The Lord Will Defend Zion

31:4 Indeed, this is what the Lord says to me:

“The Lord will be like a growling lion,

like a young lion growling over its prey.12

Though a whole group of shepherds gathers against it,

it is not afraid of their shouts

or intimidated by their yelling.13

In this same way the Lord who commands armies will descend

to do battle on Mount Zion and on its hill.14

31:5 Just as birds hover over a nest,15

so the Lord who commands armies will protect Jerusalem.16

He will protect and deliver it;

as he passes over17 he will rescue it.

31:6 You Israelites! Return to the one against whom you have so blatantly rebelled!18 31:7 For at that time19 everyone will get rid of20 the silver and gold idols your hands sinfully made.21

31:8 Assyria will fall by a sword, but not one human-made;22

a sword not made by humankind will destroy them.23

They will run away from this sword24

and their young men will be forced to do hard labor.

31:9 They will surrender their stronghold25 because of fear;26

their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.”27

This is what the Lord says—

the one whose fire is in Zion,

whose firepot is in Jerusalem.28