Isaiah 7:1–17

The Virgin Will Have a Child

¹When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Aram’s King Rezin and Israel’s King Pekah, son of Remaliah, went to Jerusalem to attack it, but they couldn’t defeat it. ²When word reached David’s family that the Arameans had made an alliance with Ephraim, the hearts of the king and his people were shaken as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. 

³Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear Jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the ditch of the Upper Pool on the road to the Laundryman’s Field. ⁴Say to him, ‘Be careful, stay calm, and don’t be afraid. Don’t lose heart because of the fierce anger of Rezin from Aram and Remaliah’s son. These two are smoldering logs.’ ⁵Aram, Ephraim, and Remaliah’s son have planned evil against you, saying, ⁶‘Let’s march against Judah, tear it apart, divide it among ourselves, and set up Tabeel’s son as its king.’ ⁷This is what the Almighty Lord says: 

“It won’t take place; it won’t happen. 

⁸The capital of Aram is Damascus, 

and the leader of Damascus is Rezin. 

Ephraim will be shattered within 65 years 

so that it will no longer be a nation. 

⁹The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, 

and the leader of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. 

If you don’t remain faithful, 

you won’t remain standing.” 

¹⁰Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹“Ask the Lord your God for a sign. It can be anything you want.” 

¹²But Ahaz answered, “I won’t ask; I wouldn’t think of testing the Lord.” 

¹³“Listen now, descendants of David,” Isaiah said. “Isn’t it enough that you try the patience of mortals? Must you also try the patience of my God? ¹⁴So the Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel ^[God Is With Us^[. ¹⁵He will eat cheese and honey until he knows how to reject evil and choose good. ¹⁶Indeed, before the boy knows how to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings who terrify you will be deserted. 

¹⁷“The Lord will bring on you, your people, and your ancestor’s family a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah. ⸤He will bring⸥ the king of Assyria.