1This is the word of Yahweh that came to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the nations.
2Regarding Egypt: This concerns the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, which was stationed by the Euphrates River at Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, defeated this army in the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah.
3“Get your shields, both large and small, and get ready for battle!
4Harness the horses, you horsemen, and mount up! Stand ready with your helmets. Sharpen your spears and put on your armor.
5Why do I see them? They are terrified and turning back. Their mighty warriors are defeated, have fled quickly, and are not looking back. There is terror everywhere,” says Yahweh.
6“Don’t let the swift escape, and don’t let the strong man get away. In the north, by the Euphrates River, they have stumbled and fallen.
7“Who is this, rising up like the Nile, with waters surging like rivers?
8Egypt rises up like the Nile, and its waters surge like rivers. He says, ‘I will rise up and cover the earth. I will destroy cities and their people.’
9Go, horses; rage, chariots! Let the mighty warriors advance: the men of Cush and Put who carry shields, and the men of Lud who use and bend the bow.
10For that day belongs to the Lord, Yahweh of Armies—a day of revenge, so he can get even with his enemies. The sword will devour and be completely satisfied, drinking its fill of their blood. For the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, is holding a sacrifice in the land of the north by the Euphrates River.
11Go up to Gilead and get balm, virgin daughter of Egypt. You use many medicines in vain; there is no healing for you.
12The nations have heard of your disgrace, and the earth is filled with your cries. For warrior has stumbled against warrior, and both have fallen together.”
13This is the word that Yahweh spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about how Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would come and conquer the land of Egypt.
14“Announce it in Egypt, proclaim it in Migdol, and declare it in Memphis and Tahpanhes. Say, ‘Stand ready and prepare, for the sword has destroyed everything around you.’
15Why have your strong soldiers been swept away? They could not stand, because Yahweh pushed them down.”
16He caused many to stumble; yes, they fell on top of each other. They said, 'Get up, let's go back to our own people and to the land where we were born, away from the oppressor's sword.'
17There they cried out, 'Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is just noise; he has missed his chance.'
18"As I live," says the King, whose name is Yahweh of Armies, "he will surely come, like Mount Tabor among the mountains and like Mount Carmel by the sea."
19You, daughter who lives in Egypt, pack your bags to go into captivity, for Memphis will become a wasteland and will be burned down, with no one living in it.
20"Egypt is a very beautiful young cow, but destruction from the north has come. It has arrived."
21Her hired soldiers within her are like fattened calves; for they too have turned back. They have all fled together. They didn't stand their ground, because the day of their disaster has come upon them, the time of their punishment.
22Its sound will be like a snake's hiss, for they will march with an army and come against her with axes, like woodcutters.
23"They will cut down her forest," says Yahweh, "even though it's too dense to explore; because they are more numerous than locusts, and are countless."
24The daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; she will be handed over to the people from the north.
25Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Watch out, I will punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, along with her gods and her kings—Pharaoh himself and those who trust in him."
26I will hand them over to those who want to kill them, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants. Afterward, it will be inhabited again, as it was in the past," says Yahweh.
27"But you, Jacob my servant, do not be afraid or discouraged, Israel; for I will save you from distant lands, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and be calm and at ease. No one will make him afraid."
28"Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant," says Yahweh, "for I am with you. I will completely destroy all the nations where I have scattered you; but I will not completely destroy you. Instead, I will discipline you fairly and will certainly not leave you unpunished."