166 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
166 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
A Message about Babylon
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# Chapter 13
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1. Isaiah son of Amoz received this message concerning the destruction of Babylon:
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2. "Raise a signal flag on a bare hilltop.
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Call up an army against Babylon.
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Wave your hand to encourage them
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as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty.
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3. I, the LORD, have dedicated these soldiers for this task.
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Yes, I have called mighty warriors to express my anger,
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and they will rejoice when I am exalted."
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4. Hear the noise on the mountains!
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Listen, as the vast armies march!
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It is the noise and shouting of many nations.
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The LORD of Heaven's Armies has called this army together.
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5. They come from distant countries,
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from beyond the farthest horizons.
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They are the LORD's weapons to carry out his anger.
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With them he will destroy the whole land.
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6. Scream in terror, for the day of the LORD has arrived--
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the time for the Almighty to destroy.
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7. Every arm is paralyzed with fear.
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Every heart melts,
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8. and people are terrified.
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Pangs of anguish grip them,
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like those of a woman in labor.
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They look helplessly at one another,
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their faces aflame with fear.
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9. For see, the day of the LORD is coming--
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the terrible day of his fury and fierce anger.
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The land will be made desolate,
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and all the sinners destroyed with it.
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10. The heavens will be black above them;
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the stars will give no light.
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The sun will be dark when it rises,
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and the moon will provide no light.
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11. "I, the LORD, will punish the world for its evil
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and the wicked for their sin.
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I will crush the arrogance of the proud
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and humble the pride of the mighty.
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12. I will make people scarcer than gold--
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more rare than the fine gold of Ophir.
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13. For I will shake the heavens.
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The earth will move from its place
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when the LORD of Heaven's Armies displays his wrath
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in the day of his fierce anger."
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14. Everyone in Babylon will run about like a hunted gazelle,
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like sheep without a shepherd.
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They will try to find their own people
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and flee to their own land.
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15. Anyone who is captured will be cut down--
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run through with a sword.
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16. Their little children will be dashed to death before their eyes.
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Their homes will be sacked, and their wives will be raped.
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17. "Look, I will stir up the Medes against Babylon.
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They cannot be tempted by silver
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or bribed with gold.
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18. The attacking armies will shoot down the young men with arrows.
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They will have no mercy on helpless babies
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and will show no compassion for children."
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19. Babylon, the most glorious of kingdoms,
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the flower of Chaldean pride,
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will be devastated like Sodom and Gomorrah
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when God destroyed them.
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20. Babylon will never be inhabited again.
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It will remain empty for generation after generation.
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Nomads will refuse to camp there,
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and shepherds will not bed down their sheep.
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21. Desert animals will move into the ruined city,
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and the houses will be haunted by howling creatures.
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Owls will live among the ruins,
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and wild goats will go there to dance.
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22. Hyenas will howl in its fortresses,
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and jackals will make dens in its luxurious palaces.
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Babylon's days are numbered;
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its time of destruction will soon arrive.
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