1. Thus says the Lord:See! I rouse against Babylon,and the inhabitants of Chaldea,a destroyer wind.
2. To Babylon I will send winnowersto winnow and lay waste the land;They shall besiege it on every sideon the day of affliction.
3. How can the archers draw back their bows,lift their armor?Do not spare her young men,put the entire army under the ban.
4. The slain shall fall in the land of Chaldea,the wounded, in its streets;
5. For Israel and Judah are not left widowedby their God, the Lord of hosts,Even though the land is full of guiltagainst the Holy One of Israel.
6. Flee from Babylon;each of you save your own life,do not perish because of her guilt;This is a time of retribution from the Lord,
7. who pays out her due.Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of the Lordmaking the whole earth drunk;The nations drank its wine,thus they have gone mad.
8. Babylon suddenly falls and is broken:wail over her!Bring balm for her wounds,in case she can be healed.
9. “We have tried to heal Babylon,but she cannot be healed.Leave her, each of us must go to our own land.”The judgment against her reaches the heavens,it touches the clouds.