21 The people who are left alive in Jacob’s familywill again follow the powerful God.
22 Israel, your people are very many.They are like the grains of sand by the sea.But only a few of them will be left alive to return to the Lord.God has announced that he will destroy the landcompletely and fairly.
23 The Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies, will certainly destroy this land.He will destroy it as he has announced.
24 This is what the Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies, says:“My people living in Jerusalem,don’t be afraid of the Assyrians.They beat you with a rod.They raise a stick to hurt you, as Egypt did.
25 But after a short time my anger will stop.Then I will turn my anger to destroying them.”
26 Then the Lord of heaven’s armies will beat the Assyrians with a whip.He will defeat them as he defeated Midian at the rock of Oreb.He will raise his stick over the watersas he did in Egypt.
27 Then the troubles that Assyria puts on youwill be removed.The load they make you carrywill be taken away.