Isaiah 31

The Futility of Relying on Egypt

1. What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, 1 trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers 1 and depending on the strength of human armies 1 instead of looking to the Lord, 1 the Holy One of Israel.

2. In his wisdom, the Lord will send great disaster; 2 he will not change his mind. 2 He will rise against the wicked 2 and against their helpers.

3. For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! 3 Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! 3 When the Lord raises his fist against them, 3 those who help will stumble, 3 and those being helped will fall. 3 They will all fall down and die together.

4. But this is what the Lord has told me: 4 “When a strong young lion 4 stands growling over a sheep it has killed, 4 it is not frightened by the shouts and noise 4 of a whole crowd of shepherds. 4 In the same way, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies 4 will come down and fight on Mount Zion.

5. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem 5 and protect it like a bird protecting its nest. 5 He will defend and save the city; 5 he will pass over it and rescue it.”

6. Though you are such wicked rebels, my people, come and return to the Lord.

7. I know the glorious day will come when each of you will throw away the gold idols and silver images your sinful hands have made.

8. “The Assyrians will be destroyed, 8 but not by the swords of men. 8 The sword of God will strike them, 8 and they will panic and flee. 8 The strong young Assyrians 8 will be taken away as captives.

9. Even the strongest will quake with terror, 9 and princes will flee when they see your battle flags,” 9 says the Lord, whose fire burns in Zion, 9 whose flame blazes from Jerusalem.