en_tn/2ki/18/21.md

walking stick of this bruised reed of Egypt

The King of Assyria compares Egypt to a weak walking stick; you expect that it will support you when you lean on it, but instead it breaks and cuts you. Alternate translation: "the weak support from Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

but if a man leans ... and pierce it

The speaker is extending the metaphor by describing what happens when a reed is used as a support. Alternate translation: "but if someone uses this for support, he will be injured" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)