1. How terrible it will be for you, you who destroy others! Assyria , you haven't been destroyed yet. How terrible for you, you who turn against others! Others haven't turned against you yet. When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed. When you stop turning against others, others will turn against you.
2. Lord, show us your favor. We long for you to help us. Make us strong every morning. Save us when we're in trouble.
3. When the nations hear you thunder, they run away. When you rise up against them, they scatter.
4. Nations, what you have taken in battle is destroyed. It's as if young locusts had eaten it up. Like large numbers of locusts, people rush to get it.
5. The Lord is honored. He lives in heaven. He will fill Zion's people with what is fair and right.
6. He will be the firm foundation for their entire lives. He will give them all of the wisdom, knowledge and saving power they will ever need. Respect for the Lord is the key to that treasure.
7. Look! Judah's brave men cry out loud in the streets. The messengers who were sent to bring peace sob bitter tears.
8. The wide roads are deserted. No one travels on them. Our peace treaty with Assyria is broken. Those who witnessed it are looked down on. No one is respected.
9. The land is filled with sadness and wastes away. Lebanon is full of shame and dries up. The rich land of Sharon is like the Arabah Desert. The trees of Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.
10. "Now I will take action," says the Lord. "Now I will be honored. Now I will be respected.
11. Assyria , your plans and actions are like straw. Your anger is a fire that will destroy you.
12. The nations will be burned to ashes. They will be like bushes that are cut down and set on fire.
13. "You nations far away, listen to what I have done! My people who are near, recognize how powerful I am!
14. The sinners in Zion are terrified. They tremble with fear. They say, 'Who of us can live through the Lord's destroying fire? Who of us can live through the fire that burns forever?'
15. A person must do what is right. He must be honest and tell the truth. He must not get rich by cheating others. His hands must not receive money from those who want special favors. He must not let his ears listen to plans to commit murder. He must close his eyes to even thinking about doing what is evil.
16. A person like that will be kept safe. It will be as if he were living on high mountains. It will be as if he were living in a mountain fort. He will have all of the food he needs. And he will never run out of water."
17. People of Judah, you will see the king in all of his glory and majesty. You will view his kingdom spreading far and wide.