1 The Lord said:
2 Ezekiel, son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,
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 boast aboutyour perfect beauty,
4 and your control of the sea.You are a shipbuilt to perfection.
5 Builders used cypress treesfrom Mount Hermonto make your planksand a cedar tree from Lebanonfor your tall mast.
6 Oak trees from Bashanwere shaped into oars;pine trees from Cypruswere cut for your deck,which was then decoratedwith strips of ivory.
7 The builders used fine linenfrom Egypt for your sails,so everyone could see you.Blue and purple clothfrom Cyprus was usedto shade your deck.
8 Men from Sidon and Arvaddid the rowing,and your own skilled workerswere the captains.
9 Experienced men from Byblosrepaired any damages.Sailors from all overshopped at the storesin your port.
10 Brave soldiers from Persia,Lydia, and Libyaserved in your navy,protecting you with shieldsand helmets,and making you famous.
11 Your guards came fromArvad and Cilicia,and men from Gamadstood watch in your towers.With their weaponshung on your walls,your beauty was complete.
12 Merchants from southern Spain 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, and people from nations along the coast gave you ivory and ebony in exchange for your goods.
16 Edom traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidery, fine linen, coral, and rubies.
17 Judah and Israel gave you their finest wheat, best figs, 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 Uzal 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-coloured rugs, and strong rope.
25 Large, seagoing ships carried your goods wherever they needed to go.You were like a shiploaded with heavy cargo
26 and sailing across the sea,but you were wreckedby 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 crewwere heard on the shore.
29 Every ship is deserted;rowers and sailors and captainsall stand on shore,
30 mourning for you.They show their sorrowby putting dust on their headsand rolling in ashes;
31 they shave their headsand dress in sackclothas they cry in despair.
32 In their grief they singa funeral song for you:“Tyre, you were greaterthan all other cities.But now you lie in silenceat the bottom of the sea.
33 “Nations that receivedyour merchandisewere always pleased;kings everywhere got richfrom your costly goods.
34 But now you are wreckedin the deep sea,with your cargo and crewscattered everywhere.
35 People living along the coastare shocked at the news.Their rulers are horrified,and terror is writtenacross their faces.
36 The merchants of the worldcan't believe what happened.Your death was gruesome,and you are gone for ever.”