22 The Hebrew text has “over mourning breasts.” The reference to “breasts” would make sense in light of v. 11, which refers to the practice of women baring their breasts as a sign of sorrow (see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah [], 1:). However, one expects the preposition עַל (’al) to introduce the source or reason for mourning (see vv. 12b–13a) and the participle סֹפְדִים (sofedim, “mourning”) seems odd modifying “breasts.” The translation above assumes a twofold emendation: (1) שָׁדַיִם (shadayim, “breasts”) is emended to [ם]שָׂדַי (saday[m], “field,” a term that also appears in Isa 56:9). The final mem (ם) would be enclitic in this case, not a plural indicator. (The Hebrew noun שָׂדֶה (sadeh, “field”) forms its plural with an וֹת- [-ot] ending). (2) The plural participle סֹפְדִים is emended to סְפֹדָה (séfodah), a lengthened imperatival form, meaning “mourn.” For an overview of various suggestions that have been made for this difficult line, see Oswalt, , n. 12).
23 “Mourn” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text vv. 12–13 are one long sentence.
24 Heb “indeed, over all the houses of joy.” It is not certain if this refers to individual homes or to places where parties and celebrations were held.
25 This same phrase is used in 22:2.

In other versions

Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,

for the fruitful vine,

for the soil of my people

growing up in thorns and briers,

yes, for all the joyous houses

in the exultant city.

Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,

for the fruitful vines

and for the land of my people,

a land overgrown with thorns and briers—

yes, mourn for all houses of merriment

and for this city of revelry.

Beat your breasts in mourning

for the delightful fields and the fruitful vines,

for the ground of my people

growing thorns and briers,

indeed, for every joyous house in the jubilant city.

Beat your breasts in sorrow for your bountiful farms

and your fruitful grapevines.

For your land will be overgrown with thorns and briers.

Your joyful homes and happy towns will be gone.

mourning over breasts,

over fields of delight,

over the fruitful vine,

over the soil of my people.

It goes up in thorns and briers,

indeed over all of the houses of joy in the jubilant city.

They shall lament for the teats,

For the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers;

Yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

Public Domain