13. The leaders of Zoan are acting foolishly.The leaders of Memphis are led astray.The leaders who are the cornerstones of its tribes mislead the Egyptians.
14. The Lord mixes up their minds.So they lead the Egyptians astraylike a drunk who staggers in his vomit.
15. No one—leaders or followers, important or unimportant—can do anything for Egypt.
16. At that time Egyptians will act like women. They will tremble and be terrified because the Lord of Armies will shake his fist at them.
17. The land of Judah will terrify the Egyptians. Whenever they are reminded of Judah, they will be terrified of it because of what the Lord of Armies is planning against it.
18. When that day comes, five cities in Egypt will have people that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord of Armies. One of the cities will be called Heliopolis.
19. When that day comes, an altar for the Lord will be in the middle of Egypt, and a stone marker for the Lord will be near its border.
20. These objects will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Armies is in Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord because of those who oppress them, he will send a savior and defender to rescue them.
21. So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. The Egyptians will know the Lord when that day comes. They will worship with sacrifices and food offerings. They will make vows to the Lord and carry them out.
22. The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague. When he strikes them, he will also heal them. Then they will come back to the Lord. And he will respond to their prayers and heal them.
23. When that day comes, a highway will run from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will come to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.