12. Egypt, where are your wise men?Let them show youwhat the Lord of heaven’s armies has planned for Egypt.
13. The officers of Zoan have been fooled.The leaders of Memphis have believed false things.So the leaders of Egyptlead her the wrong way.
14. The Lord has made the leaders confused.They wander and lead Egypt in the wrong ways.They are like drunk people stumbling in their own vomit.
15. There is nothing Egypt can do.No one in Egypt can help.
16. In that day the people of Egypt will be like frightened women. They will be afraid of the Lord of heaven’s armies. He will raise his hand to strike them down.
17. The land of Judah will bring fear to the people in Egypt. Anyone in Egypt who hears the name Judah will be afraid. This will happen because the Lord of heaven’s armies has planned terrible things for Egypt.
18. At that time five cities in Egypt will speak Hebrew, the language of Canaan. They will promise to be loyal to the Lord of heaven’s armies. One of these cities will be named the City of Destruction.
19. At that time there will be an altar for the Lord in the middle of Egypt. At the border of Egypt there will be a monument to the Lord.
20. This will be a sign. It will show that the Lord of heaven’s armies is powerful. When the people cry to the Lord for help, he will send help. He will send someone to save and defend the people. He will rescue them from those who hurt them.
21. So the Lord will show himself to the Egyptians. Then they will say he is the Lord. They will serve God and offer many sacrifices. They will make promises to the Lord, and they will keep them.
22. The Lord will punish the Egyptians. Then he will heal them. They will come back to the Lord. He will listen to their prayers and heal them.
23. At that time there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. Then people from Assyria will go to Egypt. And the Egyptians will go to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship God together.
24. At that time Israel, Assyria and Egypt will join together. This will be a blessing for the earth.