Assyria Used in Judgment

1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

2And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

5The LORD spoke also unto me again, saying,

6Because this people refused the waters of Shiloah that flow softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

7Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

8And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and pass over, he shall reach up to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.

9Be shattered, O you people, you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you from far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.

10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nothing; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

Fear God, Obey His Word

11For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

12Say not, A conspiracy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear you their threats, nor be afraid.

13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

14And he shall be as a sanctuary; but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

17And I will wait upon the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

18Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells in mount Zion.

19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that are mediums, and unto wizards that whisper, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? rather than the dead on behalf of the living?

20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

21And they shall pass through it, hardpressed and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall be enraged, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

22And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they shall be driven into darkness.