[1] The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the
nations. [2] About Egypt. Concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of
Egypt, which was by the river Euphra'tes at Car'chemish and which
Nebuchadrez'zar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoi'akim
the son of Josi'ah, king of Judah: [3] "Prepare buckler and shield, and
advance for battle! [4] Harness the horses; mount, O horsemen! Take your
stations with your helmets, polish your spears, put on your coats of mail!
[5] Why have I seen it? They are dismayed and have turned backward. Their
warriors are beaten down, and have fled in haste; they look not
back--terror on every side! says the LORD. [6] The swift cannot flee away,
nor the warrior escape; in the north by the river Euphra'tes they have
stumbled and fallen. [7] "Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers
whose waters surge? [8] Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers whose waters
surge. He said, I will rise, I will cover the earth, I will destroy cities
and their inhabitants. [9] Advance, O horses, and rage, O chariots! Let the
warriors go forth: men of Ethiopia and Put who handle the shield, men of
Lud, skilled in handling the bow. [10] That day is the day of the Lord GOD
of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword
shall devour and be sated, and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord
GOD of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river
Euphra'tes. [11] Go up to Gilead, and take balm, O virgin daughter of
Egypt! In vain you have used many medicines; there is no healing for you.
[12] The nations have heard of your shame, and the earth is full of your
cry; for warrior has stumbled against warrior; they have both fallen
together." [13] The word which the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about
the coming of Nebuchadrez'zar king of Babylon to smite the land of Egypt:
[14] "Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and
Tah'panhes; Say, `Stand ready and be prepared, for the sword shall devour
round about you.' [15] Why has Apis fled? Why did not your bull stand?
Because the LORD thrust him down. [16] Your multitude stumbled and fell,
and they said one to another, `Arise, and let us go back to our own people
and to the land of our birth, because of the sword of the oppressor.' [17]
Call the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, `Noisy one who lets the hour go
by.' [18] "As I live, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, like
Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, shall one come. [19]
Prepare yourselves baggage for exile, O inhabitants of Egypt! For Memphis
shall become a waste, a ruin, without inhabitant. [20] "A beautiful heifer
is Egypt, but a gadfly from the north has come upon her. [21] Even her
hired soldiers in her midst are like fatted calves; yea, they have turned
and fled together, they did not stand; for the day of their calamity has
come upon them, the time of their punishment. [22] "She makes a sound like
a serpent gliding away; for her enemies march in force, and come against
her with axes, like those who fell trees. [23] They shall cut down her
forest, says the LORD, though it is impenetrable, because they are more
numerous than locusts; they are without number. [24] The daughter of Egypt
shall be put to shame, she shall be delivered into the hand of a people
from the north." [25] The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, said: "Behold,
I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt and
her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. [26] I
will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their life, into the hand
of Nebuchadrez'zar king of Babylon and his officers. Afterward Egypt shall
be inhabited as in the days of old, says the LORD. [27] "But fear not, O
Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for lo, I will save you from
afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall
return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. [28] Fear
not, O Jacob my servant, says the LORD, for I am with you. I will make a
full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will
not make a full end. I will chasten you in just measure, and I will by no
means leave you unpunished."