Isaiah 22

1. A prophecy about the Valley of Vision: 1 Tell me what is wrong with you, 1 that you have all gone up on the roofs.

2. You city full of noise, confusion 2 and boisterous excitement, 2 your slain did not fall to the sword, 2 nor did they die in battle.

3. All your leaders fled together 3 and were captured without the use of a bow; 3 all from you who were found were captured, 3 even though they had fled far away.

4. This is why I said, “Don’t look at me, 4 leave me alone to weep bitterly, 4 don’t try to comfort me 4 over the destruction of my people.”

5. For it is a day of panic, 5 trampling and confusion 5 from Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot 5 in the Valley of Vision. 5 With walls crashing down, 5 they cry for help to the mountains.

6. ‘Eilam picks up the quivers, 6 with cavalry and horsemen, 6 and Kir uncovers the shields.

7. In time, your choicest valleys 7 are overrun by chariots, 7 and the cavalry take their posts by the gate;

8. thus is Y’hudah’s protection removed. 8 That day you looked for the armor 8 in the House of the Forest.

9. You saw how many breaches there were 9 in the City of David, 9 you collected water from the lower pool,

10. you surveyed the houses in Yerushalayim, 10 tearing some down to fortify the wall.

11. You also built a reservoir between the two walls 11 for the water from the Old Pool; 11 but you didn’t look to Him who made these things; 11 you had no respect for Him who fashioned them long ago.

12. That day Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot 12 called on you to weep and mourn, 12 to shave your heads and wear sackcloth;

13. but instead, one sees joy and celebrating, 13 killing of oxen, slaughtering of sheep, 13 eating of meat, drinking of wine — 13 “Let’s eat and drink now, 13 because tomorrow we’ll be dead!”

14. Then Adonai-Tzva’ot revealed himself in my ears: “You will not atone for this iniquity until you die.” This is what Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot says.

15. Thus says Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot: “Go and find that steward, Shevna, administrator of the palace, and ask him:

16. ‘What do you own here, 16 and who gave you the right 16 to cut yourself a tomb here? 16 Why do you get such an eminent tomb? 16 Why are you carving a resting-place 16 for yourself in the rock?’”

17. Look, strong man! Adonai is about 17 to throw you out! He will grab you,

18. roll you up, and toss you around 18 like a ball in the open country. 18 There you will die, with your fancy chariots, 18 you disgrace to your master’s palace!

19. “I will remove you from your office, 19 I will snatch you from your post.

20. When that day comes, I will summon 20 my servant Elyakim the son of Hilkiyahu.

21. I will dress him in your robe, 21 gird him with your sash of office, 21 and invest him with your authority. 21 He will be a father to the people 21 living in Yerushalayim 21 and to the house of Y’hudah.

22. I will place the key of David’s house 22 on his shoulder; 22 no one will shut what he opens; 22 no one will open what he shuts.

23. “I will fasten him firmly in place like a peg, so that he will become a seat of honor for his clan.

24. They will hang on him all the weight of his clan, descendants and offspring, as well as all the vessels of small capacity, from pitchers to cups.

25. When that day comes, the peg fastened firmly in place will give way; it will be cut down and fall, and the weight that was on it will be cut off.” For Adonai has said it.