1The LORD’s word which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.
2Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah.
3“Prepare the buckler and shield,
4Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen,
5Why have I seen it?
6“Don’t let the swift flee away,
7“Who is this who rises up like the Nile,
8Egypt rises up like the Nile,
9Go up, you horses!
10For that day is of the Lord, the LORD of Hosts,
11Go up into Gilead, and take balm, virgin daughter of Egypt.
12The nations have heard of your shame,
13The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt:
14“Declare in Egypt,
15Why are your strong ones swept away?
16He made many to stumble.
17They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise;
18“As I live,” says the King,
19You daughter who dwells in Egypt,
20“Egypt is a very beautiful heifer;
21Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall,
22Its sound will go like the serpent,
23They will cut down her forest,” says the LORD,
24The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed;
25The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods and her kings, even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him.
26I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old,” says the LORD.
27“But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant.
28Don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant,” says the LORD,