Isaiah 22:1-14
An Oracle Concerning the Valley of Vision
22The 1oracle concerning the avalley of vision. What is the matter with you now, that you have all gone up to the bhousetops?
2You who were full of noise,You roaring city, you aexultant town;Your slain were bnot slain with the sword,Nor 1did they die in battle.3aAll your rulers have fled together,And have been captured 1without the bow;All of you who were found were captured together,2Though they had fled far away.4Therefore I say, “Turn your gaze away from me,Let me aweep bitterly,Do not insist on comforting me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.”5aFor Lord Yahweh of hosts has a bday of confusion, coppression, and panicdIn the valley of vision,A breaking down of wallsAnd a crying 1to the mountain.6aNow Elam took up the quiverWith the chariots, 1infantry, and horsemen;And bKir uncovered the shield.7Then your choicest valleys were full of chariots,And the horsemen took up fixed positions at the gate.8And He revealed the 1defense of Judah.In that day you looked to the weapons of the ahouse of the forest,9And you saw that the breachesIn the wall of the city of David were many;And you acollected the waters of the lower pool.10Then you counted the houses of JerusalemAnd tore down houses to fortify the wall.11And you made a reservoir abetween the two wallsFor the waters of the bold pool.But you did not look to Him who made it,Nor did you see Him who formed it long ago.12Therefore in that day Lord Yahweh of hosts called you to aweeping, to wailing,To bshaving the head, and to wearing sackcloth.13Instead, behold, there is ajoy and gladness,Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep,Eating of meat and drinking of wine:“bLet us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.”14But Yahweh of hosts revealed Himself in my ears,“Surely this ainiquity bshall not be atoned for youcUntil you die,” says Lord Yahweh of hosts.