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,

11 and as I did to Samaria and its worthless images

will I not also do to Jerusalem and its idols?”e

JUDGMENT ON ASSYRIA

12 But when the Lord finishes all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “IB will punish the king of Assyria for his arrogant acts and the proud look in his eyes.”f