Judgement on Egypt

1The word of the LORD that came to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the nations.

2Concerning Egypt, about the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish and which King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah:

3Prepare buckler and shield,

and advance for battle!

4Harness the horses;

mount the steeds!

Take your stations with your helmets,

whet your lances,

put on your coats of mail!

5Why do I see them terrified?

They have fallen back;

their warriors are beaten down,

and have fled in haste.

They do not look back—

terror is all around!

says the LORD.

6The swift cannot flee away,

nor can the warrior escape;

in the north by the river Euphrates

they have stumbled and fallen.

7Who is this, rising like the Nile,

like rivers whose waters surge?

8Egypt rises like the Nile,

like rivers whose waters surge.

It said, Let me rise, let me cover the earth,

let me destroy cities and their inhabitants.

9Advance, O horses,

and dash madly, O chariots!

Let the warriors go forth:

Ethiopia46.9 Or Nubia; Heb Cush and Put who carry the shield,

the Ludim, who draw46.9 Cn: Heb who grasp, who draw the bow.

10That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts,

a day of retribution,

to gain vindication from 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 land of the north by the river Euphrates.

11Go up to Gilead, and take balm,

O virgin daughter Egypt!

In vain you have used many medicines;

there is no healing for you.

12The nations have heard of your shame,

and the earth is full of your cry;

for warrior has stumbled against warrior;

both have fallen together.

Babylonia Will Strike Egypt

13The word that the LORD spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon to attack the land of Egypt:

14Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol;

proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes;

Say, ‘Take your stations and be ready,

for the sword shall devour those around you.’

15Why has Apis fled?46.15 Gk: Heb Why was it swept away

Why did your bull not stand?—

because the LORD thrust him down.

16Your multitude stumbled46.16 Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain and fell,

and one said to another,46.16 Gk: Heb and fell one to another and they said

‘Come, let us go back to our own people

and to the land of our birth,

because of the destroying sword.’

17Give Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the name

‘Braggart who missed his chance.’

18As I live, says the King,

whose name is the LORD of hosts,

one is coming

like Tabor among the mountains,

and like Carmel by the sea.

19Pack your bags for exile,

sheltered daughter Egypt!

For Memphis shall become a waste,

a ruin, without inhabitant.

20A beautiful heifer is Egypt—

a gadfly from the north lights upon her.

21Even her mercenaries in her midst

are like fatted calves;

they too have turned and fled together,

they did not stand;

for the day of their calamity has come upon them,

the time of their punishment.

22She makes a sound like a snake gliding away;

for her enemies march in force,

and come against her with axes,

like those who fell trees.

23They shall cut down her forest,

says the LORD,

though it is impenetrable,

because they are more numerous

than locusts;

they are without number.

24Daughter Egypt shall be put to shame;

she shall be handed over to a people from the north.

25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, said: See, 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. 26I will hand them over to those who seek their life, to King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon and his officers. Afterwards Egypt shall be inhabited as in the days of old, says the LORD.

God Will Save Israel

27But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,

and do not be dismayed, O Israel;

for I am going to save you from far away,

and your offspring from the land of their captivity.

Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,

and no one shall make him afraid.

28As for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,

says the LORD,

for I am with you.

I will make an end of all the nations

among which I have banished you,

but I will not make an end of you!

I will chastise you in just measure,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.