1. The Lord will have mercy on Israel and will let them be his chosen people once again. He will bring them back to their own land, and foreigners will join them as part of Israel.
2. Other nations will lead them home, and Israel will make slaves of them in the land that belongs to the Lord. Israel will rule over those who once governed and ill-treated them.
3. The Lord will set you free from your sorrow, suffering, and slavery.
4. Then you will make fun of the king of Babylonia by singing this song:That cruel monster is done for!He won't attack us again.
5. The Lord has crushed the powerof those evil kings,
6. who were furiousand never stopped abusingthe people of other nations.
7. Now all the world is at peace;its people are celebratingwith joyful songs.
8. King of Babylonia,even the cypress treesand the cedars of Lebanoncelebrate and say,“Since you were put down,no one comes alongto chop us down.”
9. The world of the deadeagerly waits for you.With great excitement,the spirits of ancient rulershear about your coming.
10. Each one of them will say,“Now you are just as weakas any of us!
11. Your pride and your musichave ended herein the world of the dead.Worms are your blanket,maggots are your bed.”