41-43 “And now, watch this! People pouring
    out of the north, hordes of people,
A mob of kings stirred up
    from far-off places.
Flourishing deadly weapons,
    barbarians they are, cruel and pitiless.
Roaring and relentless, like ocean breakers,
    they come riding fierce stallions,
In battle formation, ready to fight
    you, Daughter Babylon!
Babylon’s king hears them coming.
    He goes white as a ghost, limp as a dishrag.
Terror-stricken, he doubles up in pain, helpless to fight,
    like a woman giving birth to a baby.

44 “And now watch this: Like a lion coming up
    from the thick jungle of the Jordan,
Looking for prey in the mountain pastures,
    I’ll take over and pounce.
I’ll take my pick of the flock—and who’s to stop me?
    All the so-called shepherds are helpless before me.”

45-46 So, listen to this plan that God has worked out against Babylon, the blueprint of what he’s prepared for dealing with Chaldea:

Believe it or not, the young,
    the vulnerable—mere lambs and kids—will be dragged off.
Believe it or not, the flock
    in shock, helpless to help, watches it happen.
When the shout goes up, “Babylon’s down!”
    the very earth will shudder at the sound.
    The news will be heard all over the world.

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43 The king of Babylon has heard reports about them,
    and his hands hang limp.(A)
Anguish has gripped him,
    pain like that of a woman in labor.(B)
44 Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets(C)
    to a rich pastureland,
I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant.
    Who is the chosen(D) one I will appoint for this?
Who is like me and who can challenge me?(E)
    And what shepherd can stand against me?”

45 Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Babylon,
    what he has purposed(F) against the land of the Babylonians:(G)
The young of the flock will be dragged away;
    their pasture will be appalled at their fate.

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