Isaiah 33:1–13

A Prayer for Help

33Our enemies are doomed! They have robbed and betrayed, although no one has robbed them or betrayed them. But their time to rob and betray will end, and they themselves will become victims of robbery and treachery.

²Lord, have mercy on us. We have put our hope in you. Protect us day by day and save us in times of trouble. ³When you fight for us, nations run away from the noise of battle. ⁴Their belongings are pounced upon and taken as loot.

⁵How great the Lord is! He rules over everything. He will fill Jerusalem with justice and integrity ⁶and give stability to the nation. He always protects his people and gives them wisdom and knowledge. Their greatest treasure is their reverence for the Lord.

⁷The brave are calling for help. The ambassadors who tried to bring about peace are crying bitterly. ⁸The highways are so dangerous that no one travels on them. Treaties are broken and agreements are violated. No one is respected any more. ⁹The land lies idle and deserted. The forests of Lebanon have withered, the fertile valley of Sharon is like a desert, and in Bashan and on Mount Carmel the leaves are falling from the trees.

The Warns His Enemies

¹⁰The Lord says to the nations, “Now I will act. I will show how powerful I am. ¹¹You make worthless plans and everything you do is useless. My spirit is like a fire that will destroy you.^{u 12}You will crumble like rocks burnt to make lime, like thorns burnt to ashes. ¹³Let everyone near and far hear what I have done and acknowledge my power.”