²² Egypt is like a hissing snake that is trying to escape.
    The ·enemy [^Larmy] comes closer and closer.
They come against it [^CEgypt] with axes
    like men who cut down trees.
²³ They will ·chop [cut] down her forest [^CEgypt’s army]
    ·as if it were a great forest [or for they cannot be numbered; ^Ccould refer either to the Babylonians or the Egyptians],” says the Lord.
“There are more [^Cenemy soldiers] than locusts;
    there are too many to count.
²⁴ The people of Egypt will be ·ashamed [humiliated].
    They will be handed over to the enemy from the north [^CBabylon].”