1 This is what the Lord says:‘See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyeragainst Babylon and the people of Leb Kamai.
2 I will send foreigners to Babylonto winnow her and to devastate her land;they will oppose her on every sidein the day of her disaster.
3 Let not the archer string his bow,nor let him put on his armour.Do not spare her young men;completely destroy her army.
4 They will fall down slain in Babylon,fatally wounded in her streets.
5 For Israel and Judah have not been forsakenby their God, the Lord Almighty,though their land is full of guiltbefore the Holy One of Israel.
6 ‘Flee from Babylon!Run for your lives!Do not be destroyed because of her sins.It is time for the Lord’s vengeance;he will repay her what she deserves.