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.
15. Why have your strong ones been swept away?Each has not stood,for the Lord has thrust him down.
16. He continues to stumble. Indeed, each falls over the other.They say, “Get up! Let’s return to our peopleand to the land of our birth,away from the sword that oppresses.”
17. There they will cry out,“Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise;he let the opportune moment pass.”
18. As I live —this is the King’s declaration;Yahweh of Hosts is His name. He will come like Tabor among the mountainsand like Carmel by the sea.
19. Get your bags ready for exile,inhabitant of Daughter Egypt! For Memphis will become a desolation,uninhabited ruins.
20. Egypt is a beautiful young cow, but a horsefly from the north is coming against her.
21. Even her mercenaries among herare like stall-fed calves.They too will turn back;together they will flee;they will not take their stand,for the day of their calamity is coming on them,the time of their punishment.
22. Egypt will hiss like a slithering snake, for the enemy will come with an army;with axes they will come against herlike those who cut trees.
23. They will cut down her forest —this is the Lord’s declaration —though it is dense,for they are more numerous than locusts;they cannot be counted.
24. Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,handed over to a northern people.