1During the reign of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah, the son of Remaliah, of Israel went up to Jerusalem to attack it, but they could not defeat it.
2The royal family of David was told, "Syria has joined forces with Ephraim." Ahaz's heart trembled, and the hearts of his people, like trees in the forest trembling in the wind.
3Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out now with your son Shearjashub and meet Ahaz at the end of the channel from the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field.
4Tell him, 'Be careful and stay calm. Don't be afraid, and don't lose heart because of these two smoldering stumps of burning wood — because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have planned evil against you, saying:
6"Let's go up and attack Judah, tear it apart, divide it among ourselves, and set up a new king in it, the son of Tabeel."
7This is what the Lord Yahweh says: "It will not succeed, and it will not happen."
8For the capital of Syria is Damascus, and the leader of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years, Ephraim will be shattered and no longer be a people.
9The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the leader of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you do not believe, you will not be established.'"
10Yahweh spoke to Ahaz again, saying,
11“Ask Yahweh your God for a sign. You can ask for something deep in the earth or high in the sky.”
12But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not test Yahweh.”
13The prophet said, “Listen now, family of David. Is it not enough for you to exhaust the patience of people? Will you also exhaust the patience of my God?
14Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.
15He will eat butter and honey when he learns to reject what is evil and choose what is good.
16Because before the child learns to reject what is evil and choose what is good, the land of the two kings you despise will be abandoned.
17Yahweh will bring on you, your people, and your father’s family a time of hardship unlike anything since Ephraim separated from Judah—this will be brought by the king of Assyria.
18When that day comes, Yahweh will whistle for the flies from the farthest parts of Egypt’s rivers and for the bees from the land of Assyria.
19They will all come and settle in the deserted valleys, in the cracks of the rocks, on all the thorn bushes, and in all the pastures.
20On that day, the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave the head and body hair, and it will also remove the beard.
21When that day comes, a man will be able to keep only one young cow and two sheep alive.
22And because of the abundant milk they produce, he will have butter to eat. Indeed, everyone left in the land will eat butter and honey.
23When that day comes, every place that once had a thousand grapevines, each worth a thousand silver coins, will become overgrown with thorns and thistles.
24People will go there with arrows and bows, because the whole land will be covered with thorns and thistles.
25You will not go to any of the hills that were once cultivated with a hoe, because of the thorns and thistles; instead, they will be places for oxen to roam and sheep to graze.”