⁷ “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire^(A) of me, ‘Pharaoh’s army, which has marched^(B) out to support you, will go back to its own land, to Egypt.^(C)

¹⁷ Pharaoh^(A) with his mighty army and great horde will be of no help to him in war, when ramps^(B) are built and siege works erected to destroy many lives.^(C)

³ King Zedekiah, however, sent^(A) Jehukal^(B) son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah^(C) son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray^(D) to the Lord our God for us.”

² “Inquire^(A) now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar^[a](B) king of Babylon^(C) is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders^(D) for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt

¹⁸ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire^(A) of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard:

¹⁶ Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence^(A) for the people of Israel but will be a reminder^(B) of their sin in turning to her for help.^(C) Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.^(D)’”

⁶ Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord.

“‘You have been a staff of reed^(A) for the people of Israel. ⁷ When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered^(B) and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.^[a](C)