Isaiah 31

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and trust in its many chariots and vast number of horses. They did not trust in the Holy One of Israel or seek God.

2 Therefore he wisely brought harm on them, and his word will not be frustrated. He will rise against evil people’s houses and their empty hope.

3 An Egyptian is human, not God, and horses are flesh, with no help in them. The Lord will bring his hand against them, helpers will fail, and all will perish together.

4 This is what the Lord told me: As a lion or a young lion roars over the prey it has taken, until the mountains are filled with its voice and the animals tremble at its fierce anger, so the Lord of armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hills.

5 Like birds flying overhead, the Lord of armies will defend Jerusalem. He will defend, rescue, save, and deliver.

6 Turn back, you who make deep and lawless plans.

7 On that day people will renounce the silver and gold idols their hands made.

8 The Assyrian will fall, but neither a man’s sword nor a human being’s sword will devour him. He will flee, though not from a sword, and his young men will be defeated.

9 They will be surrounded by rocks as by a trench and defeated; whoever flees will be captured. This is what the Lord says: Blessed is the one who has descendants in Zion and members of the household in Jerusalem.