³¹ I hear a cry as of a woman in labor,^(A)
    a groan as of one bearing her first child—
the cry of Daughter Zion^(B) gasping for breath,^(C)
    stretching out her hands^(D) and saying,
“Alas! I am fainting;
    my life is given over to murderers.”^(E)

⁴¹ “Look! An army is coming from the north;^(A)
    a great nation and many kings
    are being stirred^(B) up from the ends of the earth.^(C)
42 They are armed with bows^(D) and spears;
    they are cruel^(E) and without mercy.^(F)
They sound like the roaring sea^(G)
    as they ride on their horses;
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Babylon.^(H)
43 The king of Babylon has heard reports about them,
    and his hands hang limp.^(I)
Anguish has gripped him,
    pain like that of a woman in labor.^(J)