1. The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the nations:
2. About Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco, Egypt’s king, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Judah’s King Jehoiakim son of Josiah:
3. Deploy small shields and large;draw near for battle!
4. Harness the horses;mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on!Polish the lances;put on armor!
5. Why have I seen this?They are terrified,they are retreating,their warriors are crushed,they flee headlong,they never look back,terror is on every side! This is the Lord’s declaration.
6. The swift cannot flee,and the warrior cannot escape! In the north by the bank of the Euphrates River,they stumble and fall.
7. Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters churn?
8. Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers.He boasts, “I will go up, I will cover the earth;I will destroy cities with their residents.”
9. Rise up, you cavalry!Race furiously, you chariots!Let the warriors go out —Cush and Put, who are able to handle shields,and the Ludim, who are able to handle and string the bow.
10. That day belongs to the Lord, the God of Hosts,a day of vengeance to avenge Himselfagainst His adversaries.The sword will devour and be satisfied;it will drink its fill of their blood,because it will be a sacrifice to the Lord, the God of Hosts,in the northern land by the Euphrates River.
11. Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt!You have multiplied remedies in vain;there is no healing for you.
12. The nations have heard of your dishonor, and your outcry fills the earth,because warrior stumbles against warriorand together both of them have fallen.
13. This is the word the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to defeat the land of Egypt:
14. Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol! Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes!Say: Take positions! Prepare yourself,for the sword devours all around you.