11 Surely the princes of [a]Zoan are fools: the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh, is become foolish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [b]am the son of the wise? I am the son of the ancient kings?

12 Where are now the wise men, that they may tell thee, or may know what the Lord of hosts hath determined against Egypt?

13 The princes of Zoan are become fools: the princes of [c]Noph are deceived, they have deceived Egypt, even the [d]corners of the tribes thereof.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 19:11 Called also Tanis, a famous city upon the Nile.
  2. Isaiah 19:11 He noteth the flatterers of Pharaoh: who persuaded the king that he was wise and noble, and that his house was most ancient, and so he flattered himself, saying, I am wise.
  3. Isaiah 19:13 Or, Memphis, others Alexandria, and now called the great Cairo.
  4. Isaiah 19:13 The principal upholders thereof are the chiefest cause of their destruction.

11 The officials of Zoan(A) are nothing but fools;
    the wise counselors(B) of Pharaoh give senseless advice.(C)
How can you say to Pharaoh,
    “I am one of the wise men,(D)
    a disciple of the ancient kings”?

12 Where are your wise men(E) now?
    Let them show you and make known
what the Lord Almighty
    has planned(F) against Egypt.
13 The officials of Zoan(G) have become fools,
    the leaders of Memphis(H) are deceived;
the cornerstones(I) of her peoples
    have led Egypt astray.

Read full chapter