Isaiah 21

1 This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

1 Neno kuhusu Jangwa kando ya Bahari: Kama upepo wa kisulisuli unaopita katika nchi hadi kusini, mshambuliaji anakuja kutoka jangwani, kutoka nchi inayotisha.

2 A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

2 Nimeonyeshwa maono ya kutisha: Msaliti anasaliti, mteka nyara anateka nyara. Elamu, shambulia! Umedi, izunguke kwa jeshi! Nitakomesha huzuni zote alizosababisha.

3 Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.

3 Katika hili mwili wangu umeteswa na maumivu, maumivu makali ya ghafula yamenishika, kama yale ya mwanamke mwenye utungu wa kuzaa. Nimeduwazwa na lile ninalolisikia, nimeshangazwa na lile ninaloliona.

4 My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight I desired has turned to horror.

4 Moyo wangu unababaika, woga unanifanya nitetemeke, gizagiza la jioni nililolitamani sana, limekuwa hofu kuu kwangu.

5 They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!

5 Wanaandaa meza, wanatandaza mazulia, wanakula, wanakunywa! Amkeni, enyi maafisa, zitieni ngao mafuta!

6 For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.

6 Hili ndilo Bwana analoniambia: “Nenda, weka mlinzi, na atoe taarifa ya kile anachokiona.

7 When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.”

7 Anapoona magari ya vita pamoja na kundi la farasi, wapanda punda au wapanda ngamia, na awe macho, awe macho kikamilifu.”

8 Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.

8 Naye mlinzi alipaza sauti, “Mchana baada ya mchana, bwana wangu, ninasimama katika mnara wa ulinzi, kila usiku ninakaa mahali pangu nilipoamriwa.

9 Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

9 Tazama, yuaja mtu anayepanda gari la vita pamoja na kundi la farasi. Naye anajibu: ‘Babeli umeanguka, umeanguka! Vinyago vyote vya miungu yake vimelala chini vikiwa vimevunjwa!’”

10 O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel.

10 Ee watu wangu, mliopondwa kwenye sakafu ya kupuria, ninawaambia kile nilichokisikia kutoka kwa Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote, kutoka kwa Mungu wa Israeli.

11 This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”

11 Neno kuhusu Duma: Mtu fulani ananiita kutoka Seiri, “Mlinzi, usiku utaisha lini? Mlinzi, usiku utaisha lini?”

12 The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”

12 Mlinzi anajibu, “Asubuhi inakuja, lakini pia usiku. Kama ungeliuliza, basi uliza; bado na urudi tena.”

13 This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

13 Neno kuhusu Arabia: Enyi misafara ya Wadedani, mnaopiga kambi katika vichaka vya Arabia,

14 Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.

14 leteni maji kwa wenye kiu, ninyi mnaoishi Tema, leteni chakula kwa ajili ya wakimbizi.

15 For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.

15 Wanaukimbia upanga, kutoka upanga uliochomolewa alani, kutoka upinde uliopindwa, na kutoka kwenye joto la vita.

16 For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.

16 Hili ndilo Bwana analoniambia: “Katika muda wa mwaka mmoja, kama vile mtumishi aliyefungwa na mkataba angeihesabu, majivuno yote ya Kedari yatafikia mwisho.

17 The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

17 Wanaume wavutao pinde walionusurika, mashujaa wa Kedari, watakuwa wachache.” Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, amesema.