1 The Lord said to me, “Take a large writing tablet, and write on it with a pen: ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz’ [The Looting Will Come Quickly; the Prey Will Be Easy].
2 I will have these dependable witnesses testify: the priest Uriah and Zechariah (son of Jeberechiah).”
3 I slept with the prophet. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. The Lord told me, “Name him Maher Shalal Hash Baz.
4 Before the boy knows how to say ‘Daddy’ or ‘Mommy,’ the wealth of Damascus and the loot from Samaria will be carried away to the king of Assyria.”
5 The Lord spoke to me again. He said,
6 “These people have rejected the gently flowing water of Shiloah
7 That is why the Lord is going to bring against them
8 It will sweep through Judah.
9 Be broken, you people. Be terrified.
10 Make plans for battle, but they will never succeed.
11 This is what the Lord said with his powerful hand on me.
12 “Don’t say that everything these people call a conspiracy
13 Remember that the Lord of Armies is holy.
14 He will be a place of safety for you.
15 Many will stumble.
16 Tie up the written instructions.
17 I will wait for the Lord,
18 I am here with the children that the Lord has given me.
19 People will say to you, “Ask for help from the mediums
20 They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions.
21 They will pass through the land when they are hard-pressed and hungry.
22 They will look at the earth and see only distress and gloom.