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.
25. The Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to punish Amon, god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings — Pharaoh and those trusting in him.
26. I will hand them over to those who want to take their lives — to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, it will be inhabited again as in ancient times.”This is the Lord’s declaration.
27. But you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged, Israel,for without fail I will save you from far awayand your descendants, from the land of their captivity!Jacob will return and have calm and quietwith no one to frighten him.
28. And you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid —this is the Lord’s declaration —for I will be with you. I will bring destruction on all the nationswhere I have banished you,but I will not bring destruction on you.I will discipline you with justice,and I will by no means leave you unpunished.