A Prophecy Against the Philistines

28 This prophecy(A) came in the year(B) King Ahaz(C) died:

29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines,(D)
    that the rod that struck you is broken;
from the root of that snake will spring up a viper,(E)
    its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.(F)
30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture,
    and the needy(G) will lie down in safety.(H)
But your root I will destroy by famine;(I)
    it will slay(J) your survivors.(K)

31 Wail,(L) you gate!(M) Howl, you city!
    Melt away, all you Philistines!(N)
A cloud of smoke comes from the north,(O)
    and there is not a straggler in its ranks.(P)
32 What answer shall be given
    to the envoys(Q) of that nation?
“The Lord has established Zion,(R)
    and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.(S)

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An Oracle concerning Philistia

28 In the year that King Ahaz died this oracle came:(A)

29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines,
    that the rod that struck you is broken,
for from the root of the snake will come forth an adder,
    and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent.(B)
30 In my pastures the poor[a] will graze
    and the needy lie down in safety,
but I will make your root die of famine,
    and your remnant I[b] will kill.(C)
31 Wail, O gate; cry, O city;
    melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you!
For smoke comes out of the north,
    and there is no straggler in its ranks.(D)

32 What will one answer the messengers of the nation?
“The Lord has founded Zion,
    and the needy among his people
    will find refuge in her.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.30 Heb mss: MT the firstborn of the poor
  2. 14.30 Q ms Vg: MT he