Study Desk

And I will take away the remnant of Judah, those who have set their face to go to the land of Egypt to stay there. All of them will meet their end in the land of Egypt. They will fall by the sword; they will meet their end by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by the sword and by famine. Then they will become an example for cursing, scorn, execration, and disgrace.

Then the remnant of Judah—those going to live for a while there in the land of Egypt—will have no fugitive or survivor to return to the land of Judah where they are longing to return to stay, for they will not return except for a few fugitives.”

“As for the word you spoke to us in the name of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you!

“As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities and in Jerusalem’s streets—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the Lord not remember them? He brought this to mind.

The Lord can no longer bear your evil deeds and the detestable acts you have committed, so your land has become a waste, a desolation, and an example for cursing, without inhabitant, as you see today.

This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for you and your wives, you women have spoken with your mouths, and you men fulfilled it by your deeds, saying, “We will keep our vows that we have made to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings for her.” Go ahead, confirm your vows! Keep your vows!’

I am watching over them for disaster and not for good, and everyone from Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine until they are finished off.

Those who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah only few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah, the ones going to the land of Egypt to stay there for a while, will know whose word stands, mine or theirs!

But as for you, do you pursue great things for yourself? Stop pursuing! For I am about to bring disaster on everyone”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.”’”

Deploy small shields and large;approach for battle!

Go up to Gilead and get balm,Virgin Daughter Egypt!You have multiplied remedies in vain;there is no healing for you.

Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol!Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes!Say, “Take positions! Prepare yourself,for the sword devours all around you.”

Why have your strong ones been swept away?Each has not stood,for the Lord has thrust him down.

Get your bags ready for exile,inhabitant of Daughter Egypt!For Memphis will become a desolation,uninhabited ruins.

Even her mercenaries among herare like stall-fed calves.They too will turn back;together they will flee;they will not take their stand,for the day of their calamity is coming on them,the time of their punishment.

Egypt will hiss like a slithering snake,for the enemy will come with an army;with axes they will come against herlike those who cut trees.

But you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid,and do not be discouraged, Israel,for without fail I will save you from far away,and your descendants from the land of their captivity!Jacob will return and have calm and quietwith no one to frighten him.

At the sound of the stomping hooves of his stallions,the rumbling of his chariots,and the clatter of their wheels,fathers will not turn back for their sons.They will be utterly helpless

There is no longer praise for Moab;they plan harm against her in Heshbon:Come, let’s cut her off from nationhood.Also, Madmen, you will be silenced;the sword will follow you.

For on the Ascent to Luhiththey will be weeping continually,and on the descent to Horonaimwill be heard cries of distress over the destruction: