Make your plans! But they will never succeed. Talk all you want to! But it is all useless, because God is with us.

I sent Assyria to attack a godless nation, people who have made me angry. I sent them to loot and steal and trample the people like dirt in the streets."

He boasts, "Every one of my commanders is a king!

I reached out to punish those kingdoms that worship idols, idols more numerous than those of Jerusalem and Samaria.

But the Lord says, "When I finish what I am doing on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, I will punish the emperor of Assyria for all his boasting and all his pride."

I have received the report of that rage and that pride of yours, and now I will put a hook through your nose and a bit in your mouth and will take you back by the same road you came."

From the beginning I predicted the outcome; long ago I foretold what would happen. I said that my plans would never fail, that I would do everything I intended to do.

I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done.

From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs and mocks their feeble plans.

"On Zion, my sacred hill," he says, "I have installed my king."

But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.

Human anger only results in more praise for you; those who survive the wars will keep your festivals.

Human wisdom, brilliance, insight---they are of no help if the LORD is against you.

The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.

He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does.

By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said, 'Why were the Gentiles furious; why did people make their useless plots?

For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah.