A message of encouragement for King Ahaz

7 Ahaz was the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah. During the time that Ahaz was the king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel marched with their armies to attack Jerusalem. But they could not conquer it.

2 But before they attacked, everyone in the palace heard a report that the armies of Syria and Israel were now ◄allies/joined to attack Jerusalem►. So Ahaz and the people over whom he ruled were extremely afraid; they were shaking from fear like trees shake in a windstorm.

3 Then Yahweh said to me, “Take your son Shear-Jashub, and go to talk with King Ahaz. He is at the end of the ◄aqueduct/water channel► that brings water into the upper reservoir, near the road to the place where women wash clothes. 4 Tell Ahaz to stop worrying [DOU]. Tell him that he does not need to be afraid of those two kings, Rezin and Pekah. They are very angry with Judah, but they are unable to harm his country any more than completely burned-out coals can harm him. 5 Yes, they are planning to attack this land and saying, 6 ‘We will attack Judah and conquer it. Then we will appoint Tabeel’s son to be the king of Judah.’ 7 But this is what Yahweh, the Lord, says:

‘It will not happen;

they will not conquer Jerusalem!

8 The capital of Syria is Damascus,

but Damascus is ruled only by its unimportant/insignificant king king Rezin.

And as for Israel, within 65 years it will be conquered and completely destroyed.

9 Israel’s capital is Samaria, and Samaria is ruled only by its insignificant/unimportant king king Pekah.

So you do not need to be afraid of those two countries!

But you must trust me, because if you do not trust me fully,

you will be defeated.’ ”