You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.

Many nations have gathered to attack you. They say, "Jerusalem must be destroyed! We will see this city in ruins!"

But these nations do not know what is in the LORD's mind. They do not realize that they have been gathered together to be punished in the same way that grain is brought in to be threshed.

In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him.

For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know that he is the Savior, nor did they understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Yet they made the prophets' words come true by condemning Jesus.

And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.

Don't let Hezekiah fool you into thinking that the LORD will rescue you. Did the gods of any other nations save their countries from the emperor of Assyria?

When did any of the gods of all these countries ever save their country from our emperor? Then what makes you think the LORD can save Jerusalem?"

You have heard what an Assyrian emperor does to any country he decides to destroy. Do you think that you can escape?

Where are the kings of the cities of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?"