23 I use you to smash shepherds and flocks.I use you to smash farmers and oxen.I use you to smash governors and officers.
24 “But I will pay Babylon back, and I will pay back all the Babylonians for all the evil things they did to Jerusalem,” says the Lord.
25 The Lord says,“Babylon, you are a destroying mountain.And I am against you.You have destroyed the whole land.I will put my hand out against you.I will roll you off the cliffs.I will make you a burned-out mountain.
26 People will not find any rocks in Babylon big enough for cornerstones.People will not take any rocks from Babylon to use for the foundation of a building.This is because your city will be just a pile of ruins forever,” says the Lord.
27 “Lift up the banner in the land!Blow the trumpet among the nations!Get the nations ready for battle against Babylon.Call these kingdoms to come fight against Babylon:Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz.Choose a commander to lead the army against Babylon.Send so many horses that they are like a swarm of locusts.
28 Get the nations ready for battle against Babylon.Get the kings of the Medes ready.Get their governors and all their officers ready.Get all the countries they rule ready for battle against Babylon.
29 The land shakes and moves like it is in pain.It will shake when the Lord does what he planned to Babylon.His plan is to make Babylon into an empty desert.No one will live there.