Isaiah 31

Don’t Trust the Power of Egypt

1 You are in for trouble

if you go to Egypt for help,

or if you depend on

an army of chariots

or a powerful cavalry.

Instead you should depend on

and trust the holy Lord God

of Israel.

2 The Lord isn’t stupid!

He does what he promises,

and he can bring doom.

If you are cruel yourself,

or help those who are evil,

you will be destroyed.

3 The Egyptians are mere humans.

They aren’t God.

Their horses are made of flesh;

they can’t live forever.

When the Lord shows his power,

he will destroy the Egyptians

and all who depend on them.

Together they will fall.

4 The Lord All-Powerful

said to me,

"I will roar and attack

like a fearless lion

not frightened by the shouts

of shepherds trying to protect

their sheep.

That’s how I will come down

and fight on Mount Zion.

5 I, the Lord All-Powerful,

will protect Jerusalem

like a mother bird circling

over her nest."

Come Back to the Lord

6 People of Israel, come back!

You have completely turned

from the Lord.

7 The time is coming

when you will throw away

your idols of silver and gold,

made by your sinful hands.

8 The Assyrians will be killed,

but not by the swords

of humans.

Their young men will try

to escape,

but they will be captured

and forced into slavery.

9 Their fortress*31.9 fortress: The Hebrew text has "rock," which may refer to the Assyrian god or king, or to their army. will fall

when terror strikes;

their army officers

will be frightened

and run from the battle.

This is what the Lord has said,

the Lord whose fiery furnace

is built on Mount Zion.