11 “Sharpen the arrows,

take up the shields!

The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes,

because his purpose is to destroy Babylon.

The Lord will take vengeance,

vengeance for his temple.

12 Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon!

Reinforce the guard,

station the watchmen,

prepare an ambush!

The Lord will carry out his purpose,

his decree against the people of Babylon.

11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: The Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: For his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; Because it is the vengeance of the Lord, The vengeance of his temple. 12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, Make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, Prepare the ambushes: For the Lord hath both devised and done That which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows!

Lift up the shields!

For the Lord has inspired the kings of the Medes

to march against Babylon and destroy her.

This is his vengeance against those

who desecrated his Temple.

12 Raise the battle flag against Babylon!

Reinforce the guard and station the watchmen.

Prepare an ambush,

for the Lord will fulfill all his plans against Babylon.

11 Make the arrows bright!

Gather the shields!

The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.

For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,

Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,

The vengeance for His temple.

12 Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon;

Make the guard strong,

Set up the watchmen,

Prepare the ambushes.

For the Lord has both devised and done

What He spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 “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.

12 Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon!

Bring more guards.

Put the watchmen in their places,

and get ready for a secret attack!

The Lord will certainly do what he has planned

and what he said he would do against the people of Babylon.

11 Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Jehovah hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple. 12 Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Jehovah hath both purposed and done that which he spake concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows; take the shields. Jehovah hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; for his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for this is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple. 12 Lift up a banner towards the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Jehovah hath both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows; fill the quivers. 

The Lord will stir up the spirit of the kings of the Medes 

because his plan is to destroy Babylon. 

The Lord will avenge his temple. 

12 Raise your battle flag in front of the walls of Babylon. 

Strengthen the guards. 

Station watchmen. 

Prepare ambushes. 

The Lord will carry out his plans 

against the people who live in Babylon. 

11 Sharpen the arrows!

Fill the quivers!

The Lord has put it into the mind

of the kings of the Medes

because His plan is aimed at Babylon

to destroy her,

for it is the Lord’s vengeance,

vengeance for His temple.

12 Raise up a signal flag

against the walls of Babylon;

fortify the watch post;

set the watchmen in place;

prepare the ambush.

For the Lord has both planned and accomplished

what He has threatened

against those who live in Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows!

Fill the quivers!

The Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance for his temple.

12 Raise a standard against the walls of Babylon;

make the watch strong;

post sentinels;

prepare the ambushes;

for the Lord has both planned and done

what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers!

Yahweh has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.

Because his plan concerning Babylon is to destroy it,

for that is the vengeance of Yahweh,

the vengeance for his temple.

12 Against the walls of Babylon raise a banner;

post a strong watch, post watchmen, prepare the ambushes,

for Yahweh has both planned as well as performed

what he has spoken concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

11 “I have stirred up you kings of the Medes.

So sharpen your arrows!

Get your shields!

I plan to destroy Babylon.

I will pay the Babylonians back.

They have destroyed my temple.

12 Lift up a banner! Attack Babylon’s walls!

Put more guards on duty!

Station more of them to watch over you!

Hide and wait to attack them!

I will do what I have planned.

I will do what I have decided to do

against the people of Babylon.

11 Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers!

The Lord has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes,

Because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;

For it is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance for His temple.

12 Lift up a signal against the walls of Babylon;

Post a strong guard,

Station sentries,

Place men in ambush!

For the Lord has both purposed and performed

What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.