Chapter 19
1 The burden of Egypt . " Behold , the LORD rides on a swift cloud , and comes to Egypt . The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence ; and the heart of Egypt will melt within it .
2 I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians , and they will fight everyone against his brother , and everyone against his neighbour ; city against city , and kingdom against kingdom .
3 The spirit of the Egyptians will fail within them . I will destroy their counsel . They will seek the idols, the charmers, those who have familiar spirits , and the wizards .
4 I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord . A fierce king will rule over them ," says the Lord , GOD ", usually pronounced Yahweh). of Armies .
5 The waters will fail from the sea , and the river will be wasted and become dry .
6 The rivers will become foul. The streams of Egypt will be diminished and dried up . The reeds and flags will wither away .
7 The meadows by the Nile , by the brink of the Nile , and all the sown fields of the Nile , will become dry , be driven away , and be no more .
8 The fishermen will lament, and all those who fish in the Nile will mourn , and those who spread nets on the waters will languish.
9 Moreover those who work in combed flax , and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
10 The pillars will be broken in pieces . All those who work for hire will be grieved in soul .
11 The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh has become stupid . How do you say to Pharaoh , " I am the son of the wise , the son of ancient kings "?
12 Where then are your wise men ? Let them tell you now ; and let them know what the LORD of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt .
13 The princes of Zoan have become fools . The princes of Memphis are deceived . They have caused Egypt to go astray , those who are the cornerstone of her tribes .
14 The LORD has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the middle of her ; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works , like a drunken man staggers in his vomit .
15 Neither shall there be any work for Egypt , which head or tail , palm branch or rush, may do .
16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble and fear because of the shaking of the LORD of Armies ’s hand , which he shakes over them .
17 The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt . Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid , because of the plans of the LORD of Armies , which he determines against it .
18 In that day , there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan , and swear to the LORD of Armies . One will be called " The city of destruction ."
19 In that day , there will be an altar to the LORD in the middle of the land of Egypt , and a pillar to the LORD at its border .
20 It will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of Armies in the land of Egypt ; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors , and he will send them a saviour and a defender, and he will deliver them .
21 The LORD will be known to Egypt , and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day . Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering , and will vow a vow to the LORD , and will perform it .
22 The LORD will strike Egypt , striking and healing . They will return to the LORD , and he will be entreated by them , and will heal them .
23 In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt , and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.
24 In that day , Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing within the earth;
25 because the LORD of Armies has blessed them , saying, " Blessed be Egypt my people , Assyria the work of my hands , and Israel my inheritance ."