2. When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a storm.
3. Then the Lord said to me:Take your son Shearjashub and go and see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers' shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool.
4. Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There's no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn't need to fear
5. their evil threats
6. to invade and defeat Judah and Jerusalem and to let the son of Tabeel be king in his place.
7. I, the Lord, promise that this will never happen.
15-16. Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yoghurt and honey, and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed.
17. But the Lord will make more trouble for your people and your kingdom than any of you have known since Israel broke away from Judah. He will even bring the king of Assyria to attack you.
18. When that time comes, the Lord will whistle, and armies will come from Egypt like flies and from Assyria like bees.
19. They will settle everywhere—in the deep valleys and between the rocks, on every bush and all over the pasture land.
20. The Lord will pay the king of Assyria to bring a razor from across the River Euphrates and shave your head and every hair on your body, including your beard.
21. No one will have more than one young cow and two sheep,
22. but those who do will have enough milk to make yoghurt. In fact, everyone left in the land will eat yoghurt and honey.
23. Vineyards that had a thousand vines and were worth a thousand pieces of silver will turn into thorn patches.