18-19 That’s when God will whistle for the flies at the headwaters of Egypt’s Nile, and whistle for the bees in the land of Assyria. They’ll come and infest every nook and cranny of this country. There’ll be no getting away from them.

20 And that’s when the Master will take the razor rented from across the Euphrates—the king of Assyria no less!—and shave the hair off your heads and genitals, leaving you shamed, exposed, and denuded. He’ll shave off your beards while he’s at it.

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Assyria, the Lord’s Instrument

18 In that day(A) the Lord will whistle(B) for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.(C) 19 They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices(D) in the rocks, on all the thornbushes(E) and at all the water holes. 20 In that day(F) the Lord will use(G) a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River(H)—the king of Assyria(I)—to shave your head and private parts, and to cut off your beard(J) also.(K)

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