The Desolation of Egypt

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will bring a sword against you and cut off from you man and beast. 9 The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Because you said,‘The Nile [is] mine; I made it,’ 10 therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush.[fn] 11 No foot of man [or] beast will pass through, and it will be uninhabited for forty years.

12 

I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and her cities will lie desolate for forty years among the ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.

13 

For this is what the Lord GOD says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations to which they were scattered 14 I will restore Egypt from captivity[fn] and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin. There they will be a lowly kingdom.

15 

Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the nations. For I will diminish [Egypt] so that it will never again rule over the nations. 16 Egypt will never again be an object of trust for the house of Israel, but will remind them of [their] iniquity in turning to the Egyptians. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.”

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