Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 27th, 2025
the Second Day after Christmas
the Second Day after Christmas
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Read the Bible
King James Version (1611 Edition)
2 Kings 18:21
Now behold, thou trustest vpon the staffe of this bruised reed, euen vpon Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will goe into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt vnto all that trust on him.
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Now look, you are relying on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who grabs it and leans on it. This is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him.
Now look, you are relying on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who grabs it and leans on it. This is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him.
Hebrew Names Version
Now, behold, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Mitzrayim; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Par`oh king of Mitzrayim to all who trust on him.
Now, behold, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Mitzrayim; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Par`oh king of Mitzrayim to all who trust on him.
King James Version
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
English Standard Version
Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
New Century Version
Look, you are depending on Egypt to help you, but Egypt is like a splintered walking stick. If you lean on it for help, it will stab your hand and hurt you. The king of Egypt will hurt all those who depend on him.
Look, you are depending on Egypt to help you, but Egypt is like a splintered walking stick. If you lean on it for help, it will stab your hand and hurt you. The king of Egypt will hurt all those who depend on him.
New English Translation
Now look, you must be trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed staff. If a man leans for support on it, it punctures his hand and wounds him. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt does to all who trust in him.
Now look, you must be trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed staff. If a man leans for support on it, it punctures his hand and wounds him. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt does to all who trust in him.
Amplified Bible
"Now pay attention: you are relying on Egypt, on that staff of crushed reed; if a man leans on it, it will only go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust and rely on him.
"Now pay attention: you are relying on Egypt, on that staff of crushed reed; if a man leans on it, it will only go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust and rely on him.
New American Standard Bible
"Now behold, you have relied on the support of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. That is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him.
"Now behold, you have relied on the support of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. That is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him.
World English Bible
Now, behold, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him.
Now, behold, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Lo, thou trustest now in this broken staffe of reede, to wit, on Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will goe into his hand, & pearce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt vnto all yt trust on him.
Lo, thou trustest now in this broken staffe of reede, to wit, on Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will goe into his hand, & pearce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt vnto all yt trust on him.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now behold, you trust in the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Now behold, you trust in the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Berean Standard Bible
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Contemporary English Version
Is he depending on Egypt and its king? That's the same as leaning on a broken stick, and it will go right through his hand.
Is he depending on Egypt and its king? That's the same as leaning on a broken stick, and it will go right through his hand.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now look! Relying on Egypt is like using a broken stick as a staff — when you lean on it, it punctures your hand. That's what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like for anyone who puts his trust in him.
Now look! Relying on Egypt is like using a broken stick as a staff — when you lean on it, it punctures your hand. That's what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like for anyone who puts his trust in him.
Darby Translation
Now behold, thou reliest upon the staff of that broken reed, upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it goes into his hand and pierces it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that rely upon him.
Now behold, thou reliest upon the staff of that broken reed, upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it goes into his hand and pierces it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that rely upon him.
Easy-to-Read Version
Are you depending on Egypt to help you? Egypt is like a broken walking stick. If you lean on it for support, it will only hurt you and make a hole in your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, cannot be trusted by anyone who depends on him for help.
Are you depending on Egypt to help you? Egypt is like a broken walking stick. If you lean on it for support, it will only hurt you and make a hole in your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, cannot be trusted by anyone who depends on him for help.
George Lamsa Translation
Now, behold, you have trusted upon the staff of the broken reed, even on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Now, behold, you have trusted upon the staff of the broken reed, even on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Good News Translation
You are expecting Egypt to help you, but that would be like using a reed as a walking stick—it would break and jab your hand. That is what the king of Egypt is like when anyone relies on him."
You are expecting Egypt to help you, but that would be like using a reed as a walking stick—it would break and jab your hand. That is what the king of Egypt is like when anyone relies on him."
Lexham English Bible
Now, look! You rely on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, which when a man leans on it, it goes into his hand and pierces it! So is Pharaoh the king of Egypt for all who are trusting on him!
Now, look! You rely on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, which when a man leans on it, it goes into his hand and pierces it! So is Pharaoh the king of Egypt for all who are trusting on him!
Literal Translation
Now, behold, you have trusted for yourself on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, which if a man lean on it, it will go into his hand and pierce it! So is Pharaoh the king of Egypt to all those who trust in him.
Now, behold, you have trusted for yourself on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, which if a man lean on it, it will go into his hand and pierce it! So is Pharaoh the king of Egypt to all those who trust in him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Beholde, puttest thou thy trust in this broken staffe of rede, in Egipte? which who leaneth vpon, it shall go into his hande, & pearse it thorow. Euen so is Pharao the kynge of Egipte vnto all them that put their trust in him.
Beholde, puttest thou thy trust in this broken staffe of rede, in Egipte? which who leaneth vpon, it shall go into his hande, & pearse it thorow. Euen so is Pharao the kynge of Egipte vnto all them that put their trust in him.
American Standard Version
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Bible in Basic English
See, now, you are basing your hope on that broken rod of Egypt, which will go through a man's hand if he makes use of it for a support; for so is Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to all who put their faith in him.
See, now, you are basing your hope on that broken rod of Egypt, which will go through a man's hand if he makes use of it for a support; for so is Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to all who put their faith in him.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Doest thou trust to the staffe of this broken reede Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will go into his hande, & pearse it: Euen so is Pharao king of Egypt vnto all that trust on hym.
Doest thou trust to the staffe of this broken reede Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will go into his hande, & pearse it: Euen so is Pharao king of Egypt vnto all that trust on hym.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
See now, art thou trusting for thyself on this broken staff of reed, even upon Egypt? whosoever shall stay himself upon it, it shall even go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharao king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
See now, art thou trusting for thyself on this broken staff of reed, even upon Egypt? whosoever shall stay himself upon it, it shall even go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharao king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
English Revised Version
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whethir thou hopist in a `staf of rehed and brokun, Egipt, on which, if a man lenith, it schal be brokun, and schal entre in to hys hond, and schal peerse it? So is Farao, kyng of Egipt, to alle men that tristen on hym.
Whethir thou hopist in a `staf of rehed and brokun, Egipt, on which, if a man lenith, it schal be brokun, and schal entre in to hys hond, and schal peerse it? So is Farao, kyng of Egipt, to alle men that tristen on hym.
Young's Literal Translation
`Now, lo, thou hast trusted for thee on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; which a man leaneth on, and it hath gone into his hand, and pierced it! -- so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all those trusting on him.
`Now, lo, thou hast trusted for thee on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; which a man leaneth on, and it hath gone into his hand, and pierced it! -- so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all those trusting on him.
Update Bible Version
Now, look, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Egypt; whereon if a man leans, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
Now, look, you trust on the staff of this bruised reed, even on Egypt; whereon if a man leans, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
Webster's Bible Translation
Now behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man leaneth, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
Now behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man leaneth, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
New King James Version
Now look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Now look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
New Living Translation
On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable!
On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable!
New Life Bible
Look, you are trusting now in Egypt. It is a walking stick like a piece of broken river-grass. It will cut into a man's hand if he rests on it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Look, you are trusting now in Egypt. It is a walking stick like a piece of broken river-grass. It will cut into a man's hand if he rests on it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
New Revised Standard
See, you are relying now on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
See, you are relying now on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, lo! thou dost trust thyself on the support of this bruised cane, on Egypt, whereon, if a man lean, it will enter his hand and lay it open, - so, is Pharaoh king of Egypt, to all who trust upon him.
Now, lo! thou dost trust thyself on the support of this bruised cane, on Egypt, whereon, if a man lean, it will enter his hand and lay it open, - so, is Pharaoh king of Egypt, to all who trust upon him.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Dost thou trust in Egypt a staff of a broken reed, upon which if a man lean, it will break and go into his hand, and pierce it? so is Pharao, king of Egypt, to all that trust in him.
Dost thou trust in Egypt a staff of a broken reed, upon which if a man lean, it will break and go into his hand, and pierce it? so is Pharao, king of Egypt, to all that trust in him.
Revised Standard Version
Behold, you are relying now on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
Behold, you are relying now on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Now behold, you rely on the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
"Now behold, you rely on the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.
Contextual Overview
17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh, from Lachish to king Hezekiah, with a great hoste against Ierusalem: and they went vp, and came to Ierusalem: and when they were come vp, they came and stood by the conduit of the vpper poole, which is in the high way of the fullers field. 18 And when they had called to the king there came out to them Eliakim the sonne of Helkiah, which was ouer the houshold, and Shebna the Scribe, and Ioah the sonne of Asaph the Recorder. 19 And Rabshakeh said vnto them, Speake yee now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vaine words) I haue counsell and strength for the warre: now on whom doest thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 21 Now behold, thou trustest vpon the staffe of this bruised reed, euen vpon Egypt, on which if a man leane, it will goe into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt vnto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say vnto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that hee whose high places, and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Iudah and Ierusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Ierusalem? 23 Now therefore, I pray thee, giue pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliuer thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders vpon them. 24 How then wilt thou turne away the face of one captaine of the least of my masters seruants, and put thy trust on Egypt for charets and for horsemen? 25 Am I now come vp without the Lord against this place, to destroy it? The Lord sayd to me, Goe vp against this land, and destroy it. 26 Then said Eliakim the sonne of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Ioah, vnto Rabshakeh, Speake, I pray thee, to thy seruants in the Syrian language, (for wee vnderstand it) and talke not with vs in the Iewes language, in the eares of the people that are on the wall.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
trustest: Heb. trustest thee
the staff: Isaiah 36:6, Ezekiel 29:6, Ezekiel 29:7
upon Egypt: Isaiah 30:2, Isaiah 30:7, Isaiah 31:1-3
so is Pharaoh: 2 Kings 17:4, Jeremiah 46:17
Reciprocal: Genesis 12:15 - princes 2 Kings 18:24 - thy trust Isaiah 20:5 - afraid Isaiah 33:8 - he regardeth Jeremiah 2:16 - Also the Matthew 12:20 - bruised
Cross-References
Genesis 11:5
And the LORD came downe to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the LORD came downe to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Genesis 11:7
Goe to, let vs go downe, and there cofound their language, that they may not vnderstand one anothers speech.
Goe to, let vs go downe, and there cofound their language, that they may not vnderstand one anothers speech.
Genesis 18:1
And the LORD appeared vnto him, in the plaines of Mamre: and he sate in the tent doore, in the heat of the day.
And the LORD appeared vnto him, in the plaines of Mamre: and he sate in the tent doore, in the heat of the day.
Genesis 18:24
Peraduenture there be fifty righteous within the citie; wilt thou also destroy, and not spare the place for the fiftie righteous, that are therein?
Peraduenture there be fifty righteous within the citie; wilt thou also destroy, and not spare the place for the fiftie righteous, that are therein?
Exodus 3:8
And I am come downe to deliuer them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them vp out of that land, vnto a good land and a large, vnto a lande flowing with milke and hony, vnto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hiuites, and the Iebusites.
And I am come downe to deliuer them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them vp out of that land, vnto a good land and a large, vnto a lande flowing with milke and hony, vnto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hiuites, and the Iebusites.
Exodus 33:5
For the Lord had saide vnto Moses, Say vnto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffenecked people: I wil come vp into the midst of thee in a moment, & consume thee: Therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to doe vnto thee.
For the Lord had saide vnto Moses, Say vnto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffenecked people: I wil come vp into the midst of thee in a moment, & consume thee: Therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to doe vnto thee.
Deuteronomy 8:2
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these fourtie yeeres in the wildernesse, to humble thee, and to proue thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keepe his commandements, or no.
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these fourtie yeeres in the wildernesse, to humble thee, and to proue thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keepe his commandements, or no.
Deuteronomy 13:3
Thou shalt not hearken vnto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreames: for the Lord your God prooueth you, to know whether you loue the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soule.
Thou shalt not hearken vnto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreames: for the Lord your God prooueth you, to know whether you loue the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soule.
Joshua 22:22
The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, hee knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it bee in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (saue vs not this day,)
The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, hee knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it bee in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (saue vs not this day,)
Job 34:22
There is no darkenes, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquitie may hide themselues.
There is no darkenes, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquitie may hide themselues.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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Barnes' Notes on the Bible
This bruised reed - The “tall reed of the Nile bulrush” fitly symbolized the land where it grew. Apparently strong and firm, it was quite unworthy of trust. Let a man lean upon it, and the rotten support instantly gave way, wounding the hand that stayed itself so insecurely. So it was with Egypt throughout the whole period of Jewish history (compare 2 Kings 17:4-6). Her actual practice was to pretend friendship, to hold out hopes of support, and then to fail in time of need.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Kings 18:21. The staff of this bruised reed — Egypt had already been greatly bruised and broken, through the wars carried on against it by the Assyrians.
