⁵³ Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens^(A)
    and fortifies her lofty stronghold,
    I will send destroyers^(B) against her,”
declares the Lord.

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

“Babylon’s thick wall^(O) will be leveled
    and her high gates^(P) set on fire;
the peoples^(Q) exhaust^(R) themselves for nothing,
    the nations’ labor is only fuel for the flames.”^(S)