Study Desk

In the ^(C1)year that King Ahaz died, this ^(C2)pronouncement came:

"Do not rejoice, ^(C1)Philistia, all of you, Because the rod that ^(C2)struck you is broken; For from the serpent's root a ^(C3)viper will come out, And its fruit will be a ^(C4)winged serpent.

-"^(F1)Those who are most ^(C1)helpless will eat, And the poor will lie down in security; I will kill your root with ^(C2)famine, And it will kill your survivors.

-"Wail, you ^(C1)gate; cry, you city; ^(F1)Melt away, ^(C2)Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes from the ^(C3)north, And ^(C4)there is no straggler in his ranks.

-"What answer will one give the ^(C1)messengers of the nation? That ^(C2)the LORD has founded Zion, And ^(C3)the poor of His people will take refuge in it."