Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt

31 Woe[a] to (A)those who go down to Egypt for help
    and rely on horses,
who (B)trust in chariots because they are many
    and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but (C)do not look to the Holy One of Israel
    or consult the Lord!
And (D)yet he is wise and brings disaster;
    (E)he does not call back his words,
but (F)will arise against the house of the evildoers
    and against the helpers of (G)those who work iniquity.
The Egyptians are man, and not God,
    and their horses (H)are flesh, and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,
    the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall,
    and they will all perish together.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 31:1 Or Ah,

Doom to those going to Egypt

31 Doom to those going down to Egypt for help!
    They rely on horses,
    trust in chariots because they are many,
    and on riders because they are very strong.
But they don’t look to the holy one of Israel;
    they don’t seek the Lord.
But God also knows how to bring disaster;
    he has not taken back his words.
God will rise up against the house of evildoers
    and against the help of those who do wrong.
Egypt is human and not divine;
    their horses are flesh and not spirit.
The Lord will extend his hand;
    the helper will stumble,
    those helped will fall,
    and they will all die together.

Read full chapter