Isaiah 47:1-9 ▼

1 “Come down, virgin daughter of Babylon, and sit in the dust. For your days of sitting on a throne have ended. O daughter of Babylonia, never again will you be the lovely princess, tender and delicate.

2 Take heavy millstones and grind flour. Remove your veil, and strip off your robe. Expose yourself to public view.

3 You will be naked and burdened with shame. I will take vengeance against you without pity.”

4 Our Redeemer, whose name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, is the Holy One of Israel.

5 “O beautiful Babylon, sit now in darkness and silence. Never again will you be known as the queen of kingdoms.

6 For I was angry with my chosen people and punished them by letting them fall into your hands. But you, Babylon, showed them no mercy. You oppressed even the elderly.

7 You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’ You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences.

8 “Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom, living at ease and feeling secure. You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other. I will never be a widow or lose my children.’

9 Well, both these things will come upon you in a moment: widowhood and the loss of your children. Yes, these calamities will come upon you, despite all your witchcraft and magic.