⁶ I am like a desert owl,^(A)
    like an owl among the ruins.

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’^[a](A)
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,^(B)
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.^(C)

¹⁴ I cried like a swift or thrush,
    I moaned like a mourning dove.^(A)
My eyes grew weak^(B) as I looked to the heavens.
    I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!”^(C)

¹¹ The desert owl^[a](A) and screech owl^[b] will possess it;
    the great owl^[c] and the raven^(B) will nest there.
God will stretch out over Edom^(C)
    the measuring line of chaos^(D)
    and the plumb line^(E) of desolation.
¹² Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom,
    all her princes^(F) will vanish^(G) away.
¹³ Thorns^(H) will overrun her citadels,
    nettles and brambles her strongholds.^(I)
She will become a haunt for jackals,^(J)
    a home for owls.^(K)
14 Desert creatures^(L) will meet with hyenas,^(M)
    and wild goats will bleat to each other;
there the night creatures^(N) will also lie down
    and find for themselves places of rest.
¹⁵ The owl will nest there and lay eggs,
    she will hatch them, and care for her young
    under the shadow of her wings;^(O)
there also the falcons^(P) will gather,
    each with its mate.

²⁹ I have become a brother of jackals,^(A)
    a companion of owls.^(B)
30 My skin grows black^(C) and peels;^(D)
    my body burns with fever.^(E)