Isaiah 30:1-9

The LORD said, “How terrible it will be for these stubborn children. They make plans, but they don’t ask me to help them. They make agreements with other nations, without asking my Spirit. They are adding more and more sins to themselves. They go down to Egypt for help without asking me about it first. They hope they will be saved by the king of Egypt; they want Egypt to protect them. But hiding in Egypt will bring you only shame; Egypt’s protection will only disappoint you. Your officers have gone to Zoan, and your messengers have gone to Hanes, but they will be put to shame, because Egypt is useless to them. It will give no help and will be of no use; it will cause them only shame and embarrassment.” This is a message about the animals in southern Judah: Southern Judah is a dangerous place full of lions and lionesses, poisonous snakes and darting snakes. The messengers travel through there with their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasure on the backs of camels. They carry them to a nation that cannot help them, to Egypt whose help is useless. So I call that country Rahab the Do-Nothing. Now write this on a sign for the people, write this on a scroll, so that for the days to come this will be a witness forever. These people are like children who lie and refuse to obey; they refuse to listen to the LORD’s teachings.