The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah:

The great king, the king of Assyria, says this: What are you relying on?[a] I[b] say that your strategy and military preparedness are mere words. What are you now relying on that you have rebelled against me?(A) Look, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff(B) that will enter and pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. This is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who trust in him.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 36:4 Lit What is this trust that you trust
  2. Isaiah 36:5 DSS read You

The field commander said to them, “Tell Hezekiah:

“‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours? You say you have counsel and might for war—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel(A) against me? Look, I know you are depending(B) on Egypt,(C) that splintered reed(D) of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.

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