1 The Lord spoke this message to the prophet Jeremiah about the nations.
2 This is the message about Egypt, about the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated his army at Carchemish along the Euphrates River during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah.
3 “Get your large and small shields ready; advance into battle.
4 Harness your horses. Mount up, you horsemen.
5 “What do I see in them?
6 “The infantry can’t flee.
7 Who is this, rising like the Nile River,
8 Egypt is like the rising Nile River,
9 Go into battle, you horsemen.
10 That day belongs to the Almighty Lord of Armies.
11 Go to Gilead, and get medicine, dear people of Egypt.
12 The nations have heard of your shame; your cry fills the earth.
13 The Lord spoke this message to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who will defeat Egypt.
14 “Tell this in Egypt; announce this in Migdol.
15 Why should your soldiers be cut down?
16 They have repeatedly stumbled, and now they have fallen.
17 There they will cry, ‘Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is a big windbag.
18 “As I live,” declares the king, whose name is the Lord of Armies,
19 Pack your bags, inhabitants of Egypt,
20 “Egypt is like a beautiful cow,
21 Egypt’s hired soldiers are like fattened calves.
22 Egypt will hiss like a snake as it slithers away.
23 They will cut down the forest,” declares the Lord,
24 The people of Egypt will be put to shame.
25 The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says,
26 I’ll hand them over to those who want to kill them,
27 “Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob.
28 Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares the Lord.