Israel Mocks Babylon’s King

1However, the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will once again choose Israel. He will settle them in their own land, and foreigners will join them, affiliating themselves with the house of Jacob. 2Manya nations will take them and bring them to their land andb their own place. The house of Israel will put those nationsc to conscripted labord in the LORD’s land. They will take captive those who were their captors, and will rule continuallye over those who oppressed them.

3At the time,f when the LORD gives you rest from your suffering, turmoil, and the cruel bondage which they forced you to serve,g 4you will lift up this song of mockery againsth the king of Babylon:

“How the oppressor has come to an end!

How the attackeri has ceased!

5The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked,

the scepter of rulers,

6that struck down peoples in anger

with unceasing blows,

that oppressed nations in fury

with relentless persecution.

7The entire earth is at rest and peace;

its inhabitantsj break into song.

8Even the cypresses rejoice over you,

as dok the cedars of Lebanon, saying,

‘Now that you’ve been laid low,

no woodcutter comes up against us.’l

9“The afterlifem below is all astir

to meet you when you arrive;n

it rouses up the spirits of the dead to greet you—

everyone who used to be world leaders.

It has raised up from their thrones

all who used to be kings of the nations.

10In answer, all of themo will tell you,

‘You’ve also become as weak as we are!

You have become just like us!’

11Yourp pomp has been brought down to Sheol,q

along with the noise of your harps.

Maggots are spread out beneath you,

and worms are your covering.”r

The Fall of the Day Star

12“How you have fallen from heaven,

Day Star, son of the Dawn!s

How you have been thrown down to earth,

you who laid low the nation!t

13You said in your heart,

‘I’ll ascend to heaven,

above the stars of God.

I’ll erect my throne;

I’ll situ on the Mount of Assembly

in the far reaches of the north;v

14I’ll ascend above the tops of the clouds;

I’ll make myself like the Most High.’

15But you are brought down to join the dead,w

to the far reaches of the Pit.x

16“Those who see you will stare at you.

They will wonder about you:

‘Is this the man whoy made the earth tremble,

who made kingdoms quake,

17who made the world like a desert,

whoz destroyed its cities,

who would not open the jails for his prisoners?’

18All the kings of the nations lieaa in state,

each in his own tomb.

19But you are cast away from your grave,

like a repulsive branch,

your clothing is the slain,

those pierced by the sword;

those who go down to the Pit.bb

Like a dead body trampled underfoot,

20you will not be unitedcc with themdd in burial,

for you have destroyed your land,

you have slain your people.

People will never mention

the descendants of those who practice evil again!ee

21Prepare a massacre for his sons

because of the guilt of their forefathers!

They are not to rise and inherit the earth,

and coverff the surface of the world with cities.”

Babylon’s Desolation

22“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, “and I will eliminate from Babylon her name and survivors, her offspring and descendants,”gg declares the LORD. 23“Andhh I’m going to make it a possession of the hedgehog—poolsii of water—and I’ll sweepjj with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

24The LORD of the Heavenly Armies has sworn:

“Surely as I have planned,

that’s what shekk will become;ll

and just as I have determined,

so will it remain—

25to crush the Assyrian in my land,

and on my mountains I will trample him down.

His yokemm will turn away from you,nn

and his burden from youroo shoulders.”

26“This is what I’ve planned

for the whole earth,

and this is the hand that is stretched out

over all the nations.

27For the LORD of the Heavenly Armies has planned,

and who can thwart him?

His hand is stretched out,

and who can turn it back?”

A Pronouncement against Philistia

28In the year that King Ahaz died this messagepp came:

29“Don’t rejoice, all of you Philistines,

that the rod that struck you is broken,

because from the snake’s root a viper will spring up,

and its offspringqq will be a darting, poisonous serpent.

30The firstborn of the poor will find pasture,

and the needy will lie down in safety;

but I’ll kill your rootrr by famine,

and I’llss execute your survivors.

31Wail, you gate!

Cry out, you city!

Melt away,tt all you Philistines!

For smoke comes from the north,

and there’s no one to take measureuu in its festivals.vv

32How will theyww answer the messengers of the nation?

“The LORD has founded Zion,

and in itxx the afflicted among his people will find refuge.”