^aWo unto them that decree ^bunrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

 2 To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the ^apoor of my people, that ^bwidows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

 4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is ^atheir indignation.

 6 I will send him ^aagainst a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

 8 For he saith: Are not my ^aprinces altogether kings?

 9 Is not ^aCalno as ^bCarchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as ^cDamascus?

 10 As ^amy hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her ^aidols, so do to Jerusalem and to her idols?

 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of ^aAssyria, and the glory of his high looks.

 13 For ^ahe saith: By the strength of ^bmy hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;