Isaiah 31

1Woe to those going down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek Yahweh.

2He too is wise and brings calamity, without withdrawing his words, but rises against the house of evildoers and against the help of those who work iniquity.

3The Egyptians are mere mortals, not God, and their horses mere flesh, not spirit. When Yahweh extends his hand, the helper stumbles, the helped falls, and all of them together perish.

4For thus said Yahweh to me: As a lion growls over its prey—a young lion too—when shepherds in full number call out against it, dismayed neither by their voice nor abased by their clamor, so Yahweh of Hosts will descend to wage war upon Mount Zion and upon its hill.

5Like birds hovering, so Yahweh of hosts will defend Jerusalem, defending to deliver it, passing over to preserve it.

6Return to him from whom you have rebelled so deeply, sons of Israel.

7For in that day each man will abhor his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have made for you as an offense.

8Assyria will fall by no man's sword, and no human's sword will devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will be put to forced labor.

9His stronghold will pass away because of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner, declares Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, his furnace in Jerusalem.