The Hebrew Prophets

"Therefore wildcats and jackals will live there, and ostriches will settle there. It will never again be peopled, it will be uninhabited age after age;

as when God overthrew S'dom, 'Amora and their neighboring towns," says ADONAI. "No one will settle there any more, no human being will live there again.

"Look! A people is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are being stirred up from the ends of the earth.

They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel, without compassion; their sound is like the roaring sea, as they ride forth on horses. Their men take their battle positions against you, daughter of Bavel.

The king of Bavel has heard news of them; his hands droop, helpless. Anguish seizes hold of him and pain, like a woman in labor.

"It will be like a lion coming up from the thickets of the Yarden against a strong settlement; in an instant I will chase him away and appoint over it whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who can call me to account? What shepherd can stand up to me?"

So hear the plan of ADONAI that he has devised against Bavel, and his goals that he will accomplish against the land of the Kasdim: the least of the flock will drag them away; their own pasture will be in shock at them.

At the sound of Bavel's capture the earth quakes; their cry is heard throughout the nations.

ADONAI says this: "Against Bavel and those living in Lev-Kamai I will stir up a destructive wind.

Against Bavel I will send foreigners to winnow her and leave her land empty. They will besiege her from every side on the day of disaster.

Let the archer draw his bow, let him flaunt his coat of mail; do not spare her young men, completely destroy her whole army.

In the land of the Kasdim the slain will fall, those thrust through [by the sword] in her streets.

Isra'el and Y'hudah are not left widowed of their God, ADONAI-Tzva'ot; but the land of [the Kasdim] is full of guilt before the Holy One of Isra'el."

Flee from Bavel, let each one save his life! Don't perish because of her guilt. For the time has come for the vengeance of ADONAI; he will repay her what she deserves.

Bavel was a gold cup in the hands of ADONAI; it made the whole earth drunk - the nations drank her wine; this is why the nations have lost their senses.

Bavel has suddenly fallen. She is broken; wail for her. Bring healing ointment for her wounds; perhaps she can be healed.

"We tried to heal Bavel, but she cannot be healed. So leave her alone, and each of us will return to his own country." For the judgment against her rises to the skies and reaches even the clouds.

ADONAI has brought forth our victory. Come, let us proclaim in Tziyon the work of ADONAI our God!

Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! ADONAI roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because he plans to destroy Bavel. This is the vengeance of ADONAI vengeance over his temple.

Raise a standard against the walls of Bavel! Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Prepare ambushes! For ADONAI has both planned and accomplished what he promised to do to those living in Bavel.

You who live near plenty of water, so rich in treasure - your end has come, your time for being cut off!

ADONAI-Tzva'ot has sworn by himself, "I will fill you with men as numerous as grasshoppers; they will raise over you a shout of triumph."

He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom spread out the sky by his understanding.

When he thunders, the waters in heaven roar, he raises clouds from the ends of the earth, he makes the lightning flash in the rain and brings the wind out from his storehouses.

At this, everyone is proved stupid, ignorant, every goldsmith put to shame by his idol! The figures he casts are a fraud, there is no breath in them,