1. This is the message that the Lord spoke about Babylon and the land of the Babylonians through the prophet Jeremiah.
2. “Announce this among the nations, and spread the news.Raise a flag, and announce it.Don’t hide anything.Say, ‘Babylon will be captured.Bel will be put to shame.Marduk will be filled with terror.Babylon’s statues will be put to shame.Its idols will be filled with terror.’
3. A nation from the north will attack Babylonand destroy its land so that no one will live in it.People and animals will run away.
4. “In those days and at that time,” declares the Lord,“the people of Israel and Judah will cry as they go togetherto seek the Lord their God.
5. They will ask which road goes to Zion and turn in that direction.They will go there to make a permanent agreement with the Lord.It will not be forgotten.
6. My people have been lost sheep.Their shepherds have led them astray.They wander around on the mountains.They go from mountains to hills.They have forgotten their resting place.