²⁶ Put on sackcloth,^(A) my people,
    and roll in ashes;^(B)
mourn with bitter wailing^(C)
    as for an only son,^(D)
for suddenly the destroyer^(E)
    will come upon us.

⁸ I will make their widows^(A) more numerous
    than the sand of the sea.
At midday I will bring a destroyer^(B)
    against the mothers of their young men;
suddenly I will bring down on them
    anguish and terror.^(C)

⁷ I will send destroyers^(A) against you,
    each man with his weapons,
and they will cut^(B) up your fine cedar beams
    and throw them into the fire.^(C)

⁸ The destroyer^(A) will come against every town,
    and not a town will escape.
The valley will be ruined
    and the plateau^(B) destroyed,
    because the Lord has spoken.

“See, I will stir^(A) up the spirit of a destroyer
    against Babylon^(B) and the people of Leb Kamai.^[a]

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

³¹ I will pour out my wrath on you
    and breathe^(A) out my fiery anger^(B) against you;
I will deliver you into the hands of brutal men,
    men skilled in destruction.^(C)