Isaiah 22:15–25

¹⁵The Lord who rules over all speaks. The Lord says,

“Go. Speak to the head servant Shebna.

He is in charge of the palace. Tell him,

¹⁶‘What are you doing here outside the city?

Who allowed you to cut out a tomb for yourself here?

Who said you could carve out your grave on the hillside?

Who allowed you to cut out your resting place in the rock?

¹⁷“ ‘Watch out, you mighty man!

The Lord is about to grab hold of you.

He is about to throw you away.

¹⁸He will roll you up tightly like a ball.

He will throw you into a very large country.

There you will die.

And there the chariots you are so proud of will remain.

You bring shame on your master’s family!

¹⁹The Lord will remove you from your job.

You will be brought down from your high position.

²⁰“ ‘At that time he will send for his servant Eliakim. He is the son of Hilkiah. ²¹The Lord will put your robe on Eliakim. He will tie your belt around him. He will hand your authority over to him. Eliakim will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and Judah.

²²“ ‘The Lord will give Eliakim the key of authority in David’s royal house. No one can shut what he opens. And no one can open what he shuts. ²³The Lord will set him firmly in place like a peg that is driven into a wall. He will hold a position of honor in his family. ²⁴The good name of his whole family will depend on him. They will be like bowls and jars hanging on a peg.

²⁵“ ‘But a new day is coming,’ ” announces the Lord who rules over all. “ ‘At that time the peg that was driven into the wall will give way. It will break off and fall down. And the heavy load hanging on it will also fall.’ ” The Lord has spoken.