46. Don’t lose courage;rumors will spread through the land, but don’t be afraid.One rumor comes this year, and another comes the next year.There will be rumors of terrible fighting in the country,of rulers fighting against rulers.
47. The time will surely comewhen I will punish the idols of Babylon,and the whole land will be disgraced.There will be many dead people lying all around.
48. Then heaven and earth and all that is in themwill shout for joy about Babylon.They will shout because the army comes from the northto destroy Babylon,” says the Lord.
49. “Babylon must fall, because she killed people from Israel.She killed people from everywhere on earth.
50. You who have escaped being killed with swords,leave Babylon! Don’t wait!Remember the Lord in the faraway landand think about Jerusalem.”
51. “We people of Judah are disgraced,because we have been insulted.We have been shamed,because strangers have gone intothe holy places of the Lord’s Temple!”