2 Kings 18:20

Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. ¹  In whom are you trusting that you would dare to rebel against me?

You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?

"You say (but they are only empty words), ‘ I have counsel and strength for the war.’ Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?

Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Which of your allies will give you any military backing against Assyria?

Do you think that mere words are any substitute for military strategy and troops? Now that you've revolted against me, who can you expect to help you?

You say you have a design, and strength for war, but these are only words. Now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?

Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? On whom do you now rely, that you have rebelled against me?

"You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?

Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. ¹  In whom are you trusting that you would dare to rebel against me?

¹ tn Heb “you say only a word of lips, counsel and might for battle.” Sennacherib’s message appears to be in broken Hebrew at this point. The phrase “word of lips” refers to mere or empty talk in Prov 14:23.