American Standard Version
"I say, thy counsel and strength for the war are but vain words: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me? "
— Isaiah 36:5, American Standard Version
“I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?”
“I say that your counsel and strength for the war are only vain words. Now in whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?”
“Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. In whom are you trusting, that you would dare to rebel against me?”
“Or with what counsel or strength dost thou prepare for war? on whom dost thou trust, that thou art revolted from me?”
“You say you have a design and strength for war, but these are only words: now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?”
“I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?”
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.
Then came forth unto him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder.
And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
I say, thy counsel and strength for the war are but vain words: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?
Behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
But if thou say unto me, We trust in Jehovah our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?
Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.