Isaiah 23:1-8

This is a message about Tyre: You trading ships, cry! The houses and harbor of Tyre are destroyed. This news came to the ships from the land of Cyprus. Be silent, you who live on the island of Tyre; you merchants of Sidon, be silent. Sailors have made you rich. They traveled the sea to bring grain from Egypt; the sailors of Tyre brought grain from the Nile Valley and sold it to other nations. Sidon, be ashamed. Strong city of the sea, be ashamed, because the sea says: “I have not felt the pain of giving birth; I have not reared young men or women.” Egypt will hear the news about Tyre, and it will make Egypt hurt with sorrow. You ships should return to Tarshish. You people living near the sea should be sad. Look at your once happy city! Look at your old, old city! People from that city have traveled far away to live. Who planned Tyre’s destruction? Tyre made others rich. Its merchants were treated like princes, and its traders were greatly respected.