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Only the Lord can Help

31 “How terrible it will be for those who go down to[a] Egypt for help,
    who rely on horses,
who trust in the chariot,
    because there are so many,
and in charioteers,[b]
    because they are so strong—
but do not look to[c] the Holy One of Israel
    or seek the Lord!
Yet he is also wise and can bring disaster;
    he does not take back his words,
but will rise up against the house of those who practice evil
    and against anyone who assists people who work iniquity.
The Egyptians are men, not God,
    and their horses are physical,[d] not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,
    anyone who assists will stumble,
and the one who is helped will fall;
    and they will all perish together.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 31:1 So 1QIsaa LXX; the Heb. lacks to
  2. Isaiah 31:1 Or horsemen
  3. Isaiah 31:1 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read upon
  4. Isaiah 31:3 Or flesh

Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt

31 Woe(A) to those who go down to Egypt(B) for help,
    who rely on horses,(C)
who trust in the multitude of their chariots(D)
    and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One(E) of Israel,
    or seek help from the Lord.(F)
Yet he too is wise(G) and can bring disaster;(H)
    he does not take back his words.(I)
He will rise up against that wicked nation,(J)
    against those who help evildoers.
But the Egyptians(K) are mere mortals and not God;(L)
    their horses(M) are flesh and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,(N)
    those who help will stumble,
    those who are helped(O) will fall;
    all will perish together.(P)

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