22. The Lord All-Powerful has promised to attack Babylonia and destroy everyone there, so that none of them will ever be remembered again.
23. The Lord will sweep out the people, and the land will become a swamp for wild animals.
24. The Lord All-Powerfulhas made this promise:Everything I have plannedwill happen just as I said.
25. I will wipe out every Assyrianin my country,and I will crush thoseon my mountains.I will free my peoplefrom slaveryto the Assyrians.
26. I have planned thisfor the whole world,and my mighty armcontrols every nation.
27. I, the Lord All-Powerful,have made these plans.No one can stop me now!
28. This message came from the Lordin the year King Ahaz died:
29. Philistines, don't be happyjust because the rodthat punished youis broken.That rod will becomea poisonous snake, and thena flying fiery dragon.
30. The poor and needy will findpastures for their sheepand will live in safety.But I will starve some of you,and others will be killed.
31. Cry and weep in the gatesof your towns,you Philistines!Smoke blows in from the north,and every soldier is ready.
32. If a messenger comesfrom a distant nation,you must say:“The Lord built Zion.Even the poorest of his peoplewill find safety there.”