¹These are the visions that IsaiAh (son of Amoz) saw during the reigns of UzziAh, JoTham, Ahaz, and HezekiAh, (the kings of Judah) about things that were to come upon Judah and JeruSalem [in the future].²Hear, O heavens, and [pay attention] O earth, For Jehovah spoke and said this:‘I fathered sons and I raised them, But, they’ve paid no attention to Me.³‘Although every ox knows its owner And every burro knows its own master’s barn; By IsraEl, I am unknown, And My people do not understand.’⁴So, woe to you, sinful nation; For, you’re a people that’s filled with its sins… You’re an evil offspring and lawless sons, Since you have abandoned Jehovah, And IsraEl’s Holy One, you have provoked… So now, you’ve been pushed to the rear!⁵Why be struck down for [your] lawless ways? For your head is in a miserable condition And your heart is in great distress… ⁶Nothing is healthy from your head to your feet.Your wounds and contusions are inflamed and unhealed, Since no one has dressed them or applied oil, Nor have they come here to wrap them.⁷Your land has been completely destroyed And all of your cities are burned. They’ve devoured the [land] that’s before you… By strangers, it has been destroyed, And foreign peoples have wiped it away.⁸For, the daughter of Zion has now been abandoned Like an old shack in a vineyard Or a shed in a cucumber garden, Or like a city that is under attack.⁹So unless Jehovah of Armies Should choose to leave us an offspring… Like Sodom and GomorRah, we will be!¹⁰Therefore, hear the word of Jehovah O you rulers of Sodom And you people of GomorRah… Pay attention to the Laws of our God; ¹¹Because, He is asking you this:‘What good are the things that you offer to Me? For, of your whole-burnt-offerings of rams, I’ve received more than enough… And too much fat from your lambs!‘Yet, I never asked for the blood of your bulls, Or the blood of your goats… ¹²And I don’t want you coming to stand before Me! Who asked for your hands to contribute such things?‘So I’ll not let you trample My courtyard again; ¹³And if you should bring fine flour to Me, You will do it in vain… Since I find your incense disgusting! Nor will I accept your New Moons, Or your Sabbaths or holiday feasts.¹⁴‘With My whole soul, I’ve come to detest All of your fasts and your Sabbaths… As well as your holidays and your New Moons! For with you, I am filled [to the brim], So I’ll not [overlook] your sins anymore.¹⁵‘Then I’ll turn My eyes when you hold out your hands And not listen, no matter how often you pray, Because your hands are so filled with blood!¹⁶‘Why not bathe yourselves and get clean… Then, remove your wicked [ways] from My eyes? Stop being bad and ¹⁷learn to do good… Insist on [judgments that are] fair!‘If you’ll rescue those who’ve been wronged, Decide [in favor of] orphans, And give justice to widows… ¹⁸Only then, can you come and plead before Me,’ says Jehovah! And if your sins should be crimson red, As white as snow, [I will make them]. Even if they are like scarlet, I’ll make them as white as fine wool!¹⁹‘If you should choose to listen to Me, You’ll eat good things that come from the ground. ²⁰But if you choose to not listen and to rebel, I’ll send the sword to consume you.’[Yes, Jehovah actually] said these things.²¹How did Zion, that city of faith, Become a whore so worthy of judgment? For, murderers exist where justice once slept; ²²All of your silver is tainted; And your merchants all water their wine.²³Your rulers resist all persuasion And they serve as partners to thieves. They are also lovers of bribes… None will stand up for orphans, And none will give justice to widows!²⁴‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah of Armies; ‘Woe to you, O IsraEl’s mighty! For My rage against the contrary won’t cease, And on My enemies, I’m now passing judgment!²⁵‘Against you, I’ll be raising My hand, And I’ll scrub you until you get clean! I’ll destroy those resisting persuasion; I’ll remove all the lawless among you; ²⁶And I will cut down your proud.‘Then I’ll give you judges like those in the past, And counselors like those who lived long ago. Then, the Righteous City, you will be called… The trusted mother-city of Zion.²⁷‘Through justice and mercy, she will be saved, ²⁸When I break the lawless and sinners And those leaving Jehovah are gone.²⁹‘Of the idols that they have preferred And those [sacred] gardens, which they have loved, They will then be ashamed. ³⁰For they’ll be like fallen pine needles… Like parks that don’t have any water.³¹‘Their strength [will be weak] like the stubble of hemp, And the things that they do will then be the sparks That burn the lawless and sinners… Flames that no one can extinguish.’

¹These are the words that came to IsaiAh (son of Amoz) regarding Judah and JeruSalem.²In the last days, The Mountain of Jehovah will be seen, And the Temple of God will be over the hills, Raised above the highest of mountains, And all the nations will go there.³Many nations will go there and say:‘Come, let’s ascend the mountain of Jah… Let’s go to the Temple of Jacob’s God, For there, He will show us His way, And that’s the way we will go.’Then, Law will come out of Zion, And the Word of the Lord from JeruSalem. ⁴He’ll judge in the midst of the nations, And he will correct many peoples.Then they’ll cut their swords into plowshears, And [shape] their spears into sickles… [Against other] nations, they won’t raise their swords, Nor will they learn war anymore.⁵O House of Jacob; Return to the light of Jehovah! ⁶For, from Jacob’s house, He’s now turned [His face], Since it’s become like it was at the start… A [land] that is filled up with takers, And where Philistine children are born.⁷They’ve filled their [land] with silver and gold, And there is no limit to all of their wealth. They’ve also filled it with horses, And chariots they have, beyond numbers.⁸With the disgusting works of their hands, They’ve also filled up their land… They bow before things made by their fingers… ⁹Yes, to such things, the people bow low, Bringing disgrace to each person.‘So, now there’s no way I can spare them!’¹⁰Therefore, go to the rocks and hide in the ground In fear of Jehovah and the glory of His Might; For He’s coming to wipe out the land!¹¹The eyes of Jehovah are lofty, While the eyes of men are debased; So, in that day, these men will be low, And Jehovah will be lifted high.¹²For the day of Jehovah of Armies Is coming upon the insulting and proud. And those who are high and important Will soon be brought [to the ground].¹³Then, all of Lebanon’s great cedars, And every tall oak tree of BaShan… ¹⁴Yes, every high mountain and every high hill… ¹⁵Every high tower and every high wall… ¹⁶All ships in the seas and their beauty, ¹⁷And every man will be small. For the pride of men will [fall] in that day, And Jehovah alone will be high.¹⁸When He arises to wipe out the land, Men will then hide [all the idols] That they have made with their hands. ¹⁹They’ll hide them in caves and in cracks between rocks, As well as in burrows under the ground, Because of their fear of Jehovah, And before the might of His glory.²⁰Then the disgusting things that they’ve made with their hands (Those worthless things made of silver and gold, Which they’ve made to bow down before) Will be tossed before bats in their caves And in the cracks between rocks, In fear of Jehovah and the might of His glory, When He arises to wipe out the land.

¹So stop acting like men who breathe through their nose, For [what value] do they really have? Consider Jehovah of Armies (our Lord); For, throughout Judah and JeruSalem, He’ll remove the men and the women, Along with the strength of [their] bread And all the strength of [their] water… ²Their giants, their strong, their soldiers and judges… Their prophets, their thinkers and elders… ³Their generals and finest of counselors, As well as their wisest of builders… Yes, the most discerning among them.⁴Then He’ll appoint young men as their rulers In order to make them look foolish ⁵And to make the people act like they’re drunk. The men will all be rebellious And arise against their own neighbors; Young boys will be attacking the old, And by those without any honor, Their mighty ones will be shamed.⁶Then, men will grab hold of their brothers, And families will go to their fathers and say:‘You have clothes; so, you be our leader… Then you can provide us with food!’⁷But, in that day, such men will reply:‘I will not act as your leader… Since I have no bread or clothes in my home, I don’t choose to serve as your ruler.’⁸Yes, JeruSalem has been forsaken, And Judah has now been debased! For the tongues of their people speak against [God]… They just discuss what is lawless And refuse to make any changes.⁹Their glory is also debased, For their faces no longer show any shame, And they publicly announce and admit To sins that are as those of Sodom.So now, woe to their souls; For they have sought wicked council! ¹⁰They say:‘Let’s [lock] up the righteous Because they’ve become inconvenient.’So, they’ll reap the fruitage of their bad deeds, ¹¹And woe will come to the lawless. For the evil that their hands are now doing Will soon be brought back upon them!¹²O my people,Those whom you owe are gleaning from you, And those whom you owe are your masters!O my people,Those who say you are blest, are misleading you, And they’re [clouding] the paths for your feet. ¹³For, you’re being judged by Jehovah… Yes, against His own, He’s arisen as judge. ¹⁴Jehovah Himself is judging the elders, As well as those ruling His people.‘And you, [O elders and rulers]; Why are you burning My vineyard, And why are the poor [now slaves] in your homes? ¹⁵Yes, why are you wronging My people, And disgracing the faces of the poor?’This was asked by Jehovah of Armies (our Lord).¹⁶And Jehovah said:‘Because the daughters of Zion are proud And walk with their [noses] held high, As they beckon with their eyes and walk tiny steps Then drag their underwear with their feet; ¹⁷I’ll bring down the daughters of Zion, And expose their true state in that day. ¹⁸I’ll remove the glory of their clothes… The fringes, crescents, ¹⁹and necklaces that they wear, As well as their facial adornments.²⁰‘[I’ll remove] their armlets and bracelets… Their wreaths, their rings, and right armbands… ²¹Their earrings, purple fringes, and all decorations, ²²As well as the cloths for their homes… Their coverings through which you can see… ²³Their fine linens interwoven with scarlet and blue… The linens embroidered with gold and blue threads, And the lightweight covers for their divans.²⁴‘Then instead of pleasant odors, there’ll be only dust… Instead of belts, they’ll tie ropes on their [waists]. Yes, because of the things that they’re doing, Instead of gold [combs], they’ll be bald… And instead of their purple underclothes, They will be forced to wear sackcloth.²⁵‘Then the sons you most love will fall by the sword, As your mighty are disgraced and cut down. ²⁶You’ll mourn [the loss] of your [most precious things], And then, you’ll be left all alone, Beaten down to the ground.’

¹In that day, Seven women will reach for one man, And this is what they will say:‘We’ll [make] our own bread and wear our own clothes; But, let us be called by your name In order to remove all our scorn!’²In that day, The glory of the council of God Will shine upon the whole earth In order to raise and bring glory To those few in IsraEl who still remain.³And the few in JeruSalem and Zion Will then be called Holy Ones… This will happen to those in JeruSalem [Whose names] have been written for life.⁴Then Jehovah will wash away all the filth Of the sons and daughters of Zion. He’ll remove all the blood from JeruSalem’s midst With the spirit of judgment and fire.⁵When He comes, every place on Mount Zion Will stand in the shade of a cloud every day, And the light of a fire each night… So, His glory will then be their shelter. ⁶It’ll be a shade of protection from heat, And a shelter from rain and bad weather.

¹I’ll now sing [a song] to the One whom I love… A song of my loved One concerning His vineyard:‘A vineyard belonged to One who was loved… A horn of plenty in a bountiful land. ²Around it, He built a fence and palisade, Then the choicest of grapevines, He planted.‘In its midst, He then built a tower, And thereafter, He dug out a winepress. Then he waited for grapes to start growing, But, all that grew was thorn bushes.’³Now, you who dwell in JeruSalem… Yes, you men of Judea… Judge between Him and His vineyard!⁴What can He do for His vineyard That hasn’t already been done? He waited for it to grow grapes, But all it produced was thorn bushes.⁵So I’ll tell you what He’ll do to His vineyard: He’ll remove its gate and let it be ravaged… He’ll demolish its walls and let it be trampled. ⁶He’ll abandon His vineyard, so it won’t be pruned, Nor will it be hoed anymore.He’ll return it [to the way it once was]… An uncultivated land of thorn bushes. And to the clouds, He’ll then give the order To not provide it with rain.⁷The house of IsraEl is the vineyard Of Jehovah of Armies, And Judah’s people are His beloved plants, On whom He waited to give Him what’s due. But they just produced lawless ways… Instead of a tower of justice, Cries of distress is all that they’ve brought.⁸So, woe to those who gather in homes And in the fields roundabout. For, after your neighbors are taken away, You’ll live all alone in the land, ⁹Since Jehovah of Armies has heard what you’ve done!So, where there were once many houses, There will just be desolation, And no one will live there again.¹⁰Then, although you’ll plow with ten oxen teams, You’ll harvest just enough to fill one clay pot. And although you may plant six large measures, Just three measures will grow.¹¹So, woe to those who rise early To spend their days chasing liquor And stay up late as they drink it; For, they will burn along with their wine.¹²They drink to [the sounds] of the harp and the lute As well as pipes and tambourines, As they fail to think of the works of Jehovah… The works of His hands, they have failed to consider.¹³So, my people will all become captives Because they’ve forgotten their Lord. Many will die from hunger and thirst; ¹⁴For the place of the dead has widened its soul And opened its mouth to consume them. Then, the glorious will fall with the great and the rich, And all of those who respect them.¹⁵My people will then be cut down, And their men will all be dishonored… Yes, those who [walked proud] will be shamed.¹⁶Then the justice of Jehovah of Armies will arise… And because He will have [proven His] justice, Our Holy God will be glorified.¹⁷Then, there will come those who will rip you apart, And on your bulls, they will graze… Yes, those who will come to wipe out your land Will also be eating your lambs.¹⁸So, woe to those drawing sins as with ropes, And lawless ways as the yoke on a bull… ¹⁹Those saying:‘Let Him come and do whatever He wants… Let Him do it soon, so we’ll see it… Let the Holy One’s Will come to pass, So we can all know what it is!’²⁰Yes, woe to those who call evil, good And those who are calling good, bad… Those who turn what’s dark into light And turn what’s light into darkness… Those who make bitter sound, sweet And those who turn sweet into bitter.²¹Woe to those who think themselves wise, And think that they have greater knowledge. ²²Woe to your strong ones and those drinking wine… The mighty who are mixing their liquor… ²³Those who favor the wicked, because they’ve been bribed, And from the righteous, snatch justice.²⁴For this, they’ll be burned up like stubble… They’ll be burned like coals leaping with flames. Their roots and flowers will be turned into dust For rejecting the Laws of Jehovah of Armies… They’ve despised IsraEl’s Holy One’s words.²⁵For with His people, Jehovah of Armies is angry, And to strike them, He’s lifted His hand.[The smell] of rotting flesh will drive mountains to rage… For, like manure on the roads, they’ll become. Yet, even this won’t [soften] His rage Or still the raising of His hand.²⁶So He’ll lift a sign to nations far away... He’ll whistle to them from the ends of the earth, And they’ll take quick notice and come here.²⁷They won’t get hungry or tired, Nor will they slumber or sleep. They’ll not untie their belts from their waists, Nor will they loosen their sandals.²⁸With stretched-tight bows [they will come], And with the arrows that they’ve sharpened. The feet of their horses will be like hard rocks, And blasts will come from their chariot wheels.²⁹Like lions, they will then advance With their cubs all walking beside them… They’ll snatch you and yell like wild beasts, As they carry you off… When no one will be there to save you.³⁰Yes, because of you, they’ll yell in that day Like the sounds of the roar of the seas. Then you’ll look to the heavens above, And [to the ground] underneath you, And all you will see is hard darkness In your terrible time of distress.

¹It was in the year King UzziAh died, that I saw Jehovah sitting on a high, lofty throne, and the Temple [of Jehovah] was filled with His glory... ²The seraphim stood all around Him, each of whom had six wings that touched the wings next to them. Their first [pair of] two wings covered their front sides, the second [pair of] two wings covered their feet, and they flew with their third [pair of] two wings.³They were shouting to each other and saying:‘Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of Armies… The whole earth is filled with His glory!’⁴Well, the threshold of the Temple shook at the sound of their shouting, and the Temple became filled with smoke!⁵And I said:‘Oh, I’m so unworthy and hurt by this, because I’m just an unclean man who lives among people with unclean lips!‘Yet now, I have beheld the King, Jehovah of Armies… I’ve seen Him with my own eyes!’⁶Then one of the seraphim was sent to me, and in his hand he carried a [live] coal that he’d taken from the Altar with tongs.⁷So touched it to my mouth and said:‘{Look!} Now that your lips have been touched by this coal, It has removed all of your lawless deeds And it has purged you of all your sins.’⁸Then I heard the voice of Jehovah ask:‘Whom shall I send?‘Yes, who will go to these people?’And I replied:‘Look! I’m here! Send me!’⁹And He said:‘Then, go to these people and say:‘When it comes to hearing, you’ll hear, But no way will you comprehend. And when it comes to seeing, you’ll see, But no way will you understand!’¹⁰‘Since the hearts of these people have hardened, Their ears now listen too slowly, And their eyes cannot see, since their eyelids are closed. Thus, they will not hear with their ears Nor will they see with their eyes. So their hearts will not understand And make them turn back, so I’d heal them.’¹¹And I asked:‘How long [will this be true], O Lord?’And He answered:‘Until all the cities lie wasted And there are no people living there anymore… Until no one is left in their homes And until the whole land has been ravaged.¹²‘Then, God will stay far from these people, As those who survive, multiply. ¹³But, only 1/10th will remain there, For the rest will be [cut down] like pine trees.‘However; like an acorn that stays in its shell, The holy seed will remain in the stump.’

¹It was in the days of Ahaz (son of JoTham and grandson of UzziAh) the king of Judah, that King Rezin of Aram and PekAh (son of RemaliAh) the king of IsraEl came to JeruSalem to wage war against it… However, they were unable to conquer it.²But when the house of David was told that [the Kingdom of] Aram had joined forces with Ephraim, they were startled and the souls of the people were shaken like a forest of trees in a windstorm!³Then the Lord said this to IsaiAh:‘You and your son JaSub, the one whom you left behind, must now go to meet with [King] Ahaz at the upper pool of the washer women, ⁴and you must tell him:‘Do nothing at all and don’t be afraid… Don’t let those two pieces of smoking wood Make you feel weak [in your knees]. For, when I [send] them My rage, You will be saved once again.’⁵‘And as for the sons of RemaliAh and Aram... Because they met and wickedly agreed ⁶to come to Judah together to conquer and rule over you by setting TabeAl’s son [on the throne]… ⁷Tell him that Jehovah of Armies said this:‘There’s no way that your plan will succeed… It will never take place.⁸‘For the head of Aram is Damascus, And the head of Damascus is Rezin. Thus in six, plus another five years, These people will destroy Ephraim.⁹‘For the head of Ephraim is Samaria, And the head of Samaria is the son of RemaliAh… But, no one will understand, unless they believe.’¹⁰Then Jehovah [sent a message to] Ahaz, that said:¹¹‘Ask for a sign from Jehovah your God, Whether from the depths or the heights.’¹²And Ahaz replied:‘There’s no way that I’ll ask, nor will I put Jehovah to the test!’¹³So [the messenger] said:‘Listen to this, O house of David… If it’s too unimportant a thing To supply enough men for a battle; How can you fight a war for the Lord?¹⁴‘Now, Jehovah will give you a sign… {Look!} A virgin will get pregnant and then bear a son Whom you must call, ImManuEl [meaning, ‘God is with us’]. ¹⁵He’ll eat butter and honey before he is sure Whether he wants to be wicked or good.¹⁶‘But, before the boy can know good from bad, By resisting wicked persuasions, He will choose to do what is right. [see note] Even the land of two kings of which you’re afraid Will be totally abandoned!¹⁷‘But first, God will bring Assyria’s king Upon you, your people, and the house of your father… These will be unlike any days that have come Since Ephraim split off from Judah.¹⁸‘For, in that day, Jehovah will whistle And call for the flies on the [Nile], As well as for Assyria’s bees. ¹⁹Then they’ll come and settle in your valleys… In the burrows, rocks, and in caves… In every hole and in all the trees.²⁰‘In that day, Jehovah will speak, And He’ll tell Assyria’s king To bring his razor and shave off those drunks [Who live] on the river’s [east banks]. Then he’ll shave their heads and the hair on their feet, Before he cuts off their beards.²¹‘But, in that day, each man who is left Will have a cow and two sheep. ²²So, there will be milk for those who remain, And [plenty of] butter and honey.²³‘Yet, in that day; Where once grew thousands of grapevines Valued at thousands in silver, Only thorn bushes will grow. For, grape cultivation will have ceased. ²⁴Then, with bows and arrows they’ll [hunt] there; For the land will be wild and covered with thorns.²⁵‘But thereafter, they’ll plow up the mountains, And they won’t be afraid anymore; For that uncultivated land of thorn bushes Will then become a pasture for sheep, And a land that is trampled by oxen.’

¹Then the Lord said this to me:‘Go [buy] a large, new scroll of papyrus, And write on it with the pen of a man About the plundering and looting That will be coming upon them!²‘Then appoint these two trustworthy men Who will serve as witnesses on my behalf: Choose UriAh the Priest, And ZechariAh, son of BarachiAh.’³Well after that, I [had sex] with the Prophetess, and she got pregnant and gave birth to a son.Then the Lord said to me:‘Call his name, ‘Quick Gloom and Swift Looting’ [Hebrew: Maher-shalal-hash-baz], ⁴For, before the child learns how to call out To his father and mother, Someone will carry the power of Damascus And Samaria’s spoils to Assyria’s king.’⁵Then the Lord spoke to me again and said:⁶‘Because these people have refused to return To SiloaAm’s waters in peace, But prefer Rezin (son of RemeliAh) To serve instead as their king; {Look!} Jehovah will be bringing against them The waters of a great mighty river… The king of Assyria and his glory. ⁷For, he will then enter their valleys And walk right up to their walls.⁸‘Thereafter, he’ll sweep into Judah And overrun it up to its neck. So then, the out-spread wings of his camp Will fill the whole [land] of ImManuEl!⁹‘Know this, O nations, and then be nailed shut! Pay attention, all you peoples to the ends of the earth… Ready yourselves to be nailed down tight! And if you should ever grow strong after that, Once more, you’ll be nailed down tight!¹⁰‘Then, no matter whom you ask for solutions; Jehovah will wipe them away. And no matter what you say you’ll accomplish; Because Jehovah’s [against] you, Nothing that you do will succeed!¹¹‘For, this is what Jehovah has said:‘These people have resisted [My] persuasion About the ways they should go. And they say:¹²‘What You’ve told us is too hard [to do]!’‘Yet, whatever they’ve said is too hard to do Should not be feared or disturbing. ¹³Just treat Jehovah of Armies as holy, And only Him, should they fear… ¹⁴If they’ll yield to Him, He’ll be their Most Holy, And upon no stones will they stumble, Nor upon any rocks will they trip!‘But the house of Jacob is [now] in the trap Of those lying in wait in their valleys. ¹⁵Since many of their people are already weak, They’re about to fall and be broken. Then [those armies] will come and carry the people Away from the land where they’ve lived so securely!¹⁶‘Then, it will be easy to see Which ones were [the chosen and] sealed, And which wouldn’t [follow] the Law. ¹⁷For, one will say:‘I’ll wait on The God From whom Jacob’s house has now turned its face, And in Him, I will put all my trust… ¹⁸{Look} Both the children God gave me and I!’‘Then, to the house of IsraEl, they will serve As the miracles and signs of Jehovah of Armies… The One who dwells on Mount Zion.¹⁹‘And if, at that time, they should tell you To seek those who interpret omens That are sent by those who speak from the ground, Or to those who speak empty words from their guts… [You should ask them this]:‘Shouldn’t a nation first ask of its God? Why ask the dead on behalf of the living? ²⁰For He gave us His Law as our helper. So we shouldn’t be turning to those who can’t help!’²¹‘This is why a great famine is coming to you!‘So, when you’re hungry and worried, And speak wicked things of your fathers and kings… When you look to the sky up above you, ²²And to the ground underneath you, What you’ll see is darkness, distress, and hard times… A darkness that will last a long time!’

¹‘Drink this first and fast… Do it quickly, O lands of ZebuLun and NaphTali… You on the coasts and the JorDan’s east shore, And you, O Galilee of the gentiles!²‘The people who were traveling in darkness Then saw a [very] bright light. For a light will then shine upon those Who live in the place of the shadow of death.³‘To a time of joy, He will lead them, And they’ll all be as happy before Him As those who take joy in the harvest, Or as those who’re dividing up loot. ⁴For they’ll not be wearing a yoke anymore, Nor [will they feel] the whip on their backs.‘He’ll destroy the [whip] of all those who use it As He did in the days of MidiAn’s war. ⁵Then, those who did this must pay for the clothes That they, through treachery, have taken; For the people will [demand] the return of their clothes, Even if they have been scorched!⁶‘Because a child has been born for us, And for us, a son has been given; Upon his shoulders, that authority came, And by the name Great Councel’s Messenger, he is called. Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace [spurious words]‘Then, to this prince, I’ll bring peace and good health; ⁷And from the throne of David, his rule will be great. There will be no end to his peace, For his kingdom will be founded on justice and judgments Both now and into the age… Which will come through the zeal of Jehovah of Armies.⁸‘But now, upon IsraEl and Jacob, Jehovah is just sending death. ⁹And all the peoples of Ephraim (Those with haughty and insolent hearts Who within Samaria, have settled), Will realize this and then say:¹⁰Since all our bricks have now fallen, Please come and help us shape stones; Then we’ll cut down some cedars and sycamore trees, And we’ll build ourselves a great tower.¹¹‘But, God will knock down all those Who will come against Zion and Him. He’ll wipe all His enemies away… ¹²The Syrians from where the sun dawns To the Greeks in the place where it sets… Those who’ve swallowed IsraEl down with their mouths.‘But, this won’t bring an end to His rage; For His hand will still be held high… ¹³Because His people refused to repent Or to search for Jehovah of Armies Until [the day] they were struck. ¹⁴For the Lord will remove the head and the tail… All of IsraEl’s small and great in one day.¹⁵‘Their head is the elders and highly regarded, And the prophets (those teaching lawless ways) are the tail. ¹⁶They’re the ones who say, ‘These people are blest,’ And mislead them to swallow them down.¹⁷‘Yes, it is because of these things That God won’t show favor upon their young men, Nor will He show mercy on their orphans or widows… Because they’re all lawless and wicked, And every mouth is unrighteous. Yet, none of these things will turn back His rage, For His hand will still be raised high.¹⁸‘Then the lawless will be burned as in fire… They’ll be devoured like flames through dry grass… They’ll be burned like thickets in the woods, And consumed like hay in the hills.¹⁹‘Because of Jehovah’s anger and rage, All of their land will be burned, And its people will be as those burned in fire; For a man won’t show mercy to even his brother.²⁰‘Then they’ll look at their right hands in hunger, And they will eat their left [arms]… But the flesh of their arms will not fill them.²¹‘ManasSeh will gnaw upon Ephraim, And Ephraim will chew on ManasSeh… Then together, they’ll come against Judah. Yet, none of these things will turn back [God’s] rage, For His arm will still be held high.’

¹‘Woe to those who write wicked [laws]; For the reasons that they write them are evil… ²To deny equal rights to the poor, And snatch away justice from the needy… To loot the orphans and ravage the widows!³‘So, what will you do in the day of inspection… When hard times come from afar? Yes, whom will you run to for aid, And to whom will you give all your wealth… ⁴For, won’t you be forced to be slaves?‘And if you should hide under those who are killed, You’ll see that this won’t bring an end to His rage… For His hand will still be held high.⁵‘Woe to Assyria (the rod of My wrath)… Those who hold My rage in their hands. ⁶But, on that lawless nation, I’ll also send rage… I’ll order My people to plunder and loot them, Then trample their cities and turn them to dust.⁷‘But now, they aren’t thinking about this, For their souls have failed to reflect. [No, Assyria’s king] doesn’t know… He just wants to destroy many nations.⁸‘He’ll ask:‘Am I not your sole ruler? ⁹Isn’t all above Babylon mine, As well as CalNeh, where the tower was built?‘Haven’t I conquered Arabia, As well as Samaria and Damascus? ¹⁰Thus, in the same way that I’ve taken all these, I will conquer the rest!‘So shriek, O carvings in JeruSalem; ¹¹For, as I did to Samaria and her idols (Those things that they made with their hands), I’ll also do to JeruSalem And to all of the idols that are there!’¹²‘But, after Jehovah completes all these things That He’ll do to JeruSalem and Zion; He’ll arise and strike that great mind… Yes, the mind of Assyria’s king, And the haughty glory of his eyes.¹³‘For, [this great ruler] has dared to say:‘I will act in a very strong way. And in my wisdom and great understanding, I’ll remove the boundaries of nations And bring an end to their powers.¹⁴‘I’ll shake the cities in which they all live, And grab hold of the people who live there As I’d take a bird’s nest in My hands… And then, I’ll deport the survivors.‘No, none will evade or oppose me… They’ll just open their mouths and let out a chirp.¹⁵‘Does the axe really have any glory Unless there is someone to swing it? Does the saw really have any value Unless there is someone to draw it… And can a rod swing itself?¹⁶‘So, dishonor will replace all his honor… And this will be done by Jehovah of Armies. Upon his glory, He’ll send fire, And [that king] will be consumed by its flames… ¹⁷Then this fire will serve as IsraEl’s light.‘For He’ll make her holy through fire, Which will eat her like grass in the woods in that day. ¹⁸It will burn through her mountains, forests, and hills, And devour all the life from her flesh.‘Then, those who flee will be running from flames, ¹⁹And very few will remain… An infant could write down their numbers!²⁰‘But in that day, those who remain in JeruSalem Won’t go along [with what’s bad] anymore. For [the sons] of Jacob who then will be saved Won’t put up with those who have wronged them. They will only be yielding to God, And to the truths of IsraEl’s Most Holy One.²¹‘Then, those of Jacob who survive Will return to their Almighty God. ²²And the people of IsraEl will then grow to be As many as the sands of the seas From the very few that were left.²³‘So, this matter will be finished in justice; For, Jehovah is the One who is drawing the line. Yes, Jehovah of Armies will act Throughout the world [of mankind].²⁴‘For this reason, Jehovah of Armies has said:Don’t fear the Assyrians, My people… Yes, you who are dwelling in Zion. Although they’ll strike with a rod And distress you as they’re [marching] towards Egypt; ²⁵In a very short time, My anger will end, And I’ll turn My rage towards their plans.²⁶‘The God of Armies, Jehovah, will rise And bring calamity upon them As He did to MidiAn’s people In the Place of Oppression.‘For His rage [will be expressed] by the sea As they are traveling towards Egypt. ²⁷Their terrible yoke, He’ll lift from your shoulders, After He has destroyed them.²⁸‘They’ll enter the City of AngAi; But, they will bypass MegidDo… Then they’ll drop their weapons at MichMash.²⁹‘They’ll enter the valley at AngAi; So, those in Rama will be gripped with fear, And the city of Saul will then flee.³⁰‘At that time, O daughter of GalLim; Your voice will sound just like snorting. And be careful [O you] at LachIsh… And you at AnathOth must also be wary.³¹‘There’ll be fear in Gebim and MadMenah… ³²To survive, you must all band together As [Assyria] is marching your way!‘O daughter of Zion; You must then flee to the mountains, And gather upon JeruSalem’s hills!’³³O Lord, Jehovah of Armies,How Your strength has scattered the famous And broken the insolence of the haughty To teach them the need to be humble! ³⁴For the haughty will all be cut down with swords, And Lebanon will fall with the rest of the proud!

¹From the root of JesSe, a [shoot] will then sprout, And a flower will grow from his root. ²The Spirit of Jehovah will rest upon him… The spirit of wisdom and understanding… The spirit of purpose and strength… The spirit of reverence and knowledge.³The Spirit will fill him with fear of The God, And he won’t judge men by their wealth, Nor scold them for the things that they’ve said. ⁴He’ll judge the case of the lowly, And [give justice to] the poor of the land.He’ll strike the earth with the words from his mouth, And wipe the godless away with the breath from his lips. ⁵Justice will be wrapped ‘round his waist And his sides will be girdled in truth.⁶Then the wolf and the lamb, together will feed; The leopard will nap with the kid; Bulls, calves, and lions will all graze together, And by a small child, they’ll be led.⁷Together, the ox and the bear will eat grass, And together, their young ones [will play]; For then, the lion will eat straw like the ox.⁸On the burrow of an asp, an infant will play, And lay his hands in a bed of young cobras.⁹‘For, on My holy mountain, none will destroy, Nor will they not do any harm;’Since the earth will be filled with the knowledge of [God] As the seas are covered by water.¹⁰In that day, the root of JesSe [will sprout]… He’ll arise to rule [all] the nations. In him, the gentiles will trust, And upon him, honor will rest.¹¹In that day, God will show the zeal of His hands On behalf of the few who remain… The remnants of the few who’ll return From Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, As well as Ethiopia and ElAm… Those who will come back from the sunrise And from Arabian lands.¹²For He’ll raise a sign to the nations And collect the IsraElites that were being destroyed… He’ll gather the scattered of Judah From the four [corners] of the earth.¹³Then, at that time, Ephraim’s envy, And the enemies of Judah will all be destroyed. For, Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah, And Judah will oppress Ephraim no more.¹⁴At that time, they will all get together To [attack] the Philistines that live in the west, And plunder the Edomites at the sunrise. MoAb will be conquered first, But the sons of AmMon are first to submit.¹⁵Then the Lord will [split] Egypt’s Sea, And He’ll lay His hands on their River… He’ll send gales to its 7 ravines, So it can be walked through in sandals.¹⁶Then, it will serve as a road for His people… A path for those left behind, And for those in Assyria that have yet to return. Then for IsraEl, it’ll be the same as that day When they first came out of Egypt.

¹And in that day, they will say:‘O Jehovah, we praise You! For, although You were angry with us, Your rage has now turned away And You have shown mercy upon us.²‘Look… My God and my Savior! I’ll do what You say and not be afraid! For, Jehovah’s my glory and praise, And He has become my salvation.’³Then, water will be drawn from life-giving springs, ⁴And in that day, you will say:‘Sing in praise to Jehovah… Yes, yell aloud about His great Name! To the nations, announce His honorable deeds… Say that His Name has been raised!⁵‘Sing in praise to the Name of the Lord For all of the great things He’s done… Yes, announce these things throughout the whole earth!⁶‘Shout aloud and be joyful, All who you are living in Zion; For the Most Holy One of IsraEl, Has now been raised in her midst!’

¹This is the vision that IsaiAh (son of Amoz) saw against Babylon:²‘Raise a flag on top of the mountains. Then, don’t be afraid, shout it loudly. Open [your mouths], O you rulers… Put your hands [to your mouths] and call out for aid!³‘For I’m in command and I’ve given the order To giants that are coming to fulfill My rage… Together they’re coming, shouting insults.’⁴There’s a voice like the sound of great crowds That [you’ll hear from the tops of] the mountains. It’s the sound of a gathering of kings, And a great assembly of troops.For, Jehovah of Armies has given the order To a nation of warriors with weapons ⁵That are coming from a faraway land… From the pillars of the skies they’ll arrive. Yes, the Lord and His warriors are coming To bring ruin to the place where you dwell.⁶So shriek, for the day of the Lord is at hand, And destruction from God will come quickly! ⁷So, all of their hands will go limp And the soul of each man will know fear.⁸Their elders will all be disturbed And have pains like women about to give birth. They’ll discuss it and they will be sad for each other, And together, they’ll all be in shock… Their faces will be changed into flames!⁹For {Look!} the day of the Lord is about to arrive… It’s a day of incurable anger… The rage to destroy the place where you live And wipe away all the sinners.¹⁰Then the stars in the skies (including Orion) And the heaven’s arrangement will no longer shine. The rising sun will be darkened, And the moon won’t give out its light.¹¹‘I’ll punish this dwelling place for its evil, And the irreverent, I’ll destroy for their sins… I’ll end the insolence of the lawless, And bring the haughty ways of the proud to the ground.¹²‘Then, those left behind will be rarer than gold… They’ll be rarer than gold from Ophir. ¹³For the skies will then be enraged, And the foundations of the land will be shaken By the anger and rage of Jehovah of Armies On the day that He sends His wrath.¹⁴‘Then, those who remain will be fleeing like deer… Like sheep, they will all run away… No way will a man return to his house, For they’ll all be fleeing their homes.¹⁵‘The captured will then all be [slaughtered]… Yes, those who are caught will fall by the sword. ¹⁶Before them, their young will be dashed to the ground, All of their homes will be ruined, And their women will all be dishonored.¹⁷‘{Look!} For against you, I’m arousing the Medes… Those who think nothing of silver And those who have no need for your gold!¹⁸‘They’ll break the bows of your young men, And on your young, show no mercy… Their eyes will not spare your children!¹⁹‘Then Babylon, home of the king of Chaldea, Will be wiped away by our God, As He did to Sodom and GomorRah. ²⁰And throughout ages, no one will live there again, For generations, no one will [want to] go there… No Arabs will go there, and shepherds won’t stop there to rest. ²¹But wild beasts will surely be found there, And fill all the houses with growling.‘It’ll be a place where demons will dance… ²²A place where vultures will dwell, And where hedgehogs build nests in the homes.’

¹This will all happen quite quickly… It won’t take very much time And the days [‘til it comes] won’t drag on.But, [God] will show mercy on Jacob, For IsraEl will still be His chosen, And they will find rest in His land.To them, foreign peoples will come (To the house of Jacob, they’ll come), ²And they’ll accept the gentiles among them… As an inheritance, they’ll all then be welcomed.At that time, within the land of our God, There’ll be many servants (both women and men). For, those who once took them as captives Will, in turn, be their [slaves]… They’ll dominate those who once ruled them.³In that day, the Lord will send rest And an end to your anger and grief, As well as to the hard labor Under which you had once slaved.⁴Then you’ll take up this wail against Babylon’s king… In that day, you’ll say this about him:‘O how much rest [we now can enjoy] From this one who once demanded so much… How much rest [we now have from] our masters!⁵‘For, Jehovah broke the yoke of those sinners, As well as the yoke of their rulers. ⁶In His rage, He struck down a nation… He brought calamity upon them… He didn’t spare any and He didn’t hold back!⁷‘So now, our land is shouting in joy… ⁸The trees of Lebanon are happy and say:From the time that you were laid low, No one has come here to cut us!⁹‘From below, the grave has arisen to meet them; And all the giants that once ruled the earth (Those who stood and opposed you) Have now been gathered down there.’Then the kings of those nations will rise from their thrones, ¹⁰And they will say [to those giants]:‘Now, you have been captured as we were… So, are you now considered to be one of us? ¹¹For your glories and joys have gone down to the grave, And beneath you, they’ll make a bed of decay Where you will be covered with worms!’¹²O how the bright one has fallen (The [star] that arises at dawn); For this one who [once conquered] nations, Has been broken down to the ground.[Editor Note:The previous verse could also be translated as:‘O how you have fallen from the sky; So, howl, O one who arises at dawn; For, you who [once conquered] nations, Have now been broken to the ground.’] ¹³You’re the one who once said in his heart:‘I will ascend to the heavens And I’ll put my throne above all the stars. Then I’ll sit upon a high mountain… On the highest one in the north. ¹⁴Yes, I will ascend above all the clouds, And I will be like the Most High!’¹⁵But now, you’ll go down to the grave… Down to the foundations of the earth. ¹⁶Then, those who see you will wonder and ask:‘Isn’t he the one who provoked the whole earth? Isn’t he the one who once shook its kings? ¹⁷Isn’t he the one who brought desolation Upon mankind’s habitation… The one who demolished its cities And the one who set no slaves free?’¹⁸So, while all the kings of the nations Will go to sleep in full honor (As will every man within his own house); ¹⁹You’ll be tossed in the mountains along with the slain.Yes, you’ll be abhorred the same as the rest Who have been run through with swords And gone down to the place of the dead.²⁰‘Like clothes that are dirtied by blood, You won’t be pure or clean anymore; For, to My land, you brought desolation, And you have murdered My people. So, no way will you last throughout the age, O you offspring of all that’s evil!²¹‘Prepare your young to be slaughtered Because of the sins of their fathers! So, they won’t arise and inherit the land, Nor again fill the whole earth with wars!²²‘For, I will rise up against them,’ Says Jehovah of Armies; ‘I’ll destroy their names, their remains, and their offspring.’And Jehovah said:²³‘The land of Babylon, I will destroy… I’ll make it a place where hedgehogs will dwell. I will bring it to nothing… It’ll be just a pit of destruction.’²⁴Then Jehovah of Armies said:‘This is how it will happen… Yes, this is the way it will be; For this is what I’ve decided:‘I’ll allow [Babylon] to remain For just a little while longer, ²⁵So that it can wipe the Assyrians away From My land and My Holy Mountain. They’ll be trampled and their yoke will then be removed, As their dignity is cut from their shoulders.’²⁶Yes, this is the plan that Jehovah laid out For the rest of man’s habitation, As His hand is raised over the gentiles. ²⁷For, who can erase the Holy One’s plans, Or hold back His hand once it’s been raised?²⁸In the year that King Ahaz died, these words came [to IsaiAh]:²⁹O Philistines; do not be joyful, For He’s breaking the yoke of those you’ve attacked. And from the snake’s offspring, young asps will arrive, Which will then become flying serpents.³⁰While God will feed all the poor And peace will rest on the paupers; Your offspring will starve and be wiped away… Yes, those who are left will be gone.³¹So, shriek, O you city of gates, And may your towns start crying aloud! For the Philistines will all be disturbed As they see smoke arise in the north… And no one there, will be left alive.Now, what answer can the kings of the nations supply? For although the Lord will destroy the foundations of Zion; He’ll still bring salvation to His people!

¹This is the word against MoAb:‘In one night, MoAb’s land will be wiped away… In the dark, its walls will be broken. ²In Dibon, your altars will all be destroyed, And then, you’ll just go there to weep.‘In MoAb, there’ll be shrieking on Nebo; For, every head will be shaved, And you’ll all wear chains on your arms.³‘In your squares, you all will wear sackcloth, And under every roof, there’ll be mourning; For, you will be shrieking and crying In your squares and in all your streets!⁴‘In HeshBon, there will also be shouting, As well as in EliAleh… As far as JaHaz, the sounds will be heard.‘In MoAb’s land, the mothers will cry; For, in their souls, they will know… ⁵In their hearts, they’ll know there’ll be screaming All the way up to ZoAr.‘Then they’ll be like 3-year-old heifers [That are being led to the slaughter]; For there’ll be much weeping in LuHith, And yelling on the road to HoroNaim, Where they’ll tremble before they’re defeated!⁶‘At NimRim, the waters will dry, So her crops will fail and there’ll be no green grass, ⁷And then, how will they save her? For, I will send Arabs into her valleys And everyone there will be captured.⁸‘Yes, there will be screaming and shrieking In the lands of MoAb and EglaIm. There will also be screams at their wells, ⁹For the waters of Dibon will be filled with blood.‘Yes, against Dimon, I’m bringing the Arabs, And they will remove MoAb’s offspring… Those remaining in AriEl and Adama.’

¹‘Then I’ll send a male lamb to be lord of their land… For Mount Zion’s daughter is not just bare rock. ²Then you, O daughter of MoAb, Will become like a bird that flies all about After her young have been carried away!‘O Arnon; sit down and discuss it, ³Then prepare for continuous mourning. For at noon, everything will go dark, And [your people] will be startled and flee.‘So, do not start celebrating; ⁴For, with exiles of MoAb, you’ll flee From the faces of those who pursue you. They will then be your only protectors, Since your allies will all have been lifted away, And your rulers will have been crushed to the ground.⁵‘Then, from a throne [based on] mercy, [This lamb] will make all things right. For a man from the tent of David Will thereafter sit [on a throne] From which, he will judge righteously. He’ll demand to know what is true… Then swift justice, he’ll bring [to the land].⁶‘For I’ve heard the insults of MoAb… And they have been very insulting. [I’ve noticed] their pride, their insults, and rage… And there was no reason for this.⁷‘So, there will be shrieking in MoAb… Throughout the land, there’ll be screaming. But you’ll think of those who were dwelling in Seth, And then, you’ll feel less ashamed.⁸‘In the plains of HeshBon, you’ll mourn Over the grapevines of SibMah; For the nations will swallow you down… And as far as JaZer, they’ll trample your vines.‘Then no way will you get back together; But, through the desert, you’ll wander! And those who were carried away will be lost Like those who were carried over the sea.⁹‘And I will cry over this, As will [the people] of JaZer Who are weeping for the grapevines of SibMah.‘O HeshBon and EliAleh; Your trees will all be cut down, And I’ll trample your harvests and crops… Yes, all of these things will soon fail!¹⁰Then in your vineyards, there will be no leaping for joy, Since the reasons for joy will be gone… And none will be treading your wine vats, For the [growing of grapes] will have ceased.¹¹‘Then my belly will sound like a harp over MoAb, And I’ll [groan for her cities of bricks].¹²‘This should bring shame on them all; For, MoAb’s shrines will no longer be strong… Those places where they go to pray Before the things that they’ve made with their hands… Which won’t be able to save them!’¹³This is what Jehovah proclaimed against MoAb.¹⁴Then the Lord spoke again and said this:‘In just three years, In the length of someone’s employment, MoAb will meet with dishonor… All of her wealth [will be gone], And just a few peasants will live there.’

¹This is the word against Damascus.‘{Look!} Damascus will be lifted away From among the rest of the cities… It will [soon] meet its downfall.²‘Then, throughout the ages, it’ll serve as a bed… A resting place and safe haven for flocks. ³No more will it be a fortified city (A place of Ephraim’s refuge); For, the kingdom in Damascus will be gone, And the Syrians will no longer dwell there.‘But, it will be better for [those in that city] Than for IsraEl’s sons and their glory,’ Said Jehovah of Armies. ⁴‘For the glory of Jacob will end in that day… His bountiful glory will be shaken.⁵‘It’ll be as it is in a harvest Where someone reaps grain in a valley of rocks. ⁶For, stubble will be all that’s left… Just two or three olive pits On the tops of very tall trees That only have four or five branches.’This is what The God of IsraEl said:⁷‘In that day, all the people will have to rely On the One by whom they were made… To the Holy One of IsraEl, their eyes should then turn.⁸‘They shouldn’t rely on their shrines Or on the things that they’ve made with their hands. In that day, they’ll not look to their trees, Or to the disgusting things [that they’ve made].⁹‘For their cities will all be abandoned, As were the cities of the Amorites and Hivites Before the faces of IsraEl’s sons.‘Desolate places, they will become, ¹⁰For they have forsaken their Savior… Yes, they have forgotten their God!‘So, when they are planting, they’ll do so unsurely, For they’ll be unsure of their seeds. ¹¹And about the right day to do planting, They will then be misled. So, although they may sow in the morning, Their seeds will rot before the harvest.‘Then fathers will be forced to choose Which of their sons they will [feed], By casting lots on their behalf.¹²‘And woe to you, the rest of the nations; For, you will also be shaken… You’ll be disturbed like the sea [in a storm], ¹³And by raging floods, you’ll be carried away.‘For I’ll scold them all and then they will flee… Yes, I’ll chase them a very long way, And they’ll be like dust on the mountains That is [blown about] by the winds, Or like clouds of dust raised by wheels.¹⁴‘In the evening, there will be much mourning, And by dawn, they’ll no longer exist.’This is what will happen to those who’ve brought ruin…It’s the inheritance of those who inherited us.

¹Woe to you, O land of winged boats Beyond Ethiopia’s rivers… ²Those sending paper treaties and letters Across the waters [to us].For, messengers will be sent by a nation Of strange and ill-tempered people By whom you don’t want to be trampled.³They live in a land divided by rivers, And their place will [soon] be a flag That is lifted above the tall mountains… Like a signal of the blowing of trumpets.⁴Then, this is what I was told by the Lord:‘Although I have protected My city From the afternoon heat And by clouds of dew before harvest; ⁵When the flowers have blossomed and young grapes have formed, I’ll remove their clusters with a sickle… Yes, I’ll cut the small branches off of the vines, ⁶Then leave them behind for the birds of the skies And for the wild beasts of the earth.‘So then, all winged creatures that fly in the skies And all the wild beasts of the earth Will gather there to consume them.⁷‘Then those people who’ve been afflicted and plucked Will offer gifts to Jehovah of Armies. They’re a people who’ve been great [throughout] the ages… But they’re a nation whose hopes will be trampled.‘They live in a place that runs from a river To where the Name Jehovah of Armies Is found upon His Holy Mountain.’

¹This is the vision against Egypt:{Look!} The Lord will arrive upon a swift cloud, And down to Egypt, He’ll go. There He’ll shake the idols that they’ve made with their hands (Those that stand in front of His face), And then, their hearts will be pierced.²Egyptians will [war] with Egyptians… Against their own brothers and neighbors, they’ll fight. City will rise against city, And houses [will rise] against houses.³The Egyptian’s spirits will all be disturbed, And He will wipe out their plans. Then they’ll ask their statues, their prophets, and gods, And those who speak from the ground.⁴But, over the Egyptians, He will assign Men who will make them work hard… Bad kings, He’ll appoint over them.For, this was said by Jehovah of Armies.⁵Egyptians will be drinking sea water, Because their rivers will dry up and fail… ⁶Their aqueducts and their rivers will fail, And all their water will dry.⁷Then, papyrus marshes and reeds, As well as what’s green by the rivers (Including the crops that are planted nearby), Will dry up and be blown away.⁸So, those who go fishing with hooks, Those who catch fish with dragnets, And those who cast nets in the rivers Will all start mourning and groaning.⁹Also, those who shred flax and weave linen ¹⁰Will all be grieved and ashamed. There’ll also be great concern Among the ones who brew beer, As the lives of all become painful.¹¹Then, fools will be appointed their rulers; And those who speak stupid things Will be the king’s councilors in Tanis.For, they will say to the king:We are the sons of the wise… Yes, as sons of kings, [we were born]!¹²But, where will all your wise men have gone? Yes, let them return and explain What Jehovah of Armies has planned against Egypt!¹³Then the princes in Tanis will fail, And the haughty rulers in Memphis Will cause Egypt and its tribes to wander. ¹⁴For the Lord has concocted for them The spirit of addiction to delusions, Which will cause the Egyptians to [stagger] Like a drunk that goes outside to vomit.¹⁵Egypt won’t know its head from its tail, Or discern a beginning or end. ¹⁶In that day, Egypt’s men will be acting like girls, And they’ll tremble before the hand of Jehovah… He’s the One who will cause this to happen.¹⁷Then Egyptians will fear the Judeans… Yes they’ll fear those who call themselves Jews; For against them, Jehovah of Armies has plans.¹⁸In that day, in 5 cities of Egypt, They’ll speak the CanaAnite tongue And swear oaths in the Name of Jehovah of Armies. Then ‘The City of [the Sun]’ will be called ‘The City of the [Living God].’¹⁹There’ll be an Altar to Jehovah in Egypt, And a monument to the Lord at their border, ²⁰Which will serve as a sign throughout the ages That, to Jehovah, Egypt belongs.Then they’ll call to [Him] when they are oppressed, And He will send someone to save them… He’ll save them and He’ll bring them justice.²¹So, to the Egyptians, our God will be famous… All Egypt will know who is Lord in that day. Sacrifices and gifts, they’ll offer to Him… They’ll make vows to Jehovah and pay them.²²For, after He brings bad things upon Egypt, He’ll heal them, and then, they’ll turn to Jehovah… He’ll listen to them and He’ll cure them!²³In that day, between Assyria and Egypt, There will then be a road Where the Assyrians will travel to Egypt, And to Assyria, the Egyptians will go… For Assyrians will then serve the Egyptians.²⁴In that day, along with Assyria and Egypt, IsraEl will then be the third When it comes to their land being blest.²⁵For Jehovah of Armies will offer this blessing:’Praise My people in Egypt, And praise those who live in Assyria… And praise My inheritance, IsraEl.’

¹It was in the year that Tartan entered AshDod (when he was sent by King Sargon [II] of the Assyrians to wage war against AshDod and captured it) ²that the Lord spoke to IsaiAh (son of Amoz) and said this:‘Now, remove the sackcloth from your loins, And untie the sandals from your feet.’So thereafter, that’s what IsaiAh did… He started walking around barefoot and naked!³And the Lord said:‘As My servant, IsaiAh, walks barefoot and naked; The same signs and miracles will be sent Throughout Ethiopia and Egypt In the coming three years.⁴‘For the king of Assyria will lead you as captives (Ethiopians and Egyptians, both young and old) Naked and barefoot, to show Egypt’s shame.⁵‘The Ethiopians who rely on Egyptians Will then be vanquished and shamed; For their [only] glory was [Egypt].⁶‘And they’ll say to those in the islands:‘{Look!} Although we thought we could turn to you to protect us, You couldn’t save us from Assyria’s king… And since even you couldn’t save us, How can we now be delivered?’

¹The Desert Vision.As a blast of wind from the desert Blows through a land that is dry; ²I received a frightening hard vision Concerning those who have no regard… Those who have no respect for the Law.[I dreamt] that the Persians attacked me; So I moaned and tried to find comfort. ³And because of this, my loins became weak As though I was going through birth pangs.Unrighteously, I chose not to hear, And I rushed away, so I couldn’t see it. ⁴For, in my heart I had strayed, And in lawlessness, I had been wrapped… Then my soul became covered with fear.⁵So, prepare the table to eat and to drink… Awaken the rulers and ready the shields! ⁶For, this is what I was told by the Lord:‘You must go and stand as a watchman, And you must announce all that you see!’⁷Well at that, I looked up and I saw two riders approaching; one [was riding] a burro, and the other [was riding] a camel.⁸[And then I was told that] I should listen and that I should call out to UriAh from Jehovah’s observation tower. So I stood there throughout that whole day, and I kept watch over the camp all throughout that night... ⁹And then, look! I spotted someone riding on a double chariot, and he was shouting that Babylon had fallen along with all of her idols… Yes, all of her idols had been dashed to the ground!¹⁰So listen, all of you who’ve survived, And all of you who are grieving… Hear what Jehovah of Armies has said… Hear what IsraEl’s God is announcing to you!¹¹The vision of Edom.From SeIr, He called out to me and He said:‘Now, you must keep watch on the walls… ¹²Stand there from morning ‘til night… Keep watch with Me and you’ll live!¹³‘Then, you should bed down in the evening In the woods on the road to DeDan. ¹⁴And bring some water for the thirsty you’ll meet… Those who are coming from TeMan!‘Also bring bread for the fleeing… ¹⁵Because of those being slaughtered… Because of all who must wander… Because of those who are brandishing swords… Because of those with tightly-stretched bows… And because of those who have fallen in war!’¹⁶Then the Lord said this to me:‘In a year (in the time of someone who’s hired) The glory of Kedar will end, ¹⁷And few will remain of their bowmen; For the Lord God of IsraEl has spoken.’

¹The matter of the valley of Zion.‘O what has happened to you That made you foolishly climb to your roofs?²‘Although your city is now filled with screaming, Your slain were not killed by the broadsword And your people haven’t died because of a war.³‘But your rulers all fled [in fear of] the bow, And now they’re all tied up together… Yes your mighty have all run away!’Well, because of this, I said:‘Now, please let me go and find someplace to cry… ⁴And don’t try to offer me any comfort over the destruction of the daughters of my people, ⁵for this has been a very disturbing day… It’s been a day of trampling and destruction and a day of addiction to delusions that’s come to us from Jehovah of Armies!‘But, in the valleys of Zion, they wander… All from the small to the great… Yes, between the mountains, they wander.⁶‘For the people of ElAm have collected [their arrows] And their men have mounted their horses, Then they gathered in battle array. ⁷So with their chariots, our valleys will be filled, And their horsemen will block all our gates.⁸‘In that day, they’ll reveal Judah’s gates And survey the city’s best homes. ⁹Through the palace of David, they’ll search, And they’ll see how much they can find there.¹⁰‘You’ll divert the water to the city’s ancient pool And demolish the outsides of your homes To strengthen the walls of JeruSalem. ¹¹Yes, between the two walls, you’ll bring water And send it inside to that ancient pool. But to the One who made it, you’ll still fail to look… To its Creator, you will fail to turn.¹²‘For this, Jehovah of Armies Has called for tears in that day… For the beating of chests, For the shaving [of heads], And for the wearing of sackcloth.’¹³Yet, they were all happy and leaping for joy… Slaughtering calves and offering sheep, Then eating the meat and drinking the wine, And saying:‘We should all eat and drink, For tomorrow we’re going to die!’¹⁴Since this reached to the ears of Jehovah of Armies, These sins will not be forgiven Until the day that you truly die!¹⁵Jehovah of Armies said this:‘Now, go and enter My [Holy Place]… Go to the store-keeper ShevNa and ask:¹⁶’Just what are you doing here… What [business] have you been conducting? Why did you carve a memorial for yourself, And why have you made an engraving Of yourself in the stones of this Temple?’¹⁷‘{Look!} Jehovah of Armies will now throw you out… He’ll wipe away such a man! Your [official] clothes, He’ll remove, Along with your garland of honor!¹⁸‘Then He’ll throw you into a dungeon, And that is where you will die! On your chariot, He will bring dishonor, And He’ll trample the homes of your princes… ¹⁹[He’ll] remove your position and station!²⁰‘In that day, I will call to My servant (EliAkim son of HelkiAh), ²¹And I’ll put your garments on him… Yes, I will give him your garland… Your duties, I’ll put in his hands… And then he’ll become like a father To those in Judah and JeruSalem.²²‘And around his shoulders, I’ll also put The key to the palace of David… Yes, he’ll be the one who unlocks it!‘To him, I’ll give the glory of David… He’ll rule and no one will argue with him. ²³For I’ll make him the ruler of a place that’s secure, And he’ll sit on a glorious throne Within the house of his father.²⁴‘Then the honorable ones of his father’s house (Those from the least to the greatest) Will thereafter rely upon him… Yes, all the small vessels and cups Will depend on him in that day.’²⁵Jehovah of Armies also said:‘This man [ShevNa] will now be removed And another will then be entrenched Within that trustworthy place.‘He’ll be removed and he’ll fall, And all of his glory will just waste away. For, Jehovah [of Armies] has spoken!’

¹The matter of Tyre.Now shriek, you on boats out of Carthage; For, [Tyre] has been wiped away, And they won’t be [sailing] from Cyprus again, Since [the people of Tyre] are all captives!²To whom can I liken their [people]… To Phoenician traders who pass through the seas, ³Or to the offspring of those traders Who transport the harvests of the nations.⁴‘And you, O Sidon, be ashamed,’ said the sea! Then the power of the sea told them this:‘I have no pains and I’ve not given birth, Nor have I fed young or raised virgins. ⁵But when Egypt hears what’s happened to Tyre, They’ll be overtaken by grief.’⁶So, travel to Carthage and shriek, All you who live on the islands! ⁷For, she was the source of your insolent ways Back before she had fallen.⁸Who was it who planned these things against Tyre? For, isn’t she the strongest and best… Aren’t her merchants the glorious rulers of nations?⁹It was Jehovah of Armies who laid out the plans To end the insolence of these glorious ones… To dishonor the glories of the whole earth!¹⁰So now, you’ll be forced to be farmers, Since boats won’t be sailing from Carthage again, ¹¹And your hands won’t control the seas anymore, O you provokers of kings.Yes, it was Jehovah of Armies Who ordered the destruction of CanaAn’s strength, ¹²So that you would not keep on insulting And wronging the daughter of Zion.Then, if you should travel to Cyprus, You will not find any rest there. ¹³And if you should go to Chaldea, You won’t find rest, for her walls will soon fall… The Assyrians will come and destroy it.¹⁴So Shriek, you on boats who are coming from Carthage, Because your fort will soon be destroyed!¹⁵This is how it will be in that day: Tyre will remain in that state For the next 70 years… The length of the lives of both men and kings. Then, after the 70 years have elapsed, Tyre will become like the song of a whore.¹⁶So, pick up your harp and wander away, O whore who will soon be forgotten! Play your harp and sing very well, So there’ll be someone who doesn’t forget you!¹⁷Then, after those 70 years have elapsed, God will come and revisit Tyre… He’ll restore her as she’d once been… She’ll be a market for all kingdoms again Throughout man’s home on the face of the earth.¹⁸Then her trading will pay a holy wage to the Lord; For their [profits] will not be carried to them… [They’ll be sent] to those who dwell before [God]… All [the wealth of] her trading [will then go to them], Which they’ll use to eat and drink ‘til they’re full, As a compact memorial before God.

¹{Look!} The Lord will lay waste to the place where you live… He will totally destroy it! Yes, He will uncover its face And scatter those living within it.²Then, [common] people will serve as the priests; The servants will then be the masters; The handmaids will then be the ladies; Those who buy will be those who sell; Those who borrow will be lenders, And the debtors will be the ones who are owed.³‘With corruption, your land will be wasted, And by looting, your place will be plundered!’Yes, these things were said by the mouth of the Lord.⁴‘Then your land will go into mourning, For your system of things will be ruined.‘The land’s most important will mourn ⁵For [the place] that’s considered so lawless… They’ll wail for the people who lived there… Those who have broken [God’s] Laws… Those who’ve wiped out and traded away The Sacred Agreement of the ages!⁶‘This curse will then devour [your] land; For, those who live there have sinned! Then, only the poor will be left … Just a few men will remain.⁷‘So the wine will mourn and the grapevines will groan Over the souls of all those To whom they once brought great joy.⁸‘Happy sounds of tambourines will have ceased, And those pleased with themselves will be gone, Along with the wealth of the godless, Who’ll no longer hear the sounds of the harp.⁹‘And because they’ll be shamed, they won’t drink the wine… For the liquor will be bitter to even the drunks!¹⁰‘Your cities will then become empty, And the houses will all be locked up, So that no one will enter thereafter.¹¹‘Therefore, shriek for the wine everywhere, Since the joy of the land will have ceased… Yes, it will be taken away, ¹²And all that will be left behind Is desolate cities and empty homes, Which thereafter, will just waste away. ¹³Yes, all of these things will come to that land There in the midst of the nations.‘In the same way that you would glean olives, Is how such ones will be gleaned… As though the harvest of crops will have ceased.¹⁴‘So, they will cry out in loud voices… But, those who remain in the land Will rejoice to the glory of God.‘Then the waters of the seas will be shaken, ¹⁵And the glory of Jehovah will be [seen] On all the islands throughout the seas… And the Name of the Lord will be honored.¹⁶‘[For, all the peoples will say]:O God of IsraEl, Jehovah; Of [Your] miracles, we’ve heard, throughout the whole earth, And there’s hope for those who respect You.‘And once again, they will say:Woe to those who’ve annulled… Yes, those who’ve ignored the Laws [of our God], ¹⁷Since fear, the pit, and a snare Have come upon those who lived in that land. ¹⁸For those fleeing in fear fell into the pit, And those climbing out were captured in snares.‘Then the windows of the heavens will open, And the foundations of the earth will be shaken. ¹⁹Disturbance will come to the ground, And perplexity will grip the whole land.²⁰‘For, it will be shaken and tipped As [a horn] that’s filled with the fruits of the earth… Yes, it will topple and fall Like someone who’s dizzy and drunk, And never be able to stand up again [In that land] where the lawless grew strong.²¹‘For, God will raise His hand in that day Against the arrangement of the heavens, And against the kings of the earth. ²²They’ll be gathered as one congregation, And in castle dungeons, they’ll be locked away, Where they’ll stay through many generations.²³‘Then the bricks will melt and the walls will all fall; The moon will be sad and the sun will be shamed; For the Lord will start reigning in JeruSalem… And before Zion’s elders, he’ll be glorified.’

¹O Jehovah, my God, I’ll glorify You, And to Your Name, I’ll sing praises, Because of the wonderful things You have done, And because [Your] ancient council proved true… May it ever be so!²The towns have been turned into rubble, As have the foundations of cities… And these cities of the godless will not be rebuilt Throughout the rest of the age.³Because of this, I offer You praise… With the poor and the wronged, I praise You! ⁴For to cities of the meek, You sent aid, And You’ve rescued all the depressed… Those whom You saved from the wicked.To the thirsty, You are a protector… You’re an inviting breeze to those who’ve been wronged. ⁵For You’ve rescued Zion’s worried and thirsty… From godless men, You have saved us!⁶At that time, Jehovah of Armies Will hold a great feast for the nations… Yes, on this mountain, they’ll drink wine in joy, ⁷And with perfumed oil, they’ll anoint on this hill.Then, even for the gentiles, You’ll do this, Since this is a plan for all nations.⁸And from the mouth of the Lord came these words:‘Then death, which prevails, will be swallowed; Yes, Jehovah will wipe the tears from each face, And remove the disgrace from earth’s peoples.’⁹And in that day, they will say:‘{Look!} This is our God in whom we have hoped… The One who brought us salvation. This is Jehovah… We’ve waited for Him! And because He has brought us salvation, We’ll joyfully shout praises of Him!’¹⁰Then, on this mountain, God will bring rest, While the land of MoAb is trampled Like a threshing floor rolled on by wagons.¹¹He’ll unfold His hands and snatch up the haughty… For their insolence, He will destroy them… And the high walls of their homes will be broken.

¹In that day, in Judah, they’ll be singing this song:‘Look! [Ours is now] a fortified city… To save us, He made our walls strong! ²So, open the gates and let all those enter Who have guarded justice and truth… ³Those who grabbed truth and guarded the peace!⁴‘Upon You, we’ve hoped throughout the ages, O Jehovah, God of ages. ⁵For You’ve humbled and brought down those who lived high… Fortified cities, You have thrown down… You’ve torn them down to the ground, ⁶And as footstools, You’ve set them under Your feet.⁷‘The road for the righteous, You’ve straightened… You’ve prepared a way for the Godly; ⁸For, just are the paths of Jehovah!‘We have put hope in Your Name, And You, we have never forgotten, ⁹Since You’re what our souls have desired!‘In the [morning], my God, I’ll rise early to You, For Your orders bring light to the land.‘So, learn justice, all you who live on the earth! ¹⁰For the irreverent will soon all be gone, Because they’ve never learned to be fair, Nor have they ever been truthful. So, please remove the ungodly, That they may not gaze on Your glory!¹¹‘O Jehovah,‘Although You’ve always held Your arm high, They’ve been unable to see it… But, when they see it, they all will be shamed. Then You’ll snatch up those ignorant ones in Your zeal, And send fire to consume our oppressors.¹²‘O Jehovah our God, send us peace; For, all that we have was given by You! ¹³Please own us, O Jehovah our God; For, we have known no other as Lord… We have only called on Your Name.¹⁴‘But those dead ones will never see life, Nor will any doctors revive them, Because You attacked and destroyed them… From among them, You took every man.¹⁵‘O Jehovah,‘Add to them all that is bad, And bring evil upon their glorious ones!¹⁶‘O Jehovah,‘We thought of You when we were oppressed, And Your instructions were with us during hard times.¹⁷‘Just like a woman with birth pangs (One who screams before she gives birth), Is how we are in Your presence, O Lord. ¹⁸For we fear You, Jehovah [our God].‘In fear of You, we conceived in the womb… We went into labor and then we gave birth To the spirit of salvation that You’ve brought to our land.‘So, we will not stumble… Although others may fall, ¹⁹And our dead will be raised from their tombs. Then, all in our land will be joyful; For like morning dew, You’ll send them a cure, While those in the lands of the godless will fail.²⁰‘O my people,‘When you awaken, just stay in your bedrooms… Remain inside and lock all your doors, Then hide in [your homes] for a while! For, this will happen, then that; And the rage of Jehovah will pass.²¹‘Look… From His Most Holy Place, Jehovah sends rage to those on the earth. For, He’s uncovered all of the blood, And He won’t allow the killers to hide.’

¹So in that day; God will forbid the swords of the mighty… The Dragon’s great ones who will then flee (Those [that belong to] the crooked-back Beast).²Then, in that day, there will be a good vineyard, And about it, we’ll be singing this song:³‘She’s a fortress that’s under attack, So it’s foolish to [offer her] water, Since she will be captured during the night, And her walls will fall before morning.⁴‘Because none have failed to have [sex with] her, Jehovah will do as He promised… For, she’s about to be burned!⁵‘Then, those who live there will be yelling this:‘We should make peace with Him… Yes, let us make peace [with Him]!’⁶‘Then, Jacob’s offspring will return, And IsraEl will burst forth and blossom… So their homes will be filled with its fruitage.⁷‘It won’t be the same as when He struck others; For, He would be striking Himself! No, it won’t be as when He destroyed them; For, He’d be destroying Himself!⁸‘He’s been their warrior and caretaker. But, did you study the harsh spirit they showed? And then, didn’t He embody the spirit of rage?⁹‘On account of this; The lawless will be taken from Jacob, And then, [God] will offer this blessing:I will remove all your sins, When you rip down the stones of their shrines And grind them to powder and dust… When their poles and idols are gone, Like a far-away forest that’s being [erased].¹⁰‘Then, any flocks that remain will dwell there… Any flocks that have been left behind. They will spend time in your pastures, And there, they will have time to rest. ¹¹But, they won’t be eating green grass, Because it all will have dried [into hay].‘So come, you women, who’ve seen all this happen; For you’re a people who did not [believe]. He’ll show no mercy on those who made [idols]… Nor feel pity for those who have shaped them!¹²‘In that day, Jehovah will lock them together, From the aqueducts to the RhinoCorura, As one by one, IsraEl’s sons are returned, ¹³Blowing their horns on that day!‘For, those lost to Assyria will then be returned, As well as those who went down to Egypt… They’ll all come back and bow to Jehovah On His Holy Mountain in JeruSalem.’

¹Woe to that insolent garland… Ephraim’s faded flower and those whom he hired… Those who have fallen from glory There on their mount of thick branches… Yes, those who get drunk without wine.²For {Look!} the rage of Jehovah is both strong and hard… It’s like hail that falls with great force In a place where there’s nowhere to [hide]. It’s like a flood that drags away [homes] In the land where He once sent rest to your hands.³Then the feet of Ephraim’s hired Will trample their insolent garland, ⁴And its flowers (its hope of glory) will fall Like the shoots of figs on their mountains. Then, all who see it in front of their hands, Will wish to take it and swallow it down.⁵In that day, Jehovah of Armies Will be the only true garland… A crown of glory for His people. ⁶For by the spirit of fairness, they will survive… By justice and the strength of destruction withheld.⁷But there are also those who will stagger and reel Because of their liquor and wine. Yes, it is because of the liquor And because they’ve swallowed the wine That the priests and prophets are out of their minds. And then, when they sober, they’ll stagger… Which will be witnessed by all.⁸A curse will thereafter devour their plans; For the plans that they have are just to get rich.⁹To whom have we announced all this evil? To whom have we spoken this message? To those being weaned from the milk, And to those being drawn from the breast.¹⁰Problems on problems, hope after hope… Still a little, and then a bit more! ¹¹For in foreign tongues, they’ll speak these foul words:¹²‘Since those who are starved are unworthy, We will have to destroy them’(Which is something that no one wishes to hear).¹³Then this oracle from God is what they’ll receive:‘Problems on problems, hope after hope; Still a little, and then a bit more.’And thereafter, they’ll be faced with great danger. For, first they will have to retreat, And then they’ll be broken and captured.¹⁴Thus, hear these words of Jehovah:‘O men who are being attacked And you rulers of JeruSalem; ¹⁵You say that you’ve made a pact with the grave… That you’ve made a treaty with death, And that, if a windstorm should blow, It won’t be blowing on you. So, you have put hope in [your] lies… And do you [think] that these lies will protect you?¹⁶‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah; ‘{Look!} Upon the foundation of Zion I’ll place a valuable stone… A costly, select cornerstone, In order to serve as its base… And those trusting in him will never be shamed. [see translator note]¹⁷‘Then, in place of hope, will come judgments; And to My charity, I’ll attach weights. So those trusting in vain in the lie Will not be passed by the storm. ¹⁸For, your treaty with death will be gone, Along with your pact with the grave.‘Then, by a blast, you’ll be crushed… ¹⁹When it’s passing by, it will take you. Morning after morning, it will blow upon you, And it will blow throughout the nights… So, what happens to you will be bad.²⁰‘Learn how to hear, O you who’ve been squeezed… There’s no way you’ll be able to fight it! For, you will be weakened, then captured.²¹‘From the godless, the Lord will make hills, When to GibeOn’s valley, He brings His rage… That’s where His bitter deed will be done.‘His rage will be brought in strange ways… Yes, these rotten deeds will be odd. ²²And for you, there’ll no longer be joy, Since you won’t have strength, in your chains.’Yes, all these things will come soon… It’s what He will bring to this land… It’s what Jehovah of Armies has said. ²³So give ear and listen to all that I say… Pay attention and hear all my words!²⁴Doesn’t it take a full day To get things ready for plowing? And doesn’t the planter have to prepare Before he starts working the ground?²⁵Doesn’t he level its face Before he plants pepperwort or cumin, At the borders of wheat, barley, and spelt?²⁶So, that’s how you’ll be corrected… In the fair ways of your God… Then once more, you’ll [have reasons] for joy.²⁷‘You don’t scrub Pepperwort to clean it, And you don’t run wagons over cumin! You beat out pepperwort’s [seeds], ²⁸And cumin should be eaten with bread.‘So I won’t stay angry with you throughout the age, Or with bitter words, will I trample you down.’²⁹Rather, from Jehovah of Armies, Miracles will [be sent to your land]! So, you should accept all this counsel, And not raise hopes of comfort in vain!

¹‘Woe to the City of the Altar of God, On which King David waged war.‘Gather your crops year after year, And share them with the people of MoAb. ²Then I’ll squeeze the City of the Altar of God, And all her strength and wealth will be Mine.³‘I’ll encircle [your city] like David, And throw up a siege mound against it. With siege towers, I will surround it, ⁴And your words will be brought to the ground… Yes, your words will go down to the ground! Then you’ll speak like those who speak from the grave, And from the ground, your voices will get weaker.⁵‘Then the wealth that you gained from your godless ways, Like clouds of dust, will become… As that which is raised by the passing of wheels. For then, all those who oppress you Will be as many as pieces of dust!’⁶It will happen right away (in a moment); Then Jehovah of Armies will arrive And consume you with thunder, shakings, and noise, As well as with wind blasts and flames.⁷It will be like a nightmare to you, When the wealth of many nations come marching Against the City of the Altar of God. For the armies of all her oppressors Will gather against JeruSalem.⁸Then, to all those who are sleeping, And to those who are eating and drinking, It will seem as though it’s a dream… And this is what they’ll be dreaming...Those who get thirsty and drink Will still be thirsty when they awake. And there’ll be no more hope in their lives When the wealth of many nations marches on Zion.⁹Be tipsy, be dizzy, and then be amazed… But not from liquor or wine; ¹⁰For the Lord will send you frustration to drink!Then He’ll close the eyes of your prophets, As well as the eyes of your seers and rulers. ¹¹And all that’s written in this sealed-up scroll Will be given to a man who knows how to read.Then you’ll say to him, ‘Please read these things!’ But he will reply: ‘I can’t read it, Because the scroll has been sealed!’¹²Then you’ll hand this scroll to a man who can’t read, And you’ll also ask him to read it; But he’ll answer and say, I can’t read.’¹³For, this is what was said by the Lord:‘With their mouths, these people approach Me, And with their lips, they offer Me praise… But they’re far away from Me in their hearts. So they’re wasting their time when they bow before Me, Since they’re teaching the ideas and instructions of men!¹⁴‘And it’s because of this, that I’m coming To bring a change to these people… Yes, I will come and transpose them! The wisdom of their wise, I’ll destroy, And the understanding of their discerning, I’ll hide.’¹⁵So, woe to those who’ve come up with plans That haven’t been approved by Jehovah! And woe to those who make them in secret, As they do things in darkness and ask:‘Since no one can see us or recognize us, Who can know what we’re doing?’¹⁶Aren’t you just clay in the hands of a potter? So can the thing that is shaped say to its shaper:‘You’re not the one who has shaped me?’Or can something that’s made say to its maker:‘I don’t like the way that you made me?’¹⁷Soon Lebanon will meet with a change… Her mountains will be changed into crop fields, And the crops on her mountains, into forests.¹⁸Then, in that day, even those who are deaf Will hear the words of this scroll. And those in the darkness and those in the fog, And the eyes of the blind ones will see it!¹⁹So the poor will cheer because of the Lord, And those without hope will be joyful. ²⁰For the lawless and evil will then have all failed… The proud will all be destroyed… And those who break laws will be gone, ²¹With those whose words led them to sin.Then, all that reprove at the gates Will be known as those who have stumbled; For, they have twisted [the law], And the righteous ones, they have wronged.²²‘And concerning the house of Jacob,’ said the Lord… ‘Those whom I have selected From among AbraHam’s sons… Jacob’s [offspring] will not come to shame, Nor will their faces be saddened again.²³‘For, when their young see the things that I’ll do; {Look!} They’ll treat God’s Name as holy once more… They’ll [praise] the Holy One of Jacob, And learn to fear IsraEl’s God.²⁴‘Then, those with wandering spirits Will have to gain understanding… Yes, those who complain must learn to obey, And stuttering tongues will learn to speak peace.’

¹The Lord said:‘And woe to you children of apostates… You who’ve looked for direction from others And made treaties that were not by My Spirit. For by this, you have added to your sins!²‘You [sent ambassadors] to Egypt And asked for help from their PharaOh… Yes, you sought shelter from Egypt… But, you failed to ask Me!³‘So, because you sought PharaOh’s protection, You will come to know shame. And because you’re relying on Egypt, You will also know scorn… ⁴For, the envoys from Tanis are evil.⁵‘You are foolish to labor for others Who won’t bring help or send any aid, While upon you, they heap shame and scorn.’⁶This is the vision of the four-footed creatures in the desert:‘In difficult times of distress, [There stands] the lion and its cub, As well as asps and the young of winged asps.‘These are the ones who are bearing your wealth On the backs of camels and burros To a nation that will bring you no help, Rather, that will just bring shame and scorn. ⁷For, all that Egypt can send Is waste and [words] that are empty… So the comfort they send is in vain!’⁸[Then the Lord told me]:‘You must now sit down and write this… Record these words in the tablet of a scroll. For these are the days and times I’ve appointed… [They’re the things that will happen] in this age:⁹‘You people have resisted my persuasion… You are liars who won’t listen to God’s Law. ¹⁰You’re the ones who say to the Prophets:‘Don’t bring His pronouncements to us!’And to those who see visions, you say:‘Don’t tell us the things that you’ve seen! But, if you must give us a message, Tell us an addictive delusion! ¹¹Turn us away from this road… Yes, shift us away from this course, And bring an end to these curses upon IsraEl!’¹²‘It’s because of this, that thus says the Holy One of IsraEl:Since you’ve chosen to resist My persuasions And preferred to put hope in a lie… Because you’ve grumbled and failed to have faith, ¹³This is what will happen to you:‘Your sins will be like the walls of a city That fall and lead to a capture… For your downfall is now close at hand.¹⁴‘And like the breaking of a thin vase, This crash won’t lead to a breaking of parts… Pieces you can find and pick from the coals With which you can hold little water.’¹⁵‘This is what the Lord Jehovah proclaimed… It’s what IsraEl’s Holy One said:‘You should groan, then turn back and be saved!’‘Think about all of these foolish things In which you’ve been putting your hope… Think of how you chose not to hear, And then, about how weak you became!¹⁶‘But you say that you will escape From those coming against you on horses… You think that you’ll flee and then say:‘We are very light riders!’But those chasing you will be faster!¹⁷‘For, thousands will flee at the voice of one man, And ten thousand will flee at the voices of five. So, you will be left all alone Like a pole on top of a mountain, Or a banner flying high on a hill.¹⁸‘Then, once again, you’ll [turn back] to God And [hope] that He will feel pity. And because of this; he will show mercy upon you, Since your judge is Jehovah, your God.‘Blest are those who stick close to Him; ¹⁹For the holy will live upon Zion once more!‘JeruSalem will cry, ‘Show mercy on me!’ And He will show mercy upon her. For, when He hears the sounds of your cries, Once more, He’ll pay attention to you.²⁰‘Then Jehovah will provide you with water and bread, And those who misled you will no longer be. You’ll remember those who tried to mislead you, ²¹And those who followed to trick you… Those who said, ‘This is the way you should go… Yes, you should go this way or that!’²²‘Then, you’ll get rid of your silver-plated idols, As well as those who are gilded with gold, And crush them into fine powder, Then toss it into the wind. You’ll reject them like a [menstruation rag], And throw them away like manure.²³‘Then, rain will fall on your ground to sprout seeds… There’ll be plenty of bread and fat in your land. Your cattle will graze in large fertile fields, ²⁴And your bulls will work the ground and eat straw, As you prepare to harvest the barley.²⁵‘And in that day; After many people have been destroyed And the towers have all been knocked down; Water will flow from the mountains and hills.²⁶‘Then the moon will be as bright as the sun, And the sun will be seven times brighter, In that day when Jehovah brings healing To His people who’ve been broken down, There’ll be an end to the grief of disaster.²⁷‘{Look!} Then, after a while, the Name of the Lord Will arrive in glory and in burning rage… For, the omens from His lips are omens of rage, And the flames of His rage are consuming!²⁸‘His Breath is like water that races through valleys, Then comes to the neck and divides. So, for their addictions to delusions, He will disturb all the nations And [allow] their delusions to trap them.²⁹‘Then, whenever you enter [God’s] Holy Place, You’ll do so thereafter in joy… As though it were a great holiday! And as you do this, you’ll be happy… Singing songs as you travel to the Mountain of [God]!³⁰‘Yes you’ll sing to Jehovah with the glory of your voice; For by His arm, He can send both His anger and rage… Like lightning, He violently strikes, And as flames [of fire], He can consume… Like rain and hail being driven by storms.³¹‘By the voice of Jehovah, Assyria will fall… He’ll strike and bring calamity to them. ³²For, He is always nearby To aid those who put faith in Him… Those playing their harps and shaking tambourines.‘He’ll wage war with those who revolt… ³³But, after some days, He’ll let them return. For, He’s prepared His Kingdom for them.‘As a ravine that is very deep And as piles of wood near a fire, Is the rage of Jehovah… Like a ravine that is burning with sulfur!’

¹‘Woe to those who seek help from Egypt… Those trusting in their chariots and horses Because their chariots are many, And because they have many horses.‘These are people who just will not listen… In IsraEl’s Holy One, they’ve not put faith And they haven’t searched for their God!²‘Thus He’ll wisely bring evil upon them, So His Word will not be annulled. Against their houses, He will arise, And oppose their vain, wicked hopes.³‘Egyptians are men… They aren’t Gods; And their horses are no help at all, Because they too are just flesh! So against them, Jehovah will soon raise His hand And make those who are helping them tired… And thereafter, they’ll perish together.’⁴Then the Lord told me this:‘In the same way that a lion or its cub Will roar over game that it’s taken, And then continue to roar over it Until the mountains are filled with its voice And all the prey has been scattered, Because they’ve been frightened away; That’s how Jehovah of Armies will be In the time that He comes against Zion.⁵‘But Jehovah of Armies can be like a bird That flies above JeruSalem, In order to rescue, save, and protect.⁶‘O you sons of IsraEl who have gathered So as to discuss lawless things; It’s time for you to turn back! ⁷For, the day will come when you’ll turn from your idols… Those things that you’ve molded from silver and gold… The things that you’ve made with your hands!⁸‘Then [Assyria] will fall, but not by men’s swords… No, she’ll not be devoured by swords, Nor will she flee before daggers! But her young men will all have been conquered… ⁹They’ll be picked up and beaten like rocks for a siege, And those who flee will be captured.And this is what Jehovah said:‘Blest are those who have offspring in Zion, And those with families in JeruSalem.’

¹‘{Look!} Then a righteous king will start reigning, And in justice, his princes will rule. ²Each man will be like a shelter from wind And a place to run from the storms… Like streams of water in a dry land, And the shade of a rock in the desert.³‘Then, men will no longer put trust in men, And ears they’ll be given to hear. ⁴Hearts of the weak will be paying attention, And stammering tongues will learn to speak peace.⁵‘They’ll not [appoint] morons to rule anymore, Or tell their officials not to speak! ⁶But now, the morons just say foolish things, And in their hearts, they’re just planning what’s wasteful.‘They are doing things that are lawless, And against the Lord, they’re speaking delusions To scatter the souls of the hungry, And bring waste to the lives of the thirsty.⁷‘What the wicked recommend are plans to do evil… They speak of taking advantage of the meek, And they overrule with unrighteous words Any judgments that would favor the lowly.⁸‘But, those who love God will then consult With those who have understanding, And the things they suggest are the things that will last.⁹‘Hey, all of you wealthy women… Wake up and hear what I’m saying! O you daughters that still live in hope; To My words, you should pay close attention!¹⁰‘Speak of each day in grief… But with hope. For the crops have all been consumed, And the planting has come to an end, So, things are not getting any better.¹¹‘Now, be amazed, and then start to worry, O you who have tried to mislead! ¹²Strip off your clothes ‘til you’re naked, Then wrap your waists and beat on your breasts On behalf of the crops in the fields, As well as for the produce of vines!¹³‘For the land of My people has now become thorns… Even the grass will soon dry, And joy will be gone from each home.¹⁴‘The houses will then be abandoned, As wealth [flows] out of your towns, And all the best cities and homes Will exist as caves throughout the ages… Places of joy for wild burros, As well as pastures for shepherds.¹⁵‘But when Breath flows from the heavens again, The deserts will become fruitful fields, And the fields will be thought of as forests.¹⁶‘Then, judgment will rest in the deserts, Yes, justice will dwell on [Mount] CarMel, ¹⁷And of peace and righteous ways, there’ll be plenty.‘This righteousness will thereafter be spread, And bring rest to the faithful throughout ages. ¹⁸So, God’s people will live in cities of peace, And those who are saved will rest and live well.¹⁹‘Then if hail should fall, it won’t fall on you; And the meek that dwell in the forests Will be as those who live in the plains… ²⁰For, those who plant crops will be blest. And in places where only wild burros could live, There will be water again.’

¹‘Woe to those who bring misery, But, who are made miserable by no one, As well as those who show no respect, But who are highly regarded. For, those who don’t show respect Will then be captured and [squashed] Like a moth that’s caught in a robe and destroyed.’²O Jehovah,Show mercy upon us, For we are relying on You. Destroy the offspring of those who oppose us, But save us in our time of oppression!³Your fearful sounds will startle the people, And in fear, the nations will scatter. ⁴But then, You will gather Your spoils great and small As though You were picking up locusts.⁵Holy is The God who lives in the skies; For, He will fill Zion with fairness and justice. ⁶In that time, He’ll become a foundation that’s firm… A source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. For in Him, all wisdom and knowledge exists… And fear of God [is the key] to this treasure.⁷{Look!} Yes, those fearing You will be frightened… They’ll scream in fear over You! For, You will send angels that will bring peace, And this will cause the unrighteous to weep, ⁸Since that will bring an end to their [evil] ways.And the nations will also have reasons for fear, Because of the treaties they’ve broken, And because they’ve [not shown You] respect.⁹So the lands will all go into mourning, And Lebanon will be brought to shame. But our marshes will then be like ShaRon, And like Galilee and CarMel, they’ll shine.¹⁰‘Yes, that’s when I will stand tall,’ says Jehovah… ‘I’ll be glorified and respected. ¹¹When you see it, you’ll then understand That their other efforts have all been in vain.‘For their spirits will be burned as by fire… ¹²By the gentiles, they will be consumed Like thorn bushes out in the fields, Which have been tossed in the flames.¹³‘Then, from far away, they’ll hear what I’ve done; And those who come here will know of My might. ¹⁴For, when the lawless are taken from Zion, The irreverent will all start to shake.‘So, who will make the announcement… The announcement that the fire has been lit? Yes, who will speak of such things In this ancient place of the ages? ¹⁵Just the one who is walking uprightly; The one who tells things just as they are; The one who hates lawless ways and injustice; The one whose hands shake off bribes; The one who won’t listen to judgments of blood And whose eyelids are closed to injustice.¹⁶‘At that time, he will stay in a cave in the heights, Which is surrounded by boulders. His bread will also be given to him, And he can trust [that he will have] water.¹⁷‘Then your eyes will see a glorious king Coming from a far-away land… ¹⁸And your souls will contemplate fear.‘Then, what will happen to all of the scribes… What will happen to all the advisors… What will happen to the accountants and their records?¹⁹‘From the small to the great, they don’t take advice, Nor do they heed any warnings About the ways they’re mistreating the people… So, none understand what [I’m saying].²⁰‘O great city on Zion; Look and see your salvation… See JeruSalem as a city of wealth, Filled with unshakable tents.‘There the tent poles will last throughout the ages, So their cords won’t have to be pulled, ²¹And they’ll be called by the Name of Jehovah.‘There’ll be aqueducts and wide rivers; But, you will not travel upon them, For boats will never be rowed there.’²²So my God, Jehovah, won’t pass me by, Because the Lord is our judge… Yes, He is our ruler and king, And He will bring us salvation!²³But now, all their ropes will be pulled up, And the masts on their boats will be weak… They’ll lean, so their sails cannot be unfurled, And their flags will never be raised Until all that they have has been plundered… Yes, taken by even the lame! ²⁴But those who are left won’t say they are tired, For their sins will have all been forgiven.

¹So, listen to this, O you nations… And your rulers should pay close attention! Yes, hear, O earth and its dwellers… The habitation of man and all those who live here; ²For Jehovah is bringing His rage to the nations… His rage upon all of their numbers, To destroy and hand them to slaughter.³Their slain and dead will be just thrown away; Their smell will ascend [to the heavens]; And their blood will pour down the mountains.⁴Then the powers of the heavens will melt; The sky will be wrapped like a scroll; And all the stars will then fall Like the leaves of a grapevine or fig.⁵[The Lord says:]‘For My sword will then become drunk in the sky, And {Look!} upon Edom’s land, it will fall… Upon people who’ve been judged for destruction.⁶‘In BozRah, My sword will become thick with blood And with the fat of the lambs, goats, and rams That to God, will be sacrificed, When this great slaughter comes to Edom.⁷‘Then, even the stout will be cut down and killed, Along with the rams and the bulls. So the ground will then be drunk on their blood, And it will be filled with their fat All the way to the ends of their borders.⁸‘For this is the great Judgment Day of the Lord… It’s a year of judgment and payback for Zion. ⁹Their valleys will then be filled up with pitch And their ground [will be covered with] sulfur.¹⁰‘Throughout the ages, it’ll burn with pitch day and night, And the flames will not be extinguished. For generations, her smoke will ascend, And it will all be desolation… Then, it will lie barren for a very long time.¹¹‘Only crows will be able to dwell there, Along with ibis, hedgehogs, and birds. A surveyor’s line will mark her destruction, And she’ll be inhabited [by demons].¹²‘Then, she will be without rulers, Since her kings and great men will be gone. ¹³So, thorns will grow in her cities and forts, And they will be owned by chained demons… A place where ostriches roam.¹⁴‘Then, [loose] demons will meet with the chained ones, And they will yell to each other. Chained [spirits] will also find rest there, And they’ll find a place to retire.¹⁵‘There, hedgehogs too, will build their nests, And in safety, their young will play on the ground. It’s where stags will all meet together, Then stare face to face at each other.¹⁶‘They’ll pass in large numbers and none will be lost… They’ll not have to search for each other, Since Jehovah will give them instructions, And by His Breath, they’ll be gathered.¹⁷‘Then, on their behalf, He will cast lots, And divide up the land for their grazing, Which they will inherit throughout the ages… So, from one generation to another, They will find rest in this place.’

¹So, thirsty desert, you should be glad… Yes, shout in joy and blossom with lilies! ²For the desert by the JorDan will cry out and bloom, And the beauty of Lebanon will be given to it, Along with the honor of CarMel.For, at that time, my people will see The glory of Jehovah their God, And come to know the full stature of Him.³So be strong, forsaken hands and weak knees… ⁴Take comfort, O you with faint-hearts! Be strong and don’t be afraid, For {Look!} the judgments of our God will [bring] justice… Yes, He will come here and save us!⁵Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be able to hear. ⁶The lame will be leaping like stags, And stammering tongues will speak clearly.Then springs will burst forth in the desert, And through thirsty lands, water will flow. ⁷For, deserts will be turned into marshes; In the dry lands, there’ll be springs; And among reeds and marshes, birds will find joy.⁸Then, there will be a pure road That’s called, ‘The Way of the Holy.’ And nothing unclean will pass on it; So, it will always be pure.Those who were scattered will travel that way, And from it, they won’t stray again. ⁹No lions or fierce beasts will roam there, Nor will they even be found there. There’ll just be those who’ve been ransomed… ¹⁰Just those gathered by the Lord will walk there.They’ll return to Zion in joy Feeling the glee of the ages. For, blessings will come upon all their heads… They’ll be happy and leaping for joy, Since, from distress, groaning, and grief, They will then have escaped.

¹It was in the 14th year of the reign of [King] HezekiAh [of Judah] that King SenNaCherib of Assyria [marched against] the fortified cities of Judah and took them. ²Then the king of Assyria sent RabShakeh from LachIsh to King HezekiAh in JeruSalem with a huge army, and he [set up camp] by the aqueduct to the upper pool, which is on the road to the field of the washerwomen.³So, EliAkim (son of HilkiAh) [the King’s] house manager, the scribe ShebNa, and JoAh (son of Asaph) the recorder, went out to meet with him. ⁴And RabShakeh said to them:‘Speak to HezekiAh and tell him that this is what the great king of Assyria has said:‘On what are you really relying? ⁵Have you worked out a plan with the words from your lips about how you’re going to fight this battle? On whom are you relying so that you’re resisting my persuasion?⁶‘Look! If you’re relying on that fractured reed cane Egypt… If a man should put his weight on [that reed], it will go all the way through his hand! Yes, this is all that PharaOh, the king of Egypt, and those who are relying on him amount to!⁷‘And if you should say that you’re relying on your God Jehovah… Isn’t He the same One whose high places and altars were removed by HezekiAh, and who then told Judah and JeruSalem that they had to come and bow before the Altar here in this place?⁸‘Why not rather join with my lord the king of Assyria? For if you do, I’ll give you 2,000 horses… That is, if you’re able to provide enough riders for them!⁹‘Can your governors who are relying on the Egyptians provide you with that many horses and riders?¹⁰‘And do you think that we were able to come up to this place and wage war against it without [the aid of] Jehovah? It was Jehovah that told us to come to this land and destroy it!’¹¹Well, EliAkim, ShebNa, and JoAh then said to RabShakeh:‘Please speak to your servants in Syriac, so we alone can [understand] what you’re saying. Don’t speak to us in the Judean tongue! Why must you speak so that all the men along the walls can hear you?’¹²And RabShakeh replied:‘Do you think that my lord sent me to speak these words to just your lord? For, aren’t these men who are sitting along the walls the ones who’ll have to eat their own excrement and drink their own urine?’¹³And at that, RabShakeh stood up and yelled in a loud voice in the Judean language:‘Pay attention to the words of the great king of the Assyrians! ¹⁴For this is what the king said:‘Don’t be fooled by what HezekiAh has told you, because there’s no way that he can save you! ¹⁵And don’t let HezekiAh tell you that his God will rescue you; for there’s no way that He can save this city from the hands of the king of Assyria!’¹⁶‘The king of Assyria says:‘Don’t listen to HezekiAh!‘If you want to receive his blessings, come here to me and you’ll each eat from your own grapevines and fig trees, and drink water from your own wells. ¹⁷Because, when I come here, I’ll carry you to a land that will become yours… A land of grain, wine, bread, and vineyards!’¹⁸‘So, don’t let HezekiAh deceive you and say:‘Our God will come and save us!’‘Have any of the gods of the nations been able to rescue their own places from the hands of the king of Assyria?¹⁹‘Where are the gods of HaMath or ArPhad? Where is the god of the Cities of Scrolls… Was he able to rescue Samaria from my hands? ²⁰Since none of these gods of the nations could rescue their lands from my hands, how can Jehovah save JeruSalem from my hands?’²¹Well, everyone stayed silent and no one replied with a word, because the king had decreed that no one was to answer him.²²Then EliAkim (son of HelkiAh) the house manager, ShebNa the scribe, and JoAh (son of Asaph) the recorder ripped their clothes and returned to HezekiAh to tell him what RabShakeh had said.

¹Well, when King HezekiAh heard this, he tore off his clothes and put on sackcloth, then he went to the Temple of Jehovah. ²He also sent EliAkim his house manager, ShebNa the scribe, and all the elders among the priests (that were each wearing sackcloth) to the Prophet IsaiAh (son of Amoz).³For he told them to say:‘These are the words of HezekiAh:‘This is a day of affliction, scorning, scolding, and rage… It’s a day of all the pain of a woman who doesn’t have enough strength to give birth!⁴‘So, may Jehovah your God hear the words of RabShakeh who was sent by his lord the king of Assyria to berate the living God… May Jehovah your God hear the words that he said to berate Him! Please go to Jehovah your God to beg before Him concerning those of us that are still left here!’⁵So the servants of King HezekiAh went to IsaiAh, and this is what IsaiAh said to them:⁶‘Tell your lord that Jehovah says you shouldn’t be afraid of the words that you heard the ambassador of the king of Assyria say to berate Him!⁷‘For {look!}, He’s going to send a spirit against him, and when he hears its message, he’ll just go back to his own place, where he will fall by the sword within his own land!’⁸Well at the time, RabShakeh had returned to the king of Assyria, who was busy attacking LibNah. He was no longer at LachIsh, ⁹because he was told that TirHakah, the king of Ethiopia, was coming to fight him.Then [King SenNaCherib] sent his people back to HezekiAh with a message that said this:¹⁰‘Tell HezekiAh the king of Judah not to allow his God upon whom he’s relying to deceive him when He says there’s no way that JeruSalem will be given into the hands of the king of the Assyrians!¹¹‘{Look!} Haven’t you heard what the kings of Assyria have done throughout the whole earth and of the destruction that they’ve brought? Really, who is going to save you now?¹²‘Have the gods of any of the nations that my father destroyed been able to rescue them… Those of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph in the region of Tel AsSar? ¹³Where are the kings of HaMath, and where is ArPhad? Where are the cities of SepharVaim, Henah, and Hivah?’¹⁴Well, after HezekiAh took the proclamation from [SenNaCherib’s] messengers and read it, he went up to the Temple of Jehovah again and unrolled [the scroll] before the Lord, ¹⁵and he prayed to Jehovah, saying:¹⁶‘O Jehovah of Armies, God of IsraEl… The One who rests upon cherubs,‘You’re the only God over all the kingdoms of the habitation of mankind, for You’re the One who made the lands and the skies.¹⁷‘So, O Jehovah,‘Lean Your ear towards me and please listen O Lord! O Jehovah, open Your eyes! Look down, O Jehovah, then hear and understand all the words that SenNaCherib sent to berate the living God!¹⁸‘It’s a fact, O Jehovah, that the kings of the Assyrians have conquered the entire habitation of mankind everywhere. ¹⁹And there amidst all the flames, they’ve erected their idols to replace those that were never gods but are just the works of men’s hands – things made of wood and stone – after they did all their destroying.²⁰‘But now, O Jehovah our God,‘Please rescue us from his hands, so that all the kingdoms of the earth will know that You are the only God!’²¹Well thereafter, [God sent] IsaiAh (son of Amoz) to HezekiAh, and he told HezekiAh that Jehovah the God of IsraEl said that He’d heard everything that he’d prayed concerning King SenNaCherib of Assyria, and that this was Jehovah’s reply to [King SenNaCherib]:²²‘You’ve sneered at the virgin daughter of Zion, And you’ve treated her with disrespect. So, [the virgin] daughter of JeruSalem Has nodded her head against you!²³‘Do you know whom you’ve provoked and berated, Or against whom you’ve raised your voice And against whom you’ve lifted your eyes to the heights? It’s against the Holy One of IsraEl!²⁴‘Through messengers, you’ve berated Jehovah When you said:I’ll climb over their mountains With huge numbers of chariots behind me That will stretch to Lebanon’s borders. Then, on their heights, I’ll cut down their cedars And the beauty of their cypress trees. Then I’ll climb to the tops of their forests, ²⁵And I will dam up their [rivers].²⁶‘Haven’t you heard of the things I can do, And of the things that I ordered to be done long ago? For I’ve shown how I can destroy Nations and fortified cities, As well as those in their towns and their forts. ²⁷I’ve weakened and dried up their hands, Turning them into dry hay… Like the grass that grows on their roofs.²⁸‘I know that you have been resting From all of your comings and goings. ²⁹And now, all your hatred and rage Is being directed towards Me! So I’ll put a rein ‘round your nose, And a bit in your lips, Then I’ll send you back by the way that you came.³⁰‘This is the sign that I’ll do it: This year, you’ll eat what you’ve planted, Then in the 2nd, you’ll eat what is left. And in the 3rd, you’ll plant and you’ll reap… Once more you’ll plant vineyards and eat their fruit.³¹‘The same will also be true of all those Who still remain in Judea… They will sprout roots from below, And from above, they’ll reap grain.³²‘Then, those who are left in JeruSalem (Those who remain on Mount Zion) Will thereafter be brought to the fore Through the zeal of Jehovah of Armies.’³³Then, concerning the king of Assyria, Jehovah said this:‘There’s no way that he’ll enter this city… [His men] won’t shoot arrows against it, Nor will any even lift up their shields Or build a siege mound around it. ³⁴They’ll just return by the way that they came, And they will not enter this city!’Jehovah said:³⁵‘I will shield this city and save it Because of Myself and My servant David.’³⁶Well thereafter, a messenger came from Jehovah and he destroyed the camp of the Assyrians… 185,000 of them! So when the [people] awoke the next morning, all they found was just dead bodies!³⁷Then King SenNaCherib of the Assyrians [packed up] and left for Nineveh, where he went to live. ³⁸And it was while he was there bowing to the ground in the temple of his god Nisroch, that AdramMelech and ShaRezer (his sons) struck him with swords and fled to Armenia. So, another son, EsarHaddon, started reigning in his place.

¹Well, it was shortly after this that HezekiAh became ill to the point of death. And the Prophet IsaiAh (son of Amoz) went to him and told him:‘This is what Jehovah has said:Give orders regarding your house, Because you won’t live… You will die.’²Then HezekiAh turned his face to the wall and started praying to Jehovah, saying:³‘O Jehovah,‘Remember that I’ve walked before You in truth and with a true heart, and remember all the things that I’ve done to please You.’And at that, HezekiAh broke down and cried.⁴Well, the Word of Jehovah then came to IsaiAh and said:⁵‘Go tell HezekiAh that Jehovah said this:‘The God of your ancestor David Has heard your prayer and seen your tears. So, {Look!} 15 more years, I will add to your [life]… ⁶And I will also save you and this city From the hands of Assyria’s king. For, around this city, I am putting a shield.’⁷‘And Jehovah says that this is your sign that He’s going to do all these things...‘He said:⁸‘{Look!} I will cause the shadow of the sun That moves down 10 stairs in the house of your fathers, To go up the 10 stairs it went down.’⁹Well, this is the prayer that HezekiAh the king of Judah prayed after [learning that he would] recover from his illness:¹⁰‘I prayed to the heavens concerning my days, For I’d approached the gate to the place of the dead, And I had been robbed of the rest of my years.¹¹‘So I said that I’ll not look to Jehovah again Within the land of the living. And no way will I [be seen] anymore By any of those who are living.¹²‘My family, I had forsaken, And I’d [written off] the rest of my life. For my life was ending and leaving like those Who [that spend just a night] in a tent, And my breath had become like the end of the weave, To be cut off like wool from a loom.¹³‘In that day, I was spared through the morning; Then, like a lion, He broke all my bones… From morning ‘til night I was conquered. ¹⁴So, should I call out like a swallow, Or like a dove, just take time to think?‘When my eyes could no longer see into the heights, Jehovah became my salvation… ¹⁵He acted and removed the grief from my soul.¹⁶‘Yes, to Jehovah, I [prayed] about this, And then He awakened my spirit… I’m alive, because He sent comfort to me.¹⁷‘{Look!} The thought of resting in peace Was something truly bitter for me… But You gave back my life, so I’d live, And You pushed all my sins to the rear. ¹⁸So, those in the grave should all praise You, And those who are dying should bless You.‘But, it’s too late for those in the grave, ¹⁹Since only the living can praise You. So, from this day, I’ll raise many children Who will shout in praise of Your justice.²⁰‘O [Jehovah] my Savior,‘For the rest of my life, I will praise You… I’ll not cease to strum on my harp about You In the Temple of my God.’²¹Then IsaiAh said to HezekiAh:‘Now, take a cluster of dried figs and grind them up to make a plaster [for your chest], and thereafter, your health will return.’²²And that’s when HezekiAh asked:‘What’s the sign that I’ll be able to go up to the Temple of my God once again?’

¹Well, at the time, MeroDach Baladan (son of Baladan, the king of Babylon) had sent letters, ambassadors, and gifts to HezekiAh, because he’d heard that he was ill to the point of death and that he’d been [granted a recovery], ²and this made HezekiAh very joyful.As a result, he showed them his storehouses that were filled with spices, silver, gold, balsam, incense, and perfumes, as well as his treasury buildings and everything that was in his treasuries… There wasn’t anything that HezekiAh failed to show them.³And thereafter, the Prophet IsaiAh went to King HezekiAh and asked:‘What did you say to those men, and from where did they come to visit you?’And HezekiAh replied:‘They came from a faraway land… From the land of Babylon.’⁴Then IsaiAh asked:‘Did they see your [palace]?’And HezekiAh said:‘Yes, they saw everything in my house… There isn’t anything that I failed to show them, including everything in my treasuries.’⁵Then IsaiAh said:‘Hear the word of Jehovah of Armies:⁶‘Look! The day will soon come When all that your fathers have collected Down to this very day, Will be carried off to Babylon… They’ll leave nothing behind!’⁷‘God also said:‘They will take your children – those whom you have fathered, And in the houses of Babylon, they will be eunuchs.’⁸Then HezekiAh said to IsaiAh:‘The word of Jehovah that you spoke to me is good… But may there be peace and justice during the days [of my reign]!’

¹‘Take comfort, take comfort, My people,’ Says [Jehovah], Your God. ²O Priests, you must speak and bring comfort To JeruSalem’s heart.For the humbling of her has now been fulfilled, And all of her sins are untied. Yet, it was because of her sins That she received twice as much from His hand.³Then I heard a voice that was calling from the desert. It said:‘Prepare the way for the Lord… Straighten the roads for our God! ⁴Fill the valleys and flatten the mountains and hills… All crooked paths must be straightened And the ruts in the fields must be smoothed! ⁵Then the glory and salvation of God will be seen; For Jehovah has told you to do this.’⁶Then the voice again shouted:‘Now, yell!’And I asked:‘What should I yell?’[And it replied:]‘Yell that all flesh is just grass And man’s glory is like the flowers of grass. ⁷But now, the grass has all dried, And all of their flowers have dropped; For upon them, God has blown His Breath.‘The people are really the grass… ⁸And although grass may dry and its flowers may drop; God’s Word endures throughout the ages.⁹‘So, climb to the top of that mountain, O you who are bringing good news to Zion, And shout it as loud as you can! Yes, those bringing good news to JeruSalem Must shout it out loud and not be afraid!‘To the cities of Judah, you must shout this:‘Look and see… For here comes Your God! ¹⁰Your Lord, Jehovah, is coming in strength, And to conquer, His arm has been raised!‘Look… He’s bringing the wages For the things being done here before Him! ¹¹Like a shepherd, He’s arrived to tend to His flock; Then He’ll gather His lambs in His arms, And within His womb, bring them comfort.’¹²‘Who can measure all the water in the skies With just the span of His hand, And who holds the whole earth as a handful? Who established the weight of the mountains, And weighs the forests in the yoke of a scale?¹³‘Who knows the mind of Jehovah… Who has become His advisor And who can give Him instructions? ¹⁴Whom has He asked for advice, And who’s told Him the things He should do?‘Who taught Him how to be just, Or shown Him the right ways to think? ¹⁵For the nations are like drops from a bucket That are [weighed] in the yoke on a scale And found to be [no more than] spit.¹⁶‘To Him, all of Lebanon is unfit to burn, And unfit for sacrifice are its four-footed beasts. ¹⁷Before Him, the nations are also unfit… For He views them as nothing at all.¹⁸‘To whom can our Lord be compared? How would you [make an image] of Him? ¹⁹Aren’t statues created by [artists]… Aren’t they each carefully designed, Then cast and gilded by smiths?²⁰‘Doesn’t the maker choose durable wood, And wisely choose the best place To stand it where it cannot fall?²¹‘Don’t you know, and haven’t you heard… Weren’t you told this from the beginning… Do you know how the earth was established?²²He’s the One who holds fast the curve of the earth, And those dwelling upon it are like locusts. He’s the One who established the skies like a veil, And stretched it like a tent in which we can dwell. ²³Then He made our rulers from nothing, And from nothing, He brought forth their lands.²⁴‘[Without Him], we can’t plant or sow, Nor can plants spread their roots in the ground. For, He can just breathe and they’ll wither… With a blast, like twigs, they’ll just blow away.²⁵‘And this Most Holy One is asking you this:‘Whom can you liken to Me… Can you make Me look more important? ²⁶Look high in the sky [and then tell Me] Who introduced all these things?’‘He’s the One who assembled them all… All the things within His arrangement! Then, in His great glory and strength, He named it before you had seen it!²⁷‘Would you dare to say before Jacob:O IsraEl, why have you spoken to me, For my ways have been hidden from God, So I won’t stand in judgment before Him?²⁸‘Don’t you know… Yes, haven’t you heard? God [exists] throughout the ages! He’s the One who prepared the ends of the earth, Yet He doesn’t get hungry or tired, Nor can His wisdom be fathomed.²⁹‘He’s the One who gives strength to the famished, And brings comfort to those who are grieving.³⁰‘While the youngest of men will get hungry and tired, And the best of men will lose all their strength; ³¹Those who wait on Jehovah will grow stronger, And like eagles, they will grow wings. Then they’ll run without getting tired… They’ll keep going without getting hungry.’

¹‘O [you gentiles who live] in the islands; You should start holding feasts to His [Name]… For the powers that be will be altered!‘So now, let them come and confer, Then announce what they have decided!²‘For [He’s] stirred up one in the east Who’ll bring justice and call it to walk on its feet. To him, those gentiles will be given, And before him, their kings will all be removed.‘He’ll force them to bury their swords, And like twigs, he will shatter their bows. ³But, although he’s the one who’ll chase them, His feet will walk peaceful paths.⁴‘By whose might will he accomplish these things? By the One who called for this generation Back in the very beginning… By the One who said: I am God…‘I’m the first, and I’m into [the future]! ⁵Nations will see Me and fear… They’ll be startled to the ends of the earth, And then, they’ll be gathered together.’⁶‘At that time, all their neighbors will choose To help their brothers, and they’ll say:⁷The one who brought us together is strong, The blacksmith who forged it with a hammer; But how long can [this unity] last?‘And He will give this reply:‘The bond [between them] is good; For I’ve made it stronger with rivets… I’ve made it so it can’t be broken!’⁸‘But you, O IsraEl, My servant… Yes, Jacob, the one whom I’ve chosen… AbraHam’s offspring whom I’ve loved… ⁹Those whom I’ve snatched from the ends of the earth… Those whom I’ve called from the heights… Those to whom I said this:‘To be My servant, I chose you, And you, I’ve never abandoned. ¹⁰So, don’t be afraid, for I’m with you… Don’t stray from Me, for I am your God… I’m the One who gives you your strength, And sends aid with My righteous right hand.¹¹‘Look! Your enemies will all come to shame, And no more will they fail to respect you; For, they won’t exist anymore, Since all who oppose you will perish!¹²‘Then you’ll search and you will not find them… Those drunks who’ve been shouting insults at you, Because they will no longer be… There’ll be none to wage war against you, ¹³For, I am your God who is at your right hand!‘I’m the One who is saying to you, ¹⁴O Jacob, don’t be afraid… O IsraEl’s remnants, don’t [tremble], Because, I’m your helper… Your God.’‘O IsraEl,‘I’m the One who paid the ransom for you, ¹⁵{Look!} And I’ve made you like a threshing device That’s been fitted with many new teeth. So, you’ll thresh the mountains and thin out the hills… Then, into dust, you will turn them.¹⁶‘Yes, you will winnow them all, And the winds will blow them away… By a windstorm, they will be scattered. And among IsraEl’s holy, there will be joy.¹⁷‘Then the poor and needy will start to rejoice, As will those who’ve been searching for water But haven’t been able to find it… Those whose tongues have dried out from thirst.‘For, I am Jehovah, IsraEl’s God… I’ll pay attention and I’ll not desert you. ¹⁸From the mountains, I’ll open up rivers, And into the plains, I’ll put springs.‘Deserts, I’ll turn into marshes, And into thirsty ground, I’ll put canals. ¹⁹In the waterless land, I’ll plant boxwoods and cedars, Along with white poplars, myrtles, and cypress.²⁰‘Then, all who see them will know That it came by the hand of Jehovah… By IsraEl’s Holy One, they were planted.²¹‘But now, your time of judgment has come… Yes, the time for deciding is now,’ Says the King over Jacob.²²‘So, let all [your idols] step forward And tell you the things that will happen. For, they’re the ones to whom you have said:‘We’ll pay close attention you, So we can know what will happen, And how it will be [in the end]!’²³‘Therefore, ask [your idols] to tell you… Yes, have them announce the things that will come! Then we’ll know if they truly are gods Who can choose good or bad for themselves… We’ll wonder and see it at the same time.²⁴‘Then we’ll know the places from which they have come And we’ll see the source of the things they can do… These ones whom the people have chosen… These disgusting things whom they have preferred.²⁵‘But, from the north, I’ll be raising one man, And I’ll raise another from the sun in the east… And they will be called by My Name.‘Then, both of these rulers will come here, And like the clay of a potter (The clay that he works [with his feet]), They will trample you down.²⁶‘Now, which [of your idols] can tell you How, in the beginning, it all came to be, So we can know how it started? Yes, have them tell us how it began!‘Aren’t any of them able to speak? For, no one has heard a reply!²⁷‘I am the One who raised Zion… The One who sent comfort to JeruSalem. ²⁸Yet, {Look!} the nations have heard nothing at all… No announcements have come from their idols!‘So, if I should ask where they came from, No way could they give a reply. ²⁹But you say that you were created by them… How foolish are the ways in which you’ve been led!’

¹‘Jacob, My child, I’ll hold onto you… O IsraEl, you’re the one whom I’ve chosen. So [I’m sending someone] who will pour out My Breath And who will pass judgment on the gentiles. ²He won’t cry out or raise his voice, And his words won’t be heard out of doors.³‘No crushed reed will he break, And no smoking flax wick will he snuff. But, he will truly bring what is fair… ⁴He’ll endure and not be destroyed Until he brings justice to the earth.‘In his name, the nations will hope,’ ⁵Said [Jehovah our] God, The One who made and assembled the skies, Who founded the earth and everything in it, And that poured out His Breath On those who choose to walk [in His ways].⁶‘I’m Jehovah, who called you in justice… I’ll grab hold of your hand and I’ll give you strength. For with you, I made a Sacred Agreement To make you a light to the nations… ⁷To open the eyes of the blind… To lead out those who are shackled, And those who now sit in dark dungeons.⁸‘I’m [Jehovah your] God; yes, that is My Name! And My glory, I’ll give to no other… I won’t give My glory to things that are carved!⁹‘Look! The ancient things have all come to pass, And now, the new things that I will announce Will happen before I pronounce them!’¹⁰‘So, sing a new hymn to Jehovah…
Glorify His Name to the ends of the earth,
O you who sail and go down to the seas,
And you who live on the islands!¹¹‘And you in the deserts, be joyful,
As should you in the cities and lands,
And those who dwell among cedars…
Yes, those living in [caves] should be joyful,
And from the tops of the mountains, be shouting in joy.¹²‘For they’ll all give glory to God,
And the Islands will speak of His virtues.
¹³Then the God of Armies, Jehovah, will come
And bring an end to all wars.‘He’ll awaken His zeal and His strength,
And against His enemies, He will say this:¹⁴‘Throughout the age, I have remained silent; But must I always be patient and quiet… Must I endure like a woman with birth pangs?‘I’ll amaze you by making them wither away… ¹⁵I’ll destroy their mountains and hills, And I will dry up their grass. Then, into their rivers, I will put islands And I’ll turn their marshes into dry ground.¹⁶‘I’ll lead these blind ones in ways they don’t know, And make them walk on roads they can’t see. Then their darkness, I’ll turn into light, And their crooked ways, I will straighten.‘Yes, these are the things that I’ll do, For, I will not abandon [my people]… ¹⁷Although they’ll be forced to retreat.‘So, be ashamed (yes, you should feel shame), O you who put faith in carved [idols]… You who say to things that were formed by your hands,‘You are [truly] our gods!’¹⁸‘Listen to Me, you deaf mutes… Yes, look and see, all you blind ones! ¹⁹For, who are as blind as My servants, And who can hear less than their rulers?’‘Yes, who are as blind as those who’ve had all? For God’s servants have now all gone blind! ²⁰How many times have you looked, but not seen, And with opened ears, been unable to hear?²¹‘Yet, the Will of Jehovah is righteous, And it will be praised and held high again!²²‘Then I saw that it all came to pass… The people were plundered and looted, And in all their stores, there were snares.‘So they gathered to hide inside of their homes, Since they had all become plunder… There was no one to save all the captured, And no one to say, Give them back!²³‘Therefore, who will listen to what’s being said… Who’ll pay attention to the things that will be?²⁴‘Yes, who gave Jacob to be ravaged, And who gave IsraEl to serve as their loot? Hadn’t they sinned against God? Didn’t they choose not to walk in His ways And to ignore all His Laws?²⁵‘So He sent upon them His anger and rage… He sent their neighbors to burn them in war. Yet, none understood or took it to heart.

¹‘So, thus says Jehovah, [your] God (The One who made you, O Jacob; The One who shaped you, IsraEl):‘Don’t be afraid, for I’ve paid your ransom… I called you for My Name, and now you are Mine!²‘So, if you must pass through the waters, I will be there [to guard] you, And the rivers won’t swallow you down. Or if you should travel through fire, It won’t be able to burn you… You won’t be consumed by its flames.³‘For, I am Jehovah your God… I’m IsraEl’s Holy One and their Savior… I’m the One who bargained for you With Egypt, Ethiopia, and SheBah.⁴‘I’ve viewed you with value and esteem… You were glorious and loved [in My eyes]. For you, I traded other peoples, And for your heads, I gave rulers away.⁵‘So, don’t be afraid, for I’m with you, And from the east, I’ll lead back your offspring… From the [east and the] west, I’ll return them.⁶‘Then, I will say to the north:‘Send them back to the south… Do not try to restrain them! Return My sons from your faraway lands, And My daughters from the ends of the earth… ⁷Release all those who’ve been called by My Name!’‘For I made them to glorify Me… I’m the One who shaped them and formed them. ⁸But I sent them away because they were blind… They couldn’t see, although they had eyes, And they were deaf, although they had ears. I’m also the One who gathered their rulers.⁹‘So, who will announce all these things… Who’ll explain the things that have happened? Bring on those who will witness for them, And they must [now speak the truth]… Let’s hear them explain what has happened!¹⁰‘But, about Me, you must also testify,’ Says Jehovah. ‘Then, I’ll be a witness [for you]… I’ll say that you’re the servant I’ve chosen.… But, you must know and believe that I am!¹¹‘For, no other gods came before Me, And none will come after Me! Yes, I am the only true God… Other than Me there are none… I’m the only One who can save!¹²‘I’ve announced, delivered, and berated, When no alien God was among you. So, you are the ones who must now testify That I [alone] am The God!¹³‘Even in the most ancient times, No one could wrest you out of My hands, And no one could change the things that I did!’¹⁴‘Thus says Jehovah, IsraEl’s God… The Holy One who has paid your ransom:‘I’ll send to Babylon on your behalf To arouse all those who carried you off, And in boats, the Chaldeans will then bring you back.¹⁵‘So, I am [your] Most Holy God… IsraEl’s defender and king!’¹⁶‘Thus says Jehovah, The One who put roads in the seas, And through mighty waters, made paths… ¹⁷The One who led chariots and horses, Along with many strong [men], To a sleep from which they’ll never awake, And who snuffed them out like flax wicks:¹⁸‘You can forget the things that came first, And you don’t have to consider what happened before. ¹⁹For {Look!} now, I will bring about new things… And you all will know what they are!‘I’ll make a road through the desert, And through waterless lands, I’ll cut rivers. ²⁰Then, all the wild beasts will give praise to Me… Even ostrich daughters and those who are chained.‘For, into their deserts, I will bring water… Yes, rivers into [all the] dry places For My chosen people to drink. ²¹For, they are the people I purchased, And they should describe all My virtues!²²‘O IsraEl and [people of] Jacob: I am the One who has called you, And I’ve done nothing at all to wear you out.²³‘Yet, you brought Me no sheep or [burnt] offerings… No sacrifices to glorify Me. So to offerings, you were never enslaved, And by frankincense, you were not wearied.²⁴‘You offered no silver to Me, And I didn’t desire the sacrificed fat… But before Me, you stood in your sins, And in all of your unrighteous ways.²⁵‘I am… I’m the One who wiped them away… All of your lawless deeds. ²⁶Because of Myself, I’ll forget all your sins; But, you must remember all that you did! So, come here and let us discuss them! Yes, come and confess all of your lawless ways, So you can be righteous again!²⁷‘For your fathers were the first to have sinned, And your rulers were lawless against Me… ²⁸My holy things were defiled by your kings, So to destruction, I then handed Jacob… Yes IsraEl, I gave to be scorned!’