Isaiah 31

1. Woe to those going down to Egypt 1 expecting help — relying on horses; 1 trusting in chariots, because they have many, 1 and in the strength of their cavalrymen — 1 but not looking to the Holy One of Isra’el, 1 not consulting Adonai.

2. But he too is wise and can bring disaster, 2 and he does not take back his words; 2 he will rise against the house of evildoers 2 and against the help of those who do wrong.

3. Now the Egyptians are men and not God, 3 and their horses flesh and not spirit. 3 So when Adonai stretches out his hand, 3 both he who helps will stumble, 3 and he who is helped will fall; 3 both will perish together.

4. For here is what Adonai says to me: 4 “As a lion or lion cub growls at its prey 4 and isn’t frightened away by the shouts 4 of hordes of shepherds called out against him — 4 their voices do not upset him — 4 so likewise Adonai-Tzva’ot will descend 4 to fight on Mount Tziyon, on its hill.

5. Like hovering birds, Adonai-Tzva’ot 5 will protect Yerushalayim. 5 In protecting it, he will rescue it; 5 in sparing it, he will save it.

6. People of Isra’el! Return to him 6 to whom you have been so deeply disloyal!

7. For on that day everyone will discard 7 his idols of silver and idols of gold, 7 which you made for yourselves 7 with your own sinful hands.

8. Then Ashur will fall by a sword not of mortals, 8 a sword, not of humans, will devour him; 8 he will flee before the sword, 8 and his young men will be put to forced labor.

9. His rock, out of terror, will pass away, 9 and his panicked officers will desert the standard.” 9 So says Adonai, whose fire is in Tziyon, 9 whose furnace is in Yerushalayim.