How terrible it will be for the land whose armies are like large numbers of flying insects! That land is along the rivers of Cush.

唉！古实河外翅膀刷刷响声之地，

祸哉！古实河的那一边、翅膀刷刷作响之地，

祸哉！古实河的那一边、翅膀刷刷作响之地，

古实河那边、翅膀刷刷作响之地有祸了！

古实河外，船只彼此碰撞，响声四起之地，有祸了！

祸哉！库实河流对岸，翅膀嗡嗡作响之地！

唉！古實河外翅膀刷刷響聲之地，

禍哉！古實河的那一邊、翅膀刷刷作響之地，

禍哉！古實河的那一邊、翅膀刷刷作響之地，

古實河那邊、翅膀刷刷作響之地有禍了！

古實河外，船隻彼此碰撞，響聲四起之地，有禍了！

啊，古實河外飛蝗翅膀刷刷響之地，

禍哉！庫實河流對岸，翅膀嗡嗡作響之地！

噫、古實河外、鼓翼薨薨之地、

古實河外、左翼右翼之軍、器械錚鏦矣、吾有言告爾、

噫、沿古實河之國、兩翼軍旅器械、錚錚有聲、原文作古實河外翼鳴之國

Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush,

Ah, land of whirring wings that is beyond the rivers of Cush,

Listen, Ethiopia— land of fluttering sails that lies at the headwaters of the Nile,

Woe to the land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush,

Woe, land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush,

Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,

Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;

Ah! The land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush

Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which[ is] beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:

The land of buzzing wings is as good as dead, the one beyond the rivers of Cush,

Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;

My scattered people will come to me from beyond the rivers of Cush. They will worship me. They will bring me offerings.

The Lord says,“ People of Cush, you too will die by my sword.”

During that time Sennacherib received a report. He was told that Tirhakah was marching out to fight against him. Tirhakah was the king of Cush. Sennacherib sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a letter. Sennacherib said,

I will send Nebuchadnezzar’s sword against Egypt. Cush will suffer terribly. Many will die in Egypt. Then its wealth will be carried away. Its foundations will be torn down.The people of Cush, Libya, Lydia, Kub and the whole land of Arabia will be killed by swords. So will the Jews who live in Egypt. They went there from the covenant land of Israel. And the Egyptians will die too.” ’ ”

After Ashdod was captured, the Lord said,“ My servant Isaiah has gone around barefoot and naked for three years. He is a sign and reminder to Egypt and Cush about what will happen to them.The king of Assyria will lead prisoners away from Egypt and Cush. Young people and old people alike will be taken away. Like Isaiah, they will be barefoot and naked. Their backsides will be bare. So the Egyptians will be put to shame.People trusted in Cush to help them. They bragged about what Egypt could do for them. But they will lose heart and be put to shame.At that time the people who live on the coast of Philistia will speak up. They will say,‘ See what has happened to those we depended on! We ran to them for help. We wanted them to save us from the king of Assyria. Now how can we escape?’ ”

They go down to Egypt without asking me for advice. They look to Pharaoh to help them. They ask Egypt to keep them safe.But looking to Pharaoh will only bring them shame. Asking Egypt for help will bring them dishonor.

Have mercy on me, God. Have mercy on me. I go to you for safety. I will find safety in the shadow of your wings. There I will stay until the danger is gone.

How terrible it will be for those who go down to Egypt for help! How terrible for those who depend on horses! They trust in how many chariots they have. They trust in how strong their horsemen are. But they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel. They don’t ask the Lord for his help.

Take good care of me, just as you would take care of your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

“ Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and throw stones in order to kill those who are sent to you. Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. And you would not let me!

Because you have helped me, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower.

How priceless your faithful love is! People find safety in the shadow of your wings.

“ At that time I will send messengers out in ships. They will terrify the people of Cush who are so contented. Cush will suffer greatly when Egypt falls. And you can be sure it will fall.”

I long to live in your holy tent forever. There I find safety in the shadow of your wings.

May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May the Lord, the God of Israel, bless you richly. You have come to him to find safety under his care.”