Jeremiah 51:5-14

5For neither Israel nor Judah has been abandoned By his God, the Lord of hosts, Though their land is full of sin and guilt Before the Holy One of Israel.

6Flee out of Babylon, Let every one of you save his life! Do not be destroyed in her punishment, For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He is going to pay her what she has earned.

7Babylon has been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, Intoxicating all the earth. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations have gone mad.

8Babylon has suddenly fallen and is shattered! Wail for her [if you care to]! Get balm for her [incurable] pain; Perhaps she may be healed.

9We would have healed Babylon, but she was not to be healed. Abandon her and let each [captive] return to his own country, For her guilt and judgment have reached to heaven And are lifted up to the very skies.

10The Lord has brought about our vindication and has revealed the righteousness of our cause; Come and let us proclaim in Zion The work of the Lord our God!

11Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields [and cover yourselves]! The Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, Because His purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it; For that is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance [on Babylon] for [plundering and destroying] His temple.

12Set up a signal on the walls of Babylon [to spread the news]; Post a strong blockade, Station the guards, Prepare the men for ambush! For the Lord has both purposed and done That which He spoke against the people of Babylon.

13[O Babylon] you who live by many waters, Rich in treasures, Your end has come, And the line measuring your life is cut.

14The Lord of hosts has sworn [an oath] by Himself, saying, “Surely I will fill you with men, as with [a swarm of] locusts [who strip the land clean], And they will lift up a song and shout of victory over you.”