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16 Exterminate the sower from Babylon, and the one who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the sword of the oppressor everyone shall return to his people, and everyone shall flee to his own land.

17 Israel is a hunted and scattered sheep [driven hither and thither and preyed upon by savage beasts]; the lions have chased him. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last [a]Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon has broken and gnawed his bones.

18 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will visit and punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I visited and punished the king of Assyria.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 50:17 See footnote on Jer. 21:2.

16 Cut off from Babylon the sower,
    and the reaper with his sickle at harvest.
Because of the sword(A) of the oppressor
    let everyone return to their own people,(B)
    let everyone flee to their own land.(C)

17 “Israel is a scattered flock(D)
    that lions(E) have chased away.
The first to devour(F) them
    was the king(G) of Assyria;
the last to crush their bones(H)
    was Nebuchadnezzar(I) king(J) of Babylon.”

18 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

“I will punish the king of Babylon and his land
    as I punished the king(K) of Assyria.(L)

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