4. I will hand the Egyptians over to a mean and unkind master. A powerful king will rule over them," announces the Lord. He is the Lord who rules over all.
5. The waters of the Nile River will dry up. The bottom of it will be cracked and dry.
6. Its waterways will stink. And the streams of Egypt will get smaller and smaller until they dry up. The tall grass that grows along the river will dry up.
7. So will the plants along the banks of the Nile. Even the planted fields along the Nile will dry up. Everything that grows there will blow away and disappear.
8. The fishermen will moan. All those who drop hooks into the Nile will sob. Those who throw their nets on the water will become very sad.
9. Those who make clothes out of flax will lose hope. So will those who weave fine linen.
10. Those who work with cloth will be unhappy. And all those who work for money will be sick at heart.
11. The officials of the city of Zoan are very foolish. Pharaoh's wise men give advice that doesn't make any sense. How can they dare to say to Pharaoh, "We're among the wise men"? How can they say to him, "We're like the advisers to the kings of long ago"?
12. Pharaoh, where are your wise men now? Let them tell you what the Lord who rules over all has planned against Egypt.
13. The officials of Zoan have become foolish. The leaders of Memphis have been lied to. The most important leaders in Egypt have led its people down the wrong path.
14. The Lord has given them a spirit that makes them feel dizzy. They make Egypt unsteady in everything it does. Egypt is like a person who drinks too much. He throws up and then walks around in the mess he's made.
15. No one in Egypt can do anything to help them. Its elders and important leaders can't help them. Its prophets and priests can't do anything. Those who rule over others can't help. And those who bow down to them can't help either.
16. In days to come, the people of Egypt will be as terrified as women. The Lord who rules over all will raise his hand against them. Then they will tremble with fear.