And Ben-hadad sent to him, and said, The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
Now therefore, I pray you, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver you two thousand horses, if you be able on your part to set riders upon them.
Woe to the rebellious children, says the LORD, that take counsel, but not from me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help; and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
Lo, you trust in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall you say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has come out to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape who does such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and his ways justice: and those who walk in pride he is able to bring low.
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: considering that the LORD has said to you, You shall henceforth return no more that way.