Isaiah 10:7–11

But he does not so intend,

and his heart does not so think;

but it is in his heart to destroy,

and to cut off nations not a few;

for he says:

“Are not my commanders all kings?

Is not Calno like Carchemish?

Is not Hamath like Arpad?

Is not Samaria like Damascus?

As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols,

whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols

as I have done to Samaria and her images?”

But this is not what he intends,

this is not what he has in mind;

his purpose is to destroy,

to put an end to many nations.

‘Are not my commanders all kings?’ he says.

‘Has not Kalno fared like Carchemish?

Is not Hamath like Arpad,

and Samaria like Damascus?

As my hand seized the kingdoms of the idols,

kingdoms whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria—

shall I not deal with Jerusalem and her images

as I dealt with Samaria and her idols?’ ”

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.

For he says,

“Aren’t all my commanders kings?

Isn’t Calno like Carchemish?

Isn’t Hamath like Arpad?

Isn’t Samaria like Damascus?

As my hand seized the kingdoms of worthless images,

kingdoms whose idols exceeded those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

and as I did to Samaria and its worthless images

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

But the king of Assyria will not understand that he is my tool;

his mind does not work that way.

His plan is simply to destroy,

to cut down nation after nation.

He will say,

‘Each of my princes will soon be a king.

We destroyed Calno just as we did Carchemish.

Hamath fell before us as Arpad did.

And we destroyed Samaria just as we did Damascus.

Yes, we have finished off many a kingdom

whose gods were greater than those in Jerusalem and Samaria.

So we will defeat Jerusalem and her gods,

just as we destroyed Samaria with hers.’ ”

But he does not think this,

and his heart does not plan this.

For it is in his heart to destroy

and to cut off not a few nations.

For he says, “Are not my commanders altogether kings?

Is not Calno like Carchemish?

Is not Hamath like Arpad?

Is not Samaria like Damascus?

As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols

—and their images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria—

shall I not do to Jerusalem and its idols

what I have done to Samaria and her idols?”

Howbeit he meaneth not so,

Neither doth his heart think so;

But it is in his heart to destroy

And cut off nations not a few.

For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

Is not Calno as Carchemish?

Is not Hamath as Arpad?

Is not Samaria as Damascus?

As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols,

And whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols,

So do to Jerusalem and her idols?