22. Egypt will hiss like a snake as it slithers away.Its enemies will come with full force.They will attack it with axes like those who chop wood.
23. They will cut down the forest,” declares the Lord,“since Egypt can’t be found.They are more numerous than locusts; they can’t be counted.
24. The people of Egypt will be put to shame.They will be handed over to the people from the north.”
25. The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says,“I’m going to punish Amon, who is the god of Thebes.I will also punish Pharaoh, Egypt, its gods, its kings,and whoever trusts Pharaoh.
26. I’ll hand them over to those who want to kill them,to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his officers.Afterward, they will live in peace as they did long ago,”declares the Lord.
27. “Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob.Don’t be terrified, Israel.I’m going to rescue you and your descendants from a faraway land,from the land where you are captives.Then Jacob’s descendants will again have undisturbed peace,and no one will make them afraid.
28. Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares the Lord.“I am with you.I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you,but I will not completely destroy you.I will correct you with justice.I won’t let you go entirely unpunished.”