16 Cut off the sower from Babylon
as well as him who wields the sickle at harvest time.
Because of the oppressor’s sword,(A)
each will turn to his own people,(B)
each will flee to his own land.

The Return of God’s People

17 Israel is a stray lamb, chased by lions.(C)
The first who devoured him was the king of Assyria;
the last who crushed his bones
was King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.(D)

18 Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to punish the king of Babylon(E) and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.

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16 Cut off from Babylon the sower,
    and the reaper with his sickle at harvest.
Because of the sword(A) of the oppressor
    let everyone return to their own people,(B)
    let everyone flee to their own land.(C)

17 “Israel is a scattered flock(D)
    that lions(E) have chased away.
The first to devour(F) them
    was the king(G) of Assyria;
the last to crush their bones(H)
    was Nebuchadnezzar(I) king(J) of Babylon.”

18 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

“I will punish the king of Babylon and his land
    as I punished the king(K) of Assyria.(L)

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