2. Concerning Egypt:This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the River Euphrates by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
3. ‘Prepare your shields, both large and small,and march out for battle!
4. Harness the horses,mount the steeds!Take your positionswith helmets on!Polish your spears,put on your armour!
5. What do I see?They are terrified,they are retreating,their warriors are defeated.They flee in hastewithout looking back,and there is terror on every side,’declares the Lord.
6. ‘The swift cannot fleenor the strong escape.In the north by the River Euphratesthey stumble and fall.
7. ‘Who is this that rises like the Nile,like rivers of surging waters?
8. Egypt rises like the Nile,like rivers of surging waters.She says, “I will rise and cover the earth;I will destroy cities and their people.”
9. Charge, you horses!Drive furiously, you charioteers!March on, you warriors – men of Cush and Put who carry shields,men of Lydia who draw the bow.
10. But that day belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty –a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes.The sword will devour till it is satisfied,till it has quenched its thirst with blood.For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrificein the land of the north by the River Euphrates.