30. The Babylonian soldiershave lost their strengthand courage.They stay in their fortresses,unable to fight,while the enemy breaks throughthe city gates,then sets their homes on fire.
31. One messenger after anotherannounces to the king,“Babylon has been captured!
32. The enemy now controlsthe river crossings!The marshes are on fire!Your army has panicked!”
33. I am the Lord All-Powerful,the God of Israel,and I make this promise—“Soon Babylon will be levelledand packed downlike a threshing placeat harvest time.”
34. The people of Jerusalem say,“King Nebuchadnezzarmade us panic.That monster stuffed himselfwith us and our treasures,leaving us empty—he gobbled upwhat he wantedand spat out the rest.
35. The people of Babyloniaharmed some of usand killed others.Now, Lord, make them pay!”
36. My people, I am on your side,and I will take revengeon Babylon.I will cut off its water supply,and its stream will dry up.
37. Babylon will be a pile of rubblewhere only jackals live.People will laugh,but they will be afraidto walk among the ruins.
38. The Babylonians roar and growllike young lions.
39. And since they are hungry,I will give them a banquet.They will celebrate, get drunk,then fall asleep,never to wake up!
40. I will lead them away to die,like sheep, lambs, and goatsbeing led to the butcher.
41. All nations now praise Babylon,but when it is captured,those same nationswill be horrified.
42. Babylon's enemies will riselike ocean wavesand flood the city.
43. Horrible destruction will strikethe nearby towns.The land will becomea barren desert,where no one can liveor even travel.
44. I will punish Marduk,the god of Babylon,and make him vomiteverything he gobbled up.Then nations will no longerbring him gifts,and Babylon's walls will crumble.