178 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
178 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
A Message about Assyria
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# Chapter 33
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1. What sorrow awaits you Assyrians, who have destroyed others
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but have never been destroyed yourselves.
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You betray others,
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but you have never been betrayed.
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When you are done destroying,
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you will be destroyed.
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When you are done betraying,
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you will be betrayed.
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2. But LORD, be merciful to us,
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for we have waited for you.
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Be our strong arm each day
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and our salvation in times of trouble.
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3. The enemy runs at the sound of your voice.
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When you stand up, the nations flee!
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4. Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines,
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so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!
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5. Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven,
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he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness.
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6. In that day he will be your sure foundation,
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providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
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The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.
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7. But now your brave warriors weep in public.
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Your ambassadors of peace cry in bitter disappointment.
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8. Your roads are deserted;
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no one travels them anymore.
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The Assyrians have broken their peace treaty
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and care nothing for the promises they made before witnesses.
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They have no respect for anyone.
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9. The land of Israel wilts in mourning.
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Lebanon withers with shame.
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The plain of Sharon is now a wilderness.
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Bashan and Carmel have been plundered.
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10. But the LORD says: "Now I will stand up.
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Now I will show my power and might.
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11. You Assyrians produce nothing but dry grass and stubble.
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Your own breath will turn to fire and consume you.
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12. Your people will be burned up completely,
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like thornbushes cut down and tossed in a fire.
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13. Listen to what I have done, you nations far away!
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And you that are near, acknowledge my might!"
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14. The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.
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Terror seizes the godless.
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"Who can live with this devouring fire?" they cry.
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"Who can survive this all-consuming fire?"
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15. Those who are honest and fair,
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who refuse to profit by fraud,
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who stay far away from bribes,
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who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
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who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong--
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16. these are the ones who will dwell on high.
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The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
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Food will be supplied to them,
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and they will have water in abundance.
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17. Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor,
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and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.
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18. You will think back to this time of terror, asking,
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"Where are the Assyrian officers
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who counted our towers?
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Where are the bookkeepers
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who recorded the plunder taken from our fallen city?"
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19. You will no longer see these fierce, violent people
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with their strange, unknown language.
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20. Instead, you will see Zion as a place of holy festivals.
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You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure.
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It will be like a tent whose ropes are taut
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and whose stakes are firmly fixed.
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21. The LORD will be our Mighty One.
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He will be like a wide river of protection
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that no enemy can cross,
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that no enemy ship can sail upon.
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22. For the LORD is our judge,
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our lawgiver, and our king.
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He will care for us and save us.
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23. The enemies' sails hang loose
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on broken masts with useless tackle.
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Their treasure will be divided by the people of God.
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Even the lame will take their share!
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24. The people of Israel will no longer say,
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"We are sick and helpless,"
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for the LORD will forgive their sins.
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