From the vision of future glory Isaiah returns to the disastrous present; the grief of “the valiant ones” (parallel to, and identical with, “the ambassadors of peace”), men of rank, sent with presents to sue for peace, but standing “without” the enemy’s camp, their suit being rejected (2Ki 18:14, 2Ki 18:18, 2Ki 18:37). The highways deserted through fear, the cities insulted, the lands devastated.