8Go now, write it on a tablet, and inscribe it on a scroll, that in days to come it may be an everlasting witness, 9That this people are deceitful, and rebellious, who just will not obey the law of the LORD: 10Who say to the seers, “See no more visions”; and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us of what is right; just tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11Get out of our way, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” 12Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise My word, and rely on oppression and deceit; 13Therefore, this sin shall be to you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, ready to fall, whose collapse is sudden, in an instant”. 14And it shall break it like a clay pot, so badly shattered that not a shard shall be found that can be used to take fire from the hearth, or to scoop water from a well. 15For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel: “Only in returning to Me shall be your salvation and rest; your strength shall be found in quietness and trust: but you would have none of it. 16But you said, “No; we will rely on horses to escape.” Therefore, you shall indeed flee.” And you also said, “We will ride on swift horses.” Therefore, your pursuers shall be swifter. 17One thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five shall you all flee, till you are left like a tattered flag or ensign upon the top of a mountain.

18And still the LORD waits, hoping that He may be gracious to you, that He may show you His love and compassion; for the LORD is a God of justice and compassion; blessed are all who trust in Him. 19For you people of Zion, that dwell in Jerusalem, shall weep no more; He will be very gracious to you when you cry for help. As soon as He hears it, He will answer you. 20And although the LORD gives you adversity, and affliction, yet He shall be with you to teach you; your own eyes shall behold your Teacher. 21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.” 22Then you shall destroy your carved images of silver, and your molten images of gold; you shall discard them like s filthy rag; you shall say to them, “Away with you!”. 23Then He shall give the rain for the seed that you sow, and it shall yield abundant food, with plenty of fertile pasture for your cattle. 24The oxen and the young donkeys that till the ground likewise shall eat clean fodder and mash, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 25And in the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, there shall be rivers and streams of water upon every high mountain, and every high hill. 26And the moon will shine like the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven times brighter, like that of seven days, in the day that the LORD binds up the bruises of His people, and heals the wounds He inflicted.

27Look! The name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger, and dense clouds of smoke; He is full of indignation, and His tongue is a consuming fire. 28And His breath, like an overflowing torrent, shall rise to the neck, to sift the proud nations with the sieve of destruction; and He shall bridle and lead them away to destruction. 29You shall sing, as on the night when a holy festival is celebrated; with gladness of heart, as when people playing a flute ascend the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. 30And the LORD shall cause His majestic voice to be heard, and shall show them His arm coming down of, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a consuming fire, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and hailstones. 31For by the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be shattered, when He strikes them with His royal scepter. 32And in every place where He strikes them with His rod, His people will celebrate with tambourines and harps, as He fights the Assyrians in battle with blows from His arm. 33For Topheth, the place of burning (where Ahaz had sacrificed his son to Moloch (2Kings 23:10)), has been prepared of old for the king (of Assyria). Its fire pit has been prepared; he has made it deep and wide; with a huge pile of firewood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, ignites it.

Isaiah 31