² Without asking my advice
they set out to go down to Egypt^(A)
in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection
and take refuge in Egypt’s shadow.^(B)
3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame,
and refuge in Egypt’s shadow your humiliation.^(C)
4 For though his^[a] princes are at Zoan^(D)
and his messengers reach as far as Hanes,
⁵ everyone will be ashamed
because of a people who can’t help.
They are of no benefit, they are no help;
they are good for nothing but shame and disgrace.^(E)

⁷ Egypt’s help is completely worthless;
therefore, I call her:
Rahab Who Just Sits.^(A)

³ Egyptians are men, not God;
their horses are flesh, not spirit.
When the Lord raises his hand to strike,
the helper will stumble
and the one who is helped will fall;
both will perish together.