6. An oracle about the animals of the Negev: Through a land of trouble and distress,of lioness and lion,of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeysand their treasures on the humps of camels,to a people who will not help them.
7. Egypt’s help is completely worthless;therefore, I call her:Rahab Who Just Sits.
8. Go now, write it on a tablet in their presenceand inscribe it on a scroll;it will be for the future,forever and ever.
9. They are a rebellious people,deceptive children, children who do not want to obey the Lord’s instruction.
10. They say to the seers, “Do not see,”and to the prophets,“Do not prophesy the truth to us.Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions.
11. Get out of the way!Leave the pathway.Rid us of the Holy One of Israel.”
12. Therefore the Holy One of Israel says:“Because you have rejected this messageand have trusted in oppression and deceit,and have depended on them,
13. this iniquity of yours will belike a spreading breach,a bulge in a high wallwhose collapse will come in an instant — suddenly!
14. Its collapse will be like the shatteringof a potter’s jar, crushed to pieces,so that not even a fragment of potterywill be found among its shattered remains —no fragment large enough to take fire from a hearthor scoop water from a cistern.”
15. For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:“You will be delivered by returning and resting;your strength will lie in quiet confidence.But you are not willing.”