⁵ “It is I who ^(A)by my great power and my outstretched arm ^(B)have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, ^(C)and I give it to whomever it seems right to me. ^6 (D)Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, ^(E)my servant, ^(F)and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. ^7 (G)All the nations shall serve him and ^(H)his son and ^(I)his grandson, ^(J)until the time of his own land comes. ^(K)Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.

⁸ “‘“But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, ^(L)and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation ^(M)with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the Lord, until I have consumed it by his hand.

^17 (A)Do not listen to them; ^(B)serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city ^(C)become a desolation?