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.
9 We tried to cure Babylon,but she was beyond help.Let’s depart from herand return to your own country,each of you.Her punishment reaches to heavenand extends to the clouds.
10 The Lord has come to our defense,so let’s declare in Zionwhat the Lord our God has done!
11 Sharpen your arrows;prepare your shields.The Lord is stirring upthe spirit of kings from Media.He intends to destroy Babylon;this is the Lord’s retribution,a day of reckoning for his temple.