Jeremiah 51:14-27

14The Lord Almighty has made this strong promise with the authority of his own name: ‘I will cause the enemy's soldiers to fill your cities. They will come like a big crowd of locusts. They will shout loudly when they take your city for themselves.’

151The Lord used his power to make the earth. He used his wisdom to make it strong. He knew how to put the sky to cover the earth.

16When he shouts like thunder, the water in the sky roars. He brings the clouds from the far places of the earth. He causes bright lightning to show in the storms. He opens his rooms so that the wind comes out and it blows everywhere.

17People who worship idols are stupid. They do not understand what they are doing. The men who make idols will be ashamed. They make images of gods that are false. None of their idols have the breath of life in them.

18They are useless things that people should laugh at. When the time for their punishment arrives, God will destroy them.

19The God that Jacob's descendants worship is not like those idols. He created everything. He chose Israel's people to belong to him. His name is the Lord Almighty.

20‘You are the weapon that I use to fight my battles. I have used you to punish nations. I have used you to destroy kingdoms.

21I have used you to destroy whole armies, with their horses, chariots and riders.

22I have used you to destroy men and women, old men, young men, boys and girls.

23I have used you to destroy shepherds and their sheep, as well as farmers and their oxen. I have used you to destroy rulers and their officers.

24But now I will punish Babylon and all the people who live in Babylonia. I will pay them back for all the evil things that they did in Jerusalem. And you will see me do that.’ That is what the Lord says.

25The Lord says, ‘Listen to me, Babylon! I am your enemy! You are like a strong mountain that destroys the whole earth. I will punish you with all my strength. I will push you down from your high place. I will make you a heap of ashes.

26Nobody will be able to use any of your stones as a foundation for a new building. You will remain as empty as a desert for ever.’ That is what the Lord says.

27‘Call the nations to come and fight a battle against Babylonia. Wave a flag and make a noise with trumpets, so that these kingdoms prepare their armies to attack: Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz. Choose a captain to lead them into battle. Send an army of soldiers on horses to attack, like a large crowd of locusts.