[1] The word of Yahweh which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the
nations. [2] Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh-neco king of Egypt,
which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king
of Babylon struck in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king
of Judah. [3] Prepare you the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
[4] Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen, and stand forth with your
helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail. [5] Why have I seen
it? they are dismayed and are turned backward; and their mighty ones are
beaten down, and have fled apace, and don`t look back: terror is on every
side, says Yahweh. [6] Don`t let the swift flee away, nor the mighty man
escape; in the north by the river Euphrates have they stumbled and fallen.
[7] Who is this who rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves
like the rivers? [8] Egypt rises up like the Nile, and his waters toss
themselves like the rivers: and he says, I will rise up, I will cover the
earth; I will destroy cities and the inhabitants of it. [9] Go up, you
horses; and rage, you chariots; and let the mighty men go forth: Cush and
Put, who handle the shield; and the Ludim, who handle and bend the bow.
[10] For that day is [a day] of the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, a day of
vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall
devour and be satiate, and shall drink its fill of their blood; for the
Lord, Yahweh of hosts, has a sacrifice in the north country by the river
Euphrates. [11] Go up into Gilead, and take balm, virgin daughter of Egypt:
in vain do you use 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
the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty, they are fallen both of
them together. [13] The word that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how
that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of
Egypt. [14] Declare you in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in
Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say you, Stand forth, and prepare you; for the
sword has devoured round about you. [15] Why are your strong ones swept
away? they didn`t stand, because Yahweh did drive them. [16] He made many
to stumble, yes, they fell one on another: and they said, Arise, and let us
go again to our own people, and to the land of our birth, from the
oppressing sword. [17] They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a
noise; he has let the appointed time pass by. [18] As I live, says the
King, whose name is Yahweh of Hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains,
and like Carmel by the sea, so shall he come. [19] You daughter who dwell
in Egypt, furnish yourself to go into captivity; for Memphis shall become a
desolation, and shall be burnt up, without inhabitant. [20] Egypt is a very
beautiful heifer; [but] destruction out of the north is come, it is come.
[21] Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall;
for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they didn`t
stand: for the day of their calamity is come on them, the time of their
visitation. [22] The sound of it shall go like the serpent; for they shall
march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters. [23]
They shall cut down her forest, says Yahweh, though it can`t be searched;
because they are more than the locusts, and are innumerable. [24] The
daughter of Egypt shall be put to shame; she shall be delivered into the
hand of the people of the north. [25] Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel,
says: Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her
gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him: [26] and I
will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the
hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants;
and afterwards it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, says Yahweh.
[27] But don`t be afraid you, Jacob my servant, neither be dismayed,
Israel: for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land
of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease,
and none shall make him afraid. [28] Don`t be afraid you, O Jacob my
servant, says Yahweh; for I am with you: for I will make a full end of all
the nations where I have driven you; but I will not make a full end of you,
but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished.
