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.

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)

² Raise a banner^(A) on a bare hilltop,
    shout to them;
beckon to them
    to enter the gates^(B) of the nobles.

²⁹ The land trembles^(A) and writhes,
    for the Lord’s purposes^(B) against Babylon stand—
to lay waste^(C) the land of Babylon
    so that no one will live there.^(D)

¹⁴ Draw water for the siege,^(A)
    strengthen your defenses!^(B)
Work the clay,
    tread the mortar,
    repair the brickwork!
¹⁵ There the fire^(C) will consume you;
    the sword^(D) will cut you down—
    they will devour you like a swarm of locusts.
Multiply like grasshoppers,
    multiply like locusts!^(E)

⁹ Proclaim this among the nations:
    Prepare for war!^(A)
Rouse the warriors!^(B)
    Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.
¹⁰ Beat your plowshares into swords
    and your pruning hooks^(C) into spears.^(D)
Let the weakling^(E) say,
    “I am strong!”^(F)
11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side,
    and assemble^(G) there.

Bring down your warriors,^(H) Lord!

¹² “Let the nations be roused;
    let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat,^(I)
for there I will sit
    to judge^(J) all the nations on every side.
¹³ Swing the sickle,^(K)
    for the harvest^(L) is ripe.
Come, trample the grapes,^(M)
    for the winepress^(N) is full
    and the vats overflow—
so great is their wickedness!”

¹⁴ Multitudes,^(O) multitudes
    in the valley^(P) of decision!
For the day of the Lord^(Q) is near
    in the valley of decision.^(R)

¹⁷ The Lord has done what he planned;
    he has fulfilled^(A) his word,
    which he decreed long ago.^(B)
He has overthrown you without pity,^(C)
    he has let the enemy gloat over you,^(D)
    he has exalted the horn^[a] of your foes.^(E)