28
Prepare the nations for war against her, the kings of Media, its governors, all its officials, and all the countries they rule.
29
The earth quakes and trembles because the LORD's plans against Babylon are fulfilled: to reduce Babylon to a wasteland, with no one left in it.
30
Babylon's warriors quit fighting; they hide in their fortifications. Their strength is worn out; their courage is gone! Babylon's houses are burned down, and its gates are smashed.
31
Courier joins courier, messenger joins messenger to relate the news to the king of Babylon that his entire city has fallen.
32
The river crossings are blocked; the marshes are on fire; the soldiers are terrified.
33
The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: Daughter Babylon is like a threshing floor ready to be trampled down. In a little while her harvest will come.
34
Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar has eaten us alive; he's drained us of strength; he's left us for dead. He's gobbled us up like a great sea monster; he's filled his belly with our treasures; and he's spit us out.
35
May Babylon be violated as our bodies were, say the inhabitants of Zion. May our blood be on the Babylonians, say those from Jerusalem.
36
Therefore, the LORD proclaims: I'm going to defend your cause; I'll turn the tables on your attacker. I'll dry up her sea; I'll shut up her springs.
37
Babylon will become a heap of ruins, a den of wild dogs, a wasteland with no one left in it.
38
Like lions they will roar together; they will growl like lions' cubs.