31:10-11 However, because Assyria was a proud nation, the Lord had determined to turn it over to a strong individual who would deal with it by cutting it down, namely, Nebuchadnezzar. God had driven it out of His Eden as He had driven Adam and Eve out for their pride.
31:12-13 Alien tyrants from other nations had cut off parts of Assyria and left it lying like a tree with its limbs chopped off in a valley. Assyria had a reputation for being an extremely cruel nation, and the other nations had dealt with it ruthlessly. The people of the earth who had taken refuge in Assyria like birds and beasts under a tree had fled from under it but continued to use its remains to their own advantage.
31:14 This fate had befallen Assyria in part so other greatly blessed, proud nations would learn not to exalt themselves. All nations, like trees, eventually fall down and return to the dust like human corpses do in the grave.
