1Woe to those who decree vain striving of iniquity decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees;

2to deprive the needy of their rights, and to rob the poor among my people of mishpat ·justice·, that widows may be their plunder, and that they may make the orphans their prey!

3What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your kavod ·weighty glory·?

4They will only bow down under the prisoners, and will fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

5Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation!

6I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people who anger me will I give him an enjoinment to take the plunder and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7However he does not mean so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off not a few nations.

8For he says, “Are not all of my princes kings?

9Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus [Bucket of blood]?”

10As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose engraved images exceeded those of Jerusalem [City of peace] and of Samaria;

11shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem [City of peace] and her idols?

12Therefore it will happen that, when 'Adonay [Lord] has performed his whole work on Mount Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking] and on Jerusalem [City of peace], I will punish the fruit of the willful proud heart of the king of Assyria [Level plain], and the insolence of his haughty looks.

13For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers.

14My hand has found the riches of the peoples like a nest, and like one gathers eggs that are abandoned, have I gathered all the earth. There was no one who moved their wing, or that opened their mouth, or chirped.”

15Should an ax brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.

16Therefore 'Adonay, Adonai Tzva'ot [Lord, Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], will send among his fat ones leanness; and under his kavod ·weighty glory· a burning will be kindled like the burning of fire.

17The light of Israel [God prevails] will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.

18He will consume the kavod ·weighty glory· of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. It will be as when a standard bearer faints.

19The remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child could write their number.

20It will come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel [God prevails], and those who have escaped from the house of Jacob [Supplanter] will no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on Adonai, haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails], in truth.

21A remnant will make teshuvah ·complete return·, even the remnant of Jacob [Supplanter], to the mighty God.

22For though your people, Israel [God prevails], are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.

23For 'Adonay, Adonai Tzva'ot [Lord, Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], will make a full end, and that determined, throughout all the earth. ⁵¹

24Therefore 'Adonay, Adonai Tzva'ot [Lord, Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], says “My people who dwell in Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking], don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt [Abode of slavery] did.

25For yet a very little while, and the indignation against you will be accomplished, and my anger will be directed to his destruction.”

26Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies] will stir up a scourge against him, as in the slaughter of Midian [Strife] at the rock of Oreb. His rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up like he did against Egypt [Abode of slavery].

27It will happen in that day, that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

28He has come to Aiath. He has passed through Migron. At Michmash he stores his baggage.

29They have gone over the pass. They have taken up their lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles. Gibeah of Saul [Asked for] has fled.

30Cry aloud with your voice, daughter of Gallim! Listen, Laishah! You poor Anathoth!

31Madmenah is a fugitive. The inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.

32This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking], the hill of Jerusalem [City of peace].

33Behold, Adon, Adonai Tzva'ot [Lord, Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low.

34He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.