The Futility of Reliance on Egypt

30 Oh, rebellious children, says the Lord,

who carry out a plan, but not mine;

who make an alliance, but against my will,

adding sin to sin;

2 who set out to go down to Egypt

without asking for my counsel,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh,

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt;

3 Therefore the protection of Pharaoh shall become your shame,

and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt your humiliation.

4 For though his officials are at Zoan

and his envoys reach Hanes,

5 everyone comes to shame

through a people that cannot profit them,

that brings neither help nor profit,

but shame and disgrace.

6 An oracle concerning the animals of the Negeb.

Through a land of trouble and distress,

of lioness and roaringa lion,

of viper and flying serpent,

they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys,

and their treasures on the humps of camels,

to a people that cannot profit them.

7 For Egypt’s help is worthless and empty,

therefore I have called her,

“Rahab who sits still.”b