1. WOE to them that make wicked laws: and when they write, write injustice:
2. To oppress the poor in judgment, and do violence to the cause of the humble of my people: that widows might be their prey, and that they might rob the fatherless.
3. What will you do in the day of visitation, and of the calamity which cometh from afar? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4. That you be not bowed down under the bond, and fall with the slain? In all these things his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5. Woe to the Assyrian, he is the rod and the staff of my anger, and my indignation is in their hands.
6. I will send him to a deceitful nation, and I will give him a charge against the people of my wrath, to take away the spoils, and to lay hold on the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7. But he shall not take it so, and his heart shall not think so: but his heart shall be set to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.
8. For he shall say:
9. Are not my princes as so many kings? is not Calano as Charcamis: and Emath as Arphad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10. As my hand hath found the kingdome of the idol, so also their idols of Jerusalem, and of Samaria.
11. Shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?