9. For I will soon stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country.They will line up in battle formation against her; from there she will be captured.Their arrows will be like those of a skilled warriorwho does not return empty-handed.
10. The Chaldeans will become plunder;all Babylon’s plunderers will be fully satisfied.This is the Lord’s declaration.
11. Because you rejoice,because you sing in triumph —you who plundered My inheritance —because you frolic like a young cow treading grainand neigh like stallions,
12. your mother will be utterly humiliated;she who bore you will be put to shame.Look! She will lag behind all the nations —a dry land, a wilderness, an Arabah.
13. Because of the Lord’s wrath,she will not be inhabited;she will become a desolation, every bit of her.Everyone who passes through Babylonwill be horrifiedand scoff because of all her wounds.
14. Line up in battle formation around Babylon,all you archers!Shoot at her! Do not spare an arrow,for she has sinned against the Lord.
15. Raise a war cry against her on every side!She has thrown up her hands in surrender;her defense towers have fallen;her walls are demolished. Since this is the Lord’s vengeance, take out your vengeance on her;as she has done, do the same to her.
16. Cut off the sower from Babylonas well as him who wields the sickle at harvest time.Because of the oppressor’s sword, each will turn to his own people, each will flee to his own land.