4. Harness the horses;mount, O horsemen!Take your stations with your helmets, polish your spears,put on your armor!
5. Why have I seen it?They are dismayedand have turned backward.Their warriors are beaten downand have fled in haste; they look not back— terror on every side!declares the Lord.
6. “The swift cannot flee away,nor the warrior escape; in the north by the river Euphrates they have stumbled and fallen.
7. “Who is this, rising like the Nile,like rivers whose waters surge?
8. Egypt rises like the Nile,like rivers whose waters surge.He said, ‘I will rise, I will cover the earth,I will destroy cities and their inhabitants.’
9. Advance, O horses,and rage, O chariots!Let the warriors go out:men of Cush and Put who handle the shield, men of Lud, skilled in handling the bow.
10. That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be satedand drink its fill of their blood.For the Lord God of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
11. Go up to Gilead, and take balm,O virgin daughter of Egypt!In vain you have used many medicines; there is no healing for you.
12. The nations have heard of your shame,and the earth is full of your cry; for warrior has stumbled against warrior;they have both fallen together.”
13. The word that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:
14. “Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol;proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes;say, ‘Stand ready and be prepared,for the sword shall devour around you.’