⁵³ Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens^(A)
    and fortifies her lofty stronghold,
    I will send destroyers^(B) against her,”
declares the Lord.

“Babylon’s thick wall^(A) will be leveled
    and her high gates^(B) set on fire;
the peoples^(C) exhaust^(D) themselves for nothing,
    the nations’ labor is only fuel for the flames.”^(E)