16 When I thunder, the waters in the heavens roar. I make clouds rise from one end of the earth to the other. I send lightning with the rain. I bring out the wind from my storerooms.
17 "No one has any sense. No one knows anything. Everyone who works with gold is put to shame by his wooden gods. His metal gods are fakes. They can't even breathe.
18 They are worthless. People make fun of them. When I judge them, they will be destroyed.
19 I am not like them. I am the God of Jacob. I give my people everything they need. I can do it because I made everything, including Israel. It is the nation that belongs to me. My name is The Lord Who Rules Over All.
20 "Babylonia, you are my war club. You are my weapon for battle. I use you to destroy nations. I use you to wipe out kingdoms.
21 I use you to destroy horses and their riders. I use you to destroy chariots and their drivers.
22 I use you to destroy men and women. I use you to destroy old people and young people. I use you to destroy young men and young women.