The Message About Babylon
This is the message about Babylon that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw.
Raise up a flag on the high mountain. Shout to them. Wave your hand so they can go through the gates of the rulers. I have given orders to my holy ones. I have called my strong warriors. I am not angry with those who are happy about my greatness. Listen to the loud noise in the mountains. It sounds like many people. Listen to the noise of kingdoms and nations coming together. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is getting his army ready for battle. They come from a faraway country. They come from the end of heaven. The Lord brings the weapons he will use to show his anger. He will destroy the whole land.
The Day of the Lord
Cry out! The day when the Lord will judge is near. It will come like destruction from God. Everyone’s hands will be weak. Every person’s heart will melt. They will be scared. Pains and sadness will grab hold of them. They will be shocked as they look at each other. Their faces will be red like flames.
Look, the day of the Lord comes. He will be angry and full of rage. He will make the land empty. He will destroy the sinners. The stars of heaven will not give their light. The sun will be dark when it rises. The moon will not shine.
I will punish the world for its evil. I will punish the wicked for their sins. I will stop the pride of those who think they are better than others. I will end the cruelty of those who are mean. I will make people more rare than pure gold. They will be harder to find than the gold from Ophir. I will shake the heavens. The earth will move from its place. This will happen when the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is angry.
It will be like a deer running away. It will be like a sheep that no one takes care of. Each person will turn to their own people. Each person will run to their own land. Every proud person will be killed. Everyone who joins with the wicked will die by the sword. Their children will be hurt in front of them. Their houses will be robbed. Their wives will be attacked.
The Medes Will Attack
Look, I will bring the Medes to fight against them. They will not care about silver and gold. They will not want it. Their bows will shoot the young men. They will have no mercy on babies. They will not feel sorry for children.
Babylon Will Be Empty Forever
Babylon, the most beautiful kingdom, the pride of the Chaldeans, will be destroyed like God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never have people living in it again. No one will live there for many years. The Arabs will not set up tents there. Shepherds will not bring their flocks there. Wild animals will lie there instead. Their houses will be full of sad creatures. Owls will live there. Wild goats will dance there. Wild animals will cry in their empty houses. Dragons will live in their beautiful palaces. Her time is almost here. Her day will not last much longer. I will destroy her soon. I will be kind to my people. But the wicked will die.