Isaiah 10:24-34

New International Reader's Version

“My people who live in Zion,
    do not be afraid of the Assyrian army.
They beat you with rods.
    They lift up war clubs against you,
    just as the Egyptians did.
²⁵ Very soon I will not be angry with you anymore.
    I will turn my anger against the Assyrians.
    I will destroy them.”

²⁶ The Lord who rules over all will beat them with a whip.
    He will strike them down as he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb.
And he will stretch out his walking stick over the waters.
    That’s what he did in Egypt.
²⁷ People of Zion, in days to come he will help you.
    He will lift the heavy load of the Assyrians from your shoulders.
    He will remove their yokes from your necks.
Their yokes will be broken
    because you have become so strong.

²⁸ The Assyrian army has entered the town of Aiath.
    They have passed through Migron.
    They have stored up supplies at Mikmash.
²⁹ They have marched through the pass there. They said,
    “Let’s camp for the night at Geba.”
The people of Ramah tremble with fear.
    Those who live in Gibeah of Saul run away.
³⁰ Town of Gallim, cry out!
    Laishah, listen!
    Poor Anathoth!
³¹ The people of Madmenah are running away.
    Those who live in Gebim are hiding.
³² Today the Assyrians have stopped at Nob.
    They are shaking their fists
    at Mount Zion in the city of Jerusalem.

³³ The Assyrian soldiers are like trees in a forest.
    The Lord who rules over all
    will chop them down.
The Lord will cut off their branches
    with his great power.
He will chop the tall trees down.
    He will cut down even the highest ones.
³⁴ The Mighty One will chop down the forest with his ax.
    He will cut down the cedar trees in Lebanon.