp’s cheery music has gone silent.

9 They don’t sing and drink wine any more.

≈ Strong drink now tastes bitter when they drink it.

10 The town is completely disorganised.

≈ All the homes have been boarded up to keep people out.

11 There’s an outcry in the streets about the wine.

Cheeriness has degraded into twilight.

Happiness has departed from the world.

12 Desolation has remained in the city.

The gates will be crushed into ruins.

13 It’ll be like that all over the world—among the nations

like when an olive tree is beaten to shake the fruit off

or like the few left-over grapes when the grape harvest is finished.

14 They’ll start singing with gusto and with happiness.

From the west they’ll shout cheerfully about Yahweh’s greatness.

15 Therefore in the east, praise Yahweh.

On the islands, praise the name of Yisrael’s god, Yahweh.

16 We’ve heard songs from the end of the earth, ‘Praise to the one who’s always fair and right.’

Then I said, ‘I’m wasting away—losing weight—I won’t end well.

The treacherous have been treacherous,

yes, the treacherous have been treacherously treacherous.’

17 Terror and pit-traps and snare-traps await you,

you inhabitants of the earth.

18 The one who runs away from the sound of terror, will fall into the pit,

and those who get up out of the pits, will be caught in the snare,

because the windows in the high place have been opened,

and the earth’s foundations have been shaken.

19 The earth will be totally shattered.

≈ The earth will be split completely through.

≈ The earth will be violently shaken.

20 The earth staggers around like a drunkard,

and sways like a hut in a gale.

Its sin will weigh it down

→ and it’ll fall—never to rise again.

21 At that time, Yahweh will punish the heavenly army

and the earthly kings on the earth.

22 They’ll be rounded up and imprisoned in a pit.

They’ll be shut up in that prison and after a long time, they’ll be punished.

23 Then the moon will go shy, and the sun will hide in shame,

because Commander-in-chief Yahweh will reign on Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) there in Yerushalem

and with splendour in front of his elders.

25 Yes, Yahweh, you’re my god.

I will honour you and thank your name/reputation

because you’ve done incredible things,

planned long back in perfect faithfulness.

2 Yes, you can make a city into a heap of rubble,

or a fortified town into ruins.

You’ve destroyed some strangers’ fortresses—never to be rebuilt again.

3 So yes, strong people will honour you—

The towns in ruthless nations will fear you,

4 because you’ve been a safe place to be shelter for those who are distressed—

a shelter from the rain and a shade from the hot sun,

because the breath of ruthless people is like rain beating against a wall,

5 and like heat in a dry land.

You subdued the uproar from foreigners,

like the shade of a cloud reduces the heat.

He’ll quieten down the song of ruthless people.

6 Then Commander-in-chief Yahweh will hold a banquet of good things for all that people on that mountain.

There’ll be vintage wine and choice meat.

7 Then on that mountain, he’ll swallow up the bedsheet that’s covering all the peoples,

≈ and the web that’s woven over all the nations.

8 My master will permanently swallow death up.

Yahweh will wipe the tears away from every face.

He’s removed his people’s disgrace from all the earth, because Yahweh has spoken.[ref]

9 Then at the time it will be said, ‘Look, that’s our god.

We put our hope in him, and he saved us.

Yes, that’s Yahweh—we maintained our trust in him.

We’ll be happy and celebrate how he’s saved us.’

10 Yahweh’s hand rests on this mountain to secure it.

Moav will be trampled down like a heap of straw in a dung pile.[ref]

11 Yahweh will spread out his hands in the middle of it,

like a swimmer spreading his arms to swim,

and he’ll cancel their pride with the skill of his hands.

12 He’ll knock down your high fortress walls,

and Moav’s cities will be broken right down low.

26 A song will be sung in Yehudah (Judah) at that time:

Yerushalem city is strong.

He gave us walls and ramparts to keep us safe.

2 Open the gates so a righteous nation can enter—

one that remains faithful.

3 The one withtheir mind made up firmly will have true peace,

because he puts his trust in you.

4 Put your trust in Yahweh forever,

because Yah (Yahweh) is a stable rock.

5 That’s because he humbles those who live in high places.

≈ He’ll bring low the town that’s been elevated.

≈ He’ll will lay it low to the ground—levelling it down to dust.

6 It will be trampled down by feet—

the feet of the oppressed,

≈ the footsteps of the poor.

7 The righteous person’s path is level.

You, the one who does what’s right, will flatten their paths.

8 We’ve we’ve followed your instructions, Yahweh, we’ve kept our trust in you—

we desire to honour your name and reputation

9 From deep inside me, I have longed for you in the night—

my spirit within me earnestly waits for you,

because when people have your instructions,

the world’s inhabitants learns to discern what’s right.

10 If the wicked person is shown favour,

they won’t learn to do what’s right.

Even in a land where doing right is valued,

they act unjustly and won’t get to see Yahweh’s majesty.

11 Yahweh, when you take action, they don’t perceive it.

Let them see and be ashamed by the people’s zeal,

Also, the fire will consume your enemies.[ref]

12 Yahweh, you’ll establish peace for us,

because you indeed have taken action on our behalf.

13 Yahweh our god, we’ve been ruled over by other masters,

but you only, are the one that we honour.

14 Those dead ones won’t live—those departed spirits won’t rise again,

indeed you’ve visited and destroyed them,

and erased all memory of them.

15 You’ve enlarged the nation, Yahweh,

yes, enlarged it and gained honour—

you’ve extended all the land’s boundaries.

16 Yahweh, when they were distressed,

the people went to find you with their quiet request, when you’d disciplined them.

17 Like a pregnant woman who’s close to giving birth cries out from her labour pains,

that’s what we were like in front of you, Yahweh.

18 It’s like we were pregnant and in labour, giving birth to wind.

We haven’t rescued anyone on the earth,

and the world’s inhabitants haven’t fallen.

19 Your dead will live—their corpses will rise.

Wake up and sing happily, you all who’ve lived in the dust,

because your dew is the dew that gives light

and the earth will release her dead.