Jeremiah

*The LORD's message given to Jeremiah the prophet about non-Jewish people.

*This verse says that there was a battle between Egypt and Babylon near the Euphrates River in a place called Carchemish. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated Pharaohnecho, the king of Egypt, during the time when Jehoiakim was ruling Judah, which happened to be in his fourth year as king.

*Get the protective shield and defend yourself, and prepare for the fight.

*Tie the horses up and get ready, horse riders. Put on your helmets and prepare your weapons.

*Why do I see them frightened and running away? Their strong leaders are defeated and running fast, not looking back. They're afraid because fear surrounds them, says the Lord.

*Don't let the fast person run away or the strong person hide; they will trip and fall towards the north near the Euphrates River.

*Who is this person coming like a huge wave, whose water flows like rivers being carried by currents?

*Egypt rises like a powerful flood, with rivers overflowing. It says, "I will rise and cover the land. I will destroy the city and its people."

*"Horses, get ready and be angry; chariots, prepare to move fast; strong people, come out! The Ethiopians and Libyans who hold shields, and the Lydians skilled in archery - all of you, get ready!"

*This is the day when God, the powerful leader, takes action against his enemies to get revenge. The sword will take a lot of blood and become filled with it. This happens because God wants to offer a sacrifice in a place called the north country near the Euphrates River.

*Go to Gilead and get healing balm, young woman from Egypt. Trying lots of remedies won't help; you can't be healed.

*People around the world know your disgrace, and your crying has made the area loud. Big people have lost their balance and fell with others.

*The message the LORD gave to Jeremiah, the prophet, said that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, would attack and defeat Egypt's land.

*Tell people in Egypt, announce it in Migdol, and tell it in Noph and Tahpanhes: say, Stay strong and get ready; because swords will surround you and attack.

*Why did your brave people get defeated? They couldn't stand firm because the LORD made them lose.

*He caused many to stumble, yes, one fell on top of another. They said, "Get up and let's return to our own people and our homeland, away from the oppressive sword.

*They cried there, saying the Egyptian king, Pharaoh, is just a noise; he has gone past the time he was supposed to last.

*"I swear by the King, whose name is the Lord of all armies," said the Lord. "Just like Tabor stands out among the mountains and Carmel by the sea, so will this person arrive."

*Dear girl living in Egypt, get ready to be taken as a prisoner; because Noph will become empty and abandoned with no one living there.

*Egypt is like a beautiful cow, but it will be destroyed. This destruction comes from the north.

*She has workers like big fat cows in the middle of her. But when trouble came, they ran away and didn't stay. It was the day of their misery and their punishment arrived.

*The sound will be like a snake; because they will walk with a big group and attack her with axes, like people cutting wood.

*The Lord says they will destroy her forest, even though it's hard to find. This is because there are too many of them, like more grasshoppers than you can count.

*The Egyptian girl will be confused, and she will be given to the northern people.

*The Lord of all powers, the God of Israel, says: I will punish the many people of No, Pharaoh, and Egypt, along with their gods and kings. This includes Pharaoh and everyone who trusts in him.

*I will give them to those who want to take their lives, and to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and his helpers. Afterward, people will live there again, just like before, says the Lord.

*"Don't worry, my servant Jacob," God says, "and don't be scared, Israel. I will rescue you and your children far away from where they are captured. You, Jacob, will come back, feel safe and relaxed, and nobody will scare you."

*Don't be afraid, Jacob, my servant, says the Lord. I am with you and will punish all the nations that have chased you. But I won't completely destroy you. Instead, I will discipline you fairly. However, I won't let you go without giving you some punishment.