Jeremías 50
Sainte Bible libre pour le monde
1La parole que le SEIGNEUR prononça concernant Babylone, concernant le pays des Chaldéens, par l'intermédiaire du prophète Jérémie.
2« Annoncez-le parmi les nations et publiez-le, dressez un étendard ; publiez-le, ne cachez rien ; dites : « Babylone est prise, Bel est couvert de honte, Mérodac est terrifié ! Ses images sont couvertes de honte, ses idoles sont terrifiées. »
3Car une nation monte contre elle depuis le nord, elle réduira son pays en désolation, et personne n'y habitera. Ils ont fui, ils sont partis, aussi bien les hommes que les bêtes.
4« En ces jours-là, et en ce temps-là, » dit le SEIGNEUR, « les enfants d'Israël viendront, eux et les enfants de Juda ensemble ; ils marcheront en pleurant, et ils chercheront le SEIGNEUR leur Dieu.
5Ils s'informeront du chemin de Sion, le visage tourné vers elle : « Venez, et attachez-vous au SEIGNEUR par une alliance éternelle qui ne sera jamais oubliée. »
6Mon peuple était un troupeau de brebis perdues. Leurs bergers les ont égarées, les détournant sur les montagnes. Elles sont allées de montagne en colline, elles ont oublié leur lieu de repos.
7Tous ceux qui les trouvaient les dévoraient, et leurs adversaires disaient : « Nous ne sommes pas coupables, parce qu'ils ont péché contre le SEIGNEUR, la demeure de la justice, le SEIGNEUR, l'espérance de leurs pères. »
8« Fuyez du milieu de Babylone ! Sortez du pays des Chaldéens, et soyez comme les boucs à la tête du troupeau.
9Car voici, je vais susciter et faire monter contre Babylone une coalition de grandes nations venues du pays du nord ; elles se rangeront en bataille contre elle. C'est de là qu'elle sera prise. Leurs flèches seront comme celles d'un redoutable guerrier, aucune ne reviendra à vide.
10La Chaldée sera livrée au pillage. Tous ceux qui la pilleront seront rassasiés, » dit le SEIGNEUR.
11« Puisque vous vous réjouissez, puisque vous exultez, vous qui pillez mon héritage, puisque vous bondissez comme une génisse qui foule le grain, et que vous hennissez comme de puissants chevaux,
12votre mère sera couverte de honte. Celle qui vous a enfantés rougira de confusion. Voici, elle sera la dernière des nations, un désert, une terre aride et une plaine désolée.
13À cause de la colère du SEIGNEUR, elle ne sera plus habitée, elle sera entièrement dévastée. Quiconque passera près de Babylone sera stupéfait et sifflera à la vue de toutes ses plaies.
14Rangez-vous en bataille autour de Babylone, vous tous qui bandez l'arc ; tirez sur elle. N'épargnez pas vos flèches, car elle a péché contre le SEIGNEUR.
15Poussez des cris de guerre contre elle de toutes parts. Elle se rend. Ses bastions sont tombés, ses murailles sont renversées, car c'est la vengeance du SEIGNEUR. Vengez-vous d'elle. Faites-lui comme elle a fait.
16Exterminez de Babylone celui qui sème, et celui qui manie la faucille au temps de la moisson. Face à l'épée destructrice, que chacun retourne vers son peuple, et que chacun fuie vers son propre pays.
17« Israël est une brebis traquée. Les lions l'ont chassée. D'abord, le roi d'Assyrie l'a dévorée, et maintenant, à la fin, Nebucadnetsar, roi de Babylone, lui a brisé les os. »
18C'est pourquoi le SEIGNEUR des Armées, le Dieu d'Israël, dit : « Voici, je punirai le roi de Babylone et son pays, comme j'ai puni le roi d'Assyrie.
19Je ramènerai Israël dans ses pâturages, et il paîtra sur le Carmel et dans le Basan. Son âme sera rassasiée sur les collines d'Éphraïm et en Galaad.
20En ces jours-là, et en ce temps-là, » dit le SEIGNEUR, « on cherchera l'iniquité d'Israël, et il n'y en aura plus ; ainsi que les péchés de Juda, et on ne les trouvera plus ; car je pardonnerai à ceux que je laisserai de reste.
21« Monte contre le pays de Merathaïm, oui, contre lui, et contre les habitants de Pekod. Poursuis-les, tue-les et voue-les à la destruction, » dit le SEIGNEUR, « et fais selon tout ce que je t'ai commandé.
22Un bruit de guerre retentit dans le pays, et un grand désastre.
23Comment le marteau de toute la terre est-il brisé et fracassé ! Comment Babylone est-elle devenue une désolation parmi les nations !
24Je t'ai tendu un piège, et tu as été prise, Babylone, sans t'en rendre compte. Tu as été trouvée, et aussi saisie, parce que tu as combattu contre le SEIGNEUR.
25Le SEIGNEUR a ouvert son arsenal, et a sorti les armes de son indignation ; car le Seigneur, DIEU des Armées, a une œuvre à accomplir dans le pays des Chaldéens.
26Venez contre elle de toutes les extrémités. Ouvrez ses greniers. Faites-en des tas comme des gerbes. Vouez-la à la destruction. Qu'il ne reste rien d'elle.
27Tuez tous ses taureaux. Qu'ils descendent à l'abattoir. Malheur à eux ! Car leur jour est venu, le temps de leur châtiment.
28Écoutez la voix de ceux qui fuient et s'échappent du pays de Babylone, pour annoncer dans Sion la vengeance du SEIGNEUR notre Dieu, la vengeance de son temple.
29« Convoquez les archers contre Babylone, tous ceux qui bandent l'arc. Campez autour d'elle de toutes parts. Que personne n'en réchappe. Rendez-lui selon ses œuvres. Faites-lui selon tout ce qu'elle a fait ; car elle s'est montrée arrogante envers le SEIGNEUR, envers le Saint d'Israël.
30C'est pourquoi ses jeunes gens tomberont dans ses rues. Tous ses hommes de guerre seront réduits au silence en ce jour-là, » dit le SEIGNEUR.
31« Voici, je suis contre toi, l'arrogante, » dit le Seigneur, DIEU des Armées ; « car ton jour est venu, le temps où je te châtierai.
32L'arrogante trébuchera et tombera, et personne ne la relèvera. J'allumerai un feu dans ses villes, et il dévorera tous ses alentours. »
33Le SEIGNEUR des Armées dit : « Les enfants d'Israël et les enfants de Juda sont opprimés ensemble. Tous ceux qui les ont emmenés captifs les retiennent fermement. Ils refusent de les laisser partir.
34Leur Rédempteur est fort. Le SEIGNEUR des Armées est son nom. Il défendra fermement leur cause, afin de donner du repos à la terre, et de troubler les habitants de Babylone.
35« L'épée est sur les Chaldéens, » dit le SEIGNEUR, « et sur les habitants de Babylone, sur ses princes, et sur ses sages.
36L'épée est sur les vantards, et ils perdront le sens. L'épée est sur ses vaillants guerriers, et ils seront terrifiés.
37L'épée est sur leurs chevaux, sur leurs chars, et sur tous les peuples mélangés qui sont au milieu d'elle ; et ils deviendront comme des femmes. L'épée est sur ses trésors, et ils seront pillés.
38La sécheresse est sur ses eaux, et elles tariront ; car c'est un pays d'images sculptées, et ils sont fous de leurs idoles.
39C'est pourquoi les animaux sauvages du désert avec les loups y habiteront. Les autruches y feront leur demeure. Elle ne sera plus jamais habitée, et elle ne sera plus peuplée de génération en génération.
40Comme lorsque Dieu bouleversa Sodome et Gomorrhe et les villes voisines, » dit le SEIGNEUR, « ainsi aucun homme n'y habitera, et aucun fils d'homme n'y séjournera.
41« Voici, un peuple vient du nord. Une grande nation et de nombreux rois se lèvent des extrémités de la terre.
42Ils saisissent l'arc et la lance. Ils sont cruels et n'ont aucune miséricorde. Leur voix gronde comme la mer. Ils montent des chevaux, chacun est rangé en bataille, comme un homme prêt au combat, contre toi, fille de Babylone.
43Le roi de Babylone a entendu la nouvelle à leur sujet, et ses mains deviennent faibles. L'angoisse s'est emparée de lui, des douleurs comme celles d'une femme en travail.
44Voici, l'ennemi montera comme un lion des fourrés du Jourdain contre la solide demeure ; car je les ferai soudainement fuir loin d'elle. Celui qui est choisi, je l'établirai sur elle, car qui est semblable à moi ? Qui m'assignera un jour ? Quel est le berger qui pourra se tenir devant moi ? »
45C'est pourquoi écoutez le conseil du SEIGNEUR qu'il a pris contre Babylone ; et ses desseins qu'il a formés contre le pays des Chaldéens : Certainement on les traînera, même les plus petits du troupeau. Certainement il dévastera leur demeure au-dessus d'eux.
46La terre tremble au bruit de la prise de Babylone. Le cri s'entend parmi les nations.
Reina-Valera 1909
1PALABRA que habló Jehová contra Babilonia, contra la tierra de los Caldeos, por mano de Jeremías profeta.
2Denunciad en las gentes, y haced saber; levantad también bandera: publicad, y no encubráis: decid: Tomada es Babilonia, Bel es confundido, deshecho es Merodach; confundidas son sus esculturas, quebrados son sus ídolos.
3Porque subió contra ella gente del aquilón, la cual pondrá su tierra en asolamiento, y no habrá ni hombre ni animal que en ella more: moviéronse, se fueron.
4En aquellos días y en aquel tiempo, dice Jehová, vendrán los hijos de Israel, ellos y los hijos de Judá juntamente; é irán andando y llorando, y buscarán á Jehová su Dios.
5Preguntarán por el camino de Sión, hacia donde volverán sus rostros, diciendo: Venid, y juntaos á Jehová con pacto eterno, que jamás se ponga en olvido.
6Ovejas perdidas fueron mi pueblo: sus pastores las hicieron errar, por los montes las descarriaron: anduvieron de monte en collado, olvidáronse de sus majadas.
7Todos los que los hallaban, los comían; y decían sus enemigos: No pecaremos, porque ellos pecaron á Jehová morada de justicia, á Jehová, esperanza de sus padres.
8Huid de en medio de Babilonia, y salid de la tierra de los Caldeos, y sed como los mansos delante del ganado.
9Porque he aquí que yo suscito y hago subir contra Babilonia reunión de grandes pueblos de la tierra del aquilón; y desde allí se aparejarán contra ella, y será tomada: sus flechas como de valiente diestro, que no se tornará en vano.
10Y la Caldea será para presa: todos los que la saquearen, saldrán hartos, dice Jehová.
11Porque os alegrasteis, porque os gozasteis destruyendo mi heredad, porque os henchisteis como becerra de renuevos, y relinchasteis como caballos;
12Vuestra madre se avergonzó mucho, afrentóse la que os engendró: he aquí será la postrera de las gentes: desierto, sequedad, y páramo.
13Por la ira de Jehová no será habitada, sino que asolada será toda ella; todo hombre que pasare por Babilonia se asombrará, y silbará sobre todas sus plagas.
14Apercibíos contra Babilonia alrededor, todos los que entesáis arco; tirad contra ella, no escatiméis las saetas: porque pecó contra Jehová.
15Gritad contra ella en derredor; dió su mano; caído han sus fundamentos, derribados son sus muros; porque venganza es de Jehová. Tomad venganza de ella; haced con ella como ella hizo.
16Talad de Babilonia sembrador, y el que tiene hoz en tiempo de la siega: delante de la espada opresora cada uno volverá el rostro hacia su pueblo, cada uno huirá hacia su tierra.
17Ganado descarriado es Israel; leones lo amontonaron: el rey de Asiria lo devoró el primero; este Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia lo deshuesó el postrero.
18Por tanto, así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos, Dios de Israel: He aquí que yo visito al rey de Babilonia y á su tierra, como visité al rey de Asiria.
19Y volveré á traer á Israel á su morada, y pacerá en el Carmelo y en Basán; y en el monte de Ephraim y de Galaad se hartará su alma.
20En aquellos días y en aquel tiempo, dice Jehová, la maldad de Israel será buscada, y no parecerá; y los pecados de Judá, y no se hallarán: porque perdonaré á los que yo hubiere dejado.
21Sube contra la tierra de Merathaim, contra ella, y contra los moradores de Pekod: destruye y mata en pos de ellos, dice Jehová, y haz conforme á todo lo que yo te he mandado.
22Estruendo de guerra en la tierra, y quebrantamiento grande.
23¡Cómo fué cortado y quebrado el martillo de toda la tierra! ¡cómo se tornó Babilonia en desierto entre las gentes!
24Púsete lazos, y aun fuiste tomada, oh Babilonia, y tú no lo supiste: fuiste hallada, y aun presa, porque provocaste á Jehová.
25Abrió Jehová tu tesoro, y sacó los vasos de su furor: porque esta es obra de Jehová, Dios de los ejércitos, en la tierra de los Caldeos.
26Venid contra ella desde el cabo de la tierra: abrid sus almacenes: hacedla montones, y destruidla: no le queden reliquias.
27Matad todos sus novillos; vayan al matadero: ¡ay de ellos! que venido es su día, el tiempo de su visitación.
28Voz de los que huyen y escapan de la tierra de Babilonia, para dar las nuevas en Sión de la venganza de Jehová nuestro Dios, de la venganza de su templo.
29Haced juntar sobre Babilonia flecheros, á todos los que entesan arco; asentad campo sobre ella alrededor; no escape de ella ninguno: pagadle según su obra; conforme á todo lo que ella hizo, haced con ella: porque contra Jehová se ensoberbeció, contra el Santo de Israel.
30Por tanto sus mancebos caerán en sus plazas, y todos su hombres de guerra serán talados en aquel día, dice Jehová.
31He aquí yo contra ti, oh soberbio, dice el Señor Jehová de los ejércitos: porque tu día es venido, el tiempo en que te visitaré.
32Y el soberbio tropezará y caerá, y no tendrá quien lo levante: y encenderé fuego en sus ciudades, y quemaré todos sus alrededores.
33Así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: Oprimidos fueron los hijos de Israel y los hijos de Judá juntamente: y todos los que los tomaron cautivos, se los retuvieron; no los quisieron soltar.
34El redentor de ellos es el Fuerte; Jehová de los ejércitos es su nombre: de cierto abogará la causa de ellos, para hacer quietar la tierra, y turbar los moradores de Babilonia.
35Cuchillo sobre los Caldeos, dice Jehová, y sobre los moradores de Babilonia, y sobre sus príncipes, y sobre sus sabios.
36Cuchillo sobre los adivinos, y se atontarán; cuchillo sobre sus valientes, y serán quebrantados.
37Cuchillo sobre sus caballos, y sobre sus carros, y sobre todo el vulgo que está en medio de ella, y serán como mujeres: cuchillo sobre sus tesoros, y serán saqueados.
38Sequedad sobre sus aguas, y secaránse: porque tierra es de esculturas, y en ídolos enloquecen.
39Por tanto, allí morarán bestias monteses con lobos, morarán también en ella pollos de avestruz: y no más será poblada para siempre, ni se habitará de generación en generación.
40Como en el trastornamiento de Dios á Sodoma y á Gomorra y á sus ciudades vecinas, dice Jehová, no morará allí hombre, ni hijo de hombre la habitará.
41He aquí viene un pueblo del aquilón; y una nación grande, y muchos reyes se levantarán de los lados de la tierra.
42Arco y lanza manejarán; serán crueles, y no tendrán compasión; su voz sonará como la mar, y montarán sobre caballos: apercibirse han como hombre á la pelea, contra ti, oh hija de Babilonia.
43Oyó su fama el rey de Babilonia, y sus manos se descoyuntaron: angustia le tomó, dolor como de mujer de parto.
44He aquí que como león subirá de la hinchazón del Jordán á la morada fuerte: porque muy pronto le haré correr de sobre ella, y al que fuere escogido la encargaré: porque ¿quién es semejante á mí? ¿y quién me emplazará? ¿ó quién será aquel pastor que me podrá resistir?
45Por tanto, oid el consejo de Jehová, que ha acordado sobre Babilonia, y sus pensamientos que ha formado sobre la tierra de los Caldeos: Ciertamente los más pequeños del hato los arrastrarán, y destruirán sus moradas con ellos.
46Del grito de la toma de Babilonia la tierra tembló, y el clamor se oyó entre las gentes.
King James Version
1The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
2Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
3For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
8Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.
9For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
10And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
11Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
12Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
13Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
14Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
15Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.
17Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
18Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
19And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.
20In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
21Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
22A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
23How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!
24I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
25The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
26Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
27Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
28The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
29Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
30Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.
31Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.
32And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.
33Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
35A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.
36A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
37A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
38A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
39Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
40As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
41Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
42They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
43The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
44Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
45Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.
46At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
World English Bible
1The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet.
2“Declare among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and don’t conceal; say, ‘Babylon has been taken, Bel is disappointed, Merodach is dismayed! Her images are disappointed. Her idols are dismayed.’
3For a nation comes up out of the north against her, which will make her land desolate, and no one will dwell in it. They have fled. They are gone, both man and animal.
4“In those days, and in that time,” says the LORD, “the children of Israel will come, they and the children of Judah together; they will go on their way weeping, and will seek the LORD their God.
5They will inquire concerning Zion with their faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, and join yourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.’
6My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place.
7All who found them have devoured them. Their adversaries said, ‘We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of righteousness, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’
8“Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the male goats before the flocks.
9For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they will set themselves in array against her. She will be taken from there. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man. None of them will return in vain.
10Chaldea will be a prey. All who prey on her will be satisfied,” says the LORD.
11“Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong horses,
12your mother will be utterly disappointed. She who bore you will be confounded. Behold, she will be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
13Because of the LORD’s wrath she won’t be inhabited, but she will be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon will be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
14Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her. Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD.
15Shout against her all around. She has submitted herself. Her bulwarks have fallen. Her walls have been thrown down, for it is the vengeance of the LORD. Take vengeance on her. As she has done, do to her.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the oppressing sword, they will each return to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land.
17“Israel is a hunted sheep. The lions have driven him away. First, the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.”
18Therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
19I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan. His soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.
20In those days, and in that time,” says the LORD, “the iniquity of Israel will be sought for, and there will be none, also the sins of Judah, and they won’t be found; for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.
21“Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and utterly destroy after them,” says the LORD, “and do according to all that I have commanded you.
22A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
23How the hammer of the whole earth is cut apart and broken! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!
24I have laid a snare for you, and you are also taken, Babylon, and you weren’t aware. You are found, and also caught, because you have fought against the LORD.
25The LORD has opened his armory, and has brought out the weapons of his indignation; for the Lord, GOD of Armies, has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans.
26Come against her from the farthest border. Open her storehouses. Cast her up as heaps. Destroy her utterly. Let nothing of her be left.
27Kill all her bulls. Let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them! For their day has come, the time of their visitation.
28Listen to those who flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
29“Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp against her all around. Let none of it escape. Pay her back according to her work. According to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
30Therefore her young men will fall in her streets. All her men of war will be brought to silence in that day,” says the LORD.
31“Behold, I am against you, you proud one,” says the Lord, GOD of Armies; “for your day has come, the time that I will visit you.
32The proud one will stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up. I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all who are around him.”
33The LORD of Armies says: “The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together. All who took them captive hold them fast. They refuse to let them go.
34Their Redeemer is strong. The LORD of Armies is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
35“A sword is on the Chaldeans,” says the LORD, “and on the inhabitants of Babylon, on her princes, and on her wise men.
36A sword is on the boasters, and they will become fools. A sword is on her mighty men, and they will be dismayed.
37A sword is on their horses, on their chariots, and on all the mixed people who are in the middle of her; and they will become as women. A sword is on her treasures, and they will be robbed.
38A drought is on her waters, and they will be dried up; for it is a land of engraved images, and they are mad over idols.
39Therefore the wild animals of the desert with the wolves will dwell there. The ostriches will dwell therein. It will be inhabited no more forever, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation.
40As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and its neighbor cities,” says the LORD, “so no man will dwell there, neither will any son of man live therein.
41“Behold, a people comes from the north. A great nation and many kings will be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
42They take up bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea. They ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.
43The king of Babylon has heard the news of them, and his hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of him, pains as of a woman in labor.
44Behold, the enemy will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan against the strong habitation; for I will suddenly make them run away from it. Whoever is chosen, I will appoint him over it, for who is like me? Who will appoint me a time? Who is the shepherd who can stand before me?”
45Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that he has taken against Babylon; and his purposes that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they will drag them away, even the little ones of the flock. Surely he will make their habitation desolate over them.
46The earth trembles at the noise of the taking of Babylon. The cry is heard among the nations.