From that day on, half my people worked on the wall. The other half was ready with spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stood in back of the people of Judah
Be broken, all you nations, and be smashed to pieces. Listen, all you faraway countries. Prepare for battle and be smashed to pieces! Prepare for battle and be smashed to pieces!
“Announce this message in Egypt, and preach it in Migdol. Preach it also in the cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Get ready for war, because the battle is all around you.’
“Sharpen the arrows! Pick up your shields! The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes, because he wants to destroy Babylon. The Lord will punish them as they deserve for destroying his Temple.
Don’t let the Babylonian soldiers prepare their bows to shoot. Don’t even let them put on their armor. Don’t feel sorry for the young men of Babylon, but completely destroy her army.
“And you, human, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Lord God says about the people of Ammon and their insults: A sword, a sword is pulled out of its holder. It is polished to kill and destroy, to flash like lightning!