Jeremiah 51:1-28 ▼

1 This is what the LORD says: I am about to rouse the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and against the population of Leb-qamai.

2 I will send strangers to Babylon who will scatter her and strip her land bare, for they will come against her from every side in the day of disaster.

3 Don’t let the archer string his bow; don’t let him put on his armor. Don’t spare her young men; completely destroy her entire army!

4 Those who were slain will fall in the land of the Chaldeans, those who were pierced through, in her streets.

5 For Israel and Judah are not left widowed by their God, the LORD of Armies, though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.

6 Leave Babylon; save your lives, each of you! Don’t perish because of her guilt. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance — he will pay her what she deserves.

7 Babylon was a gold cup in the LORD’s hand, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore, the nations go mad.

8 Suddenly Babylon fell and was shattered. Wail for her; get balm for her wound — perhaps she can be healed.

9 We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her! Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches as far as the clouds.

10 The LORD has brought about our vindication; come, let’s tell in Zion what the LORD our God has accomplished.

11 Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes because his plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the LORD’s vengeance, vengeance for his temple.

12 Raise up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon; fortify the watch post; set the watchmen in place; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both planned and accomplished what he has threatened against those who live in Babylon.

13 You who reside by abundant water, rich in treasures, your end has come, your life thread is cut.

14 The LORD of Armies has sworn by himself: I will fill you up with men as with locusts, and they will sing the victory song over you.

15 He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom, and spread out the heavens by his understanding.

16 When he thunders, the waters in the heavens are tumultuous, and he causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from his storehouses.

17 Everyone is stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his carved image, for his cast images are a lie; there is no breath in them.

18 They are worthless, a work to be mocked. At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed.

19 Jacob’s Portion is not like these because he is the one who formed all things. Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of Armies is his name.

20 You are my war club, my weapons of war. With you I will smash nations; with you I will bring kingdoms to ruin.

21 With you I will smash the horse and its rider; with you I will smash the chariot and its rider.

22 With you I will smash man and woman; with you I will smash the old man and the youth; with you I will smash the young man and the young woman.

23 With you I will smash the shepherd and his flock; with you I will smash the farmer and his ox-team. With you I will smash governors and officials.

24 “Before your very eyes, I will repay Babylon and all the residents of Chaldea for all their evil they have done in Zion.” This is the LORD’s declaration.

25 Look, I am against you, devastating mountain. This is the LORD’s declaration. You devastate the whole earth. I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you down from the cliffs, and turn you into a charred mountain.

26 No one will be able to retrieve a cornerstone or a foundation stone from you, because you will become desolate forever. This is the LORD’s declaration.

27 Raise a signal flag in the land; blow a ram’s horn among the nations; set apart the nations against her. Summon kingdoms against her — Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a marshal against her; bring up horses like a swarm of locusts.

28 Set apart the nations for battle against her — the kings of Media, her governors and all her officials, and all the lands they rule.