40 God completely destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrahand the towns around them,” says the Lord.“In the same way no people will live in Babylon,and no human being will stay there.
41 “Look! An army is coming from the north.A powerful nation and many kingsare coming together from all around the world.
42 Their armies have bows and spears.The soldiers are cruel and have no mercy.As the soldiers come riding on their horses,the sound is loud like the roaring sea.They stand in their places, ready for battle.They are ready to attack you, city of Babylon.
43 The king of Babylon heard about those armies,and he became helpless with fear.Distress has gripped him.His pain is like that of a woman giving birth to a baby.
44 “Like a lion coming up from the thick bushes near the Jordan Riverto attack a strong pen for sheep,I will suddenly chase the people of Babylon from their land.Who is the one I have chosen to do this?There is no one like me,no one who can take me to court.None of their leaders can stand up against me.”
45 So listen to what the Lord has planned to do against Babylon.Listen to what he has decided to do to the people in the city of Babylon.He will surely drag away the young ones of Babylon.Their hometowns will surely be shocked at what happens to them.
46 At the sound of Babylon’s capture, the earth will shake.People in all nations will hear Babylon’s cry of distress.