⁴ Listen, a noise on the mountains,
    like that of a great multitude!^(A)
Listen, an uproar^(B) among the kingdoms,
    like nations massing together!
The Lord Almighty^(C) is mustering^(D)
    an army for war.
⁵ They come from faraway lands,
    from the ends of the heavens^(E)—
the Lord and the weapons^(F) of his wrath^(G)—
    to destroy^(H) the whole country.

¹⁷ See, I will stir up^(A) against them the Medes,^(B)
    who do not care for silver
    and have no delight in gold.^(C)
18 Their bows^(D) will strike down the young men;^(E)
    they will have no mercy^(F) on infants,
    nor will they look with compassion on children.^(G)
19 Babylon,^(H) the jewel of kingdoms,^(I)
    the pride and glory^(J) of the Babylonians,^[a]
will be overthrown^(K) by God
    like Sodom and Gomorrah.^(L)

¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning,^(A)
    from ancient times,^(B) what is still to come.^(C)
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,^(D)
    and I will do all that I please.’
¹¹ From the east I summon^(E) a bird of prey;^(F)
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned,^(G) that I will do.^(H)