Warning to Philistia

28 In the year that King Ahaz died, came this oracle:

29 Rejoice not, you Philistines all,

that the rod that has scourged you is broken;

for an asp from the root of the serpent will issue,

its fruit will be a fiery flying serpent.

30 For the poor will feed on my meadows,

the needy will lie down secure;

but your seed I will kill with famine,

your remnant I will slay.

31 Wail, you gates; and shriek, you cities:

melt with fear, you Philistines all.

For out of the north comes smoke (of war),

in the ranks of the foe will no straggler be found.

32 What answer will (Judah) make

to the envoys of that nation?

That ‘the Lord himself is the founder of Zion,

and there do his suffering people find refuge.’