2 I will send mercenaries to Babylonwho will sift her and clear out her land.They will surround heron the day of disaster.
3 Let the archers draw their bows;let them prepare their armor.Show no mercy to her young men;wipe out her entire company!
4 They will fall woundedin the land of Babylon,struck down in her streets.
5 God, the Lord of heavenly forces,hasn’t abandoned Israel and Judah,even though they livein a land filled with guiltbefore the holy one of Israel.
6 Escape from Babylon;each of you run for your lives!Don’t perish because of her guilt,because this is the timefor the Lord’s retribution,a day of reckoningfor all that Babylon has done.
7 Babylon was a gold cupin the Lord’s hand;it made the whole earth drunk.The nations drank her wineand went mad.
8 But suddenly Babylon felland shattered into pieces.Wail for her!Bring medicine for her pain;perhaps she will recover.