35. A sword against Babylon and its people,declares the Lord, along with its officials and sages.
36. A sword against its divinersso that they become fools.A sword against its warriorsso that they are terrified.
37. A sword against its horsesand chariots,and the mercenaries in its midstso that they lose courage.A sword against its treasuresso that they are looted.
38. A sword against the water suppliesso that they dry up.It is truly the land of idols,idols about which they have gone utterly mad!
39. Therefore, Babylonwill become a ghost town,a place for desert animals,hyenas, and ravenous birds.No one will live there again;no one will make it their home.
40. Just as God destroyed Sodomand Gomorrah and their neighbors,declares the Lord, so no one will live in Babylonor settle there again.
41. Look! An army is on the movefrom the northern regions.A powerful nationand many kings are comingfrom the ends of the earth.