Study Desk

and casks of wine from Izal in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia and calamus.

"‘The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold.

"‘The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea.

By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

Speak to him and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "‘I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, you great monster lying among your streams. You say, "The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself."

Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord . "‘You have been a staff of reed for the people of Israel.

The foot of neither man nor beast will pass through it; no one will live there for forty years.

Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord .'"

Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as pay for his army.

I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord .

"On that day I will make a horn grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord ."

"Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "‘Wail and say, "Alas for that day!"

For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

"‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt's doom, for it is sure to come.

It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters.

I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,

Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortals who go down to the realm of the dead.

"‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day it was brought down to the realm of the dead I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.

I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with horror because of you when I brandish my sword before them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life.