7
Babylonia was like a gold cup in my hand, making the whole world drunk. The nations drank its wine and went out of their minds.
1
8
Babylonia has suddenly fallen and is destroyed! Mourn over it! Get medicine for its wounds, and maybe it can be healed.
9
Foreigners living there said, "We tried to help Babylonia, but it was too late. Let's leave now and go back home. God has punished Babylonia with all his might and has destroyed it completely.' "
2
10
The Lord says, "My people shout, "The Lord has shown that we are in the right. Let's go and tell the people in Jerusalem what the Lord our God has done.' "
11
The Lord has stirred up the kings of Media, because he intends to destroy Babylonia. That is how he will take revenge for the destruction of his Temple. The attacking officers command, "Sharpen your arrows! Get your shields ready!
12
Give the signal to attack Babylon's walls. Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Place troops in ambush!" The Lord has done what he said he would do to the people of Babylonia.
13
That country has many rivers and rich treasures, but its time is up, and its thread of life is cut.
3
14
The Lord Almighty has sworn by his own life that he will bring many men to attack Babylonia like a swarm of locusts, and they will shout with victory.
15
The Lord made the earth by his power; by his wisdom he created the world and stretched out the heavens.
16
At his command the waters above the sky roar; he brings clouds from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning flash in the rain and sends the wind from his storeroom.
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At the sight of this, people feel stupid and senseless; those who make idols are disillusioned because the gods they make are false and lifeless.
18
They are worthless and should be despised; they will be destroyed when the Lord comes to deal with them.
19
The God of Jacob is not like them; he is the one who made everything, and he has chosen Israel to be his very own people. The Lord Almighty is his name.
20
The Lord says, "Babylonia, you are my hammer, my weapon of war. I used you to crush nations and kingdoms,
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to shatter horses and riders, to shatter chariots and their drivers,
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to kill men and women, to slay old and young, to kill boys and girls,
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to slaughter shepherds and their flocks, to slaughter farmers and their plow horses, to crush rulers and high officials."
24
The Lord says, "You will see me repay Babylonia and its people for all the evil they did to Jerusalem.
25
Babylonia, you are like a mountain that destroys the whole world, but I, the Lord, am your enemy. I will take hold of you, level you to the ground, and leave you in ashes.
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None of the stones from your ruins will ever be used again for building. You will be like a desert forever. I, the Lord, have spoken.
27
"Give the signal to attack! Blow the trumpet so that the nations can hear! Prepare the nations for war against Babylonia! Tell the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz to attack. Appoint an officer to lead the attack. Bring up the horses like a swarm of locusts.