⁵¹ “We are disgraced,^(A)
    for we have been insulted
    and shame covers our faces,
because foreigners have entered
    the holy places of the Lord’s house.”^(B)

⁵² “But days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will punish her idols,^(C)
and throughout her land
    the wounded will groan.^(D)
53 Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens^(E)
    and fortifies her lofty stronghold,
    I will send destroyers^(F) against her,”
declares the Lord.

⁵⁴ “The sound of a cry^(G) comes from Babylon,
    the sound of great destruction^(H)
    from the land of the Babylonians.^[a]
55 The Lord will destroy Babylon;
    he will silence^(I) her noisy din.
Waves^(J) of enemies will rage like great waters;
    the roar of their voices will resound.
⁵⁶ A destroyer^(K) will come against Babylon;
    her warriors will be captured,
    and their bows will be broken.^(L)
For the Lord is a God of retribution;
    he will repay^(M) in full.
⁵⁷ I will make her officials^(N) and wise^(O) men drunk,^(P)
    her governors, officers and warriors as well;
they will sleep^(Q) forever and not awake,”
    declares the King,^(R) whose name is the Lord Almighty.

“Babylon’s thick wall^(S) will be leveled
    and her high gates^(T) set on fire;
the peoples^(U) exhaust^(V) themselves for nothing,
    the nations’ labor is only fuel for the flames.”^(W)