20 Heb “the joy” (again later in this verse).
21 Heb “with a song they do not drink wine.”
22 Heb “the city of chaos” (so , , ). Isaiah uses the term תֹּהוּ (tohu) rather frequently of things (like idols) that are empty and worthless (see 1062 ), so the word might characterize the city as rebellious or morally worthless. However, in this context, which focuses on the effects of divine judgment, it probably refers to the ruined or worthless condition in which the city is left (note the use of the word in Isa 34:11). For a discussion of the identity of this city, see R. Chisholm, “The ‘Everlasting Covenant’ and the ‘City of Chaos’: Intentional Ambiguity and Irony in Isaiah 24,” 6 (1993): 237–53. In the context of universal judgment depicted in Isa 24, this city represents all the nations and cities of the world which, like Babylon of old and the powers/cities mentioned in chapters 13–23, rebel against God’s authority. Behind the stereotypical language one can detect various specific manifestations of this symbolic and paradigmatic city, including Babylon, Moab, and Jerusalem, all of which are alluded or referred to in chapters 24–27.
23 Heb “every house is closed up from entering.”
24 Heb “[there is] an outcry over the wine in the streets.”
25 Heb “all joy turns to evening,” the darkness of evening symbolizing distress and sorrow.
26 Heb “the joy of the earth disappears.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,

the noise of the jubilant has ceased,

the mirth of the lyre is stilled.

No more do they drink wine with singing;

strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.

The wasted city is broken down;

every house is shut up so that none can enter.

There is an outcry in the streets for lack of wine;

all joy has grown dark;

the gladness of the earth is banished.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The joyful timbrels are stilled,

the noise of the revelers has stopped,

the joyful harp is silent.

No longer do they drink wine with a song;

the beer is bitter to its drinkers.

The ruined city lies desolate;

the entrance to every house is barred.

In the streets they cry out for wine;

all joy turns to gloom,

all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The joyful tambourines have ceased.

The noise of the jubilant has stopped.

The joyful lyre has ceased.

They no longer sing and drink wine;

beer is bitter to those who drink it.

The city of chaos is shattered;

every house is closed to entry.

In the streets they cry for wine.

All joy grows dark;

earth’s rejoicing goes into exile.

NLTNew Living Translation

The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled;

the happy cries of celebration are heard no more.

The melodious chords of the harp are silent.

Gone are the joys of wine and song;

alcoholic drink turns bitter in the mouth.

The city writhes in chaos;

every home is locked to keep out intruders.

Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine.

Joy has turned to gloom.

Gladness has been banished from the land.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

the joy of the tambourine has stopped.

The noise of the jubilant has ceased;

the joy of the lyre has stopped.

They do not drink wine with song;

strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.

The city of emptiness is broken;

every house is shut so that no one can enter;

there is an outcry over the wine in the streets.

All joy turns into darkness;

the joy of the earth disappears.

KJV 1900King James Version

The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth,

The joy of the harp ceaseth.

They shall not drink wine with a song;

Strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

The city of confusion is broken down:

Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.

There is a crying for wine in the streets;

All joy is darkened,

The mirth of the land is gone.

Public Domain