21. The foreign soldiers you hiredwill turn and run.But they are doomed,like well-fed calvesbeing led to the butcher.
22-23. The enemy army will go forwardlike a swarm of locusts.Your troops will feel helpless,like a snake in a forestwhen men with axesstart chopping down trees.It can only hissand try to escape.
24. Your people will be disgracedand captured by the enemyfrom the north.
25. I am the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel. Soon I will punish the god Amon of Thebes and the other Egyptian gods, the Egyptian kings, the people of Egypt, and everyone who trusts in the Egyptian power.
26. I will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar and his army. But I also promise that Egypt will some day have people living here again, just as it had before. I, the Lord, have spoken.
27. Israel, don't be afraid.Some day I will bring you homefrom foreign lands.You and your descendantswill live in peace and safety,with nothing to fear.