11-16 “You Babylonians had a good time while it lasted, didn’t you?
    You lived it up, exploiting and using my people,
Frisky calves romping in lush pastures,
    wild stallions out having a good time!
Well, your mother would hardly be proud of you.
    The woman who bore you wouldn’t be pleased.
Look at what’s come of you! A nothing nation!
    Rubble and garbage and weeds!
Emptied of life by my holy anger,
    a desert of death and emptiness.
Travelers who pass by Babylon will gasp, appalled,
    shaking their heads at such a comedown.
Gang up on Babylon! Pin her down!
    Throw everything you have against her.
Hold nothing back. Knock her flat.
    She’s sinned—oh, how she’s sinned, against me!
Shout battle cries from every direction.
    All the fight has gone out of her.
Her defenses have been flattened,
    her walls smashed.
‘Operation God’s Vengeance.’
    Pile on the vengeance!
Do to her as she has done.
    Give her a good dose of her own medicine!
Destroy her farms and farmers,
    ravage her fields, empty her barns.
And you captives, while the destruction rages,
    get out while the getting’s good,
    get out fast and run for home.

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12 your mother will be greatly ashamed;
    she who gave you birth will be disgraced.(A)
She will be the least of the nations—
    a wilderness, a dry land, a desert.(B)
13 Because of the Lord’s anger she will not be inhabited
    but will be completely desolate.(C)
All who pass Babylon will be appalled;(D)
    they will scoff(E) because of all her wounds.(F)

14 “Take up your positions around Babylon,
    all you who draw the bow.(G)
Shoot at her! Spare no arrows,(H)
    for she has sinned against the Lord.

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