7. Power and peace will be in his kingdom.It will continue to grow.He will rule as king on David’s throneand over David’s kingdom.He will make it strong,by ruling with goodness and fair judgment.He will rule it forever and ever.The Lord of heaven’s armies will do thisbecause of his strong love for his people.
8. The Lord sent a message against the people of Jacob.That message says that God will judge Israel.
9. Then everyone in Israel, even the leaders in Samaria,will know that God punished them.Those people, who are proud and who brag now, say this:
10. “These bricks have fallen,but we will build again with cut stones.These small trees have been chopped down.But we will put great cedars there.”
11. But the Lord will make the enemies of Rezin strong against them.He will stir up their enemies against them.
12. The Arameans come from the eastand the Philistines from the west.They will eat up Israel with their armies.But the Lord is still angry.His hand is still raised to punish the people.
13. But the people do not return to the one who struck them.They do not follow the Lord of heaven’s armies.
14. So the Lord will cut off Israel’s head and tail.He will take away both the branch and stalk in one day.