¹ The word that the LORD spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.

² Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

³ For out of the north there cometh a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell in it, they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.

⁴ In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping; they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

⁵ They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces towards it, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

⁶ My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting-place.

⁷ All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

⁸ Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth from the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he-goats before the flocks.

⁹ For lo, I will raise and cause to come against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

¹⁰ And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.

¹¹ Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of my heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;

¹² Your mother shall be greatly confounded; she that bore you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.

¹³ Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.

¹⁴ Put yourselves in array against Babylon on every side: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.

¹⁵ Shout against her on every side; she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do to her.

¹⁶ Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

¹⁷ Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

¹⁸ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

¹⁹ And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

²⁰ In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

²¹ Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.

²² A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.

²³ How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

²⁴ I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.

²⁵ The LORD hath opened his armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of The LORD GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

²⁶ Come against her from the utmost border, open her store-houses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.

²⁷ Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe to them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

²⁸ The voice of them that flee and escape from the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.

²⁹ Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, encamp against it on every side; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do to her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

³⁰ Therefore her young men shall fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.

³¹ Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.

³² And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all around him.

³³ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.

³⁴ Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

³⁵ A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.

³⁶ A sword is upon the liars; and they shall be sottish: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.

³⁷ A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.

³⁸ A drouth is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.

³⁹ Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the isles, shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.

⁴⁰ As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

⁴¹ Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the borders of the earth.

⁴² They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

⁴³ The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands became feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

⁴⁴ Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan to the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

⁴⁵ Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.

⁴⁶ At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law.

² Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

³ Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

⁴ You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

⁵ Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!

⁶ Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.

⁷ I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

⁸ I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BET

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰ With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

¹² Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.

¹³ With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

¹⁶ I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL

¹⁷ Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.

²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

²¹ You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

²² Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.

²³ Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

²⁴ Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED

²⁵ My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!

²⁶ I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.

²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

²⁹ Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!

³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

³¹ I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.

³² I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEY

³³ Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.

³⁹ Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

⁴⁰ Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW

⁴¹ Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.

⁴² So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³ Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.

⁴⁴ So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.

⁴⁵ I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶ I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.

⁴⁷ I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

⁴⁸ I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.

⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

⁵¹ The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law.

⁵² I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.

⁵³ Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.

⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.

⁵⁵ I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.

⁵⁶ This is my way, that I keep your precepts. CHET

⁵⁷ Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.

⁵⁸ I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.

⁵⁹ I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

⁶⁰ I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.

⁶¹ The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.

⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

⁶³ I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.

⁶⁴ The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET

⁶⁵ Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.

⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

⁶⁸ You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁹ The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.

⁷⁰ Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD

⁷³ Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

⁷⁴ Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵ Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

⁷⁶ Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

⁷⁷ Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

⁷⁸ Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.

⁷⁹ Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

⁸⁰ Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAF

⁸¹ My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

⁸² My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"

⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.

⁸⁴ How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

⁸⁵ The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.

⁸⁶ All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!

⁸⁷ They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.

⁸⁸ Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED

⁸⁹ Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.

⁹⁰ Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

⁹¹ Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹² Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.

⁹⁴ I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.

⁹⁵ The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.

⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM

⁹⁷ How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.

⁹⁸ Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

¹⁰² I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.

¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.

¹¹¹ I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹² I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH

¹¹³ I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

¹¹⁵ Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶ Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷ Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸ You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

¹¹⁹ You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN

¹²¹ I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.

¹²² Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.

¹²³ My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.

¹²⁵ I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

¹²⁶ It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.

¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰ The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

¹³¹ I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

¹³² Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

¹³³ Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

¹³⁶ Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI

¹³⁷ You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.

¹³⁸ You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

¹⁴¹ I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.

¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴ Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF

¹⁴⁵ I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.

¹⁴⁶ I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.

¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.

¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁰ They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

¹⁵¹ You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.

¹⁵² Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH

¹⁵³ Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes.

¹⁵⁶ Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.

¹⁶⁰ All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN

¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

¹⁶² I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

¹⁶⁵ Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶ I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.

¹⁶⁷ My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.

¹⁷¹ Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

¹⁷² Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³ Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. A Song of Ascents.