The Worthless Treaty with Egypt

1  ה֣וֹי (Woe to) בָּנִ֤ים (the sons), סֽוֹרְרִים֙ (rebellious)

נְאֻם־ (says) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH),

לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת (Making) עֵצָה֙ (counsels), וְלֹ֣א (not) מִנִּ֔י (from Me)

וְלִנְסֹ֥ךְ (and weaving) מַסֵּכָ֖ה (webs), וְלֹ֣א (not) רוּחִ֑י (of My Spirit),

לְמַ֛עַן (for the purpose) סְפ֥וֹת (of adding) חַטָּ֖את (sin) עַל־ (upon) חַטָּֽאת׃ (sin);

2  הַהֹלְכִים֙ (those going) לָרֶ֣דֶת (down) מִצְרַ֔יִם (to Egypt),

וּפִ֖י (and from My mouth); לֹ֣א (they have not) שָׁאָ֑לוּ (asked for guidance)

לָעוֹז֙ (to take refuge) בְּמָע֣וֹז (in the stronghold) פַּרְעֹ֔ה (of Pharaoh),

וְלַחְס֖וֹת (and to take refuge) בְּצֵ֥ל (in the shadow) מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (of Egypt)!

3  וְהָיָ֥ה (And will be) לָכֶ֛ם (unto you⁺) מָע֥וֹז (the strength) פַּרְעֹ֖ה (of Pharaoh) לְבֹ֑שֶׁת (for shame),

וְהֶחָס֥וּת (and the refuge) בְּצֵל־ (in the shadow) מִצְרַ֖יִם (of Egypt) לִכְלִמָּֽה׃ (for disgrace).

4  כִּֽי־ (For though) הָי֥וּ (are) בְצֹ֖עַן (in Zoan), שָׂרָ֑יו (his princes)

וּמַלְאָכָ֖יו (and his messengers) חָנֵ֥ס (Hanes) יַגִּֽיעוּ׃ (have reached).

5  כֹּ֣ל (They all) הִבְאִישׁ (come to shame)

עַל־ (over) עַ֖ם (a people) לֹא־ (of no) יוֹעִ֣ילוּ (profit) לָ֑מוֹ (to them)

לֹ֤א (not) לְעֵ֙זֶר֙ (for help) וְלֹ֣א (and not) לְהוֹעִ֔יל (for gain),

כִּ֥י (but) לְבֹ֖שֶׁת (for shame), וְגַם־ (and even) לְחֶרְפָּֽה׃ס (for scorn).

6  מַשָּׂ֖א (The burden) בַּהֲמ֣וֹת (of the beasts) נֶ֑גֶב (of the Negev).

בְּאֶרֶץ֩ (In a land) צָרָ֨ה (of distress) וְצוּקָ֜ה (and anguish),

לָבִ֧יא (lioness) וָלַ֣יִשׁ (and lion), מֵהֶ֗ם (from which came)

אֶפְעֶה֙ (viper) וְשָׂרָ֣ף (and serpent) מְעוֹפֵ֔ף (the flying),

יִשְׂאוּ֩ (they carry) עַל־ (on) כֶּ֨תֶף (the shoulder) עֲיָרִ֜ים (of donkeys), חֵֽילֵהֶ֗ם (their riches)

וְעַל־ (and on) דַּבֶּ֤שֶׁת (the humps) גְּמַלִּים֙ (of camels), אֽוֹצְרֹתָ֔ם (their treasures)

עַל־ (to) עַ֖ם (a people) לֹ֥א (of no) יוֹעִֽילוּ׃ (profit to them).

7  וּמִצְרַ֕יִם (And to Egypt) הֶ֥בֶל (in emptiness), וָרִ֖יק (and uselessness). יַעְזֹ֑רוּ (For helping)

לָכֵן֙ (therefore) קָרָ֣אתִי (I have called) לָזֹ֔את (to her),

רַ֥הַב (Rahab-) הֵ֖ם (hem-) שָֽׁבֶת׃ (shebeth).

8  עַתָּ֗ה (Now) בּ֣וֹא (go), כָתְבָ֥הּ (write it) עַל־ (on) ל֛וּחַ (a tablet), אִתָּ֖ם (before them)

וְעַל־ (and on) סֵ֣פֶר (a scroll), חֻקָּ֑הּ (inscribe it)

וּתְהִי֙ (that it may be) לְי֣וֹם (for a day) אַחֲר֔וֹן (to come)

לָעַ֖ד (for a witness) עַד־ (even to) עוֹלָֽם׃ (forever);

9  כִּ֣י (for) עַ֤ם (people), מְרִי֙ (a rebellious) ה֔וּא (it is) בָּנִ֖ים (sons), כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים (of deceit)

בָּנִ֕ים (sons) לֹֽא־ (not) אָב֥וּ (willing) שְׁמ֖וֹעַ (to hear) תּוֹרַ֥ת (the instruction) יְהוָֽה׃ (of YHWH);

10  אֲשֶׁ֨ר (who) אָמְר֤וּ (say) לָֽרֹאִים֙ (to the seers),

לֹ֣א (Not); תִרְא֔וּ (do see)

וְלַ֣חֹזִ֔ים (and to the prophets),

לֹ֥א (Not) תֶחֱזוּ־ (do prophesy) לָ֖נוּ (for us) נְכֹח֑וֹת (the truth),

דַּבְּרוּ־ (speak) לָ֣נוּ (to us) חֲלָק֔וֹת (smooth things),

חֲז֖וּ (prophesy) מַהֲתַלּֽוֹת׃ (illusions).

11  ס֚וּרוּ (Turn aside) מִנֵּי־ (from) דֶ֔רֶךְ (the way), הַטּ֖וּ (bend away) מִנֵּי־ (from) אֹ֑רַח (the path),

הַשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ (make cease) מִפָּנֵ֖ינוּ (before our faces) אֶת־ (-) קְד֥וֹשׁ (the Holy One) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ס (of Israel).

12  לָכֵ֗ן (Therefore) כֹּ֤ה (thus) אָמַר֙ (says) קְד֣וֹשׁ (the Holy One) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel),

יַ֥עַן (Because) מָֽאָסְכֶ֖ם (you⁺ reject) בַּדָּבָ֣ר (the word), הַזֶּ֑ה (this)

וַֽתִּבְטְחוּ֙ (and you⁺ trust) בְּעֹ֣שֶׁק (in oppression) וְנָל֔וֹז (and corruption), וַתִּֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ (and lean) עָלָֽיו׃ (on it);

13  לָכֵ֗ן (so) יִֽהְיֶ֤ה (will be) לָכֶם֙ (to you⁺) הֶעָוֺ֣ן (the iniquity) הַזֶּ֔ה (this) כְּפֶ֣רֶץ (like a breach) נֹפֵ֔ל (ready to fall),

נִבְעֶ֖ה (bulging) בְּחוֹמָ֣ה (in a wall), נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה (high)

אֲשֶׁר־ (whose) פִּתְאֹ֥ם (suddenly) לְפֶ֖תַע (in an instant) יָב֥וֹא (comes) שִׁבְרָֽהּ׃ (breach).

14  וּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ (And He will break it) כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר (like the breaking) נֵ֧בֶל (of the vessel) יוֹצְרִ֛ים (of a potter)

כָּת֖וּת (shattered); לֹ֣א (not) יַחְמֹ֑ל (with pity);

וְלֹֽא־ (and there will not) יִמָּצֵ֤א (be found) בִמְכִתָּתוֹ֙ (among its fragments)

חֶ֔רֶשׂ (a shard) לַחְתּ֥וֹת (to scrape) אֵשׁ֙ (fire) מִיָּק֔וּד (from the hearth),

וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף (or to draw) מַ֖יִם (water) מִגֶּֽבֶא׃פ (from the cistern).

15  כִּ֣י (For) כֹֽה־ (thus) אָמַר֩ (says) אֲדֹנָ֨י (the Lord) יְהוִ֜ה (YHWH), קְד֣וֹשׁ (the Holy One) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (of Israel);

בְּשׁוּבָ֤ה (In returning) וָנַ֙חַת֙ (and rest)

תִּוָּ֣שֵׁע֔וּן (you⁺ will be saved);

בְּהַשְׁקֵט֙ (in quietness) וּבְבִטְחָ֔ה (and in confidence) תִּהְיֶ֖ה (will be) גְּבֽוּרַתְכֶ֑ם (your⁺ strength)

וְלֹ֖א (and not) אֲבִיתֶֽם׃ (you⁺ were willing).

16  וַתֹּ֨אמְר֥וּ (And you⁺ said), לֹא־ (No); כִ֛י (for) עַל־ (on) ס֥וּס (horses); נָנ֖וּס (we will flee)

עַל־ (for) כֵּ֣ן (therefore)

תְּנוּס֑וּן (You⁺ will flee)! וְעַל־ (On) קַ֣ל (swift ones); נִרְכָּ֔ב (we will ride)

עַל־ (upon) כֵּ֖ן (thus) יִקַּ֥לּוּ (will be swift) רֹדְפֵיכֶֽם׃ (those pursuing you⁺).

17  אֶ֣לֶף (Thousand) אֶחָ֗ד (one) מִפְּנֵי֙ (from the face) גַּעֲרַ֣ת (of the threat) אֶחָ֔ד (of one);

מִפְּנֵ֛י (from the face) גַּעֲרַ֥ת (of the threat) חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה (of five) תָּנֻ֑סוּ (you⁺ will flee);

עַ֣ד (until) אִם־ (only) נוֹתַרְתֶּ֗ם (you⁺ are left behind) כַּתֹּ֙רֶן֙ (like a pole) עַל־ (on) רֹ֣אשׁ (the top) הָהָ֔ר (of the mountain),

וְכַנֵּ֖ס (and like a banner) עַל־ (on) הַגִּבְעָֽה׃ (the hill).

God Will Be Gracious

18  וְלָכֵ֞ן (And) יְחַכֶּ֤ה (waits), יְהוָה֙ (YHWH) לַֽחֲנַנְכֶ֔ם (to show you⁺ favor)

וְלָכֵ֥ן (and therefore) יָר֖וּם (He rises up), לְרַֽחֶמְכֶ֑ם (to show you⁺ mercy)

כִּֽי־ (for) אֱלֹהֵ֤י (a God) מִשְׁפָּט֙ (of justice); יְהוָ֔ה (is YHWH)

אַשְׁרֵ֖י (blessed are) כָּל־ (all) ח֥וֹכֵי (those waiting) לֽוֹ׃ס (for Him).

19  כִּי־ (Indeed) עַ֛ם (O people) בְּצִיּ֥וֹן (in Zion) יֵשֵׁ֖ב (who dwell) בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (in Jerusalem), בָּכ֣וֹ (weeping); לֹֽא־ (no more) תִבְכֶּ֗ה (you will weep) חָנ֤וֹן (favoring) יָחְנְךָ֙ (He will show you favor) לְק֣וֹל (at the voice) זַעֲקֶ֔ךָ (of your crying); כְּשָׁמְעָת֖וֹ (at His hearing it) עָנָֽךְ׃ (He will answer you). 20  וְנָתַ֨ן (And gives) לָכֶ֧ם (to you⁺) אֲדֹנָ֛י (the Lord) לֶ֥חֶם (the bread of) צָ֖ר (distress), וּמַ֣יִם (and the water of) לָ֑חַץ (oppression), וְלֹֽא־ (will not) יִכָּנֵ֥ף (be hidden in a corner) עוֹד֙ (anymore), מוֹרֶ֔יךָ (and your teachers) וְהָי֥וּ (will be) עֵינֶ֖יךָ (and your eyes) רֹא֥וֹת (seeing) אֶת־ (-) מוֹרֶֽיךָ׃ (your teachers).

21  וְאָזְנֶ֙יךָ֙ (And Your ears) תִּשְׁמַ֣עְנָה (will hear) דָבָ֔ר (a word) מֵֽאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ (from behind you) לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), זֶ֤ה (This is) הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ (the way), לְכ֣וּ (walk) ב֔וֹ (in it) כִּ֥י (when) תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ (you⁺ turn to the right), וְכִ֥י (or when) תַשְׂמְאִֽילוּ׃ (you⁺ turn to the left). 22  וְטִמֵּאתֶ֗ם (And you⁺ will defile) אֶת־ (-) צִפּוּי֙ (the overlaid) פְּסִילֵ֣י (idols) כַסְפֶּ֔ךָ (of your silver), וְאֶת־ (and) אֲפֻדַּ֖ת (the plating) מַסֵּכַ֣ת (of the molten images) זְהָבֶ֑ךָ (of your gold). תִּזְרֵם֙ (You will throw them away) כְּמ֣וֹ (like) דָוָ֔ה (menstrual cloths); צֵ֖א (Filth) תֹּ֥אמַר (you will say) לֽוֹ׃ (to it).

23  וְנָתַן֩ (And He will give) מְטַ֨ר (the rain for) זַרְעֲךָ֜ (your seed), אֲשֶׁר־ (with which) תִּזְרַ֣ע (you sow) אֶת־ (-) הָאֲדָמָ֗ה (the ground) וְלֶ֙חֶם֙ (and the bread) תְּבוּאַ֣ת (of the produce) הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (of the ground), וְהָיָ֥ה (and it will be) דָשֵׁ֖ן (fat) וְשָׁמֵ֑ן (and rich); יִרְעֶ֥ה (will feed) מִקְנֶ֛יךָ (your cattle) בַּיּ֥וֹם (day) הַה֖וּא (in that) כַּ֥ר (in pastures) נִרְחָֽב׃ (broad). 24  וְהָאֲלָפִ֣ים (And the oxen) וְהָעֲיָרִ֗ים (and the donkeys) עֹֽבְדֵי֙ (working) הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (the ground) בְּלִ֥יל (fodder), חָמִ֖יץ (seasoned) יֹאכֵ֑לוּ (will eat) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) זֹרֶ֥ה (has been winnowed) בָרַ֖חַת (with the shovel) וּבַמִּזְרֶֽה׃ (and the pitchfork).

25  וְהָיָ֣ה׀ (And there will be) עַל־ (on) כָּל־ (every) הַ֣ר (mountain), גָּבֹ֗הַ (high) וְעַל֙ (and on) כָּל־ (every) גִּבְעָ֣ה (hill), נִשָּׂאָ֔ה (high) פְּלָגִ֖ים (rivers) יִבְלֵי־ (and streams) מָ֑יִם (of waters) בְּיוֹם֙ (in the day) הֶ֣רֶג (of slaughter), רָ֔ב (great) בִּנְפֹ֖ל (at the falling of) מִגְדָּלִֽים׃ (the towers). 26  וְהָיָ֤ה (And will be) אֽוֹר־ (the light) הַלְּבָנָה֙ (of the moon) כְּא֣וֹר (like the light) הַֽחַמָּ֔ה (of the sun), וְא֤וֹר (and the light) הַֽחַמָּה֙ (of the sun) יִהְיֶ֣ה (will be) שִׁבְעָתַ֔יִם (sevenfold), כְּא֖וֹר (like the light) שִׁבְעַ֣ת (of seven) הַיָּמִ֑ים (days), בְּי֗וֹם (on the day) חֲבֹ֤שׁ (binds up) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH) אֶת־ (-) שֶׁ֣בֶר (the brokenness) עַמּ֔וֹ (of His people), וּמַ֥חַץ (and the wounds) מַכָּת֖וֹ (of His scourging) יִרְפָּֽא׃ס (He heals).

27  הִנֵּ֤ה (Behold), שֵׁם־ (the name) יְהוָה֙ (of YHWH) בָּ֣א (is coming) מִמֶּרְחָ֔ק (from afar),

בֹּעֵ֣ר (burning) אַפּ֔וֹ (with His nose), וְכֹ֖בֶד (and denseness); מַשָּׂאָ֑ה (of smoke)

שְׂפָתָיו֙ (His lips) מָ֣לְאוּ (are full) זַ֔עַם (of indignation),

וּלְשׁוֹנ֖וֹ (and His tongue) כְּאֵ֥שׁ (like a fire); אֹכָֽלֶת׃ (devouring).

28  וְרוּח֞וֹ (And His breath is), כְּנַ֤חַל (like a torrent), שׁוֹטֵף֙ (overflowing)

עַד־ (up to) צַוָּ֣אר (the neck), יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה (it reaches)

לַהֲנָפָ֥ה (to sift) גוֹיִ֖ם (the nations) בְּנָ֣פַת (with the sieve) שָׁ֑וְא (of futility);

וְרֶ֣סֶן (and a bridle) מַתְעֶ֔ה (leading them astray). עַ֖ל (Is upon) לְחָיֵ֥י (the jaws) עַמִּֽים׃ (of the peoples),

29  הַשִּׁיר֙ (a song), יִֽהְיֶ֣ה (there will be) לָכֶ֔ם (for you⁺)

כְּלֵ֖יל (as in the night) הִתְקַדֶּשׁ־ (of a holy) חָ֑ג (feast);

וְשִׂמְחַ֣ת (and gladness) לֵבָ֗ב (of heart),

כַּֽהוֹלֵךְ֙ (as when one walks) בֶּֽחָלִ֔יל (with a flute)

לָב֥וֹא (to go) בְהַר־ (into the mountain) יְהוָ֖ה (of YHWH),

אֶל־ (to) צ֥וּר (the Rock) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (of Israel).

30  וְהִשְׁמִ֨יעַ (Will make heard), יְהוָ֜ה (and YHWH) אֶת־ (-) ה֣וֹד (the splendor) קוֹל֗וֹ (of His voice)

וְנַ֤חַת (the sweeping down) זְרוֹעוֹ֙ (of His arm), יַרְאֶ֔ה (and He will make seen)

בְּזַ֣עַף (in the rage) אַ֔ף (of His anger), וְלַ֖הַב (and a flame) אֵ֣שׁ (fire), אוֹכֵלָ֑ה (of devouring)

נֶ֥פֶץ (with storm), וָזֶ֖רֶם (and tempest), וְאֶ֥בֶן (and stone) בָּרָֽד׃ (of hail).

31  כִּֽי־ (For) מִקּ֥וֹל (at the voice) יְהוָ֖ה (of YHWH) יֵחַ֣ת (will be shattered), אַשּׁ֑וּר (Assyria)

בַּשֵּׁ֖בֶט (with the rod) יַכֶּֽה׃ (He will strike).

32  וְהָיָ֗ה (Then it will come to pass) כֹּ֤ל (with every) מַֽעֲבַר֙ (passing), מַטֵּ֣ה (of the staff)

מֽוּסָדָ֔ה (of foundation) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) יָנִ֤יחַ (brings down) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH)

עָלָ֔יו (on him) בְּתֻפִּ֖ים (that with tambourines) וּבְכִנֹּר֑וֹת (and with harps);

וּבְמִלְחֲמ֥וֹת (as in battle) תְּנוּפָ֖ה (of shaking) נִלְחַם־ (He makes war) בָּהּ׃ (against them).

33  כִּֽי־ (For) עָר֤וּךְ (was arranged) מֵֽאֶתְמוּל֙ (long ago); תָּפְתֶּ֔ה (Topheth)

גַּם־ (even), הוּא (it) לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (for the king) הוּכָ֖ן (was prepared);

הֶעְמִ֣יק (He has made it deep) הִרְחִ֑ב (and large), מְדֻרָתָ֗הּ (the pile) אֵ֤שׁ (of fire) וְעֵצִים֙ (wood); הַרְבֵּ֔ה (and much)

נִשְׁמַ֤ת (the breath) יְהוָה֙ (of YHWH), כְּנַ֣חַל (like a stream) גָּפְרִ֔ית (of brimstone),

בֹּעֲרָ֖ה (will set fire) בָּֽהּ׃ס (to it).