5. Syria has plotted with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah to bring about your demise.
6. They say, “Let’s attack Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it. Then we’ll set up the son of Tabeel as its king.”
7. For this reason the sovereign master, the Lord, says: “It will not take place;it will not happen.
8. For Syria’s leader is Damascus, and the leader of Damascus is Rezin.Within sixty-five years Ephraim will no longer exist as a nation.
9. Ephraim’s leader is Samaria, and Samaria’s leader is the son of Remaliah.If your faith does not remain firm, then you will not remain secure.”
10. The Lord again spoke to Ahaz:
11. “Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.”
12. But Ahaz responded, “I don’t want to ask; I don’t want to put the Lord to a test.”
13. So Isaiah replied, “Pay attention, family of David. Do you consider it too insignificant to try the patience of men? Is that why you are also trying the patience of my God?
14. For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
15. He will eat sour milk and honey, which will help him know how to reject evil and choose what is right.
16. Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate.
17. The Lord will bring on you, your people, and your father’s family a time unlike any since Ephraim departed from Judah – the king of Assyria!”
18. At that time the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.
19. All of them will come and make their home in the ravines between the cliffs, and in the crevices of the cliffs, in all the thorn bushes, and in all the watering holes.
20. At that time the sovereign master will use a razor hired from the banks of the Euphrates River, the king of Assyria, to shave the head and the pubic hair; it will also shave off the beard.
21. At that time a man will keep alive a young cow from the herd and a couple of goats.
22. From the abundance of milk they produce, he will have sour milk for his meals. Indeed, everyone left in the heart of the land will eat sour milk and honey.
23. At that time every place where there had been a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels will be overrun with thorns and briers.