13 The king of Assyria says this:“By my own power I have done these things;by my wisdom I have defeated many nations.I have taken their wealth,and, like a mighty one, I have taken their people.
14 I have taken the riches of all these people,like a person reaching into a bird’s nest.I have taken these nations,like a person taking eggs.Not one raised a handor opened its mouth to stop me.”
15 An ax is not better than the person who swings it.A saw is not better than the one who uses it.A stick cannot control the person who picks it up.A club cannot pick up the person!
16 So the Lord God All-Powerfulwill send a terrible disease upon Assyria’s soldiers.The strength of Assyria will be burned uplike a fire burning until everything is gone.
17 God, the Light of Israel, will be like a fire;the Holy One will be like a flame.He will be like a firethat suddenly burns the weeds and thorns.
18 The fire burns away the great trees and rich farmlands,destroying everything.It will be like a sick person who wastes away.
19 The trees left standing will be so fewthat even a child could count them.