Isaiah 31:2-3

31:2 Yet he too is wise ¹  and he will bring disaster;

he does not retract his decree. ² 

He will attack the wicked nation, ³ 

and the nation that helps ⁴  those who commit sin. ⁵ 

31:3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God;

their horses are made of flesh, not spirit.

The Lord will strike with ⁶  his hand;

the one who helps will stumble

and the one being helped will fall.

Together they will perish. ⁷ 

[31:2]  ¹ 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.

[31:2]  ² tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”

[31:2]  ³ tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”

[31:2]  ⁴ sn That is, Egypt.

[31:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”

[31:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “will extend”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV “stretch out.”

[31:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “together all of them will come to an end.”