13 For he said:

I have done this by my own strength
and wisdom, for I am clever.
I abolished the borders of nations
and plundered their treasures;(A)
like a mighty warrior, I subjugated the inhabitants.[a](B)
14 My hand has reached out, as if into a nest,
to seize the wealth of the nations.
Like one gathering abandoned eggs,
I gathered the whole earth.
No wing fluttered;
no beak opened or chirped.

15 Does an ax exalt itself
above the one who chops with it?
Does a saw magnify itself
above the one who saws with it?
It would be like a rod waving the ones who lift[b] it!
It would be like a staff lifting the one who isn’t wood!

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Footnotes

  1. 10:13 Or I brought down their kings
  2. 10:15 Some Hb mss; other Hb mss, Syr, Vg read the one who lifts

13 For he says:

“‘By the strength of my hand(A) I have done this,(B)
    and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
    I plundered their treasures;(C)
    like a mighty one I subdued[a] their kings.(D)
14 As one reaches into a nest,(E)
    so my hand reached for the wealth(F) of the nations;
as people gather abandoned eggs,
    so I gathered all the countries;(G)
not one flapped a wing,
    or opened its mouth to chirp.(H)’”

15 Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it,
    or the saw boast against the one who uses it?(I)
As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up,
    or a club(J) brandish the one who is not wood!

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 10:13 Or treasures; / I subdued the mighty,