1. This is another message that came to me from the lord:
2. “Son of man, prophesy and give this message from the Sovereign lord:“Weep and wailfor that day,
3. for the terrible day is almost here—the day of the lord!It is a day of clouds and gloom,a day of despair for the nations.
4. A sword will come against Egypt,and those who are slaughtered will cover the ground.Its wealth will be carried awayand its foundations destroyed.The land of Ethiopia will be ravished.
5. Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all Arabia,and all their other allieswill be destroyed in that war.
6. “For this is what the lord says:All of Egypt’s allies will fall,and the pride of her power will end.From Migdol to Aswanthey will be slaughtered by the sword,says the Sovereign lord.
7. Egypt will be desolate,surrounded by desolate nations,and its cities will be in ruins,surrounded by other ruined cities.
8. And the people of Egypt will know that I am the lordwhen I have set Egypt on fireand destroyed all their allies.
9. At that time I will send swift messengers in shipsto terrify the complacent Ethiopians.Great panic will come upon themon that day of Egypt’s certain destruction.Watch for it!It is sure to come!
10. “For this is what the Sovereign lord says:By the power of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,I will destroy the hordes of Egypt.
11. He and his armies—the most ruthless of all—will be sent to demolish the land.They will make war against Egyptuntil slaughtered Egyptians cover the ground.
12. I will dry up the Nile Riverand sell the land to wicked men.I will destroy the land of Egypt and everything in itby the hands of foreigners.I, the lord, have spoken!
13. “This is what the Sovereign lord says:I will smash the idols of Egyptand the images at Memphis.There will be no rulers left in Egypt;terror will sweep the land.
14. I will destroy southern Egypt,set fire to Zoan,and bring judgment against Thebes.
15. I will pour out my fury on Pelusium,the strongest fortress of Egypt,and I will stamp outthe hordes of Thebes.