Isaiah 33:1-14

1It will be very bad for you who destroy other nations. No other nation has destroyed you yet. It will be very bad for you who deceive other nations. No other nation has deceived you yet. But in the end, when you stop destroying, others will destroy you. When you stop deceiving, other nations will deceive you.

2Lord, please be kind to us. We wait for you to help us. Make us strong every day. Rescue us when trouble happens.

3When they hear the noise of battle, the nations run away. When you go to war, they run in every direction!

4You nations, after the battle your valuable things will quickly disappear! It will seem like locusts have eaten them all. Yes, we will take it all, like a hungry crowd of locusts.

5The Lord is greater than all others. He lives high above the earth. He will cause Zion's people to do what is right and fair.

6Whatever happens, he will cause you to be strong. He will always keep you safe, and he will make you wise, so that you understand things. Respect the Lord with fear, and he will do all this for you.

7Look! Our brave soldiers are calling out in the streets. The people that we sent to make peace with our enemies are weeping.

8The big roads are empty. Nobody is travelling anywhere. People spoil agreements that they have made. They do not believe what people promise. They do not respect anyone.

9The land itself is dry and useless. Lebanon's forest is dying. Sharon has become like a desert. The trees in Bashan and Carmel have no leaves.

10The Lord says, ‘Now I will stand up to do something. I will show that I am great and powerful.

11My enemies, everything that you want to do will be useless. Your thoughts are like dry grass and straw. Your own breath will destroy you, like a fire that burns dry grass.

12Your people will be like wood for the fire, and only ashes will remain. They will burn as easily as thorn bushes that people cut down and throw on the fire.

13You people who live far away, listen to what I have done! You people who are near, understand that I am very strong.’

14The sinners who live in Zion are afraid. The people who do not respect God shake with fear. They ask, ‘Who among us can stay alive? This is a fire that burns everything. Nobody can stop it from burning!’