11-13 “Sharpen the arrows!
    Fill the quivers!
God has stirred up the kings of the Medes,
    infecting them with war fever: ‘Destroy Babylon!’
God’s on the warpath.
    He’s out to avenge his Temple.
Give the signal to attack Babylon’s walls.
    Station guards around the clock.
Bring in reinforcements.
    Set men in ambush.
God will do what he planned,
    what he said he’d do to the people of Babylon.
You have more water than you need,
    you have more money than you need—
But your life is over,
    your lifeline cut.”

* * *

14 God-of-the-Angel-Armies has solemnly sworn:
    “I’ll fill this place with soldiers.
They’ll swarm through here like locusts
    chanting victory songs over you.”

* * *

Read full chapter

12 Lift up a banner(A) against the walls of Babylon!
    Reinforce the guard,
station the watchmen,(B)
    prepare an ambush!(C)
The Lord will carry out his purpose,(D)
    his decree against the people of Babylon.
13 You who live by many waters(E)
    and are rich in treasures,(F)
your end has come,
    the time for you to be destroyed.(G)
14 The Lord Almighty has sworn by himself:(H)
    I will surely fill you with troops, as with a swarm of locusts,(I)
    and they will shout(J) in triumph over you.

Read full chapter