Jeremiah 50:1-13 ▼

1 This is the word the LORD spoke about Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through the prophet Jeremiah:

2 Announce to the nations; proclaim and raise up a signal flag; proclaim, and hide nothing. Say, “Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is terrified.” Her idols are put to shame; her false gods, devastated.

3 For a nation from the north will attack her; it will make her land desolate. No one will be living in it — both people and animals will escape.

4 In those days and at that time — this is the LORD’s declaration — the Israelites and Judeans will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God.

5 They will ask about Zion, turning their faces to this road. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in a permanent covenant that will never be forgotten.

6 My people were lost sheep; their shepherds led them astray, guiding them the wrong way in the mountains. They wandered from mountain to hill; they forgot their resting place.

7 Whoever found them devoured them. Their adversaries said, “We’re not guilty; instead, they have sinned against the LORD, their righteous grazing land, the hope of their ancestors, the LORD.”

8 Escape from Babylon; depart from the Chaldeans’ land. Be like the rams that lead the flock.

9 For I will soon stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country. They will line up in battle formation against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows will be like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.

10 The Chaldeans will become plunder; all Babylon’s plunderers will be fully satisfied. This is the LORD’s declaration.

11 Because you rejoice, because you celebrate — you who plundered my inheritance — because you frolic like a young cow treading grain and neigh like stallions,

12 your mother will be utterly humiliated; she who bore you will be put to shame. Look! She will lag behind all the nations — an arid wilderness, a desert.

13 Because of the LORD’s wrath, she will not be inhabited; she will become a desolation, every bit of her. Everyone who passes through Babylon will be appalled and scoff because of all her wounds.