Discovery BoxIsaiah 31:2-3 
Context31:2 Yet he too is wise 1 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 2
He will attack the wicked nation, 3
and the nation that helps 4 those who commit sin. 5
31:3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God;
their horses are made of flesh, not spirit.
The Lord will strike with 6 his hand;
the one who helps will stumble
and the one being helped will fall.
Together they will perish. 7
1 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
2 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
3 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
4 sn That is, Egypt.
5 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
6 tn Heb “will extend”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV “stretch out.”
7 tn Heb “together all of them will come to an end.”
