2 Kings 18:20–25

20 You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. Who are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?ag 21 Now look, you are relying on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staffah that will pierce the hand of anyone who grabs it and leans on it.ai This is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him. 22 Suppose you say to me, “We rely on the Lord our God.” Isn’t he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed,aj saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem” ?’

23 “So now, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria. I’ll give you two thousand horses if you’re able to supply riders for them! 24 How then can you drive back a single officera among the least of my master’s servants? How can you rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 25 Now, have I attacked this place to destroy it without the Lord’s approval?b The Lord said to me, ‘Attack this land and destroy it.’ ”