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.
11. ‘Go up to Gilead and get balm,Virgin Daughter Egypt.But you try many medicines in vain;there is no healing for you.
12. The nations will hear of your shame;your cries will fill the earth.One warrior will stumble over another;both will fall down together.’
13. This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt:
14. ‘Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol;proclaim it also in Memphis and Tahpanhes:“Take your positions and get ready,for the sword devours those around you.”
15. Why will your warriors be laid low?They cannot stand, for the Lord will push them down.
16. They will stumble repeatedly;they will fall over each other.They will say, “Get up, let us go backto our own people and our native lands,away from the sword of the oppressor.”
17. There they will exclaim,“Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise;he has missed his opportunity.”
18. ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the King,whose name is the Lord Almighty,‘one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains,like Carmel by the sea.
19. Pack your belongings for exile,you who live in Egypt,for Memphis will be laid wasteand lie in ruins without inhabitant.
20. ‘Egypt is a beautiful heifer,but a gadfly is comingagainst her from the north.
21. The mercenaries in her ranksare like fattened calves.They too will turn and flee together,they will not stand their ground,for the day of disaster is coming upon them,the time for them to be punished.
22. Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpentas the enemy advances in force;they will come against her with axes,like men who cut down trees.