20 In those days and at that time,” declares the Lord,“people will look for Israel’s crimes, but they will find none.They will look for Judah’s sins, but none will be found.I will forgive the faithful few whom I have spared.
21 Attack the land of Merathaimand the people who live in Pekod.Claim them for me by killing them with a sword,”declares the Lord.“Do everything I commanded you.
22 The noise of battle and great destruction fills the land.
23 The hammer of the whole earth is broken and shattered.See how desolate Babylon is of all the nations!
24 I will set traps for you, Babylon.You will be caught, but you won’t know it.You will be found and capturedbecause you have opposed the Lord.
25 The Lord will open his armoryand bring out the weapons of his fury,because the Almighty Lord of Armieshas a job to do in the land of the Babylonians.
26 Attack them from a distance,open their storehouses,pile up their corpses like piles of grain,claim them for me by destroying them,and don’t leave anyone behind.