Isaiah 10:5–10

ASSYRIA, THE INSTRUMENT OF WRATH

5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger—

the staff in their hands is my wrath.

6 I will send him against a godless nation;

I will command him to go

against a people destined for my rage,

to take spoils, to plunder,b

and to trample them down like clayc in the streets.

7 But this is not what he intends;

this is not what he plans.

It is his intent to destroy

and to cut off many nations.

8 For he says,

“Aren’t all my commanders kings?

9 Isn’t Calno like Carchemish?

Isn’t Hamath like Arpad?

Isn’t Samariad like Damascus?A

10 As my hand seized the kingdoms of worthless images,

kingdoms whose idols exceeded those of Jerusalem and Samaria,