A Message About EgyptThis is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations : Concerning Egypt : This is message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt , which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah : " Prepare your shields , both large and small , and march out for battle ! Harness the horses , mount the steeds ! Take your positions with helmets on ! Polish you spears , put on your armor ! What do I see ? They are terrified , they are retreating , their warriors are defeated . They flee in haste without looking back , and there is terror on every side , " declares the Lord . " The swift cannot flee nor the strong escape . In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall . " Who is this that rises like the Nile , like rivers of surging waters ? Egypt rises like the Nile , like rivers of surging waters . She says , ' I will rise and cover the earth ; I will destroy cities and their people . ' Charge , you horses ! Drive furiously , you charioteers ! March on , you warriors — men of Cush and Put who carry shields , men of Lydia who draw the bow . But that day belongs to the Lord , the Lord Almighty — a day of vengeance , for vengeance on his foes . The sword will devour till it is satisfied , till it has quenched its thirst with blood . for the Lord , the Lord Almighty , will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates . " Go up to Gilead and get balm , Virgin Daughter Egypt . But you try many medicines in vain ; there is no healing for you . The nations will hear of your shame ; your cries will fill the earth . one warrior will stumble over another ; both will fall down together . " This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt : " Announce this in Egypt , and proclaim it in Migdol ; proclaim it also in Memphis and Tahpanhes : ' Take your positions and get ready , for the sword devours those around you . ' Why will your warriors be laid low ? They cannot stand , for the Lord will push them down . They will stumble repeatedly ; they will fall over each other . They will say , ' Get up , let us go back to our own people and our native lands , away from the sword of the oppressor . ' There they will exclaim , ' Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise ; he has missed his opportunity . ' " As surely as I live , " declares the King , whose name is the Lord Almighty , one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains , like Carmel by the sea . Pack your belongings for exile , you who live in Egypt for memphis will be laid waste and lie in ruins without inhabitant . " Egypt is a beautiful heifer , but a gadfly is coming against her from the north . The mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves . They too will turn and flee together , they will not stand their ground , for the day of disaster is coming upon them , the time for them to be punished . Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent as the enemy advances in force ; they will come against her with axes , like men who cut down trees . They will chop down her forest , " declares the Lord , " dense though it be . They are more numerous than locusts , they cannot be counted . Daughter Egypt will be put to shame , given into the hands of the people of the north . " The Lord Almighty , the God of Israel , says : " I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes , on Pharaoh , on Egypt and her gods and her kings , and on those who rely on Pharaoh . I will give them into the hands of those who want to kill them Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers . Later , however , Egypt will be inhabited as in times past , " declares the Lord . " Do not be afraid , Jacob my servant ; do not be dismayed , Israel . I will surely save you out of the distant place , your descendants from the land of their exile . Jacob will again have peace and security , and no one will make him afraid . Do not be afraid , Jacob my servant , for I am with you , " declares the Lord . " Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you , I will not completely destroy you . I will discipline you but only in due measure ; I will not let you go entirely unpunished . "