Isaiah 31:1-5

New International Version

Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt

31 Woe^(A) to those who go down to Egypt^(B) for help,
    who rely on horses,^(C)
who trust in the multitude of their chariots^(D)
    and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One^(E) of Israel,
    or seek help from the Lord.^(F)
²Yet he too is wise^(G) and can bring disaster;^(H)
    he does not take back his words.^(I)
He will rise up against that wicked nation,^(J)
    against those who help evildoers.
³But the Egyptians^(K) are mere mortals and not God;^(L)
    their horses^(M) are flesh and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,^(N)
    those who help will stumble,
    those who are helped^(O) will fall;
    all will perish together.^(P)

⁴This is what the Lord says to me:

“As a lion^(Q) growls,
    a great lion over its prey—
and though a whole band of shepherds^(R)
    is called together against it,
it is not frightened by their shouts
    or disturbed by their clamor^(S)—
so the Lord Almighty will come down^(T)
    to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.
⁵Like birds hovering^(U) overhead,
    the Lord Almighty will shield^(V) Jerusalem;
he will shield it and deliver^(W) it,
    he will ‘pass over’^(X) it and will rescue it.”