Add parallel Print Page Options

31 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
    and rely on horses,
    and trust in chariots because they are many,
    and in horsemen because they are very strong,
    but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel,
    and they don’t seek Yahweh!
Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster,
    and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers,
    and against the help of those who work iniquity.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God;
    and their horses flesh, and not spirit.
When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble,
    and he who is helped shall fall,
    and they all shall be consumed together.

Read full chapter

The Egyptians are No Help

31 Ah! Those who go down to Egypt for help!

They rely on horses

and trust in chariots because they are many,
    and in horsemen because they are very numerous,
and they do not look to the holy one of Israel,
    and they do not consult Yahweh.
And indeed, he is wise, and he brings disaster,
    and he does not remove his words,
and he will rise against the house of evildoers
    and against the help of workers of iniquity.
And the Egyptians are human and not God,
    and their horses are flesh and not spirit.
And Yahweh stretches out his hand,
    and the helper will stumble,
and the one being helped will fall,
    and together all of them will come to an end.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 31:3 Or “perish”