1. Thus says the Lord: I will raise up against Babylon,and against those who dwell in Leb Kamai,the spirit of a destroyer.
2. And I will send foreigners to Babylonthat they may winnow her and empty her land.For in the day of troublethey will be against her all around.
3. Let not him who bends his bow bend it,and let him not rise up in his scale-armor,and do not spare her young men;utterly destroy all her host.
4. Thus the slain will fall in the land of the Chaldeans,and those who are thrust through in her streets.
5. For Israel has not been forsaken, nor Judah,by his God, the Lord of Hosts,though their land was filled with sinagainst the Holy One of Israel.
6. Flee out of the midst of Babylon,and each of you deliver his soul!Do not be cut off in her punishment,for this is the time of the vengeance of the Lord;He will render to her a recompense.
7. Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the Lord,that made all the earth drunk.The nations have drunk of her wine;therefore the nations are mad.
8. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed.Howl for her.Take balm for her pain;perhaps she may be healed.
9. We applied healing to Babylon,but she is not healed.Forsake her, and let us each go into his own country;for her judgment reaches to heavenand is lifted up even to the skies.
10. The Lord has brought forth our righteousness.Come, and let us declare in Zionthe work of the Lord our God.
11. Sharpen the arrows.Gather the shields.The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.For His device is against Babylon, to destroy it;because it is the vengeance of the Lord,the vengeance of His temple.