THE SINKING OF TYRE

27 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Now, son of man, lament for Tyre.d 3 Say to Tyre, who is situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoplese to many coasts and islands, ‘This is what the Lord God says:

Tyre, you declared,

“I am perfect in beauty.”

4 Your realm was in the heart of the sea;

your builders perfected your beauty.

5 They constructed all your planking

with pine trees from Senir.f

They took a cedar from Lebanon

to make a mast for you.

6 They made your oars of oaks from Bashan.

They made your deck of cypress wood

from the coasts of Cyprus,g

inlaid with ivory.

7 Your sail was made of

fine embroidered linen from Egypt,

and served as your banner.

Your awning was of blue and purple fabric

from the coasts of Elishah.

8 The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvadh

were your rowers.

Your wise men were within you, Tyre;

they were your captains.

9 The elders of Gebal and its wise meni

were within you, repairing your leaks.

“ ‘All the ships of the sea and their sailors

came to you to barter for your goods.

10 Men of Persia, Lud, and Putj

were in your army, serving as your warriors.

They hung shields and helmets in you;

they gave you splendor.

11 Men of Arvad and Helech

were stationed on your walls all around,

and Gammadites were in your towers.

They hung their shieldsD all around your walls;

they perfected your beauty.

12 “ ‘Tarshishk was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshechl were your merchants. They exchanged slavesE and bronze utensils for your goods. 14 Those from Beth-togarmahm exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise. 15 Men of DedanF,n were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tuskso and ebony as your payment. 16 AramG was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise,H purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral,H and rubiesH for your merchandise. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith,p meal,I honey, oil, and balm, for your goods. 18 Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your abundant wealth of every kind, trading in wine from Helbon and white wool.J 19 VedanK and Javan from UzalH,q dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia,r and aromatic cane were exchanged for your goods. 20 Dedans was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your business partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Shebaa and Raamah traded with you. For your merchandise they exchanged the best of all spices and all kinds of precious stones as well as gold.b 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden,c the merchants of Sheba, Asshur,d and Chilmad traded with you. 24 They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets,A which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace. 25 Ships of Tarshishe were the carriers for your goods.

“ ‘So you became full and heavily loadedB

in the heart of the sea.

26 Your rowers have brought you

onto the high seas,f

but the east wind has wrecked you

in the heart of the sea.

27 Your wealth, merchandise, and goods,

your sailors and captains,

those who repair your leaks,

those who barter for your goods,

and all the warriors on board,

with all the other people within you,

sink into the heart of the sea

on the day of your downfall.

28 “ ‘The countryside shakes

at the sound of your sailors’ cries.g

29 All the oarsmen

disembark from their ships.

The sailors and all the captains of the sea

stand on the shore.

30 Because of you, they raise their voices

and cry out bitterly.

They throw dust on their heads;h

they roll in ashes.

31 They shave their heads because of you

and wrap themselves in sackcloth.

They weep over you

with deep anguish and bitter mourning.

32 “ ‘In their wailing they lament for you,i

mourning over you:

“Who was like Tyre,

silencedA in the middle of the sea?

33 When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas,

you satisfied many peoples.

You enriched the kings of the earth

with your abundant wealth and goods.

34 Now you are wrecked by the sea

in the depths of the waters;

your goods and the people within you

have gone down.

35 All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands

are appalledj at you.

Their kings shudder with fear;

their faces are contorted.

36 Those who trade among the peoples scoffC,k at you;

you have become an object of horror

and will never exist again.” ’ ”l