15. Can an ax attack the person who cuts with it?Can a saw make itself greater than the person who saws with it?A rod cannot move the person who lifts it.A wooden stick cannot pick up a person.
16. That is why the Almighty Lord of Armieswill send a degenerative disease against brave men.A flame will be turned into a raging fire under his power.
17. Israel’s light will become a flame.Its Holy One will become a fire.He will burn up and devour the weeds and thornbushes in one day.
18. The majestic forest and the orchardwill destroy both body and soul.They will be like a sick person wasting away.
19. The trees that remain in the forest will be so few thata child could count them.
20. At that time the remaining few Israelites,the survivors of Jacob’s descendantswill no longer depend on the one who struck them.They will only depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
21. A few, the remaining few of Jacob, will return to the mighty God.
22. Although your people Israel may beas ⌊numerous as⌋ the grains of sand on the seashore,only a few will return.Destruction will be complete and fair.
23. The Almighty Lord of Armies will carry out this destructionthroughout the world as he has determined.
24. The Almighty Lord of Armies says:My people who live in Zion,don’t be afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with a rodor when they raise their staff against youas the Egyptians did.