45 “Come out(A) of her, my people!
    Run(B) for your lives!
    Run from the fierce anger(C) of the Lord.
46 Do not lose heart(D) or be afraid(E)
    when rumors(F) are heard in the land;
one rumor comes this year, another the next,
    rumors of violence in the land
    and of ruler against ruler.
47 For the time will surely come
    when I will punish the idols(G) of Babylon;
her whole land will be disgraced(H)
    and her slain will all lie fallen within her.(I)
48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them
    will shout(J) for joy over Babylon,
for out of the north(K)
    destroyers(L) will attack her,”
declares the Lord.

49 “Babylon must fall because of Israel’s slain,
    just as the slain in all the earth
    have fallen because of Babylon.(M)
50 You who have escaped the sword,
    leave(N) and do not linger!
Remember(O) the Lord in a distant land,(P)
    and call to mind Jerusalem.”

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A Message for the Exiles

45 “Come out, my people, flee from Babylon.
    Save yourselves! Run from the Lord’s fierce anger.
46 But do not panic; don’t be afraid
    when you hear the first rumor of approaching forces.
    For rumors will keep coming year by year.
Violence will erupt in the land
    as the leaders fight against each other.
47 For the time is surely coming
    when I will punish this great city and all her idols.
Her whole land will be disgraced,
    and her dead will lie in the streets.
48 Then the heavens and earth will rejoice,
    for out of the north will come destroying armies
    against Babylon,” says the Lord.
49 “Just as Babylon killed the people of Israel
    and others throughout the world,
    so must her people be killed.
50 Get out, all you who have escaped the sword!
    Do not stand and watch—flee while you can!
Remember the Lord, though you are in a far-off land,
    and think about your home in Jerusalem.”

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