But Ahaz responded, “I don’t want to ask; I don’t want to put the Lord to a test.”

Who comprehends the mind of the Lord, or gives him instruction as his counselor?

They help one another; one says to the other, ‘Be strong!’

But the chief adviser said, “My master did not send me to speak these words only to your master and to you. His message is also for the men who sit on the wall, for they will eat their own excrement and drink their own urine along with you!”

I will perform a mighty act among them and then send some of those who remain to the nations – to Tarshish, Pul, Lud (known for its archers), Tubal, Javan, and to the distant coastlands that have not heard about me or seen my splendor. They will tell the nations of my splendor.

At that time the sovereign master will remove their beautiful ankle jewelry, neck ornaments, crescent shaped ornaments,

They say, “Let’s attack Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it. Then we’ll set up the son of Tabeel as its king.”

Then I will summon as my reliable witnesses Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.”

You must recognize the authority of the Lord who commands armies. He is the one you must respect; he is the one you must fear.

Then the Lord provoked their adversaries to attack them, he stirred up their enemies –

Indeed, the cries of distress echo throughout Moabite territory; their wailing can be heard in Eglaim and Beer Elim.

The officials of Zoan are fools, the officials of Memphis are misled; the rulers of her tribes lead Egypt astray.

The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and then healing them. They will turn to the Lord and he will listen to their prayers and heal them.

My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.

They removed the defenses of Judah. At that time you looked for the weapons in the House of the Forest.

You saw the many breaks in the walls of the city of David; you stored up water in the lower pool.

The earth will be completely devastated and thoroughly ransacked. For the Lord has decreed this judgment.

Who is the Lord trying to teach? To whom is he explaining a message? Those just weaned from milk! Those just taken from their mother’s breast!

Turn aside from the way, stray off the path. Remove from our presence the Holy One of Israel.”

Your mind will recall the terror you experienced, and you will ask yourselves, “Where is the scribe? Where is the one who weighs the money? Where is the one who counts the towers?”