The folly of the Egyptian alliance

31 Woe to those who journey

to the land of Egypt for help,

who rely on the throngs of her horses and chariots,

and trust in the eminent strength of her horsemen,

but never turn their eyes

to the Holy One of Israel,

and ask not the Lord for counsel.

2 Yet he too is wise, and he brings disaster;

his threats he has not recalled.

He will rise to contend with the household of miscreants,

and with those whom the wicked would summon to help them.

3 The people of Egypt are men, not God;

and their horses are flesh, not spirit.

Let therefore the Lord but stretch forth his hand,

and the helper will stumble, the holpen will fall,

and both will perish together.

4 For thus has the Lord declared to me:

like as a lion growls,

or a young lion over his prey,

when against him the shepherds are summoned

to come in all their strength –

at the shout he is undismayed,

at their noise he is nothing daunted –

so the Lord of Hosts will come down

to fight against Mount Zion,

and against the hill thereof;

5 then like fluttering birds (they will flee).

Thus will the Lord of Hosts

throw his shield around Jerusalem;

he will shield her and deliver her,

he will spare her and bring her to safety.