Study Desk

Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor, declares the LORD, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you.

For a nation from the north will come against her; it will make her land an object of horror. No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee."

All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.'

For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.

Line up in formation around Babylon, all you who draw the bow! Shoot at her! Spare no arrows! For she has sinned against the LORD.

In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, a search will transpire for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah's sins, but they will not be found; for I will forgive the remnant I spare."

I laid a snare for you, O Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it. You were found and captured because you challenged the LORD.

The LORD has opened His armory and brought out His weapons of wrath, for it is the work of the Lord GOD of Hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

Put all her young bulls to the sword; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come-the time of their punishment.

Listen to the fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon, declaring in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance for His temple.

Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.

Behold, one will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint over her? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?"

I will send strangers to Babylon to winnow her and empty her land; for they will come against her from every side in the day of her disaster.

For Israel and Judah have not been abandoned by their God, the LORD of Hosts, though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel."

Flee from Babylon; escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.

Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.

"We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her! Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches to the clouds."

Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD-vengeance for His temple.

Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.