I send him against a godless(A) nation,
    I dispatch(B) him against a people who anger me,(C)
to seize loot and snatch plunder,(D)
    and to trample(E) them down like mud in the streets.
But this is not what he intends,(F)
    this is not what he has in mind;
his purpose is to destroy,
    to put an end to many nations.
‘Are not my commanders(G) all kings?’ he says.
    ‘Has not Kalno(H) fared like Carchemish?(I)
Is not Hamath(J) like Arpad,(K)
    and Samaria(L) like Damascus?(M)
10 As my hand seized the kingdoms of the idols,(N)
    kingdoms whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria—
11 shall I not deal with Jerusalem and her images
    as I dealt with Samaria and her idols?(O)’”

12 When the Lord has finished all his work(P) against Mount Zion(Q) and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria(R) for the willful pride(S) of his heart and the haughty look(T) in his eyes.

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I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?

10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

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