Isaiah 23

The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

The message about Tyre: Ships from Tarshish, cry out loud! It's destroyed, with no homes or entrances left. People from Chittim lands also know this.

Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

"Hush now, people living on the island; you were helped by the traders from Zidon who travel across the sea."

And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

The land of Sihor gets its money from the things found near big rivers, and it's a place where different countries trade goods.

Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.

Be embarrassed, O Zidon, because the sea has spoken, with its great power, saying that it doesn't work or have children, and doesn't raise young boys or young women.

As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.

Just like people were greatly troubled by news about Egypt, they will also be deeply upset by news about Tyre.

Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

Go to Tarshish; cry, people living on the island.

Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.

Is this your happy city, with history from long ago? It will walk far away to live as a stranger.

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?

Who has made this plan against the great city of Tyre, where the merchants are like rulers and the traders are highly respected people on Earth?

The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

God has planned to humble the pride of all great people and make everyone on Earth less respected.

Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.

Go through your country like a river, daughter of Tarshish; you have no more power left.

He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.

He reached out his hand over the sea and shook the nations. The LORD commanded to destroy the powerful fortresses in a trading city.

And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

He said, "Don't be happy anymore, poor unmarried girl, daughter of Zidon. Go to Chittim and don't find peace there either."

Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.

Look at the land of the Chaldeans. This group of people didn't exist before the Assyrian created it for those living in the desert. They built their towers and grand houses, but later, the Assyrian destroyed it all.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

Call out, ships from Tarshish! Your power has ended.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.

In that day, Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years, like the time of one king. After those 70 years, Tyre will act like a prostitute, singing and behaving improperly.

Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

"Play a harp, walk around the city, you forgotten prostitute; play lovely music, sing lots of songs, so people will remember you."

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

After 70 years, God will return to Tyre. She will go back to her earnings and have relationships with many world kingdoms on Earth.

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Her trade and earnings will belong to God; they won't be saved or stored. Instead, they'll be used by those living near God to have enough food and long-lasting clothes.