Lectionary Calendar
Friday, May 3rd, 2024
the Fifth Week after Easter
Attention!

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Contemporary English Version

Isaiah 31

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Don't Trust the Power of Egypt

1 You are in for trouble
    if you go to Egypt for help,
or if you depend on
an army of chariots
    or a powerful cavalry.
Instead you should depend on
and trust
the holy Lord God
    of Israel.
2 The Lord isn't stupid!
He does what he promises,
    and he can bring doom.
If you are cruel yourself,
or help those who are evil,
    you will be destroyed.

3 The Egyptians are mere humans.
    They aren't God.
Their horses are made of flesh;
    they can't live forever.
When the Lord shows his power,
he will destroy the Egyptians
    and all who depend on them.
Together they will fall.

4 The Lord All-Powerful
    said to me,
"I will roar and attack
    like a fearless lion
not frightened by the shouts
of shepherds
trying to protect
    their sheep.
That's how I will come down
    and fight on Mount Zion.
5 I, the Lord All-Powerful,
    will protect Jerusalem
like a mother bird circling
    over her nest."

Come Back to the Lord

6 People of Israel, come back!
You have completely turned
    from the Lord.
7 The time is coming
    when you will throw away
your idols of silver and gold,
    made by your sinful hands.

8 The Assyrians will be killed,
but not by the swords
    of humans.
Their young men will try
    to escape,
but they will be captured
    and forced into slavery.
9 Their fortress[a] will fall
    when terror strikes;
their army officers
will be frightened
    and run from the battle.
This is what the Lord has said,
the Lord whose fiery furnace
    is built on Mount Zion.

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