8. because Aram depends on its capital Damascus, and Damascus is led by its weak king Rezin. And don’t worry about Ephraim. Within 65 years it will be crushed, no longer a nation.
9. Ephraim depends on its capital Samaria, and Samaria is led by Remaliah’s son. So you have no reason to fear. Believe this, or you will not survive.”
10. Then the Lord spoke to Ahaz again
11. and said, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God to prove to yourself that this is true. You can ask for any sign you want. The sign can come from a place as deep as Sheol or as high as the skies.”
12. But Ahaz said, “I will not ask for a sign as proof. I will not test the Lord.”
13. Then Isaiah said, “Family of David, listen very carefully! Is it not enough that you would test the patience of humans? Will you now test the patience of my God?
14. But the Lord will still show you this sign: The young woman is pregnant and will give birth to a son. She will name him Immanuel.
15. He will eat milk curds and honey as he learns to choose good and refuse evil.
16. But before he is old enough to make that choice, the land of the two kings you fear will be empty.
17. “But the Lord will bring troubled times to you. These troubles will be worse than anything that has happened since the time Israel separated from Judah. This will happen to your people and to your father’s family when God brings the king of Assyria to fight against you.
18. “At that time the Lord will call for the ‘Fly’ that is now near the streams of Egypt, and he will call for the ‘Bee’ that is now in the country of Assyria. Those enemies will come to your country.