The Sinking of Tyre

1The word of the LORD came to me: 2“Now, son of man, lament for Tyre.a 3Say to Tyre, who is located at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoplesb to many coasts and islands: This is what the Lord GOD says:

Tyre, you declared,

‘I am perfect in beauty.’

4Your realm was in the heart of the sea;

your builders perfected your beauty.

5They constructed all your planking

with pine trees from Senir.c, d

They took a cedar from Lebanon

to make a mast for you.

6They made your oars of oaks from Bashan.

They made your deck of cypress wood

from the coasts of Cyprus,e

inlaid with ivory.

7Your 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.

8The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvadf

were your rowers.

Your wise men were within you, Tyre;

they were your captains.

9The elders of Gebal and its wise meng

were within you, repairing your leaks.

All the ships of the sea and their sailors

came toh you to barter for your goods.

10Men of Persia, Lud, and Puti

were in your army, serving as your warriors.

They hung shields and helmets in you;

they gave you splendor.

11Men of Arvad and Helech

were stationed on your walls all around,

and Gammadites were in your towers.

They hung their shieldsj all around your walls;

they perfected your beauty.

12“Tarshishk was your trading partner because of your great wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. 13Javan, Tubal, and Meshechl were your merchants. They exchanged slavesm and bronze utensils for your goods. 14Those from Beth-togarmahn exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise. 15Men of Dedano, p were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tusksq and ebony as your payment. 16Aramr, s was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise,t purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral,u and rubiesv for your merchandise. 17Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith,w meal,x honey, oil, and balm, for your goods. 18Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your great wealth of every kind, trading in wine from Helbon and white wool.y 19Vedanz and Javan from Uzalaa, ab dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia,ac and aromatic cane were exchanged for your goods. 20Dedanad was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your businessae partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22The merchants of Shebaaf and Raamah traded with you. They exchanged gold, the best of all spices, and all kinds of precious stones for your merchandise.ag 23Haran, Canneh, Eden,ah the merchants of Sheba, Asshur,ai and Chilmad traded with you. 24They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets,aj which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace. 25Ships of Tarshishak were the carriers for your goods.

So you became full and heavily loadedal

in the heart of the sea.

26Your rowers have brought you

onto the high seas,am

but the east wind has shattered you

in the heart of the sea.

27Your wealth, merchandise, and goods,

your sailors and captains,

those who repair your leaks,

those who barter for your goods,

and all the warriors within you,

with all the other people on board,an

sink into the heart of the sea

on the day of your downfall.

28The countryside shakes

at the sound of your sailors’ cries.ao

29All those who handle an oar

disembark from their ships.

The sailors and all the captains of the sea

stand on the shore.

30They raise their voices over you

and cry out bitterly.

They throw dust on their heads;ap

they roll in ashes.

31They shave their heads because of you

and wrap themselves in •sackcloth.

They weep over you

with deep anguish and bitter mourning.

32In their wailing they lament for you,aq

mourning over you:

Who was like Tyre,

silencedar in the middle of the sea?

33When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas,

you satisfied many peoples.

You enriched the kings of the earth

with your abundant wealth and goods.

34Now you are shattered by the sea

in the depths of the waters;

your goods and the people within you

have gone down.

35All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands

are appalledas at you.

Their kings shudder with fear;

their faces are contorted.

36Those who trade among the peoples

mockat, au you;

you have become an object of horror

and will never exist again.”av