1. the Lord says:“Behold, I will raise up against Babylon,and against those who dwell in Lebkamai, a destroying wind.
2. I will send to Babylon strangers, who will winnow her.They will empty her land;for in the day of trouble they will be against her all around.
3. Against him who bends, let the archer bend his bow,also against him who lifts himself up in his coat of mail.Don’t spare her young men!Utterly destroy all her army!
4. They will fall down slain in the land of the Kasdim,and thrust through in her streets.
5. For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, by his God,by the Lord of Hosts;though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
6. “Flee out of the middle of Babylon!Everyone save his own life!Don’t be cut off in her iniquity;for it is the time of the Lord’s vengeance.He will render to her a recompense.
7. Babylon has been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand,who made all the earth drunk.The nations have drunk of her wine;therefore the nations have gone mad.
8. Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed!Wail for her!Take balm for her pain.Perhaps she may be healed.
9. “We would have healed Babylon,but she is not healed.Forsake her,and let’s each go into his own country;for her judgement reaches to heaven,and is lifted up even to the skies.
10. ‘The Lord has produced our righteousness:come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.’
11. “Make the arrows sharp!Hold the shields firmly!the Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes,because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it;for it is the vengeance of the Lord,the vengeance of his temple.