Isaiah 14:20–31

²⁰You won’t be joined by the kings in the tomb, 

because you have destroyed your land and killed your people. 

The descendants of the wicked will never be mentioned again. 

²¹Prepare a place to slaughter their sons 

because of their ancestors’ guilt. 

They won’t be able to rise, possess the earth, 

and rebuild cities all over it. 

²²“I’ll rise up against them,” declares the Lord of Armies. 

“I’ll cut off the name of the survivors from Babylon, 

its offspring and descendants,” declares the Lord. 

²³“It will become the possession of herons. 

It will become pools of water. 

I’ll sweep it with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of Armies. 

Assyria Will Be Punished

²⁴The Lord of Armies has taken an oath: 

“It will happen exactly as I’ve intended. 

It will turn out exactly as I’ve planned. 

²⁵I’ll crush Assyria on my land. 

I’ll trample it underfoot on my mountains. 

Then its yoke^awill be removed from my people, 

and its burden will be removed from their shoulders.” 

²⁶This is the plan determined for the whole earth. 

This is how he will use his power against all the nations. 

²⁷The Lord of Armies has planned it. Who can stop it? 

He is ready to use his power. Who can turn it back? 

The Philistines Will Be Punished

²⁸This was the divine revelation in the year King Ahaz died. 

²⁹All you Philistines, don’t rejoice 

that the rod of the one who struck you is broken, 

because a viper will come from that snake’s root, 

and his descendant will be a flying, fiery serpent. 

³⁰The poorest of the poor will eat, 

and the needy will lie down in safety. 

But I will put your root to death with famine 

and kill off your survivors. 

³¹Cry loudly in the gate! 

Cry out in the city! 

Be frightened, all you Philistines! 

Smoke comes from the north, 

and there are no stragglers in its ranks.