Study Desk

"This is what I plan to do for all the earth. And this is the hand that I have raised over all nations."

What shall we tell the messengers from Philistia? Say that the Lord has made Jerusalem strong and that his poor people will go there for safety.

The people of Dibon go to the places of worship to cry. The people of Moab cry for the cities of Nebo and Medeba. Every head and beard has been shaved to show how sad Moab is.

My heart cries with sorrow for Moab. Its people run away to Zoar for safety; they run to Eglath Shelishiyah. People are going up the mountain road to Luhith, crying as they go. People are going on the road to Horonaim, crying over their destruction.

They say: "Help us. Tell us what to do. Protect us from our enemies as shade protects us from the noon sun. Hide us, because we are running for safety! Don't give us to our enemies.

So the people of Moab will cry; they will all be sad. They will moan and groan for the raisin cakes they had in Kir Hareseth.

I cry with the people of Jazer for the grapevines of Sibmah. I will cry with the people of Heshbon and Elealeh. There will be no shouts of joy, because there will be no harvest or ripe fruit.

My heart cries for Moab like a harp playing a funeral song; I am very sad for Kir Hareseth.

How terrible it will be for the land beyond the rivers of Cush. It is filled with the sound of wings.

They will be left for the birds of the mountains and for the wild animals. Birds will feed on them all summer, and wild animals will eat them that winter."

Those who weave cloth will be broken. All those who work for money will be sad.

Egypt, where are your wise men? Let them show you what the Lord All-Powerful has planned for Egypt.

The land of Judah will bring fear to Egypt. Anyone there who hears the name Judah will be afraid, because the Lord All-Powerful has planned terrible things for them.

At that time there will be an altar for the Lord in the middle of Egypt and a monument to the Lord at the border of Egypt.

This will be a sign and a witness to the Lord All-Powerful in the land of Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord for help, he will send someone to save and defend them. He will rescue them from those who hurt them.

At that time Israel, Assyria, and Egypt will join together, which will be a blessing for the earth.

Then the Lord said, "Isaiah my servant has walked around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush.

People who looked to Cush for help will be afraid, and those who were amazed by Egypt's glory will be shamed.

They set the table; they spread the rugs; they eat and drink. Leaders, stand up. Prepare the shields for battle!

The Lord said to me, "Go, place a lookout for the city and have him report what he sees.