People are running out of Babylon. They are escaping from that country and coming to Zion. They are telling everyone the good news about what the Lord is doing. The Lord our God is giving Babylon the punishment it deserves. The Lord is destroying Babylon, because it destroyed his Temple!
The Lord will save his people. They will return to Zion with joy. They will be very happy. Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads forever. They will be singing with joy. All sadness will be gone far away.
Speak kindly to Jerusalem and tell her, ‘Your time of service is finished. You have paid the price for your sins.’ I, the Lord, have punished you twice for every sin you committed.”
People will see what God has done. They will tell other people about him. Then everyone will learn more about God. They will learn to fear and respect him.
Listen to what the Lord has planned to do to Babylon. Listen to what he has decided to do to the Babylonians. “I promise that an enemy will drag away the young kids of Babylon’s flock, and Babylon will become an empty pasture.