2 Chronicles 32:7-10

32:7 “Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic¹ because of the king of Assyria and this huge army that is with him! We have with us one who is stronger than those who are with him.² 32:8 He has with him mere human strength,³ but the Lord our God is with us to help us and fight our battles!” The army⁴ was encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.

32:9 Afterward King Sennacherib of Assyria, while attacking Lachish with all his military might, sent his messengers⁵ to Jerusalem. The message was for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of⁶ Judah who were in Jerusalem. It read: 32:10 “This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: ‘Why are you so confident that you remain in Jerusalem while it is under siege?⁷

2 Chronicles 32:14-16

32:14 Who among all the gods of these nations whom my predecessors annihilated was able to rescue his people from my power?⁸ 32:15 Now don’t let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you like this. Don’t believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people from my power or the power of my predecessors. So how⁹ can your gods rescue¹⁰ you from my power?’”

32:16 Sennacherib’s¹¹ servants further insulted¹² the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah.

¹tn Or perhaps, “and don’t be discouraged.”

²tn Heb “for with us [is] a greater [one] than with him.”

³tn Heb “With him is an arm of flesh.”

⁴tn Or “people.”

⁵tn Heb “servants.”

⁶tn Heb “all Judah.” The words “the people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” here by metonymy for the people of Judah.

⁷tn Heb “On what are you trusting that [you] are living during the siege in Jerusalem.”

⁹tn Heb “hand.”

¹¹tn Heb “how much less.”

¹²tn The verb is plural, suggesting that the preceding אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (’elohekhem) be translated “your gods,” rather than “your God.”

¹³tn Heb “his”; the referent (Sennacherib) has been specified in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

¹⁴tn Heb “spoke against.”