16 Cut off the sower from Babylon,and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest.For fear of the oppressing sword,they will each return to their own people,and they will each flee to their own land.
17 “Israel is a hunted sheep.The lions have driven him away.First, the king of Assyria devoured him,and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.”
18 Therefore the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says:“Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land,as I have punished the king of Assyria.
19 I will bring Israel again to his pasture,and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan.His soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.
20 In those days, and in that time,” says the Lord,“the iniquity of Israel will be sought for,and there will be none;also the sins of Judah,and they won’t be found;for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.
21 “Go up against the land of Merathaim,even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod.Kill and utterly destroy after them,” says the Lord,“and do according to all that I have commanded you.
22 A sound of battle is in the land,and of great destruction.