Isaiah 8

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Assyria Is Coming Soon

8 <1> The Lord told me, "Get a large scroll,[87] and use an ordinary pen[88] to write these words: 'This is for Maher Shalal Hash Baz.'[89]"

<2> I found some men who could be trusted to serve as witnesses. They were Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah. They watched me write those words. <3> Then I went to the woman prophet. She became pregnant and had a son. The Lord told me, "Name the boy Maher Shalal Hash Baz." <4> He said that because before the boy learns to say "Mama" and "Daddy," God will take all the wealth and riches from Damascus[90] and Samaria[91] and give them to the king of Assyria.[92]

<5> The Lord spoke to me again. <6> My Master said, "These people[93] refuse to accept the slow-moving waters of Shiloah.[94] They prefer Rezin[95] and Remaliah's son." <7> But my Master will bring the king of Assyria and all his power against them. The Assyrians will come like their swift moving river, like water that rises and spills over its banks. <8> That water will be like a flash flood as it passes through Judah. It will rise to Judah's throat and almost drown him.

But he will spread his wings over your whole country, Immanuel.[96]

<9> All you nations, prepare for war.

You will be defeated.

Listen, all you faraway countries!

Prepare for battle.

You will be defeated.

<10> Make your plans for the fight.

Your plans will be defeated.

Give orders to your armies,

but your orders will be useless, because God is with us![97]

Warnings to Isaiah

<11> The Lord spoke to me with his great power and warned[98] me not to be like those people.[99] He said, <12> "Don't think there is a plan against you just because the people say there is. Don't be afraid of what they fear. Don't let them frighten you!"

<13> The Lord All-Powerful is the one you should fear. He is the one you should respect.[100] He is the one who should frighten you. <14> If you people would respect the Lord, he would be a safe place[101] for you. But you don't respect him, so he is like a stone that you stumble over. He is a rock that makes the two families of Israel fall. The Lord has become a trap to all the people of Jerusalem. <15> (Many people will trip over this rock. They will fall and be broken. They will be caught in the trap.)

<16> [The Lord said,] "Write this agreement.[102] Tie it up and seal it so that it cannot be changed. Give these teachings to my followers for safe keeping."

<17> The Lord has turned away from the family of Jacob.

But I will wait for the Lord to help us.

I will wait for him, and he will save us.

<18> My children and I are signs and proofs for the people of Israel. We have been sent by the Lord All-Powerful, who lives on the Mount Zion.[103]

<19> The people will say, "Go to the fortune-tellers[104] and wizards[105] who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do." But I say, "Shouldn't people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?" <20> You should follow the teachings and the agreement.[106] I swear, if you follow those other things, there is no future for you. <21> When the enemy comes, there will be hard times and hunger. And when he becomes hungry, he will become angry. He will say curses in the name of his king and his gods. Then he will lift his head upwards [like a roaring lion]. <22> And when the captives turn their faces to the ground, there is only a depressing darkness closing in-the dark sadness of people forced to le ave their country. And those who are trapped in that darkness will not be able to free themselves.