1
The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
2
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnechoking of Egypt, which was by the riverEuphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzarking of Babylonsmote in the fourthyear of Jehoiakim the son of Josiahking of Judah.
3
Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets;furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
5
Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fledapace, and look not back: for fear was round about,saith the LORD.
6
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty manescape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the northby the riverEuphrates.
7
Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8
Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
9
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians[a] and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
10
For this is the day of the LordGOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the LordGOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the northcountry by the riverEuphrates.
11
Go up into Gilead, and takebalm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use manymedicines; for thou shalt not be cured.