Ezekiel 27

Chapter 27

The End of Tyre’s Glory

1 Then this message came to me from the LORD:2 “Son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,

3 that mighty gateway to the sea, the trading center of the world. Give Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD:
“You boasted, O Tyre,
‘My beauty is perfect!’4 You extended your boundaries into the sea.
Your builders made your beauty perfect.5 You were like a great ship
built of the finest cypress from Senir.t
They took a cedar from Lebanon
to make a mast for you.6 They carved your oars
from the oaks of Bashan.
Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprust
was inlaid with ivory.7 Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen,
and they flew as a banner above you.
You stood beneath blue and purple awnings
made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.8 Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad;
your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself.9 Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking.
Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade.10 “Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libyat served in your great army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor.

11 Men from Arvad and Helech stood on your walls. Your towers were manned by men from Gammad. Their shields hung on your walls, completing your beauty.
12 “Tarshish sent merchants to buy your wares in exchange for silver, iron, tin, and lead.

13 Merchants from Greece,t Tubal, and Meshech brought slaves and articles of bronze to trade with you.
14 “From Beth-togarmah came riding horses, chariot horses, and mules, all in exchange for your goods.

15 Merchants came to you from Dedan.t Numerous coastlands were your captive markets; they brought payment in ivory tusks and ebony wood.
16 “Syriat sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods. They traded turquoise, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and rubies.

17 Judah and Israel traded for your wares, offering wheat from Minnith, figs,t honey, olive oil, and balm.
18 “Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar.

19 Greeks from Uzalt came to trade for your merchandise. Wrought iron, cassia, and fragrant calamus were bartered for your wares.
20 “Dedan sent merchants to trade their expensive saddle blankets with you.21 The Arabians and the princes of Kedar sent merchants to trade lambs and rams and male goats in exchange for your goods.

22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah came with all kinds of spices, jewels, and gold in exchange for your wares.
23 “Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad came with their merchandise, too.24 They brought choice fabrics to trade—blue cloth, embroidery, and multicolored carpets rolled up and bound with cords.

25 The ships of Tarshish were your ocean caravans. Your island warehouse was filled to the brim!

The Destruction of Tyre

26 “But look! Your oarsmen
have taken you into stormy seas!
A mighty eastern gale
has wrecked you in the heart of the sea!27 Everything is lost—
your riches and wares,
your sailors and pilots,
your ship builders, merchants, and warriors.
On the day of your ruin,
everyone on board sinks into the depths of the sea.28 Your cities by the sea tremble
as your pilots cry out in terror.29 All the oarsmen abandon their ships;
the sailors and pilots on shore come to stand on the beach.30 They cry aloud over you
and weep bitterly.
They throw dust on their heads
and roll in ashes.31 They shave their heads in grief for you
and dress themselves in burlap.
They weep for you with bitter anguish
and deep mourning.32 As they wail and mourn over you,
they sing this sad funeral song:
‘Was there ever such a city as Tyre,
now silent at the bottom of the sea?33 The merchandise you traded
satisfied the desires of many nations.
Kings at the ends of the earth
were enriched by your trade.34 Now you are a wrecked ship,
broken at the bottom of the sea.
All your merchandise and crew
have gone down with you.35 All who live along the coastlands
are appalled at your terrible fate.
Their kings are filled with horror
and look on with twisted faces.36 The merchants among the nations
shake their heads at the sight of you,t
for you have come to a horrible end
and will exist no more.’”

EZEKIEL 27

A Funeral Song for Tyre

1 The [Lord] said:
2 Ezekiel, son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre, t

3 the city that is built along the sea and that trades with nations along the coast. Tell the people of Tyre that the following message is from me:
Tyre, you brag about
your perfect beauty,

4 and your control of the sea.t
You are a ship
built to perfection.

5 Builders used cypress trees
from Mount Hermon
to make your planks
and a cedar tree from Lebanon
for your tall mast.

6 Oak trees from Bashan
were shaped into oars;
pine trees from Cyprust
were cut for your deck,
which was then decorated
with strips of ivory.

7 The builders used fancy linen
from Egypt for your sails,
so everyone could see you.
Blue and purple cloth
from Cyprus was used
to shade your deck.

8 Men from Sidon and Arvad
did the rowing,
and your own skilled workers
were the captains.

9 Experienced men from Byblos
repaired any damages.
Sailors from all over
shopped at the stores
in your port.

10 Brave soldiers from Persia,
Lydia, and Libya
served in your navy,
protecting you with shields
and helmets,
and making you famous.

11 Your guards came from
Arvad and Cilicia,
and men from Gamad
stood watch in your towers.
With their weapons
hung on your walls,
your beauty was complete.
12 Merchants from southern Spaint traded silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products. 13 The people of Greece, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and things made of bronze, 14 and those from Beth-Togarmah traded work horses, war horses, and mules. 15 You also did business with people from Rhodes, t and people from nations along the coast gave you ivory and ebonyt in exchange for your goods. 16 Edomt traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidery, fine linen, coral, and rubies. 17 Judah and Israel gave you their finest wheat, fancy figs, t honey, olive oil, and spices in exchange for your merchandise. 18 The people of Damascus saw what you had to offer and brought you wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar. 19 Vedan and Javan near Uzalt traded you iron and spices. 20 The people of Dedan supplied you with saddle blankets, 21 while people from Arabia and the rulers of Kedar traded lambs, sheep, and goats. 22 Merchants from Sheba and Raamah gave you excellent spices, precious stones, and gold in exchange for your products. 23 You also did business with merchants from the cities of Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, 24 and they gave you expensive clothing, purple and embroidered cloth, brightly colored rugs, and strong rope.

25 t Large, seagoing shipst carried your goods wherever they needed to go.
You were like a ship
loaded with heavy cargo

26 and sailing across the sea,
but you were wrecked
by strong eastern winds.

27 Everything on board was lost—
your valuable cargo,
your sailors and carpenters,
merchants and soldiers.

28 The shouts of your drowning crew
were heard on the shore.

29 Every ship is deserted;
rowers and sailors and captains
all stand on shore,

30 mourning for you.
They show their sorrow
by putting dust on their heads
and rolling in ashes;

31 they shave their heads
and dress in sackclotht
as they cry in despair.

32 In their grief they sing
a funeral song for you:
“Tyre, you were greater
than all other cities.
But now you lie in silence
at the bottom of the sea.t

33 “Nations that received
your merchandise
were always pleased;
kings everywhere got rich
from your costly goods.

34 But now you are wrecked
in the deep sea,
with your cargo and crew
scattered everywhere.

35 People living along the coast
are shocked at the news.
Their rulers are horrified,
and terror is written
across their faces.

36 The merchants of the world
can't believe what happened.
Your death was gruesome,
and you are gone forever.”