Isaiah 30:1–7

Judah Should Trust the Lord, Not Egypt

¹The Lord declares, 

“How horrible it will be for those rebellious children. 

They carry out plans, but not mine. 

They make alliances against my will. 

They pile sin on top of sin. 

²They go to Egypt without asking me. 

They look for shelter under Pharaoh’s protection 

and look for refuge in Egypt’s shadow. 

³But Pharaoh’s protection will be their shame, 

and the refuge in Egypt’s shadow will be their disgrace. 

⁴Although Pharaoh’s officials are in Zoan 

and his messengers have reached Hanes, 

⁵the people of Judah will be put to shame 

because that nation can’t help them. 

That nation can’t give aid or help to them. 

It can only offer shame and disgrace.” 

⁶This is the divine revelation about the animals in the Negev. 

“My people travel through lands 

where they experience distress and hardship. 

Lions and lionesses live there. 

Vipers and poisonous snakes live there. 

They carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys 

and their treasures on the humps of camels 

to a nation that can’t help them. 

⁷Egypt’s help is completely useless. 

That is why I call it, ‘Rahab^awho sits still.’