Dual PanelProphecies against foreign nations
1THIS came to the prophet Jeremiah as the word of the LORD about the nations.
2OF Egypt: about the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt at Carchemish on the river Euphrates, which King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah.
3Hold shield and buckler ready and advance to battle;
4harness the horses, let the riders mount; form up with your helmets on, your lances burnished; on with your coats of mail!
5But now, what sight is this? They are broken and routed, their warriors defeated; they are in headlong flight without a backward look. Terror let loose! This is the word of the LORD.
6Can the swiftest escape, the bravest save himself? In the north, by the river Euphrates, they stumble and fall.
7Who is this rising like the Nile, like rivers turbulent in flood?
8It is Egypt rising like the Nile, like rivers turbulent in flood. I shall arise and cover the earth, says Egypt; I shall destroy every city and its people.
9Let the cavalry charge and the chariots drive furiously! Let the warriors attack, Cushites and men of Put bearing shields, Lydians with their bows ready strung!
10That day belongs to the Lord, the GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance, vengeance on his enemies; the sword will devour until sated, drunk with their blood. For the GOD of Hosts, the Lord, holds sacrifice in a northern land, by the river Euphrates.
11Virgin daughter of Egypt, go up into Gilead and fetch balm. You have tried many remedies, all in vain; no skin will grow over your wounds.
12The nations have heard your cry, and the earth echoes with your screams; warrior stumbles against warrior and both fall down together.
13The word which the LORD spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the advance of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon to harry the land of Egypt:
14Announce it in Egypt, proclaim it in Migdol, proclaim it in Noph and Tahpanhes. Say: Stand to! Be ready! For a sword devours all around you.
15Why does Apis flee? Why does your bull-god not stand fast? Because the LORD has thrust him out.
16The rabble of Egypt stumbles and falls, man against man; each says, “Quick, back to our own people, to our native land, far from the oppressor's sword!”
17Give Pharaoh of Egypt the title King Bombast, the man who missed his opportunity.
18By my life, one will come, says the King whose name is the LORD of Hosts, one mighty as Tabor among the hills, as Carmel by the sea.
19Get ready your baggage for exile, you native people of Egypt; Noph will become a waste, ruined and unpeopled.
20Egypt was a lovely heifer, but a gadfly from the north attacked her.
21The mercenaries in her land were like stall-fed calves; but they too turned tail and fled, not one of them standing his ground. The day of retribution has come upon them, their time of reckoning.
22Egypt is hissing like a fleeing snake, for the enemy has come in force. They attack her with axes like fellers of trees.
23They cut down her forest, says the LORD, for they cannot be numbered; more numerous than locusts, they are past counting.
24The Egyptians are put to shame, enslaved to a northern race.
25The LORD of Hosts the God of Israel has spoken: I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, Egypt with her gods and her princes, Pharaoh and all who trust in him.
26I shall deliver them to those bent on their destruction, to King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon and his troops; yet after this the land will be peopled as of old. This is the word of the LORD.
27But, Jacob my servant, do not be afraid; Israel, do not be dismayed; from afar I shall bring you back safe, and your children from the land where they are captives. Jacob will be at rest once more, secure and untroubled.
28Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, says the LORD, for I am with you. I shall make an end of all the nations amongst whom I have dispersed you; but of you I shall not make an end. I shall discipline you only as you deserve, I shall not leave you wholly unpunished.