14. “Declare in Egypt, publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say, ‘Stand up, and prepare; for the sword has devoured around you.’

15. Why are your strong ones swept away? They didn’t stand, because יהוה pushed them.

16. He made many to stumble. Yes, they fell on one another. They said, ‘Arise! Let’s go again to our own people, and to the land of our birth, from the oppressing sword.’

17. They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he has let the appointed time pass by.’

18. “As I live,” says the King, whose name is יהוה of Armies, “surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, so he will come.

19. You daughter who dwells in Egypt, furnish yourself to go into captivity; for Memphis will become a desolation, and will be burned up, without inhabitant.

20. “Egypt is a very beautiful heifer; but destruction out of the north has come. It has come.

21. Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They didn’t stand, for the day of their calamity has come on them, the time of their visitation.

22. Its sound will go like the serpent; for they will march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.

23. They will cut down her forest,” says יהוה, “though it can’t be searched; because they are more than the locusts, and are innumerable.

24. The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed; she will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.”

25. יהוה of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him. 

26. I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old,” says יהוה. 

27. “But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant. Don’t be dismayed, Israel; for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease. No one will make him afraid.

28. Don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant,” says יהוה; “for I am with you; for 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, but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished.”

ETZ CHAIM

It is a tree of life for those who cling to it, and those who uphold it are happy.  Its ways are pleasant, and all of its paths peaceful.

Return us to you, Lord, so that we shall return, renew our days as of old.