6. Leave Babylon; save your lives, each of you! Don’t perish because of her guilt.For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance —He will pay her what she deserves.
7. Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord’s hand, making the whole earth drunk.The nations drank her wine; therefore, the nations go mad.
8. Suddenly Babylon fell and was shattered.Wail for her;get balm for her wound —perhaps she can be healed.
9. We tried to heal Babylon,but she could not be healed.Abandon her!Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the skyand reaches as far as the clouds.
10. The Lord has brought about our vindication; come, let’s tell in Zionwhat the Lord our God has accomplished.
11. Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers!The Lord has put it into the mindof the kings of the Medesbecause His plan is aimed at Babylonto destroy her,for it is the Lord’s vengeance,vengeance for His temple.
12. Raise up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon;fortify the watch post;set the watchmen in place;prepare the ambush.For the Lord has both planned and accomplishedwhat He has threatenedagainst those who live in Babylon.
13. You who reside by many waters, rich in treasures,your end has come,your life thread is cut.
14. The Lord of Hosts has sworn by Himself:I will fill you up with men as with locusts,and they will sing the victory song over you.
15. He made the earth by His power,established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding.
16. When He thunders, the waters in the heavens are in turmoil, and He causes the cloudsto rise from the ends of the earth.He makes lightning for the rainand brings the wind from His storehouses.
17. Everyone is stupid and ignorant.Every goldsmith is put to shame by his carved image, for his cast images are a lie; there is no breath in them.
18. They are worthless, a work to be mocked.At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed.
19. Jacob’s Portion is not like thesebecause He is the One who formed all things. Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; Yahweh of Hosts is His name.
20. You are My battle club,My weapons of war.With you I will smash nations;with you I will bring kingdoms to ruin.
21. With you I will smash the horse and its rider;with you I will smash the chariot and its rider.
22. With you I will smash man and woman; with you I will smash the old man and the youth;with you I will smash the young man and the young woman.
23. With you I will smash the shepherd and his flock;with you I will smash the farmer and his ox-team. With you I will smash governors and officials.
24. “I will repay Babylon and all the residents of Chaldea for all their evil they have done in Zion before your very eyes.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
25. Look, I am against you, devastating mountain —this is the Lord’s declaration —you devastate the whole earth.I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the cliffs,and turn you into a charred mountain.