22. This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says:“I, myself, have risen against Babylon!I will destroy its children and its children’s children,”says the lord.
23. “I will make Babylon a desolate place of owls,filled with swamps and marshes.I will sweep the land with the broom of destruction.I, the lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
24. The lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath:“It will all happen as I have planned.It will be as I have decided.
25. I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel;I will trample them on my mountains.My people will no longer be their slavesnor bow down under their heavy loads.
26. I have a plan for the whole earth,a hand of judgment upon all the nations.
27. The lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—who can change his plans?When his hand is raised,who can stop him?”
28. This message came to me the year King Ahaz died:
29. Do not rejoice, you Philistines,that the rod that struck you is broken—that the king who attacked you is dead.For from that snake a more poisonous snake will be born,a fiery serpent to destroy you!
30. I will feed the poor in my pasture;the needy will lie down in peace.But as for you, I will wipe you out with famineand destroy the few who remain.