⁹ For I will stir^(A) up and bring against Babylon
    an alliance of great nations^(B) from the land of the north.^(C)
They will take up their positions against her,
    and from the north she will be captured.^(D)
Their arrows^(E) will be like skilled warriors
    who do not return empty-handed.

²⁷ “Lift up a banner^(A) in the land!
    Blow the trumpet among the nations!
Prepare the nations for battle against her;
    summon against her these kingdoms:^(B)
    Ararat,^(C) Minni and Ashkenaz.^(D)
Appoint a commander against her;
    send up horses like a swarm of locusts.^(E)
28 Prepare the nations for battle against her—
    the kings of the Medes,^(F)
their governors and all their officials,
    and all the countries they rule.^(G)

¹¹ “Sharpen the arrows,^(A)
    take up the shields!^(B)
The Lord has stirred up the kings^(C) of the Medes,^(D)
    because his purpose^(E) is to destroy Babylon.
The Lord will take vengeance,^(F)
    vengeance for his temple.^(G)

“See, I will stir^(A) up the spirit of a destroyer
    against Babylon^(B) and the people of Leb Kamai.^[a]
2 I will send foreigners^(C) to Babylon
    to winnow^(D) her and to devastate her land;
they will oppose her on every side
    in the day^(E) of her disaster.
³ Let not the archer string his bow,^(F)
    nor let him put on his armor.^(G)
Do not spare her young men;
    completely destroy^[b] her army.
⁴ They will fall^(H) down slain in Babylon,^[c]
    fatally wounded in her streets.^(I)

⁴¹ “Look! An army is coming from the north;^(A)
    a great nation and many kings
    are being stirred^(B) up from the ends of the earth.^(C)
42 They are armed with bows^(D) and spears;
    they are cruel^(E) and without mercy.^(F)
They sound like the roaring sea^(G)
    as they ride on their horses;
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Babylon.^(H)

²⁹ “Summon archers against Babylon,
    all those who draw the bow.^(A)
Encamp all around her;
    let no one escape.^(B)
Repay^(C) her for her deeds;^(D)
    do to her as she has done.
For she has defied^(E) the Lord,
    the Holy One^(F) of Israel.

²⁶ Come against her from afar.^(A)
    Break open her granaries;
    pile her up like heaps of grain.^(B)
Completely destroy^(C) her
    and leave her no remnant.

²¹ “Attack the land of Merathaim
    and those who live in Pekod.^(A)
Pursue, kill and completely destroy^[a] them,”
declares the Lord.
    “Do everything I have commanded you.

¹⁴ “Take up your positions around Babylon,
    all you who draw the bow.^(A)
Shoot at her! Spare no arrows,^(B)
    for she has sinned against the Lord.