18 The words “People of Judah” are not in the Hebrew text but are implicit from the context. They have been supplied in the translation to clarify the subject of the address.
19 Heb “the land of the Chaldeans.” See the study note on for explanation.
20 The words “Be the first to leave” are not in the text but spell out the significance of the simile that follows. They have been supplied in the translation for clarity.
21 Some of these are named in Jer 51:27–28.
22 Heb “She will be captured from there (i.e., from the north).”
23 Read Heb ַָמשְׂכִּיל (moskil) with a number of Hebrew and some of the versions in place of מַשְׁכִּיל (mashkil, “one who kills children”) with the majority of Hebrew and some of the versions. See note d for the details.
24 Or more freely, “Their arrows will be as successful at hitting their mark // as a skilled soldier always returns from battle with plunder.” I.e., none of the arrows misses its mark.
25 Heb “The land of the Chaldeans.” See the study note on for explanation.
26 Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Flee from the midst of Babylon, and go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as male goats before the flock. For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. Chaldea shall be plundered; all who plunder her shall be sated, declares the Lord.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Flee out of Babylon;

leave the land of the Babylonians,

and be like the goats that lead the flock.

For I will stir up and bring against Babylon

an alliance of great nations from the land of the north.

They will take up their positions against her,

and from the north she will be captured.

Their arrows will be like skilled warriors

who do not return empty-handed.

So Babylonia will be plundered;

all who plunder her will have their fill,”

declares the Lord.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Escape from Babylon;

depart from the Chaldeans’ land.

Be like the rams that lead the flock.

For I will soon stir up and bring against Babylon

an assembly of great nations from the north country.

They will line up in battle formation against her;

from there she will be captured.

Their arrows will be like a skilled warrior

who does not return empty-handed.

The Chaldeans will become plunder;

all Babylon’s plunderers will be fully satisfied.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

NLTNew Living Translation

“But now, flee from Babylon!

Leave the land of the Babylonians.

Like male goats at the head of the flock,

lead my people home again.

For I am raising up an army

of great nations from the north.

They will join forces to attack Babylon,

and she will be captured.

The enemies’ arrows will go straight to the mark;

they will not miss!

Babylonia will be looted

until the attackers are glutted with loot.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Flee from the midst of Babylon,

and from the land of the Chaldeans.

Go out and be like he-goats

before the flock.

For look, I am going to stir up,

and I am going to bring against Babylon

a contingent of great nations

from the land of the north.

And they will draw up a battle formation against her,

from there she will be captured.

Their arrows are like a warrior who has achieved success,

he does not return without success.

And Chaldea will be as booty,

all those who plunder her will be satisfied,” declares Yahweh.

KJV 1900King James Version

Remove out of the midst of Babylon,

And go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans,

And be as the he goats before the flocks.

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up 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.

And Chaldea shall be a spoil:

All that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the Lord.

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