21. The foreign soldiers you hiredwill turn and run.But they are doomed,like well-fed calvesbeing led to the butcher.
22-23. The enemy army will go forwardlike a swarm of locusts.Your troops will feel helpless,like a snake in a forestwhen men with axesstart chopping down trees.It can only hissand try to escape.
24. Your people will be disgracedand captured by the enemyfrom the north.
25. I am the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel. Soon I will punish the god Amon of Thebes and the other Egyptian gods, the Egyptian kings, the people of Egypt, and everyone who trusts in the Egyptian power.
26. I will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar and his army. But I also promise that Egypt will some day have people living here again, just as it had before. I, the Lord, have spoken.
27. Israel, don't be afraid.Some day I will bring you homefrom foreign lands.You and your descendantswill live in peace and safety,with nothing to fear.
28. So don't be afraid,even though nowyou deserve to be punishedand have been scatteredamong other nations.But when I destroy them,I will protect you.I, the Lord, have spoken.