The conquest of Babylon

11 “You people of Babylon who ◄plundered/stole everything valuable from► my chosen people,

now you are very happy [DOU].

You run around joyfully like [SIM] a calf in a meadow,

and are happy like [SIM] male horses are happy when they are neighing.

12 But soon your people will be very disgraced [DOU] as a result of being conquered.

Your country will be the most insignificant nation;

it will be a desert, a dry and deserted land.

13 Because I, Yahweh, am angry with you people of Babylon,

I will cause your city to become completely deserted.

All who pass by will be horrified

and will ◄gasp/be shocked► because of the destruction there.

14 All you nations that surround Babylon,

prepare to attack it!

Tell your archers to shoot at their enemies;

shoot all of your arrows at them [LIT],

because the people/leaders of Babylon have sinned against me, Yahweh.

15 Shout war-cries against Babylon from all sides of the city.

The soldiers of Babylon will surrender;

the towers and walls will be torn down.

It is I, Yahweh, who will be getting revenge on the people of Babylon,

so help me to get revenge.

Do to the people of Babylon what they have done to others!

16 Take away from Babylon those who plant crops

and those who reap the harvests!

Because of the swords carried by those who will attack Babylon,

those people in Babylon who have come from other countries

should all run away, back to their own countries [DOU]!”