1. “The rebellious children are as good as dead,” says the Lord,“those who make plans without consulting me,who form alliances without consulting my Spirit,and thereby compound their sin.
2. They travel down to Egyptwithout seeking my will,seeking Pharaoh’s protection,and looking for safety in Egypt’s protective shade.
3. But Pharaoh’s protection will bring you nothing but shame,and the safety of Egypt’s protective shade nothing but humiliation.
4. Though his officials are in Zoanand his messengers arrive at Hanes,
5. all will be put to shamebecause of a nation that cannot help them,who cannot give them aid or help,but only shame and disgrace.”
6. This is a message about the animals in the Negev:Through a land of distress and danger,inhabited by lionesses and roaring lions,by snakes and darting adders,they transport their wealth on the backs of donkeys,their riches on the humps of camels,to a nation that cannot help them.
7. Egypt is totally incapable of helping.For this reason I call her‘Proud one who is silenced.’”
8. Now go, write it down on a tablet in their presence,inscribe it on a scroll,so that it might be preserved for a future timeas an enduring witness.
9. For these are rebellious people – they are lying children,children unwilling to obey the Lord’s law.
10. They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!”and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right!Tell us nice things,relate deceptive messages.