⁹ The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.

“‘“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it;’ ¹⁰ therefore, behold, I am against you, and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the tower of Seveneh even to the border of Ethiopia. ¹¹ No foot of man will pass through it, nor will any animal foot pass through it. It won’t be inhabited for forty years. ¹² I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.”

¹³ “‘For the Lord Yahweh says: “At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered. ¹⁴ I will reverse the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth. They will be a lowly kingdom, there. ¹⁵ It will be the lowest of the kingdoms. It won’t lift itself up above the nations any more. I will diminish them, so that they will no longer rule over the nations. ¹⁶ It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”’”