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Isaiah 31:1-3
New English Translation
Isaiah 31:1-3
New English Translation
Egypt Will Disappoint
31 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead;[a]
those who rely on war horses,
and trust in Egypt’s many chariots[b]
and in their many, many horsemen.[c]
But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel[d]
and do not seek help from the Lord.
2 Yet he too is wise[e] and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree.[f]
He will attack the wicked nation,[g]
and the nation that helps[h] those who commit sin.[i]
3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God;
their horses are made of flesh, not spirit.
The Lord will strike with[j] his hand;
the one who helps will stumble
and the one being helped will fall.
Together they will perish.[k]
Footnotes
- Isaiah 31:1 tn Heb “Woe [to] those who go down to Egypt for help.”
- Isaiah 31:1 tn Heb “and trust in chariots for they are many.”
- Isaiah 31:1 tn Heb “and in horsemen for they are very strong [or “numerous”].”
- Isaiah 31:1 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
- Isaiah 31:2 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
- Isaiah 31:2 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
- Isaiah 31:2 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
- Isaiah 31:2 sn That is, Egypt.
- Isaiah 31:2 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
- Isaiah 31:3 tn Heb “will extend”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV “stretch out.”
- Isaiah 31:3 tn Heb “together all of them will come to an end.”
New English Translation (NET)
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