NIV
Isaiah 31
- 1<pb/><t>Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,</t> <t>who rely on horses,</t> <t>who trust in the multitude of their chariots</t> <t>and in the great strength of their horsemen,</t> <t>but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,</t> <t>or seek help from the LORD.</t>
- 2<t>Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster;</t> <t>he does not take back his words.</t> <t>He will rise up against that wicked nation,</t> <t>against those who help evildoers.</t>
- 3<t>But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;</t> <t>their horses are flesh and not spirit.</t> <t>When the LORD stretches out his hand,</t> <t>those who help will stumble,</t> <t>those who are helped will fall;</t> <t>all will perish together.</t>
- 4<pb/>This is what the LORD says to me: <pb/><t>“As a lion growls,</t> <t>a great lion over its prey—</t> <t>and though a whole band of shepherds</t> <t>is called together against it,</t> <t>it is not frightened by their shouts</t> <t>or disturbed by their clamor—</t> <t>so the LORD Almighty will come down</t> <t>to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.</t>
- 5<t>Like birds hovering overhead,</t> <t>the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem;</t> <t>he will shield it and deliver it,</t> <t>he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”</t>
- 6<pb/>Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against.
- 7For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.
- 8<pb/><t>“Assyria will fall by no human sword;</t> <t>a sword, not of mortals, will devour them.</t> <t>They will flee before the sword</t> <t>and their young men will be put to forced labor.</t>
- 9<t>Their stronghold will fall because of terror;</t> <t>at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,”</t> <t>declares the LORD,</t> <t>whose fire is in Zion,</t> <t>whose furnace is in Jerusalem.</t>