12
Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon; Make the guard strong, Set up the watchmen, Prepare the ambushes. For the Lord has both devised and done What He spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.
13
O you who dwell by many waters, Abundant in treasures, Your end has come, The measure of your covetousness.
14
The Lord of hosts has sworn by Himself: "Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts, And they shall lift up a shout against you."
15
He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, And stretched out the heaven by His understanding.
16
When He utters His voice-- There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries."
17
Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by the carved image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them.
18
They are futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish.
19
The Portion of Jacob is not like them, For He is the Maker of all things; And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. The Lord of hosts is His name.
20
"You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms;
21
With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider;
22
With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden;