⁶ I am raising up the Babylonians,^[a](A)
    that ruthless and impetuous people,
who sweep across the whole earth^(B)
    to seize dwellings not their own.^(C)
7 They are a feared and dreaded people;^(D)
    they are a law to themselves
    and promote their own honor.
⁸ Their horses are swifter^(E) than leopards,
    fiercer than wolves^(F) at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong;
    their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;
⁹     they all come intent on violence.
Their hordes^[b] advance like a desert wind
    and gather prisoners^(G) like sand.

6 “Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!
    Flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the trumpet^(A) in Tekoa!^(B)
    Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!^(C)
For disaster looms out of the north,^(D)
    even terrible destruction.

⁶ Raise the signal^(A) to go to Zion!
    Flee for safety without delay!
For I am bringing disaster^(B) from the north,^(C)
    even terrible destruction.”