Jeremiah 46:2-16

About Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco, Egypt’s king,  which was defeated at Carchemish  on the Euphrates River by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in the fourth year of Judah’s King Jehoiakim son of Josiah:  Deploy small shields  and large; approach for battle! Harness the horses; mount the steeds;  take your positions with helmets on! Polish the lances; put on armor!  Why have I seen this? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are crushed, they flee headlong, they never look back, terror is on every side!  This is the  LORD’s declaration. The swift cannot flee, and the warrior cannot escape!  In the north by the bank of the Euphrates River, they stumble and fall.  Who is this, rising like the Nile,  with waters that churn like rivers? Egypt rises like the Nile,  and its waters churn like rivers. He boasts, “I will go up, I will cover the earth; I will destroy cities with their residents.” Rise up, you cavalry! Race furiously, you chariots! Let the warriors march out — Cush and Put,  who are able to handle shields, and the men of Lud,  who are able to handle and string the bow.  That day belongs to the Lord, the  GOD of Armies, a day of vengeance to avenge himself against his adversaries. The sword will devour and be satisfied; it will drink its fill of their blood, because it will be a sacrifice  to the Lord, the  GOD of Armies, in the northern land by the Euphrates River.  Go up to Gilead and get balm,  Virgin Daughter Egypt! You have multiplied remedies in vain; there is no healing for you. The nations have heard of your dishonor,  and your cries fill the earth, because warrior stumbles against warrior and together both of them have fallen. This is the word the LORD spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to defeat the land of Egypt:  Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol!  Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes! Say, “Take positions! Prepare yourself, for the sword devours all around you.”  Why have your strong ones been swept away? Each has not stood, for the LORD has thrust him down. He continues to stumble.  Indeed, each falls over the other. They say, “Get up! Let’s return to our people and to our native land, away from the oppressor’s sword.”