5. What do I see?” says the Lord.“The soldiers are terrified.They are retreating.They have been defeated.They are overcome with terror;they desert quicklywithout looking back.
6. But even the swiftest cannot get away.Even the strongest cannot escape.There in the north by the Euphrates Riverthey stumble and fall in defeat.
7. “Who is this that rises like the Nile,like its streams turbulent at flood stage?
8. Egypt rises like the Nile,like its streams turbulent at flood stage.Egypt says, ‘I will arise and cover the earth.I will destroy cities and the people who inhabit them.’
9. Go ahead and charge into battle, you horsemen!Drive furiously, you charioteers!Let the soldiers march out into battle,those from Ethiopia and Libya who carry shields,and those from Lydia who are armed with the bow.
10. But that day belongs to the Lord God who rules over all.It is the day when he will pay back his enemies.His sword will devour them until its appetite is satisfied!It will drink their blood until it is full!For the Lord God who rules over all will offer them up as a sacrificein the land of the north by the Euphrates River.
11. Go up to Gilead and get medicinal ointment,you dear poor people of Egypt.But it will prove useless no matter how much medicine you use;there will be no healing for you.
12. The nations will hear of your devastating defeat.your cries of distress will echo throughout the earth.In the panic of their flight one soldier will trip over anotherand both of them will fall down defeated.”
13. The Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about Nebuchadnezzar coming to attack the land of Egypt.
14. “Make an announcement throughout Egypt.Proclaim it in Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes.‘Take your positions and prepare to do battle.For the enemy army is destroying all the nations around you.’
15. Why will your soldiers be defeated?They will not stand because I, the Lord, will thrust them down.
16. I will make many stumble.They will fall over one another in their hurry to flee.They will say, ‘Get up! Let’s go back to our own people.Let’s go back to our homelandsbecause the enemy is coming to destroy us.’
17. There at home they will say, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is just a big noise!He has let the most opportune moment pass by.’
18. I the King, whose name is the Lord who rules over all, swear this:I swear as surely as I live that a conqueror is coming.He will be as imposing as Mount Tabor is among the mountains,as Mount Carmel is against the backdrop of the sea.
19. Pack your bags for exile,you inhabitants of poor dear Egypt.For Memphis will be laid waste.It will lie in ruins and be uninhabited.
20. Egypt is like a beautiful young cow.But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.