21. Those who are left in Jacob’s family will again follow the Powerful God.
22. Israel, your people are as many as the sands of the sea, but only a few of them will be left to come back to God. But before that happens, your country will be destroyed. God has announced that he will destroy the land. And then justice will come into the land like a river flowing full.
23. The Lord GOD All-Powerful really will destroy this land.
24. The Lord GOD All-Powerful says, “My people living in Zion, don’t be afraid of Assyria! Yes, he will beat you, and it will be just as the time when Egypt beat you with a stick.
25. But after a short time my anger will stop. I will be satisfied that Assyria has punished you enough.”
26. Then the Lord All-Powerful will beat Assyria with a whip, just as he defeated Midian at Raven Rock. He will punish his enemies, as he did when he raised his stick over the sea and led his people from Egypt.
27. He will take away the troubles Assyria brought you—troubles that are like heavy weights carried with a yoke on your neck. But that yoke will be taken off your neck. The burden will be lifted from your shoulders.
28. The army of Assyria will enter near the “Ruins” (Aiath). The army will walk on the “Threshing Floor” (Migron). It will keep its food in the “Storehouse” (Micmash).
29. The army will cross the river at the “Crossing” (Maabarah) and sleep at Geba. Ramah will be afraid. The people at Gibeah of Saul will run away.
30. Cry out, Bath Gallim! Laishah, listen! Anathoth, answer me!
31. The people of Madmenah are running away. The people of Gebim are hiding.
32. This day the army will stop at Nob and prepare to fight against Mount Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33. Look, the Lord GOD All-Powerful will use his great power and chop down that great tree. Their highest officials will be brought down. Their most important leaders will be humbled.
34. God will cut down his enemies. Like the tall trees of Lebanon he will cut them down with an ax.