Isaiah 19:2-16

2“I will turn one Egyptian against another. They will fight— brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

3The Egyptians will lose courage. I will unravel their plans. They will turn to idols, ghosts, mediums, and fortunetellers.

4I will hand over the Egyptians to a harsh master. A strong king will rule them,” declares the Almighty Lord of Armies.

5The water in the Nile River will be dried up, and the river will be dry and empty.

6The canals will stink. Egypt’s streams will be emptied and dried up. The reeds and cattails will wither.

7The rushes by the Nile, by the edge of the Nile, and all the fields planted beside the Nile will dry up, be blown away, and disappear.

8Fishermen will cry. All who cast their lines into the Nile will mourn. Those who spread their nets on the water will sigh.

9Linenworkers and weavers will be ashamed.

10Egypt’s weavers will be crushed. Those who work for money will be distressed.

11The leaders of Zoan are nothing but fools. The wisest of Pharaoh’s counselors gives stupid advice. How can you tell Pharaoh, “I’m a descendant of wise men, a descendant of ancient kings”?

12Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you. Let them explain what the Lord of Armies is planning against Egypt.

13The leaders of Zoan are acting foolishly. The leaders of Memphis are led astray. The leaders who are the cornerstones of its tribes mislead the Egyptians.

14The Lord mixes up their minds. So they lead the Egyptians astray like a drunk who staggers in his vomit.

15No one—leaders or followers, important or unimportant— can do anything for Egypt.

16At that time Egyptians will act like women. They will tremble and be terrified because the Lord of Armies will shake his fist at them.