1 This is the Lord's message for his rebellious people:“You follow your own plansinstead of mine;you make treatieswithout asking me,and you keep on sinning.
2 You trust Egypt for protection.So you refuse my adviceand send messengers to Egyptto beg their king for help.
3 “You will be disappointed,completely disgracedfor trusting Egypt.
4 The king's power reachesfrom the city of Zoanas far south as Hanes.
5 But Egypt can't protect you,and to trust that nationis useless and foolish.”
6 This is a messageabout the animalsof the Southern Desert:“You people carry treasureson donkeys and camels.You travel to a feeble nationthrough a troublesome desertfilled with lionsand flying fiery dragons.
7 Egypt can't help you!That's why I call that nationa helpless monster.”