Jeremiah 46:13–28

13 This is the word the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to defeat the land of Egypt:t

14 Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol!u

Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes!

Say, “Take positions! Prepare yourself,

for the sword devours all around you.”v

15 Why have your strong ones been swept away?

Each has not stood,

for the Lord has thrust him down.

16 He continues to stumble.w

Indeed, each falls over the other.

They say, “Get up! Let’s return to our people

and to our native land,

away from the oppressor’s sword.”x

17 There they will cry out,

“Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise;

he let the opportune moment pass.”

18 As I live—

this is the King’s declaration;

the Lord of Armies is his namey —

the king of BabylonA will come like Tabor among the mountains

and like Carmel by the sea.

19 Get your bags ready for exile,

inhabitant of Daughter Egypt!a

For Memphis will become a desolation,

uninhabited ruins.

20 Egypt is a beautiful young cow,b

but a horsefly from the north is coming against her.B,c

21 Even her mercenaries among her

are like stall-fed calves.

They too will turn back;

together they will flee;

they will not take their stand,

for the day of their calamity is coming on them,

the time of their punishment.d

22 Egypt will hiss like a slithering snake,C

for the enemy will come with an army;

with axes they will come against her

like those who cut trees.e

23 They will cut down her forest—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

though it is dense,

for they are more numerous than locusts;

they cannot be counted.f

24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,

handed over to a northern people.g

25 The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says, “I am about to punish Amon, god of Thebes,h along with Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings—Pharaoh and those trusting in him. 26 I will hand them over to those who intend to take their livesi —to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his officers. But after this,j EgyptA will be inhabited again as in ancient times.”

This is the Lord’s declaration.

REASSURANCE FOR ISRAEL

27 But you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid,k

and do not be discouraged, Israel,

for without fail I will save you from far away,

and your descendants from the land of their captivity!

Jacob will return and have calm and quiet

with no one to frighten him.

28 And you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

for I will be with you.l

I will bring destruction on all the nations

where I have banished you,

but I will not bring destruction on you.

I will discipline you with justice,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.m