2. In the fourth year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia defeated King Neco of Egypt in a battle at the city of Carchemish near the River Euphrates. And here is what the Lord told me to say about the Egyptian army:
3. It's time to go into battle!So grab your shields,
4. saddle your horses,and polish your spears.Put on your helmets and armour,then take your positions.
5. I can see the battle now—you are defeatedand running away,never once looking back.Terror is all around.
6. You are strong and run fast,but you can't escape.You fall in battlenear the River Euphrates.
7. What nation is this,that rises like the River Nileoverflowing its banks?
8. It is Egypt, rising with a roarlike a raging riverand saying,“I'll flood the earth,destroying cities, and killingeveryone in them.”
9. Go ahead, Egypt.Tell your chariots and cavalryto attack and fight hard.Order your troops to march out,with Ethiopians and Libyanscarrying shields,and the Lydians armed with bowsand arrows.
13-14. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia was on his way to attack Egypt, the Lord sent me with a warning for every Egyptian town, but especially for Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes. He said I must tell them:Prepare to defend yourselves!Everywhere in your nation,people are dying in war.
15. I have struck downyour mighty god Apisand chased him away.
16. Your soldiers stumbleover each otherand say, “Get up!The enemy will kill us,unless we can escapeto our own land.”
17. Give the king of Egyptthis new name,“Talks-Big-Does-Nothing”.
18. Egypt, I am the true king,the Lord All-Powerful,and as surely as I live,those enemies who attackwill tower over youlike Mount Tabor among the hillsor Mount Carmel by the sea.