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.
15. Attack from every side!Babylon surrenders!The enemy tears downits walls and towers.I am taking my revengeby doing to Babylon what it didto other cities.
16. There is no one in Babyloniato plant or harvest crops.Even foreigners who lived therehave left for their homelands,afraid of the enemy armies.
17. Israel is a flock of sheepscattered by hungry lions.The king of Assyriafirst gobbled Israel up.Then Nebuchadnezzar,king of Babylonia,crunched on Israel's bones.
18. I, the Lord All-Powerful,the God of Israel,punished the king of Assyria,and I will also punishthe king of Babylonia.
19. But I will bring Israelback to its own land.The people will be like sheepeating their fillon Mount Carmeland in Bashan,in the hill country of Ephraimand in Gilead.
20. I will rescue a few peoplefrom Israel and Judah.I will forgive them so completelythat their sin and guiltwill disappear,never to be found.
21. The Lord said:I have toldthe enemies of Babylonia,“Attack the people of Merathaimand Pekod.Kill them all!Destroy their possessions!”