17. Israel was a stray sheepthat lions pursued;The king of Assyria once devoured him;now Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gnaws his bones.
18. Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:I will punish the king of Babylon and his land,as I once punished the king of Assyria;
19. But I will bring Israel back to its pasture,to feed on Carmel and Bashan,And on Mount Ephraim and Gilead,until they have their fill.
20. In those days, at that time—oracle of the Lord:The guilt of Israel may be sought, but it no longer exists,the sin of Judah, but it can no longer be found;for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.
21. Attack the land of Merathaim,and those who live in Pekod;Slaughter and put them under the ban—oracle of the Lord—do all I have commanded you.
22. Battle alarm in the land,great destruction!
23. How the hammer of the whole earthhas been cut off and broken!What an object of horrorBabylon has become among the nations!
24. You ensnared yourself and were caught,Babylon, before you knew it!You were discovered and seized,because you challenged the Lord.
25. The Lord opens his armory,brings out the weapons of his wrath;The Lord God of hosts has work to doin the land of the Chaldeans.
26. Come upon them from every side,open their granaries,Pile them up in heaps and put them under the ban;do not leave a remnant.
27. Slay all the oxen,take them down to slaughter;Woe to them! their day has come,the time of their punishment.
28. Listen! the fugitives, the refugeesfrom the land of Babylon:They announce in Zionthe retribution of the Lord, our God.