Isaiah 23:1-8

1This is a message about Tyre. Weep aloud, you people in the great ships of Tarshish. An enemy has destroyed the port and the houses of Tyre. They heard this news in Cyprus.

2Weep quietly, you people who live on the coast of the sea. Yes, weep, you traders of Sidon city. Your sailors travelled across the sea and you became rich.

3They brought grain to you from Shihor region in Egypt. You received crops that had grown beside the Nile river. Tyre became an important city where traders from many nations came.

4Be ashamed, you people in Sidon. You have become strong because of the sea. But the sea now speaks against you! It says, ‘I have not given birth to any children. I have not taken care of any sons or daughters as a parent should do.’

5When the people in Egypt hear the news about Tyre, they will be very sad and upset.

6Travel to Tarshish! Weep aloud, you people who live on the coast of the sea.

7Tyre is a city where you had many parties. It has been there since long ago. People from this city went to live in foreign countries far away.

8It is a royal city and its traders are princes. They are famous everywhere on earth. So who decided to destroy it?