A Remnant Shall Return

20 On that day the remnant of Israel

and the survivors of the house of Jacob

will no longer depend

on him who struck them,

but they will truly rely on the LORD,

the Holy One of Israel.

21 A remnant will return [fn]—a remnant of Jacob—

to the Mighty God.

22 Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea,

only a remnant will return.[fn]

Destruction has been decreed,

overflowing with righteousness.

23 For the Lord GOD of Hosts will carry out

the destruction decreed upon the whole land.[fn]

24 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD of Hosts says:

“O My people who dwell in Zion,

do not fear Assyria,

who strikes you with a rod

and lifts his staff against you

as the Egyptians did.

25 For in just a little while

My fury against you will subside,

and My anger will turn to their destruction.”

26 And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them,

as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb.

He will raise His staff over the sea,

as He did in Egypt.

27 On that day the burden will be lifted from your shoulders,

and the yoke from your neck.

The yoke will be broken

because your neck will be too large.[fn]

28 Assyria has entered Aiath

and passed through Migron,

storing their supplies at Michmash.

29 They have crossed at the ford:

“We will spend the night at Geba.”

Ramah trembles;

Gibeah of Saul flees.

30 Cry aloud, O Daughter of Gallim!

Listen, O Laishah!

O wretched Anathoth!

31 Madmenah flees;

the people of Gebim take refuge.

32 Yet today they will halt at Nob,

shaking a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion,

at the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts

will lop off the branches with terrifying power.

The tall trees will be cut down,

the lofty ones will be felled.

34 He will clear the forest thickets with an axe,

and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.