Dual Panel1Woe betide those who go down to Egypt for help and rely upon horses, who put their trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because of their vast numbers, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek guidance of the LORD!
2Yet he too in his wisdom can bring trouble and he does not take back his threats; he will rise up against wrongdoers, against all who go to the help of evildoers.
3The Egyptians are mortals, not gods, their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together.
4This is what the LORD has said to me: As a lion or a young lion growls over its prey when the shepherds are called out in force, and it is not scared at their shouting or daunted by their clamour, so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on the heights of Mount Zion.
5Like a hovering bird the LORD of Hosts will be a shield over Jerusalem; he will shield and deliver her, sparing and rescuing her.
6Israel, you have been deeply disloyal, yet come back to him,
7for on that day every one of you will spurn the idols of silver and the idols of gold which your own sinful hands have made.
8Assyria will fall, but not by man's sword; a sword that no mortal wields will devour him. He will flee before the sword, and his young warriors will be put to forced labour;
9officers will be helpless from terror and captains powerless to flee. This is the word of the LORD whose fire blazes in Zion, whose furnace burns in Jerusalem.