Isaiah 7:17-25

The Voice

¹⁷ But it’s not all rosy for you, either. The Eternal will bring against you, against this population, this blessed kingdom, such trouble as hasn’t been seen since the 10 northern tribes, led by Ephraim, seceded from Judah—trouble in the form of the Assyrian king. ¹⁸ At that time, the Eternal will summon the Egyptian flies and the stinging pests of Assyria, calling them ¹⁹ to settle into every crack and crevice of the country, every place high and low—mountains, fields, deserts, and cities—every thornbush and watering hole. ²⁰ In that day, the Lord will hire the Assyrian king from beyond the Euphrates River to shave every part of you, humbling you like slaves. ²¹ Each person will hang onto only what he or she absolutely needs—a heifer and two sheep—in order to survive. ²² But some will survive because those who are left will eat curds and honey, for their animals will produce plenty of milk. ²³ They will no longer live off the land because wherever there had been flourishing vineyards with 1,000 vines, worth 1,000 pieces of silver, they will produce nothing but briars and thorns. ²⁴ No one will venture into this wasteland of briars and thorns without bow and arrow. ²⁵ No one will dare to cultivate the hills that once were tilled for fear of what is out there; only the hardiest animals—cattle and sheep—are released to graze the ragged slopes.