Jeremiah 51:51-58

New International Reader's Version

⁵¹ The people of Judah reply, “No one honors us anymore.
    People make fun of us.
    Our faces are covered with shame.
People from other lands have entered
    the holy places of the Lord’s house.”

⁵² “But the days are coming,” announces the Lord.
    “At that time I will punish the gods of Babylon.
And all through its land
    wounded people will groan.
⁵³ What if Babylon reached all the way to the heavens?
    What if it made its high walls even stronger?
    I would still send destroyers against it,”
    announces the Lord.

⁵⁴ “The noise of people screaming comes from Babylon.
    A terrible sound comes from its land.
    It is the sound of a mighty city being destroyed.
⁵⁵ I will destroy Babylon.
    I will put an end to all its noise.
Waves of enemies will sweep through it like great waters.
    The roar of their voices will fill the air.
⁵⁶ A destroying army will come against Babylon.
    The soldiers in the city will be captured.
    Their bows will be broken.
I am the Lord God who pays people back.
    I will pay them back in full.
⁵⁷ I will make Babylon’s officials and wise men drunk.
    I will do the same thing to its governors, officers and soldiers.
They will lie down and die. They will never wake up,”
    announces the King. His name is the Lord Who Rules Over All.

“Babylon’s thick walls will fall down flat.
    Its high gates will be set on fire.
The nations wear themselves out for no reason at all.
    Their hard work will only be burned up in the flames.”