Jeremías 51
Bible David Martin 1744
1Ainsi a dit l’Eternel : voici, je m’en vais faire lever un vent de destruction contre Babylone, et contre ceux qui habitent au coeur du Royaume de ceux qui s’élèvent contre moi.
2Et j’enverrai contre Babylone des vanneurs qui la vanneront, et qui videront son pays ; car de tous côtés ils seront venus contre elle au jour de son mal.
3Qu’on bande l’arc contre celui qui bande son arc, et contre celui qui se confie en sa cuirasse ; et n’épargnez point ses gens d’élite, exterminez à la façon de l’interdit toute son armée ;
4Et les blessés à mort tomberont au pays des Caldéens ; et les transpercés tomberont dans ses places ;
5Car Israël et Juda n’est point privé de son Dieu, de l’Eternel des armées ; quoique leur pays ait été trouvé par le Saint d’Israël plein de crimes.
6Fuyez hors de Babylone, et sauvez chacun sa vie, ne soyez point exterminés dans son iniquité ; car c’est le temps de la vengeance de l’Eternel ; il lui rend ce qu’elle a mérité.
7Babylone a été comme une coupe d’or en la main de l’Eternel, enivrant toute la terre ; les nations ont bu de son vin ; c’est pourquoi les nations en ont perdu l’esprit.
8Babylone est tombée en un instant, et a été brisée ; hurlez sur elle, prenez du baume pour sa douleur, peut-être qu’elle guérira.
9Nous avons traité Babylone, et elle n’est point guérie ; laissez-la et allons-nous-en chacun en son pays ; car son procès est parvenu jusqu’aux cieux, et s’est élevé jusqu’aux nues.
10L’Eternel a mis en évidence notre justice. Venez, et racontons en Sion l’oeuvre de l’Eternel notre Dieu.
11Fourbissez les flèches, et empoignez à pleines mains les boucliers ; l’Eternel a réveillé l’esprit des Rois de Méde ; car sa pensée est contre Babylone pour la détruire, parce que c’est ici la vengeance de l’Eternel, et la vengeance de son Temple.
12Elevez l’enseigne sur les murailles de Babylone, renforcez la garnison, posez les gardes, préparez des embûches ; car l’Eternel a formé un dessein, même il a fait ce qu’il a dit contre les habitants de Babylone.
13Tu étais assise sur plusieurs eaux, abondante en trésors ; ta fin est venue, et le comble de ton gain déshonnête.
14L’Eternel des armées a juré par soi-même, en disant : si je ne te remplis d’hommes comme de hurebecs, et s’ils ne s’entre-répondent pour s’encourager contre toi.
15C’est lui qui a fait la terre par sa vertu, et qui a rangé le monde habitable par sa sagesse, et qui a étendu les cieux par son intelligence.
16Sitôt qu’il fait ouïr sa voix il y a un grand bruit d’eaux dans les cieux ; après qu’il a fait monter du bout de la terre les vapeurs, ses éclairs annoncent la pluie, et il tire le vent hors de ses trésors.
17Tout homme paraît abruti dans sa science ; tout fondeur est rendu honteux par les images taillées ; car ce qu’ils fondent est une fausseté, et il n’y a point de respiration en elles.
18Elles ne sont que vanité, et un ouvrage propre à abuser ; elles périront au temps de leur visitation.
19La portion de Jacob n’est point comme ces choses-là ; car c’est celui qui a tout formé, et il est le lot de son héritage ; son Nom est l’Eternel des armées.
20Tu m’as été un marteau et des instruments de guerre ; par toi j’ai mis en pièces les nations, et par toi j’ai détruit les Royaumes.
21Et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le cheval et celui qui le monte ; et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le chariot et celui qui était monté dessus.
22Et par toi j’ai mis en pièces l’homme et la femme ; et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le vieillard et le jeune garçon ; et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le jeune homme et la vierge.
23Et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le pasteur et son troupeau ; et par toi j’ai mis en pièces le laboureur et ses boeufs accouplés ; et par toi j’ai mis en pièces les gouverneurs et les magistrats.
24Mais je rendrai à Babylone, et à tous les habitants de la Caldée, tout le mal qu’ils ont fait à Sion, vous le voyant, dit l’Eternel.
25Voici, j’en veux à toi, montagne qui détruis, dit l’Eternel, qui détruis toute la terre ; et j’étendrai ma main sur toi, et je te roulerai en bas du haut des rochers, et je te réduirai en montagne d’embrasement.
26Et on ne pourra prendre de toi aucune pierre pour la placer à l’angle de l’édifice, ni aucune pierre pour servir de fondement, car tu seras des désolations perpétuelles, dit l’Eternel.
27Levez l’enseigne sur la terre, sonnez de la trompette parmi les nations ; préparez les nations contre elle ; convoquez contre elle les Royaumes d’Ararat, de Minni, et d’Askenas ; établissez contre elle des Capitaines, faites monter ses chevaux comme le hurebec qui se hérisse.
28Préparez contre elle les nations, les Rois de Méde, ses gouverneurs, et tous ses magistrats, et tout le pays de sa domination.
29Et la terre en sera ébranlée, et en sera en travail, parce que tout ce que l’Eternel a pensé a été effectué contre Babylone, pour réduire le pays en désolation, tellement qu’il n’y ait personne qui y habite.
30Les hommes forts de Babylone ont cessé de combattre, ils se sont tenus dans les forteresses, leur force est éteinte, et ils sont devenus comme des femmes ; on a brûlé ses demeures ; et ses barres ont été rompues.
31Le courrier viendra à la rencontre du courrier, et le messager viendra à la rencontre du messager, pour annoncer au Roi de Babylone que sa ville est prise par un bout ;
32Et que ses gués sont surpris, et que ses marais sont brûlés au feu, et que les hommes de guerre sont épouvantés.
33Car ainsi a dit l’Eternel des armées, le Dieu d’Israël : la fille de Babylone est comme une aire ; il est temps qu’elle soit foulée ; encore un peu, et le temps de sa moisson viendra.
34Nébucadnetsar Roi de Babylone, dira Jérusalem, m’a dévorée et m’a froissée ; il m’a mise dans le même état qu’un vaisseau qui ne sert de rien ; il m’a engloutie comme un dragon ; il a rempli son ventre de mes délices, il m’a chassée au loin.
35Ce qu’il m’a ravi par violence, et ma chair est à Babylone, dira l’habitante de Sion ; et mon sang est chez les habitants de la Caldée, dira Jérusalem.
36C’est pourquoi ainsi a dit l’Eternel : voici, je m’en vais plaider ta cause, et je ferai la vengeance pour toi ; je dessécherai sa mer, et je ferai tarir sa source.
37Et Babylone sera réduite en monceaux, en demeure de dragons, en étonnement, et en opprobre, sans que personne y habite.
38Ils rugiront ensemble comme des lionceaux, et bruiront comme des faons de lions.
39Je les ferai échauffer dans leurs festins, et les enivrerai, afin qu’ils se réjouissent, et qu’ils dorment d’un sommeil perpétuel, et qu’ils ne se réveillent plus, dit l’Eternel.
40Je les ferai descendre comme des agneaux à la tuerie, et comme on y mène les moutons avec les boucs.
41Comment a été prise Sésac ? et comment a été saisie celle qui était la louange de toute la terre ? comment Babylone a-t-elle été réduite en désolation parmi les nations ?
42La mer est montée sur Babylone, elle a été couverte de la multitude de ses flots.
43Ses villes ont été un sujet d’étonnement, une terre sèche et de landes, un pays où personne ne demeure, et où il ne passe pas un fils d’homme.
44Je punirai aussi Bel à Babylone, et je tirerai hors de sa bouche ce qu’il avait englouti, et les nations n’aborderont plus vers lui ; la muraille même de Babylone est tombée.
45Mon peuple, sortez du milieu d’elle, et sauvez chacun sa vie de l’ardeur de la colère de l’Eternel.
46De peur que votre coeur ne s’amollisse, et que vous n’ayez peur des nouvelles qu’on entendra dans tout le pays ; car des nouvelles viendront une année, et après cela d’autres nouvelles une autre année, et il y aura violence dans la terre, et dominateur sur dominateur.
47C’est pourquoi voici, les jours viennent que je punirai les images taillées de Babylone, et tout son pays sera rendu honteux, et tous ses blessés à mort tomberont au milieu d’elle.
48Les cieux, et la terre, et tout ce qui y est, se réjouiront avec chant de triomphe contre Babylone, parce qu’il viendra de l’Aquilon des destructeurs contre elle, dit l’Eternel.
49Et comme Babylone a fait tomber les blessés à mort d’Israël, ainsi les blessés à mort de tout le pays tomberont à Babylone.
50Vous qui êtes échappés de l’épée, marchez, ne vous arrêtez point ; souvenez-vous de l’Eternel dans ces pays éloignés où vous êtes, et que Jérusalem vous revienne au coeur.
51Mais vous direz : nous sommes honteux des reproches que nous avons entendus ; la confusion a couvert nos faces, en ce que les étrangers sont venus contre les Sanctuaires de la maison de l’Eternel.
52C’est pourquoi voici, les jours viennent, dit l’Eternel, que je ferai justice de ses images taillées, et les blessés à mort gémiront par tout son pays.
53Quand Babylone serait montée jusqu’aux cieux, et qu’elle aurait fortifié le plus haut de sa forteresse, toutefois les destructeurs y entreront de par moi, dit l’Eternel.
54Un grand cri s’entend de Babylone, et un grand débris du pays des Caldéens.
55Parce que l’Eternel s’en va détruire Babylone, et il abolira du milieu d’elle la voix magnifique, et leurs flots bruiront comme de grosses eaux, l’éclat de leur bruit retentira.
56Car le destructeur est venu contre elle, contre Babylone ; ses hommes forts ont été pris, et leurs arcs ont été brisés ; car le Dieu Fort des rétributions, l’Eternel, ne manque jamais à rendre la pareille.
57J’enivrerai donc ses principaux et ses sages, ses gouverneurs et ses magistrats, et ses hommes forts ; ils dormiront d’un sommeil perpétuel, et ils ne se réveilleront plus, dit le Roi dont le Nom est l’Eternel des armées.
58Ainsi a dit l’Eternel des armées : Il n’y aura aucune muraille de Babylone, quelque large qu’elle soit, qui ne soit entièrement rasée ; et ses portes, qui sont si hautes, seront brûlées au feu ; ainsi les peuples auront travaillé inutilement, et les nations pour le feu, et elles s’y seront lassées.
59C’est ici l’ordre que Jérémie le Prophète donna à Séraja, fils de Nérija, fils de Mahaséja, quand il alla de la part de Sédécias Roi de Juda en Babylone, la quatrième année de son Règne ; or Séraja était principal Chambellan.
60Car Jérémie écrivit dans un livre tout le mal qui devait venir sur Babylone ; savoir toutes ces paroles qui sont écrites contre Babylone.
61Jérémie donc dit à Séraja : Sitôt que tu seras venu à Babylone, et que tu l’auras vue, tu liras toutes ces paroles-là ;
62Et tu diras : Eternel, tu as parlé contre ce lieu-ci pour l’exterminer, en sorte qu’il n’y ait aucun habitant, depuis l’homme jusqu’à la bête, mais qu’il soit réduit en désolations perpétuelles.
63Et sitôt que tu auras achevé de lire ce livre, tu le lieras à une pierre, et le jetteras dans l’Euphrate ;
64Et tu diras : Babylone sera ainsi plongée, et elle ne se relèvera point du mal que je m’en vais faire venir sur elle, et ils en seront accablés. Jusques ici sont les paroles de Jérémie.
Reina-Valera 1909
1ASÍ ha dicho Jehová: He aquí que yo levanto sobre Babilonia, y sobre sus moradores que se levantan contra mí, un viento destruidor.
2Y enviaré á Babilonia aventadores que la avienten, y vaciarán su tierra; porque serán contra ella de todas partes en el día del mal.
3Diré al flechero que entesa su arco, y al que se pone orgulloso con su loriga: No perdonéis á sus mancebos, destruid todo su ejército.
4Y caerán muertos en la tierra de los Caldeos, y alanceados en sus calles.
5Porque Israel y Judá no han enviudado de su Dios, Jehová de los ejércitos, aunque su tierra fué llena de pecado contra el Santo de Israel.
6Huid de en medio de Babilonia, y librad cada uno su alma, porque no perezcáis á causa de su maldad: porque el tiempo es de venganza de Jehová; darále su pago.
7Vaso de oro fué Babilonia en la mano de Jehová, que embriaga toda la tierra: de su vino bebieron las gentes; aturdiéronse por tanto las naciones.
8En un momento cayó Babilonia, y despedazóse: aullad sobre ella; tomad bálsamo para su dolor, quizá sanará.
9Curamos á Babilonia, y no ha sanado: dejadla, y vámonos cada uno á su tierra; porque llegado ha hasta el cielo su juicio, y alzádose hasta las nubes.
10Jehová sacó á luz nuestras justicias: venid, y contemos en Sión la obra de Jehová nuestro Dios.
11Limpiad las saetas, embrazad los escudos: despertado ha Jehová el espíritu de los reyes de Media; porque contra Babilonia es su pensamiento para destruirla; porque venganza es de Jehová, venganza de su templo.
12Levantad bandera sobre los muros de Babilonia, reforzad la guardia, poned centinelas, disponed celadas; porque deliberó Jehová, y aun pondrá en efecto lo que ha dicho sobre los moradores de Babilonia.
13La que moras entre muchas aguas, rica en tesoros, venido ha tu fin, la medida de tu codicia.
14Jehová de los ejércitos juró por su vida, diciendo: Yo te llenaré de hombres como de langostas, y levantarán contra ti gritería.
15El es el que hizo la tierra con su fortaleza, el que afirmó el mundo con su sabiduría, y extendió los cielos con inteligencia;
16El que da con su voz muchedumbre de aguas del cielo, y hace subir las nubes de lo postrero de la tierra; él hace relámpagos con la lluvia, y saca el viento de sus tesoros.
17Todo hombre se ha infatuado y es sin ciencia: avergüénzase todo artífice de la escultura, porque mentira es su vaciadizo, que no tiene espíritu.
18Vanidad son, obra de irrisiones; en el tiempo de su visitación perecerán.
19No es como ellos la parte de Jacob: porque él es el Formador de todo; é Israel es la vara de su heredad: Jehová de los ejércitos es su nombre.
20Martillo me sois, y armas de guerra; y por medio de ti quebrantaré gentes, y por medio de ti desharé reinos;
21Y por tu medio quebrantaré caballos y sus cabalgadores, y por medio de ti quebrantaré carros y los que en ellos suben;
22Asimismo por tu medio quebrantaré hombres y mujeres, y por medio de ti quebrantaré viejos y mozos, y por tu medio quebrantaré mancebos y vírgenes:
23También quebrantaré por medio de ti al pastor y á su manada: quebrantaré por tu medio á labradores y sus yuntas; y duques y príncipes quebrantaré por medio de ti.
24Y pagaré á Babilonia y á todos los moradores de Caldea, todo el mal de ellos que hicieron en Sión delante de vuestros ojos, dice Jehová.
25He aquí yo contra ti, oh monte destruidor, dice Jehová, que destruiste toda la tierra; y extenderé mi mano sobre ti, y te haré rodar de las peñas, y te tornaré monte quemado.
26Y nadie tomará de ti piedra para esquina, ni piedra para cimiento; porque perpetuos asolamientos serás, ha dicho Jehová.
27Alzad bandera en la tierra, tocad trompeta en las naciones, apercibid gentes contra ella; juntad contra ella los reinos de Ararat, de Minni, y de Aschênaz; señalad contra ella capitán, haced subir caballos como langostas erizadas.
28Apercibid contra ella gentes; á reyes de Media, á sus capitanes, y á todos sus príncipes, y á toda la tierra de su señorío.
29Y temblará la tierra, y afligiráse; porque confirmado es contra Babilonia todo el pensamiento de Jehová, para poner la tierra de Babilonia en soledad, y que no haya morador.
30Los valientes de Babilonia dejaron de pelear, estuviéronse en sus fuertes: faltóles su fortaleza, tornáronse como mujeres: encendiéronse sus casas, quebráronse sus cerrojos.
31Correo se encontrará con correo, mensajero se encontrará con mensajero, para noticiar al rey de Babilonia que su ciudad es tomada por todas partes:
32Y los vados fueron tomados, y los carrizos fueron quemados á fuego, y consternáronse los hombres de guerra.
33Porque así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos, Dios de Israel: La hija de Babilonia es como parva; tiempo es ya de trillarla: de aquí á poco le vendrá el tiempo de la siega.
34Comióme, desmenuzóme Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia; paróme como vaso vacío, tragóme como dragón, hinchió su vientre de mis delicadezas, y echóme.
35Sobre Babilonia la violencia contra mí y mi carne, dirá la moradora de Sión; y mi sangre sobre los moradores de Caldea, dirá Jerusalem.
36Por tanto, así ha dicho Jehová: He aquí que yo juzgo tu causa y haré tu venganza; y secaré su mar, y haré que quede seca su corriente.
37Y será Babilonia para montones, morada de chacales, espanto y silbo, sin morador.
38A una rugirán como leones; como cachorros de leones bramarán.
39En su calor les pondré sus banquetes; y haréles que se embriaguen, para que se alegren, y duerman eterno sueño, y no despierten, dice Jehová.
40Hacerlos he traer como corderos al matadero, como carneros con cabritos.
41¡Cómo fué presa Sesach, y fué tomada la que era alabada por toda la tierra! ¡Cómo fué Babilonia por espanto entre las gentes!
42Subió la mar sobre Babilonia; de la multitud de sus ondas fué cubierta.
43Sus ciudades fueron asoladas, la tierra seca y desierta, tierra que no morará en ella nadie, ni pasará por ella hijo de hombre.
44Y visitaré á Bel en Babilonia, y sacaré de su boca lo que ha tragado: y no vendrán más á él gentes; y el muro de Babilonia caerá.
45Salid de en medio de ella, pueblo mío, y salvad cada uno su vida de la ira del furor de Jehová.
46Y porque no desmaye vuestro corazón, y temáis á causa de la fama que se oirá por la tierra, en un año vendrá la fama, y después en otro año el rumor, y la violencia en la tierra, y el enseñoreador sobre el que enseñorea.
47Por tanto, he aquí vienen días que yo visitaré las esculturas de Babilonia, y toda su tierra será avergonzada, y todos sus muertos caerán en medio de ella.
48Y los cielos y la tierra, y todo lo que está en ellos, darán alabanzas sobre Babilonia: porque del aquilón vendrán sobre ella destruidores, dice Jehová.
49Pues que Babilonia fué causa que cayesen muertos de Israel, también de Babilonia caerán muertos de toda la tierra.
50Los que escapasteis del cuchillo, andad, no os detengáis; acordaos por muchos días de Jehová, y acordaos de Jerusalem.
51Estamos avergonzados, porque oímos la afrenta: confusión cubrió nuestros rostros, porque vinieron extranjeros contra los santuarios de la casa de Jehová.
52Por tanto, he aquí vienen días, dice Jehová, que yo visitaré sus esculturas, y en toda su tierra gemirán los heridos.
53Si subiese Babilonia al cielo, y si fortaleciere en lo alto su fuerza, de mí vendrán á ella destruidores, dice Jehová.
54¡Sonido de grito de Babilonia, y quebrantamiento grande de la tierra de los Caldeos!
55Porque Jehová destruye á Babilonia, y quitará de ella el mucho estruendo; y bramarán sus ondas, como muchas aguas será el sonido de la voz de ellos:
56Porque vino destruidor contra ella, contra Babilonia, y sus valientes fueron presos, el arco de ellos fué quebrado: porque Jehová, Dios de retribuciones, dará la paga.
57Y embriagaré sus príncipes y sus sabios, sus capitanes y sus nobles y sus fuertes; y dormirán sueño eterno y no despertarán, dice el Rey, cuyo nombre es Jehová de los ejércitos.
58Así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: El muro ancho de Babilonia será derribado enteramente, y sus altas puertas serán quemadas á fuego; y en vano trabajarán pueblos y gentes en el fuego, y se cansarán.
59Palabra que envió Jeremías profeta á Seraías hijo de Nerías, hijo de Maasías, cuando iba con Sedechîas rey de Judá á Babilonia, el cuarto año de su reinado. Y era Seraías el principal camarero.
60Escribió pues Jeremías en un libro todo el mal que había de venir sobre Babilonia, todas las palabras que están escritas contra Babilonia.
61Y dijo Jeremías á Seraías: Cuando llegares á Babilonia, y vieres y leyeres todas estas cosas,
62Dirás: Oh Jehová, tú has dicho contra este lugar que lo habías de talar, hasta no quedar en él morador, ni hombre ni animal, sino que para siempre ha de ser asolado.
63Y será que cuando acabares de leer este libro, le atarás una piedra, y lo echarás en medio del Eufrates:
64Y dirás: Así será anegada Babilonia, y no se levantará del mal que yo traigo sobre ella; y serán rendidos. Hasta aquí son las palabras de Jeremías.
King James Version
1Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
2And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
3Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
4Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.
5For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
7Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
8Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
9We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
10The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
12Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.
13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
14The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.
15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
16When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
17Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
18They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
19The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
20Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;
22With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;
23I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
24And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.
25Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
26And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.
27Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.
28Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.
29And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
30The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
31One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
32And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.
33For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
34Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.
35The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
36Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.
38They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.
39In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
40I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.
41How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
42The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.
43Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.
44And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
45My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
46And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
47Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
48Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.
49As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.
50Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
51We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house.
52Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.
53Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
54A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:
55Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
56Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
57And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
58Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.
59The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince.
60So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.
61And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
62Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
63And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
64And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
World English Bible
1The LORD says: “Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against those who dwell in Lebkamai, a destroying wind.
2I will send to Babylon strangers, who will winnow her. They will empty her land; for in the day of trouble they will be against her all around.
3Against him who bends, let the archer bend his bow, also against him who lifts himself up in his coat of mail. Don’t spare her young men! Utterly destroy all her army!
4They will fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and thrust through in her streets.
5For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, by his God, by the LORD of Armies; though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
6“Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Everyone save his own life! Don’t be cut off in her iniquity, for it is the time of the LORD’s vengeance. He will give to her a recompense.
7Babylon has been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, who made all the earth drunk. The nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.
8Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed! Wail for her! Take balm for her pain. Perhaps she may be healed.
9“We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let’s each go into his own country; for her judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
10‘The LORD has produced our righteousness. Come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.’
11“Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
12Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
13You who dwell on many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness.
14The LORD of Armies has sworn by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts, and they will lift up a shout against you.’
15“He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens.
16When he utters his voice, there is a roar of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries.
17“Every man has become stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his image, for his molten images are falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
18They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation, they will perish.
19The portion of Jacob is not like these, for he formed all things, including the tribe of his inheritance. The LORD of Armies is his name.
20“You are my battle ax and weapons of war. With you I will break the nations into pieces. With you I will destroy kingdoms.
21With you I will break in pieces the horse and his rider.
22With you I will break in pieces the chariot and him who rides therein. With you I will break in pieces man and woman. With you I will break in pieces the old man and the youth. With you I will break in pieces the young man and the virgin.
23With you I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock. With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke. With you I will break in pieces governors and deputies.
24“I will give to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight,” says the LORD.
25“Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain,” says the LORD, “which destroys all the earth. I will stretch out my hand on you, roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burned mountain.
26They won’t take a cornerstone from you, nor a stone for foundations; but you will be desolate forever,” says the LORD.
27“Set up a standard in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her! Call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz! Appoint a marshal against her! Cause the horses to come up as the swarming locusts!
28Prepare against her the nations, the kings of the Medes, its governors, and all its deputies, and all the land of their dominion!
29The land trembles and is in pain; for the purposes of the LORD against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.
30The mighty men of Babylon have stopped fighting, they remain in their strongholds. Their might has failed. They have become as women. Her dwelling places are set on fire. Her bars are broken.
31One runner will run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter.
32So the passages are seized. They have burned the reeds with fire. The men of war are frightened.”
33For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says: “The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time when it is trodden. Yet a little while, and the time of harvest comes for her.”
34“Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me. He has crushed me. He has made me an empty vessel. He has, like a monster, swallowed me up. He has filled his mouth with my delicacies. He has cast me out.
35May the violence done to me and to my flesh be on Babylon!” the inhabitant of Zion will say; and, “May my blood be on the inhabitants of Chaldea!” will Jerusalem say.
36Therefore the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry.
37Babylon will become heaps, a dwelling place for jackals, an astonishment, and a hissing, without inhabitant.
38They will roar together like young lions. They will growl as lions’ cubs.
39When they are inflamed, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunk, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the LORD.
40“I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats.
41“How Sheshach is taken! How the praise of the whole earth is seized! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!
42The sea has come up on Babylon. She is covered with the multitude of its waves.
43Her cities have become a desolation, a dry land, and a desert, a land in which no man dwells. No son of man passes by it.
44I will execute judgment on Bel in Babylon, and I will bring out of his mouth that which he has swallowed up. The nations will not flow any more to him. Yes, the wall of Babylon will fall.
45“My people, go away from the middle of her, and each of you save yourselves from the LORD’s fierce anger.
46Don’t let your heart faint. Don’t fear for the news that will be heard in the land. For news will come one year, and after that in another year news will come, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
47Therefore behold, the days come that I will execute judgment on the engraved images of Babylon; and her whole land will be confounded. All her slain will fall in the middle of her.
48Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is therein, will sing for joy over Babylon; for the destroyers will come to her from the north,” says the LORD.
49“As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, so the slain of all the land will fall at Babylon.
50You who have escaped the sword, go! Don’t stand still! Remember the LORD from afar, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.”
51“We are confounded because we have heard reproach. Confusion has covered our faces, for strangers have come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house.”
52“Therefore behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will execute judgment on her engraved images; and through all her land the wounded will groan.
53Though Babylon should mount up to the sky, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet destroyers will come to her from me,” says the LORD.
54“The sound of a cry comes from Babylon, and of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans!
55For the LORD lays Babylon waste, and destroys out of her the great voice! Their waves roar like many waters. The noise of their voice is uttered.
56For the destroyer has come on her, even on Babylon. Her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces, for the LORD is a God of retribution. He will surely repay.
57I will make her princes, her wise men, her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men drunk. They will sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the King, whose name is the LORD of Armies.
58The LORD of Armies says: “The wide walls of Babylon will be utterly overthrown. Her high gates will be burned with fire. The peoples will labor for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they will be weary.”
59The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was chief quartermaster.
60Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come on Babylon, even all these words that are written concerning Babylon.
61Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you come to Babylon, then see that you read all these words,
62and say, ‘LORD, you have spoken concerning this place, to cut it off, that no one will dwell in it, neither man nor animal, but that it will be desolate forever.’
63It will be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall bind a stone to it, and cast it into the middle of the Euphrates.
64Then you shall say, ‘Thus will Babylon sink, and will not rise again because of the evil that I will bring on her; and they will be weary.’” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.