For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?”

The princes of Zoan are mere fools;
The advice of Pharaoh’s wisest advisers has become stupid.
How can you men say to Pharaoh,
“I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”?

Sinners in Zion are terrified;
Trembling has seized the godless.
“Who among us can live with the consuming fire?
Who among us can live with continual burning?”

How then can you repulse one official of the least of my master’s servants and rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

“But when I look, there is no one,
And there is no counselor among them
Who, if I ask, can give an answer.

All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled.
Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified,
Or let them hear and say, “It is true.”

“Even from eternity I am He,
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?”

“You have bought Me not sweet cane with money,
Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
Rather you have burdened Me with your sins,
You have wearied Me with your iniquities.

“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act;
For how can My name be profaned?
And My glory I will not give to another.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

“Can the prey be taken from the mighty man,
Or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?”

“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?
Can a land be born in one day?
Can a nation be brought forth all at once?
As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.