Jer 46 | AB | STEP | In the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah, there came this word concerning the nations.

‏ Jeremiah 46

1 In the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah, there came this word concerning the nations. 2 For Egypt, against the power of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, who was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck in the fourth year of Jehoiakim king of Judah: 3 Take up arms and spears, and draw close to battle; 4 and harness the horses. Mount, you horsemen, and stand ready in your helmets; advance the spears, and put on your breastplates. 5 Why do they fear, and turn back? Even because their mighty men shall be slain: They have utterly fled, and being hemmed in they have not rallied, says the Lord. 6 Let not the swift flee, and let not the mighty man escape to the north. The forces at Euphrates have become feeble, and they have fallen. 7 Who is this that shall come up as a river, and as rivers roll their waves? 8 The waters of Egypt shall come up like a river. And he said, I will go up, and will cover the earth, and will destroy its inhabitants. 9 Mount the horses, prepare the chariots; go forth, you warriors of the Ethiopians, and Libyans armed with shields; and mount, you Libyans, bend the bow. 10 And that day shall be to the Lord our God a day of vengeance, to take vengeance on His enemies. And the sword of the Lord shall devour, and be glutted, and be drunken with their blood; for the Lord has a sacrifice from the land of the north at the River Euphrates. 11 Go up to Gilead, and take balm for the virgin daughter of Egypt. In vain have you multiplied your medicines; there is no help for you. 12 The nations have heard your voice, and the land has been filled with your cry; for the warriors have fainted fighting, one against another, and both have fallen together. 13 The words which the Lord spoke by Jeremiah, concerning the coming of the king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt. 14 Proclaim it at Migdol, and declare it at Memphis. Say, Stand up, and prepare; for the sword has devoured your yew tree. 15 Why has Apis fled from you? Your choice calf has not remained; for the Lord has utterly weakened him. 16 And your multitude has fainted and fallen; and each one has said to his neighbor, Let us arise, and return into our country to our people, from the Grecian sword. 17 Call on the name of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt; he has passed the appointed time. 18 As I live, says the Lord God, he shall come, surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel that is on the sea. 19 O daughter of Egypt dwelling at home, prepare for yourselves stuff for removing: for Memphis shall be utterly desolate, and shall be called Woe, because there are no inhabitants in it. 20 Egypt is a fair heifer, but destruction from the north has come upon her. 21 Also her hired soldiers in the midst of her are as fatted calves fed in her; for they also have turned, and fled with one accord. They stood not, for the day of destruction had come upon them, and the time of their retribution. 22 Their voice is as that of a hissing serpent, for they go upon the sand. They shall come upon Egypt with axes, as men that cut wood. 23 They shall cut down her forest, says the Lord, for their number cannot at all be determined, for it exceeds the locust in multitude, and they are innumerable. 24 The daughter of Egypt is confounded; she is delivered into the hands of a people from the north. 25 Behold, I will avenge Ammon her son upon Pharaoh, and upon them that trust in him. 27 But fear not, My servant Jacob, neither be alarmed, Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be at ease, and sleep, and there shall be no one to trouble him. 28 Fear not, My servant Jacob, says the Lord; for I am with you. She that was without fear and in luxury, has been delivered up; for I will make a full end of every nation among whom I have thrust you forth. But I will not cause you to fail. Yet will I chastise you in the way of judgment, and will not hold you entirely guiltless.