Isaiah 7:1-9

1Ahaz became the king of Judah. He was the son of Jotham. Jotham was the son of Uzziah. While Ahaz was Judah's king, King Rezin of Syria and Remaliah's son, King Pekah of Israel, attacked Jerusalem. But they could not get into the city.

2People gave this news to Judah's royal family. They said, ‘The armies of Syria and Ephraim have joined together to attack you.’ When they heard this, Ahaz and his people were very afraid. They shook with fear, like trees in the forest shake in the wind.

3Then the Lord said to Isaiah, ‘Go out and meet Ahaz. Take your son, Shear-Jashub, with you. Go to meet Ahaz at the end of the water stream that comes from the higher pool. That is at the field where people wash clothes.

4Say to Ahaz, “Be careful. Do not be upset or afraid. Do not let King Rezin, his people from Syria and Remaliah's son, King Pekah, make you afraid. They are very angry, but their power will soon be useless, like two bits of wood that remain after a fire.

5The rulers of Syria and Ephraim, as well as Remaliah's son, have made plans to attack you.

6They are saying, ‘We must attack Judah. We will frighten the people and we will take their country for ourselves. We will make the son of Tabeel rule there as king.’

7But I, the Almighty Lord, say this: That will never happen!

8The capital city of Syria is Damascus. And the king of Damascus is Rezin. 65 years from now Ephraim will not even be a nation. There will be nothing left!

9The capital city of Ephraim is Samaria. And the king of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you do not continue to trust me, you will not be strong enough to win.” ’