Old Testament Lesson

Isa. 8:1-15 (NRSV)

1 Then the LORD said to me, Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, "Belonging to
Maher-shalal-hash-baz," 2and have it attested for me by reliable witnesses, the priest Uriah and Zechariah
son of Jeberechiah. 3And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said
to me, Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 4for before the child knows how to call "My father" or "My mother,"
the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria. 5The LORD
spoke to me again: 6Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and melt in fear
before Rezin and the son of Remaliah; 7therefore, the Lord is bringing up against it the mighty flood waters
of the River, the king of Assyria and all his glory; it will rise above all its channels and overflow all its banks;
8it will sweep on into Judah as a flood, and, pouring over, it will reach up to the neck; and its outspread wings
will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.

9 Band together, you peoples, and be dismayed; listen, all you far countries; gird yourselves and be dismayed;
gird yourselves and be dismayed! 10Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught; speak a word,
but it will not stand, for God is with us. 11For the LORD spoke thus to me while his hand was strong upon me,
and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls
conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. 13But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as
holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14He will become a sanctuary, a stone one strikes
against; for both houses of Israel he will become a rock one stumbles over-a trap and a snare for the
inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be
snared and taken.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.