32
The places where people go across the Euphrates River have been captured. The swamps have been set on fire. And the soldiers are terrified."
33
The LORD who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says, "The city of Babylon is like a threshing floor when cattle are walking on it. The time to destroy it will soon come."
34
The people of Jerusalem say, "Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylonia, has destroyed us. He has thrown us into a panic. He has emptied us out like a jar. Like a snake he has swallowed us up. He has filled his stomach with our rich food. Then he has spit us out of his mouth."
35
The people continue, "May the people of Babylon pay for the harmful things they have done to us. May those who live in Babylonia pay for spilling the blood of our people." That's what the people who live in Zion say.
36
So the LORD says, "I will stand up for you. I will pay the Babylonians back for what they did to you. I will dry up their water supply. I will make their springs run dry.
37
Babylon will have all of its buildings knocked down. It will be a home for wild dogs. No one will live there. People will be shocked at it. They will make fun of it.
38
All of its people roar like young lions. They growl like lion cubs.
39
They are stirred up. So I will set a big dinner in front of them. I will make them drunk. And they will shout and laugh. But then they will lie down and die. They will never wake up," announces the Lord.
40
"I will lead them down like lambs to be put to death. They will be like rams and goats that have been killed.
41
"Babylon will be captured! The whole earth was very proud of it. But it will be taken over by others! The nations will be shocked when it falls.
42
Babylon's enemies will sweep over it like an ocean. Like roaring waves they will cover it.