¹Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help ,

and rely on horses ,

and trust in chariots because they are many ,

and in horsemen because they are very strong ,

but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel ,

and they don’t seek the LORD !

²Yet he also is wise , and will bring disaster ,

and will not call back his words , but will arise against the house of the evildoers ,

and against the help of those who work iniquity.

³Now the Egyptians are men , and not God ;

and their horses flesh , and not spirit .

When the LORD stretches out his hand , both he who helps shall stumble ,

and he who is helped shall fall ,

and they all shall be consumed together .

⁴For the LORD says to me ,

“As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey ,

if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him ,

will not be dismayed at their voice ,

nor abase himself for their noise ,

so the LORD of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights.

⁵As birds hovering, so the LORD of Armies will protect Jerusalem .

He will protect and deliver it .

He will pass over and preserve it .”

⁶Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted , children of Israel .

⁷For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold —sin which your own hands have made for you .

⁸“The Assyrian will fall by the sword , not of man ;

and the sword , not of mankind, shall devour him .

He will flee from the sword ,

and his young men will become subject to forced labour.

⁹His rock will pass away by reason of terror ,

and his princes will be afraid of the banner ,”

says the LORD , whose fire is in Zion ,

and his furnace in Jerusalem .