6. I sent Assyria to attack a godless nation, people who have made me angry. I sent them to loot and steal and trample on the people like dirt in the streets.”
7. But the Assyrian emperor has his own violent plans in mind. He is determined to destroy many nations.
8. He boasts, “Every one of my commanders is a king!
9. I conquered the cities of Calno and Carchemish, the cities of Hamath and Arpad. I conquered Samaria and Damascus.
10. I stretched out my hand to punish those kingdoms that worship idols, idols more numerous than those of Jerusalem and Samaria.
11. I have destroyed Samaria and all its idols, and I will do the same to Jerusalem and the images that are worshipped there.”