Give a strong warning to Egypt, that beast among the tall grass. It is like a herd of bulls among the calves. May that beast bow down before you with gifts of silver. Scatter the nations who like to make war.

求你叱喝芦苇中的野兽和群公牛，并列邦中的牛犊。把银块踹在脚下；神已经赶散好争战的列邦。

求你斥责芦苇中的野兽和公牛群，并万民中的牛犊。直到他们带着银块来朝贡；上帝已经赶散好战的万民。

求你斥责芦苇中的野兽和公牛群，并万民中的牛犊。直到他们带着银块来朝贡；神已经赶散好战的万民。

求你斥责那芦苇中的野兽，斥责成群的公牛和列邦的牛犊，使他们俯首献上贡银。求你驱散好战的列邦。

求你斥责芦苇中的野兽、成群的公牛和万民中的牛犊，并且把贪爱银块的人践踏在脚下；求你赶散那些喜爱战争的民族。

求你斥责芦苇中的野兽，斥责壮牛群以及万民中的牛犊；把贪爱银块的人践踏在脚下，驱散那喜好战斗的民众。

求你叱喝蘆葦中的野獸和羣公牛，並列邦中的牛犢。把銀塊踹在腳下；神已經趕散好爭戰的列邦。

求你斥責蘆葦中的野獸和公牛羣，並萬民中的牛犢。直到他們帶着銀塊來朝貢；上帝已經趕散好戰的萬民。

求你斥責蘆葦中的野獸和公牛羣，並萬民中的牛犢。直到他們帶着銀塊來朝貢；神已經趕散好戰的萬民。

求你斥責那蘆葦中的野獸，斥責成群的公牛和列邦的牛犢，使他們俯首獻上貢銀。求你驅散好戰的列邦。

求你斥責蘆葦中的野獸、成群的公牛和萬民中的牛犢，並且把貪愛銀塊的人踐踏在腳下；求你趕散那些喜愛戰爭的民族。

求你叱責蘆荻中的野獸、雄壯的公牛羣、別族之民的領主；將貪婪銀子的踹於腳下；趕散喜好接戰的別族之民。

求你斥責蘆葦中的野獸，斥責壯牛群以及萬民中的牛犢；把貪愛銀塊的人踐踏在腳下，驅散那喜好戰鬥的民眾。

其叱葦中之獸、牡牛之羣、民眾之犢、踐其銀於足下、驅散好鬥之民兮、

好鬥之人、如牛如犢、如葦間之獸、爾制伏之、爾離散之、俾輸金以歸附兮。

願主叱喝葦叢之野獸、與群牡牛、及似牛犢之異邦人、使之皆攜銀叩伏、喜爭鬥之列國、天主均已擊散、

以爾駐蹕。於我瑟琳。萬王賓貢。莫敢不勤。

Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Rebuke these enemy nations— these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war.

Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.

Rebuke the animals in the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Trampling the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.

Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.

Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.

Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people,[ till every one] submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people[ that] delight in war.

Sound your battle cry against the wild beast of the reeds, and the nations that assemble like a herd of calves led by bulls! They humble themselves and offer gold and silver as tribute. God scatters the nations that like to do battle.

Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.

Many enemies are all around me. They are like strong bulls from the land of Bashan.They are like roaring lions that tear to pieces what they kill. They open their mouths wide to attack me.

Obey the son completely, or he will be angry. Your way of life will lead to your death. His anger can blaze out at any moment. Blessed are all those who go to him for safety.

Tell him,‘ The Lord and King says,“‘ “Pharaoh Hophra, I am against you. King of Egypt, you are like a huge monster lying among your streams. You say,‘ The Nile River belongs to me. I made it for myself.’

When King Hezekiah heard what the field commander had said, he tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. Then he went into the Lord’ s temple.Hezekiah sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. He also sent the leading priests and Shebna the secretary to him. All of them were wearing rough clothing.They told Isaiah,“ Hezekiah says,‘ Today we’re in great trouble. The Lord is warning us. He’s bringing shame on us. Sometimes babies come to the moment when they should be born. But their mothers aren’t strong enough to give birth to them. Today we are like those mothers. We aren’t strong enough to save ourselves.Perhaps the Lord your God will hear everything the field commander has said. His master, the king of Assyria, has sent him to make fun of the living God. Maybe the Lord your God will punish him for what he has heard him say. So pray for the remaining people who are still alive here.’ ”King Hezekiah’s officials came to Isaiah.Then he said to them,“ Tell your master,‘ The Lord says,“ Do not be afraid of what you have heard. The officers who are under the king of Assyria have spoken evil things against me.Listen! I will send him news from his own country. It will make him want to return home. There I will have him cut down by a sword.” ’ ”The field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. So the commander pulled his troops back from Jerusalem. He went to join the king. He found out that the king was fighting against Libnah.During that time Sennacherib received a report. He was told that Tirhakah was marching out to fight against him. Tirhakah was the king of Cush. When Sennacherib heard the report, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a letter. It said,“ Tell Hezekiah, the king of Judah,‘ Don’t let the god you depend on trick you. He says,“ Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” But don’t believe him.I’m sure you have heard about what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries. They have destroyed them completely. So do you think you will be saved?The kings who ruled before me destroyed many nations. Did the gods of those nations save them? Did the gods of Gozan, Harran or Rezeph save them? What about the gods of the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar?Where is the king of Hamath? Where is the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?’ ”When Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, he read it. Then he went up to the Lord’ s temple. There he spread the letter out in front of the Lord.Hezekiah prayed to the Lord. He said,“ Lord who rules over all, you are the God of Israel. You sit on your throne between the cherubim. You alone are God over all the kingdoms on earth. You have made heaven and earth.Listen, Lord. Hear us. Open your eyes, Lord. Look at the trouble we’re in. Listen to what Sennacherib is saying. You are the living God. And he dares to make fun of you!“ Lord, it’s true that the kings of Assyria have completely destroyed many nations and their lands.They have thrown the statues of the gods of those nations into the fire. And they have destroyed them. That’s because they weren’t really gods at all. They were nothing but statues made out of wood and stone. They were made by human hands.Lord our God, save us from the power of Sennacherib. Then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you are the only God.”Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah. Isaiah said,“ The Lord is the God of Israel. He says,‘ You have prayed to me about Sennacherib, the king of Assyria.So here is the message the Lord has spoken against him. The Lord is telling him,“‘ “You will not win the battle over Zion. Its people hate you and make fun of you. The people of Jerusalem lift up their heads proudly as you run away.Who have you laughed at? Who have you spoken evil things against? Who have you raised your voice against? Who have you looked at so proudly? You have done it against me. I am the Holy One of Israel!Through your messengers you have laughed at me again and again. And you have said,‘ I have many chariots. With them I have climbed to the tops of the mountains. I’ve climbed the highest mountains in Lebanon. I’ve cut down its tallest cedar trees. I’ve cut down the best of its juniper trees. I’ve reached its farthest mountains. I’ve reached its finest forests.I’ve dug wells in other lands. I’ve drunk the water from them. I’ve walked through all the streams of Egypt. I’ve dried up every one of them.’“‘ “But I, the Lord, say,‘ Haven’t you heard what I have done? Long ago I arranged for you to do this. In days of old I planned it. Now I have made it happen. You have turned cities with high walls into piles of stone.Their people do not have any power left. They are troubled and put to shame. They are like plants in the field. They are like new green plants. They are like grass that grows on a roof. It dries up before it is completely grown.“ ‘ “ ‘But I know where you are. I know when you come and go. I know how very angry you are with me.You roar against me and brag. And I have heard your bragging. So I will put my hook in your nose. I will put my bit in your mouth. And I will make you go home by the same way you came.’ ” ’ ”The Lord said,“ Hezekiah, here is a sign for you.“ This year you will eat what grows by itself. Next year you will eat what grows from that. But in the third year you will plant your crops and gather them in. You will plant your grapevines and eat their fruit.The people of the kingdom of Judah who are still alive will be like plants. Once more they will put down roots and produce fruit.Out of Jerusalem will come the people who remain. Out of Mount Zion will come those who are still left alive. My great love will make sure that happens. I rule over all.“ Here is a message from me about the king of Assyria. I say,“‘ He will not enter this city. He will not even shoot an arrow at it. He will not come near it with a shield. He will not build a ramp in order to climb over its walls.By the way that he came he will go home. He will not enter this city,’ announces the Lord.‘ I will guard this city and save it. I will do it for myself. And I will do it for my servant David.’ ”Then the angel of the Lord went into the camp of the Assyrians. He put to death 185,000 soldiers there. The people of Jerusalem got up the next morning. They looked out and saw all the dead bodies.So Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, took the army tents down. Then he left. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.One day Sennacherib was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok. His sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with their swords. Then they escaped to the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon became the next king after his father Sennacherib.

I want peace. But when I speak, they want war.

Why do you fight and argue among yourselves? Isn’t it because of your sinful desires? They fight within you.

The king of Ammon died. His son Hanun became the next king after him.David thought,“ I’m going to be kind to Hanun. His father Nahash was kind to me.” So David sent messengers to Hanun. He wanted them to tell Hanun how sad he was that Hanun’s father had died. David’s messengers went to the land of Ammon.The Ammonite commanders spoke to their master Hanun. They said,“ David has sent messengers to tell you he is sad. They say he wants to honor your father. But the real reason they’ve come is to look the city over. They want to destroy it.”So Hanun grabbed David’s messengers. He shaved off half of each man’s beard. He cut their clothes off just below the waist and left them half naked. Then he sent them away.David was told about it. So he sent messengers to his men because they were filled with shame. King David said to them,“ Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out again. Then come back here.”The Ammonites realized that what they had done had made David very angry with them. So they hired 20,000 Aramean soldiers who were on foot. The soldiers came from Beth Rehob and Zobah. The Ammonites also hired the king of Maakah and 1,000 men. And they hired 12,000 men from Tob.David heard about it. So he sent Joab out with the entire army of Israel’s fighting men.The Ammonites marched out. They took up their battle positions at the entrance of their city gate. The Arameans of Zobah and Rehob gathered their troops together in the open country. So did the men of Tob and Maakah.Joab saw that there were lines of soldiers in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best troops in Israel. He sent them to march out against the Arameans.He put the rest of the men under the command of his brother Abishai. Joab sent them to march out against the Ammonites.He said,“ Suppose the Arameans are too strong for me. Then you must come and help me. But suppose the Ammonites are too strong for you. Then I’ll come and help you.Be strong. Let’s be brave as we fight for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what he thinks is best.”Then Joab and the troops with him marched out to attack the Arameans. They ran away from him.The Ammonites realized that the Arameans were running away. So they ran away from Abishai. They went inside the city. After Joab had fought against the Ammonites, he went back to Jerusalem.The Arameans saw that they had been driven away by Israel. So they brought their troops together.Hadadezer had some Arameans brought from east of the Euphrates River. They went to Helam under the command of Shobak. He was the commander of Hadadezer’s army.David was told about it. So he gathered the whole army of Israel together. They went across the Jordan River to Helam. The Arameans lined up their soldiers to go to war against David. They began to fight against him.But then they ran away from Israel. David killed 700 of their chariot riders. He killed 40,000 of their soldiers who were on foot. He also struck down Shobak, the commander of their army. Shobak died there.All the kings who were under the rule of Hadadezer saw that Israel had won the battle over them. So they made a peace treaty with the Israelites. They were brought under Israel’s rule. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.

After that, the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites went to war against Jehoshaphat.Some people came and told him,“ A huge army is coming from Edom to fight against you. They have come across the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazezon Tamar.” Hazezon Tamar is also called En Gedi.Jehoshaphat was alarmed. So he decided to ask the Lord for advice. He told all the people of Judah to go without eating.The people came together to ask the Lord for help. In fact, they came from every town in Judah to pray to him.Then Jehoshaphat stood up among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He was in front of the new courtyard at the Lord’ s temple.He said,“ Lord, you are the God of our people who lived long ago. You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. You are strong and powerful. No one can fight against you and win.Our God, you drove out the people who lived in this land. You drove them out to make room for your people Israel. You gave this land forever to those who belong to the family line of your friend Abraham.They have lived in this land. They’ve built a temple here for your Name. They have said,‘ Suppose trouble comes on us. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a punishing sword, or plague or hunger. We’ll serve you. We’ll stand in front of this temple where your Name is. We’ll cry out to you when we’re in trouble. Then you will hear us. You will save us.’“ But here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. You wouldn’t allow Israel to march in and attack their territory when the Israelites came from Egypt. So Israel turned away from them. They didn’t destroy them.See how they are paying us back. They are coming to drive us out. They want to take over the land you gave us as our share.Our God, won’t you please judge them? We don’t have the power to face this huge army that’s attacking us. We don’t know what to do. But we’re looking to you to help us.”All the men of Judah stood there in front of the Lord. Their wives, children and little ones were with them.Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel. He was standing among the people of Israel. He was the son of Zechariah. Zechariah was the son of Benaiah. Benaiah was the son of Jeiel. Jeiel was the son of Mattaniah. Jahaziel was a Levite. He was from the family line of Asaph.Jahaziel said,“ King Jehoshaphat, listen! All you who live in Judah and Jerusalem, listen! The Lord says to you,‘ Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is God’s.Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley in the Desert of Jeruel.You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you. Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. Go out and face them tomorrow. The Lord will be with you.’ ”Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem also bowed down. They worshiped the Lord.Then some Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah stood up. They praised the Lord, the God of Israel. They praised him with very loud voices.Early in the morning all the people left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood up. He said,“ Judah, listen to me! People of Jerusalem, listen to me! Have faith in the Lord your God. He’ll take good care of you. Have faith in his prophets. Then you will have success.”Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise the Lord because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said,“ Give thanks to the Lord. His faithful love continues forever.”They began to sing and praise him. Then the Lord hid some men and told them to wait. He wanted them to attack the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. They had gone into Judah and attacked it. But they lost the battle.The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir. They destroyed them. They put an end to them. When they finished killing the men from Seir, they destroyed one another.The men of Judah came to the place that looks out over the desert. They turned to look down at the huge army. But all they saw was dead bodies lying there on the ground. No one had escaped.So Jehoshaphat and his men went down there to carry off anything of value. Among the dead bodies they found a large amount of supplies, clothes and other things of value. There was more than they could take away. There was so much it took three days to collect all of it.On the fourth day they gathered together in the Valley of Berakah. There they praised the Lord. That’s why it’s called the Valley of Berakah to this day.Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They were filled with joy. Jehoshaphat led them. The Lord had made them happy because all their enemies were dead.They entered Jerusalem and went to the Lord’ s temple. They were playing harps, lyres and trumpets.All the surrounding kingdoms began to have respect for God. They had heard how the Lord had fought against Israel’s enemies.The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace. His God had given him peace and rest on every side.So Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became Judah’s king. He ruled in Jerusalem for 25 years. His mother’s name was Azubah. She was the daughter of Shilhi.Jehoshaphat followed the ways of his father Asa. He didn’t wander away from them. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.But the high places weren’t removed. The people still hadn’t worshiped the God of Israel with all their hearts.The other events of Jehoshaphat’s rule from beginning to end are written down. They are written in the official records of Jehu, the son of Hanani. They are written in the records of the kings of Israel.Jehoshaphat king of Judah and Ahaziah king of Israel agreed to be friends. Ahaziah did what was evil.Jehoshaphat agreed with him to build a lot of ships. They were built at Ezion Geber. They carried goods that were traded for other goods.Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. Eliezer prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said,“ You have joined forces with Ahaziah. So the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked. They were never able to sail or trade goods.

People from other lands bow down to me in fear. As soon as they hear me, they obey me.

Abijah joined the members of his family who had already died. He was buried in the City of David. Abijah’s son Asa became the next king after him. While Asa was king, the country had peace and rest for ten years.Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.Asa removed the altars where false gods were worshiped. He took away the high places. He smashed the sacred stones. He cut down the poles used to worship the female god named Asherah.He commanded Judah to worship the Lord, the God of their people. He commanded them to obey the Lord’ s laws and commands.Asa removed the high places and incense altars from every town in Judah. The kingdom had peace and rest under his rule.He built up the cities of Judah that had high walls around them. The land was at peace. No one was at war with Asa during those years. That’s because the Lord gave him peace and rest.“ Let’s build up our towns,” Asa said to the people of Judah.“ Let’s put walls around them. Let’s provide them with towers. Let’s make them secure with gates that have heavy metal bars. The land still belongs to us. That’s because we’ve trusted in the Lord our God. We trusted in him, and he has given us peace and rest on every side.” So they built. And things went well for them.Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah. They carried spears and large shields. There were 280,000 men from Benjamin. They were armed with bows and small shields. All these men were brave soldiers.Zerah marched out against them. He was from Cush. He had a huge army of thousands. He also had 300 chariots. They came all the way to Mareshah.Asa went out to meet Zerah in battle. They took up their positions in the Valley of Zephathah. It’s near Mareshah.Then Asa called out to the Lord his God. He said,“ Lord, there isn’t anyone like you. You help the weak against the strong. Lord our God, help us. We trust in you. In your name we have come out to fight against this huge army. Lord, you are our God. Don’t let mere human beings win the battle over you.”The Lord struck down the men of Cush for Asa and Judah. The Cushites ran away.Asa and his army chased them all the way to Gerar. A large number of Cushites fell down wounded or dead. So they couldn’t fight back. The Lord and his army crushed them. The men of Judah carried off a large amount of goods.They destroyed all the villages around Gerar. The Lord had made the people in those villages afraid of him. The men of Judah took everything from all the villages.They also attacked the camps of those who took care of the herds. They carried off large numbers of sheep, goats and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

“ People of Babylon, you have stolen what belongs to me. That has made you glad and full of joy. You dance around like a young cow on a threshing floor. You neigh like stallions.

It lies under lotus plants. It hides in tall grass in the swamps.

While David was king of Israel, he won many battles over the Philistines. He brought them under his control. He took Metheg Ammah away from them.David also won the battle over the people of Moab. He made them lie down on the ground. Then he measured them off with a piece of rope. He put two- thirds of them to death. He let the other third remain alive. So the Moabites were brought under David’s rule. They gave him the gifts he required them to bring him.David fought against Hadadezer, the son of Rehob. Hadadezer was king of Zobah. He had gone to repair his monument at the Euphrates River.David captured 1,000 of Hadadezer’s chariots, 7,000 chariot riders and 20,000 soldiers on foot. He cut the legs of all but 100 of the chariot horses.The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. But David struck down 22,000 of them.He stationed some soldiers in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. The people of Aram were brought under his rule. They gave him the gifts he required them to bring him. The Lord helped David win his battles everywhere he went.David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer. He brought the shields to Jerusalem.He took a huge amount of bronze from Tebah and Berothai. Those towns belonged to Hadadezer.Tou was king of Hamath. He heard that David had won the battle over the entire army of Hadadezer.So Tou sent his son Joram to King David. Joram greeted David. He praised David because he had won the battle over Hadadezer. Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. So Joram brought with him gifts made out of silver, of gold and of bronze.King David set those gifts apart for the Lord. He had done the same thing with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations. Those were nations he had brought under his control.Those nations were Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia and Amalek. He also set apart for the Lord what he had taken from Hadadezer, the son of Rehob. Hadadezer was king of Zobah.David returned after he had struck down 18,000 men of Edom in the Valley of Salt. He became famous for doing it.He stationed some soldiers all through Edom. The whole nation of Edom was brought under David’s rule. The Lord helped him win his battles everywhere he went.David ruled over the whole nation of Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, kept the records.Zadok, the son of Ahitub, was a priest. Ahimelek, the son of Abiathar, was also a priest. Seraiah was the secretary.Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was commander over the Kerethites and Pelethites. And David’s sons were priests.

Deep inside me I find joy in God’s law.

The people and their leaders will be killed like wild oxen and young bulls. Their land will be wet with their blood. The dust will be covered with their fat.

You crushed Egypt and killed her people. With your powerful arm you scattered your enemies.

The places where people go across the Euphrates River have been captured. The swamps have been set on fire. And the soldiers are terrified.”The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says,“ The city of Babylon is like a threshing floor when cattle are walking on it. The time to destroy it will soon come.”