2. This message is about Egypt: This message is about the army of King Neco, king of Egypt. His army was defeated at the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River. It was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. This was in the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah. This is the Lord’s message to Egypt:
3. “Prepare your shields, large and small.March out for battle!
4. Harness the horses.Soldiers, get on your horses!Go to your places for battle.Put on your helmets!Polish your spears.Put on your armor!
5. What do I see?That army is terrified.The soldiers are running away.Their warriors are defeated.They run away quickly.They don’t look back.There is terror on every side!” says the Lord.
6. “The fast runners cannot run away.The strong soldiers cannot escape.They will stumble and fallin the north, by the Euphrates River.
7. Who is this, rising up like the Nile River?Who comes like that strong, fast river?
8. Egypt rises up like the Nile River.It is Egypt that comes like that strong, fast river.Egypt says, ‘I will rise up and cover the earth.I will destroy cities and the people in them!’
9. Horsemen, charge into battle!Chariot drivers, drive hard!March on, brave soldiers—soldiers from Cush and Put who carry shields.March on, soldiers from Lydia who use bows.
10. “But that day belongs to the Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies.At that time he will give those people the punishment they deserve.The sword will kill until it is finished.The sword will kill until it satisfies its thirst for blood.This is because the Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies, will offer a sacrifice.That sacrifice is Egypt’s army in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River.
11. “Go to Gilead and get some balm.Go up, people of Egypt!You will make up many medicines,but you will not be healed.
12. The nations will hear of your shame.Your cries will fill all the earth.One warrior will run into another.And both of them will fall down together!”
13. This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet. This message is about Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as he came to attack Egypt: