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13 The word that Adonai spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:

14 “Declare it in Egypt, proclaim in Migdol,
and announce in Noph and Tahpanhes.
Say: ‘Stand up and get ready!
For the sword has devoured all around you.
15 Why are your strong ones swept away?
They did not stand up,
because Adonai thrust him down.
16 They keep stumbling,
yes, falling over each other.
Then they said: ‘Get up!
Let’s return to our own people,
to the land of our birth,
away from the oppressor’s sword.’
17 They cried there:
‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise!
He let the opportune time pass.’
18 As I live,” declares the King
—whose Name is Adonai-Tzva’ot
“like Tabor among the mountains,
or like Carmel by the sea,
so surely he will come.”
19 O daughter dwelling in Egypt,
get your bags ready for exile!
For Noph will become a ruin
laid waste, uninhabited.
20 Egypt is a beautiful heifer—
but a biting fly is coming—
from the north it is coming!
21 Even her mercenaries among her
are like stall-fed calves,
for they also will turn back—
they will flee away together,
they will not stand up—
for the day of their calamity has come upon them,
the time of their visitation.
22 Its sound will hiss like a snake,
as they march with an army,
and come against her as woodcutters with axes.
23 They cut down her forest”
—it is a declaration of Adonai
“though it was impenetrable,
for they are worse than the locust
—they are without number.
24 The daughter of Egypt is disgraced,
handed over to people of the north.”

25 Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, Pharaoh, Egypt, with her gods and her kings—even Pharaoh, and them that trust in him. 26 I will hand them over to those seeking their lives, into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his servants. Yet afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old.” It is a declaration of Adonai.

27 “But you, fear not, Jacob My servant,
nor be dismayed, O Israel.
For behold, I will save you from afar,
your offspring from the land of their exile.
And Jacob will return and be at peace and secure,
no one frightening him.
28 Fear not, Jacob My servant”
—it is a declaration of Adonai
“for I am with you.
I will make a full end of all the nations
where I have driven you,
but I will not make a full end of you.
I will discipline you with justice,
but will not utterly destroy you.”

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13 This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon(A) to attack Egypt:(B)

14 “Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol;
    proclaim it also in Memphis(C) and Tahpanhes:(D)
‘Take your positions and get ready,
    for the sword devours(E) those around you.’
15 Why will your warriors be laid low?
    They cannot stand, for the Lord will push them down.(F)
16 They will stumble(G) repeatedly;
    they will fall(H) over each other.
They will say, ‘Get up, let us go back
    to our own people(I) and our native lands,
    away from the sword of the oppressor.’(J)
17 There they will exclaim,
    ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise;(K)
    he has missed his opportunity.(L)

18 “As surely as I live,” declares the King,(M)
    whose name is the Lord Almighty,
“one will come who is like Tabor(N) among the mountains,
    like Carmel(O) by the sea.
19 Pack your belongings for exile,(P)
    you who live in Egypt,
for Memphis(Q) will be laid waste(R)
    and lie in ruins without inhabitant.

20 “Egypt is a beautiful heifer,
    but a gadfly is coming
    against her from the north.(S)
21 The mercenaries(T) in her ranks
    are like fattened calves.(U)
They too will turn and flee(V) together,
    they will not stand their ground,
for the day(W) of disaster is coming upon them,
    the time(X) for them to be punished.
22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent
    as the enemy advances in force;
they will come against her with axes,
    like men who cut down trees.(Y)
23 They will chop down her forest,”
declares the Lord,
    “dense though it be.
They are more numerous than locusts,(Z)
    they cannot be counted.
24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,
    given into the hands of the people of the north.(AA)

25 The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes,(AB) on Pharaoh,(AC) on Egypt and her gods(AD) and her kings, and on those who rely(AE) on Pharaoh. 26 I will give them into the hands(AF) of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king(AG) of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited(AH) as in times past,” declares the Lord.

27 “Do not be afraid,(AI) Jacob(AJ) my servant;(AK)
    do not be dismayed, Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
    your descendants from the land of their exile.(AL)
Jacob will again have peace and security,
    and no one will make him afraid.
28 Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant,
    for I am with you,”(AM) declares the Lord.
“Though I completely destroy(AN) all the nations
    among which I scatter you,
    I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only in due measure;
    I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

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