31:1 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead, 7
those who rely on war horses,
and trust in Egypt’s many chariots 8
and in their many, many horsemen. 9
But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel 10
and do not seek help from the Lord.
31:2 Yet he too is wise 11 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 12
He will attack the wicked nation, 13
and the nation that helps 14 those who commit sin. 15
31:3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God;
their horses are made of flesh, not spirit.
The Lord will strike with 16 his hand;
the one who helps will stumble
and the one being helped will fall.
Together they will perish. 17
31:2 Yet he too is wise 18 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 19
He will attack the wicked nation, 20
and the nation that helps 21 those who commit sin. 22
1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, 23 whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.
1 tn Heb “Like me, like you; and like your people, my people; and with you in battle.”
2 tn Or “seer.”
3 tn Heb “went out to his face.”
4 tn Heb “and love those who hate the
5 tn Heb “and because of this upon you is anger from before the
6 tn Grk “may mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.”
7 tn Heb “Woe [to] those who go down to Egypt for help.”
8 tn Heb “and trust in chariots for they are many.”
9 tn Heb “and in horsemen for they are very strong [or “numerous”].”
10 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
11 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
12 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
13 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
14 sn That is, Egypt.
15 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
16 tn Heb “will extend”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV “stretch out.”
17 tn Heb “together all of them will come to an end.”
18 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
19 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
20 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
21 sn That is, Egypt.
22 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
23 tn BDAG 579 s.v. κυριότης 3 suggests “bearers of the ruling powers, dominions” here.