37. The sword will strike her horses and chariotsand her allies from other lands,and they will all become like women.The sword will strike her treasures,and they all will be plundered.
38. A drought will strike her water supply,causing it to dry up.And why? Because the whole land is filled with idols,and the people are madly in love with them.
39. “Soon Babylon will be inhabited by desert animals and hyenas.It will be a home for owls.Never again will people live there;it will lie desolate forever.
40. I will destroy it as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrahand their neighboring towns,” says the lord.“No one will live there;no one will inhabit it.
41. “Look! A great army is coming from the north.A great nation and many kingsare rising against you from far-off lands.
42. They are armed with bows and spears.They are cruel and show no mercy.As they ride forward on horses,they sound like a roaring sea.They are coming in battle formation,planning to destroy you, Babylon.
43. The king of Babylon has heard reports about the enemy,and he is weak with fright.Pangs of anguish have gripped him,like those of a woman in labor.
44. “I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan,leaping on the sheep in the pasture.I will chase Babylon from its land,and I will appoint the leader of my choice.For who is like me, and who can challenge me?What ruler can oppose my will?”
45. Listen to the lord’s plans against Babylonand the land of the Babylonians.Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep,and their homes will be destroyed.
46. The earth will shake with the shout, “Babylon has been taken!”and its cry of despair will be heard around the world.