1
This is what the LORD says: I will stir up a destructive wind against Babylon and against the people who live in Leb Kamai.
2
I will send people to winnow Babylon, to winnow it and strip its land bare. They will attack it from every direction on the day of trouble.
3
Have the archers bend their bows. Have them put on their armor. Don't spare Babylon's young men. Completely destroy its whole army.
4
Babylon's soldiers will fall down badly wounded in their streets. They will lie dead in their own land.
5
Israel and Judah haven't been abandoned by their God, the LORD of Armies, although their land is guilty of abandoning the Holy One of Israel.
6
Run away from Babylon! Run for your lives! You shouldn't die because of Babylon's crimes. This is the time for the vengeance of the LORD. He will pay the people of Babylon back for what they have done.
7
Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand. It made the whole world drunk. The nations drank its wine. That is why the nations have gone insane.
8
Babylon will suddenly fall and be shattered. Cry for it. Bring medicine for its pain. Maybe it can be healed.
9
We wanted to heal Babylon, but it couldn't be healed. Let's abandon it and go to our own land. God has judged Babylon. Its judgment is complete.
10
The LORD has brought about our victory. Let's announce in Zion what the LORD our God has done.
11
Sharpen the arrows; fill the quivers. The LORD will stir up the spirit of the kings of the Medes because his plan is to destroy Babylon. The LORD will avenge his temple.
12
Raise your battle flag in front of the walls of Babylon. Strengthen the guards. Station watchmen. Prepare ambushes. The LORD will carry out his plans against the people who live in Babylon.
13
Babylon, you live beside many rivers and are rich with treasures, but your end has come. The thread of your life has been cut off.
14
The LORD of Armies has taken an oath on himself: "I will certainly fill you with many enemy armies. They will swarm like locusts. People will shout their victory over you."
15
The LORD made the earth by his power. He set up the world by his wisdom. He stretched out heaven by his understanding.
16
When he thunders, the water in the sky roars. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain. He brings wind out of his storehouses.
17
Everyone is stupid and ignorant. Metalsmiths are put to shame by their idols. Their statues are false [gods].
18
They can't breathe. They are worthless jokes. When they are punished, they will disappear.