19. It will be like the trees of their forests. So few of them will be left standing that even a child could count them.
20. In days to come, some people will still be left alive in Israel. They will be from Jacob's family line. But they won't depend any longer on the nation that struck them down. Instead, they will truly depend on the Lord. He is the Holy One of Israel.
21. The people of Jacob who are still alive will return to the Mighty God.
22. Israel , your people might be as many as the grains of sand by the sea. But only a few of them will return. The Lord has handed down a death sentence. He will destroy his people. What he does is right.
23. The Lord who rules over all will carry out his sentence. The Lord will destroy the whole land.
24. The Lord rules over all. The Lord says, "My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian army. They beat you with rods. They lift up war clubs against you, just as the Egyptians did.
25. Very soon I will not be angry with you anymore. I will turn my anger against the Assyrians. I will destroy them."
26. The Lord who rules over all will beat them with a whip. He will strike them down as he struck Midian down at the rock of Oreb. And he will reach his wooden staff out over the waters. That's what he did in Egypt.
27. People of Zion, in days to come he will lift the heavy load of the Assyrians from your shoulders. He will remove their yokes from your necks. They will be broken because you have become so strong.
28. The Assyrian army has entered the town of Aiath. They have passed through Migron. They have stored up supplies at Micmash.
29. They have marched through the pass there. They said, "Let's camp for the night at Geba." The people of Ramah tremble with fear. Those who live in Gibeah of Saul run away.
30. Town of Gallim, cry out! Laishah, listen! Poor Anathoth!