There came against the land Pul the king of Ashur; and Menachem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
So Achaz sent messengers to Tiglat-Pil'eser king of Ashur, saying, I am your servant and your son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Yisra'el, who rise up against me.
Now what have you to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shichor? or what have you to do in the way to Ashur, to drink the waters of the River?
Efrayim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Ashur, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Ashur can't save us. We won't ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, 'Our gods!' for in you the fatherless finds mercy.*
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no Kohen to me. Because you have forgotten your God's law, I will also forget your children.
*When Efrayim saw his sickness, and Yehudah his wound, Then Efrayim went to Ashur, and sent to king Yarev: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.
As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; But the LORD doesn't accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt.
For, behold, they have gone away from destruction. Egypt will gather them up. Mof will bury them. Nettles will possess their pleasant things of silver. Thorns will be in their tents.
All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at shalom with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him.*