17. The Lord says, “I am stirring up the Medes to attack Babylon. They care nothing for silver and are not tempted by gold.
18. With their bows and arrows they will kill the young men. They will show no mercy to babies and take no pity on children.
19. Babylonia is the most beautiful kingdom of all; it is the pride of its people. But I, the Lord, will overthrow Babylon as I did Sodom and Gomorrah!
20. No one will ever live there again. No wandering Arab will ever pitch his tent there, and no shepherd will ever pasture his flock there.
21. It will be a place where desert animals live and where owls build their nests. Ostriches will live there, and wild goats will prance through the ruins.
22. The towers and palaces will echo with the cries of hyenas and jackals. Babylon's time has come! Her days are almost over.”