1. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said,
2. “Son of man, prophesy. Say, ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says:Cry for that day!
3. The day is near. The day of the Lord is near.It will be a gloomy day, a time of trouble for the nations.
4. There will be war in Egypt and anguish in Ethiopia.Many Egyptians will fall dead.People will take away Egypt’s wealth,and its foundations will be torn down.
5. Sudan, Put, Lud, all the Arabs, the Libyans,and people from the promised land will die in battle.
6. “‘This is what the Lord says:All Egypt’s allies will die.Egypt’s strength will disappear.People will die in war from Migdol to Syene,declares the Almighty Lord.
7. “‘Egypt will become the most desolate country in the world, and Egypt’s cities will lie in ruins. They will be ruined more than other cities.
8. Then they will know that I am the Lord, because I will set fire to Egypt and all her defenders will be killed.
9. On that day I will send messengers in ships to terrify those who live in safety in Sudan. The people of Sudan will be in anguish when Egypt is in trouble. That day is coming!
10. “‘This is what the Almighty Lord says: I will use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to bring an end to Egypt.
11. He and his troops, the most ruthless troops among the nations, will be brought to destroy the land. They will draw their swords to attack Egypt and fill the land with dead bodies.
12. I will dry up the Nile River and sell the land to wicked people. I will have foreigners destroy the land and everything in it. I, the Lord, have spoken.
13. “‘This is what the Almighty Lord says: I will destroy the statues and put an end to the idols in Memphis. A prince will never rise again in Egypt. I will spread fear throughout Egypt.
14. I will destroy Pathros, set fire to Zoan, and bring punishment on Thebes.
15. I will pour out my fury on Sin, Egypt’s fortress, and I will kill many people in Thebes.