19 But now O God, our God,save us from raw Assyrian power;Make all the kingdoms on earth knowthat you are God, the one and only God.
20-21 It wasn’t long before Isaiah son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah:God’s word: You’ve prayed to me regarding Sennacherib king of Assyria; I’ve heard your prayer. This is my response to him:The Virgin Daughter of Zionholds you in utter contempt;Daughter Jerusalemthinks you’re nothing but scum.
22 Who do you think it is you’ve insulted?Who do you think you’ve been bad-mouthing?Before whom do you suppose you’ve been strutting?The Holy One of Israel, that’s who!
23 You dispatched your errand boysto humiliate the Master.You bragged, “With my army of chariotsI’ve climbed the highest mountains,snow-peaked alpine Lebanon mountains!I’ve cut down its giant cedars,chopped down its prize pine trees.I’ve traveled the world,visited the finest forest retreats.
24 I’ve dug wells in faraway placesand drunk their exotic waters;I’ve waded and splashed barefootin the rivers of Egypt.”
25 Did it never occur to youthat I’m behind all this?Long, long ago I drew up the plans,and now I’ve gone into action,Using you as a doomsday weapon,reducing proud cities to piles of rubble,
26 Leaving their people dispirited,slumped shoulders, limp souls.Useless as weeds, fragile as grass,insubstantial as wind-blown chaff.