15-19 Does an ax take over from the one who swings it?
    Does a saw act more important than the sawyer?
As if a shovel did its shoveling by using a ditch digger!
    As if a hammer used the carpenter to pound nails!
Therefore the Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    will send a debilitating disease on his robust Assyrian fighters.
Under the canopy of God’s bright glory
    a fierce fire will break out.
Israel’s Light will burst into a conflagration.
    The Holy will explode into a firestorm,
And in one day burn to cinders
    every last Assyrian thornbush.
God will destroy the splendid trees and lush gardens.
    The Assyrian body and soul will waste away to nothing
    like a disease-ridden invalid.
A child could count what’s left of the trees
    on the fingers of his two hands.

* * *

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $26.00 (65%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Outreach Edition, Large-Print, softcover-Case of  10
The Message Outreach Edition, Large-Print, softcover-Case of 10
Retail: $99.90
Our Price: $64.90
Save: $35.00 (35%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message of Easter - eBook
The Message of Easter - eBook
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $3.99
Save: $1.00 (20%)
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, hardcover
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, hardcover
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message Raspberry Blossom, Personal Size + Topical Concordance
The Message Raspberry Blossom, Personal Size + Topical Concordance
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $26.00 (65%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message of Proverbs - eBook
The Message of Proverbs - eBook
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $2.89
Save: $1.10 (28%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars