Judgment on Babylon

51 This is what the LORD says:

“Behold, I will stir up against Babylon

and against the people of Leb-kamai [fn]

the spirit of a destroyer.

2 I will send strangers to Babylon

to winnow her and empty her land;

for they will come against her from every side

in her day of disaster.

3 Do not let the archer bend his bow

or put on his armor.

Do not spare her young men;

devote all her army to destruction![fn]

4 And they will fall slain in the land of the Chaldeans,[fn]

and pierced through in her streets.

5 For Israel and Judah have not been abandoned

by their God, the LORD of Hosts,

though their land is full of guilt

before the Holy One of Israel.”

6 Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives!

Do not be destroyed in her punishment.

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 hand of the LORD,

making the whole earth drunk.

The nations drank her wine;

therefore the nations have gone mad.

8 Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered.

Wail for her; get her balm for her pain;

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 sky

and reaches to the clouds.”

10 “The LORD has brought forth our vindication;

come, let us tell in Zion

what the LORD our God has accomplished.”

11 Sharpen the arrows!

Fill the quivers![fn]

The LORD has aroused the spirit

of the kings of the Medes,

because His plan is aimed at Babylon

to destroy her,

for it is the vengeance of the LORD—

vengeance for His temple.

12 Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon;

post the guard;

station the watchmen;

prepare the ambush.

For the LORD has both devised and accomplished

what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

13 You who dwell by many waters,

rich in treasures,

your end has come;

the thread of your life is cut.

14 The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself:

“Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts,

and they will shout in triumph over you.”