1
Thus says the Lord: I am going to stir up a destructive wind against Babylon and against the inhabitants of Leb-qamai;
2
and I will send winnowers to Babylon, and they shall winnow her. They shall empty her land when they come against her from every side on the day of trouble.
3
Let not the archer bend his bow, and let him not array himself in his coat of mail. Do not spare her young men; utterly destroy her entire army.
4
They shall fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and wounded in her streets.
5
Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of hosts, though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel.
6
Flee from the midst of Babylon, save your lives, each of you! Do not perish because of her guilt, for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he is repaying her what is due.
7
Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's hand, making all the earth drunken; the nations drank of her wine, and so the nations went mad.
8
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and is shattered; wail for her! Bring balm for her wound; perhaps she may be healed.