1-2. The Lord told me to say:Announce what will happenand don't leave anything out.Raise the signal flags;shout so all nations can hear—Babylon will be captured!Marduk, Babylon's god,will be ashamed and terrified,and his idols broken.
3. The attack on the Babylonianswill come from the north;they and their animals will run,leaving the land empty.
4. The Lord said:People of Israel and Judah,when these things happenyou will weep, and togetheryou will return to your landand worship me,the Lord your God.
5. You will ask the way to Zionand then come and join with mein making an agreementyou won't break or forget.
6. My people, you are lost sheepabandoned by their shepherdsin the mountains.You don't even rememberyour resting place.
7. I am your true pasture land,the one who gave hopeto your ancestors.But you abandoned me,so when your enemies found you,they felt no guiltas they gobbled you up.
8. Escape from Babylonia,my people.Get out of that country!Don't wait for anyone else.
9. In the north I am bringinggreat nations together.They will attack Babylonand capture it.The arrows they shootare like the best soldiers,always finding their target.
10. Babylonia will be conquered,and its enemies will carry offeverything they want.
11. People of Babylonia,you were gladto rob my people.You had a good time,making more noisethan horsesand jumping aroundlike calves threshing grain.
12. The city of Babylonwas like a mother to you.But it will be disgracedand become nothingbut a barren desert.
13. My anger will destroy Babylon,and no one will live there.Everyone who passes bywill be shocked to seewhat has happened.
14. Babylon has rebelled against me.Archers, take your places.Shoot all your arrows at Babylon.