Treasure sent toward a false refuge

1Woe to the rebellious children, declares Yahweh, who carry out a plan, but not from me, and who pour out a libation, but not by my Spirit, so as to add sin to sin.

2who set out to go down to Egypt, but have not asked my mouth, to seek refuge in Pharaoh’s stronghold and to take shelter in the shadow of Egypt.

3Then Pharaoh’s stronghold will become your shame, and refuge in Egypt’s shadow your humiliation.

4For his officials are in Zoan, and his envoys reach Hanes.

5Everyone is put to shame because of a people that cannot profit them—who are not for help and not for profit, but for shame and also for reproach.

6An oracle concerning the beasts of the Negev: through a land of distress and hardship, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying fiery serpent, they carry their wealth on the shoulders of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who cannot profit them.

7For Egypt’s help is utterly empty and worthless; therefore I call her, “Rahab Who Sits Still.”