40. I’ll lead them offlike lambs for slaughter,like rams and goats.
41. How Sheshach has been defeated,the pride of the whole earthtaken captive!How Babylon has become a wastelandamong the nations!
42. The sea has risen over Babylon;its pounding waves overwhelm her.
43. Her towns are devastated;her land is scorched and barren,a place where no one livesor dares to pass through.
44. I will punish Bel in Babylon;I will force him to vomitwhat he’s consumed.Then nations will no longerstream to him,and Babylon’s walls will collapse!
45. Get out of Babylon, my people!Run for your livesfrom the Lord’s fierce anger.
46. Don’t be distracted or frightenedby the rumors you hear in the land.Sometimes you hear one thingand another time something else:rumors of violence and uprisings.