2 Kings 18:19-25

Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

The Royal Spokesman’s Speech

¹⁹ Then^(A) the royal spokesman said to them, ‘Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: “What are you relying on?^{[a](B) 20} You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. Who are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?^{(C) 21} Now look, you are relying on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff^(D) that will pierce the hand of anyone who grabs it and leans on it.^(E) This is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him. ²² Suppose you say to me, ‘We rely on the Lord our God.’ Isn’t he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed,^(F) saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem’ ? ”

²³ ‘So now, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria. I’ll give you two thousand horses if you’re able to supply riders for them! ²⁴ How then can you drive back a single officer^(G) among the least of my master’s servants? How can you rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? ²⁵ Now, have I attacked this place to destroy it without the Lord’s approval?^(H) The Lord said to me, “Attack this land and destroy it.” ’