4. The king's power reachesfrom the city of Zoanas far south as Hanes.
5. But Egypt can't protect you,and to trust that nationis useless and foolish.”
6. This is a messageabout the animalsof the Southern Desert:you people carry treasureson donkeys and camels.You travel to a feeble nationthrough a troublesome desertfilled with lionsand flying fiery dragons.
7. Egypt can't help you!That's why I call that nationa helpless monster.
8. The Lord told me to write down his message for his people, so that it would be there for ever.
9. They have turned against the Lord and can't be trusted. They have refused his teaching
10. and have said to his messengers and prophets:Don't tell us what God has shown you and don't preach the truth. Just say what we want to hear, even if it's false.
11. Stop telling us what God has said! We don't want to hear any more about the holy God of Israel.
12. Now this is the answerof the holy God of Israel:“You rejected my message,and you trust in violenceand lies.
13. This sin is like a crackthat makes a high wallquickly crumble
14. and shatterlike a crushed bowl.There's not a piece leftbig enough to carry hot coalsor to scoop up water.”
15. The holy Lord God of Israelhad told all of you,“I will keep you safeif you turn back to meand calm down.I will make you strongif you quietly trust me.”Then you stubbornly
16. said,“No! We will safely escapeon speedy horses.”But those who chase youwill be even faster.
17. As few as five of them,or even one, will be enoughto chase a thousand of you.Finally, all that will be leftwill be a few survivorsas lonely as a flag poleon a barren hill.
18. The Lord God is waitingto show how kind he isand to have pity on you.The Lord always does right;he blesses those who trust him.