Jeremiah 51:14-27

14The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has taken this vow and has sworn to it by his own name: “Your cities will be filled with enemies, like fields swarming with locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.”

15The Lord made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.

16When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.

17The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power.

18Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.

19But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

20“You are my battle-ax and sword,” says the Lord. “With you I will shatter nations and destroy many kingdoms.

21With you I will shatter armies— destroying the horse and rider, the chariot and charioteer.

22With you I will shatter men and women, old people and children, young men and young women.

23With you I will shatter shepherds and flocks, farmers and oxen, captains and officers.

24“I will repay Babylon and the people of Babylonia for all the wrong they have done to my people in Jerusalem,” says the Lord.

25“Look, O mighty mountain, destroyer of the earth! I am your enemy,” says the Lord. “I will raise my fist against you, to knock you down from the heights. When I am finished, you will be nothing but a heap of burnt rubble.

26You will be desolate forever. Even your stones will never again be used for building. You will be completely wiped out,” says the Lord.

27Raise a signal flag to the nations. Sound the battle cry! Mobilize them all against Babylon. Prepare them to fight against her! Bring out the armies of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander, and bring a multitude of horses like swarming locusts!