11. Sharpen the arrows. Fill the quivers! Adonai has roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon, to destroy it. For it is Adonai’s vengeance, vengeance for His Temple.
12. Raise a banner at Babylon’s walls! Strengthen the guard. Station watchmen. Prepare ambushes. For Adonai has both planned and accomplished what He spoke about the Babylonians.
13. You dwelling by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness.
14. Adonai-Tzva’ot has sworn by Himself: “Surely I will fill you with men like a locust swarm, and they will shout cheers over you.”
15. One made the earth by His power, set up the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His knowledge.
16. At His giving voice— tumult of waters in the skies! He causes clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings forth wind from His storehouses.
17. All mankind is stupid, ignorant. Every goldsmith is disgraced by an idol, for his molten image is a lie— there is no breath in them.
18. They are futile, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish.
19. Jacob’s Portion is not like these, for He is the former of all things, including the tribe of His heritage —Adonai-Tzva’ot is His Name.
20. “You are My club, a war weapon— with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.
21. With you I wreck horse and rider, with you I wreck chariot and rider,
22. with you I break man and woman, with you I break elder and youth, with you I break young man and maid,
23. with you I scatter shepherd and flock, with you I scatter plowman and ox-team, with you I scatter governors and officials.
24. I will repay Babylon and all living in Chaldea for all their evil that they did in Zion, before your eyes.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
25. “Beware! I am against you, destroyer of the Mount!” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “Destroyer of all the land— I will stretch out My hand at you, roll you down from the cliffs, and make you a burning hill.
26. They will not even take from you a cornerstone or foundation stone, for you will be desolate forever.” It is a declaration of Adonai.