2. Foreigners will come and winnow her,blowing her away as chaff.They will come from every sideto rise against her in her day of trouble.
3. Don’t let the archers put on their armoror draw their bows.Don’t spare even her best soldiers!Let her army be completely destroyed.
4. They will fall dead in the land of the Babylonians,slashed to death in her streets.
5. For the lord of Heaven’s Armieshas not abandoned Israel and Judah.He is still their God,even though their land was filled with sinagainst the Holy One of Israel.”
6. Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves!Don’t get trapped in her punishment!It is the lord’s time for vengeance;he will repay her in full.
7. Babylon has been a gold cup in the lord’s hands,a cup that made the whole earth drunk.The nations drank Babylon’s wine,and it drove them all mad.
8. But suddenly Babylon, too, has fallen.Weep for her.Give her medicine.Perhaps she can yet be healed.
9. We would have helped her if we could,but nothing can save her now.Let her go; abandon her.Return now to your own land.For her punishment reaches to the heavens;it is so great it cannot be measured.
10. The lord has vindicated us.Come, let us announce in Jerusalemeverything the lord our God has done.
11. Sharpen the arrows!Lift up the shields!For the lord has inspired the kings of the Medesto march against Babylon and destroy her.This is his vengeance against thosewho desecrated his Temple.
12. Raise the battle flag against Babylon!Reinforce the guard and station the watchmen.Prepare an ambush,for the lord will fulfill all his plans against Babylon.
13. You are a city by a great river,a great center of commerce,but your end has come.The thread of your life is cut.