² Raise a banner^(A) on a bare hilltop,
    shout to them;
beckon to them
    to enter the gates^(B) of the nobles.
³ I have commanded those I prepared for battle;
    I have summoned my warriors^(C) to carry out my wrath^(D)—
    those who rejoice^(E) in my triumph.

⁴ Listen, a noise on the mountains,
    like that of a great multitude!^(F)
Listen, an uproar^(G) among the kingdoms,
    like nations massing together!
The Lord Almighty^(H) is mustering^(I)
    an army for war.
⁵ They come from faraway lands,
    from the ends of the heavens^(J)—
the Lord and the weapons^(K) of his wrath^(L)—
    to destroy^(M) the whole country.

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north;^(A)
a great nation is being stirred up
    from the ends of the earth.^(B)

³ A nation from the north^(A) will attack her
    and lay waste her land.
No one will live^(B) in it;
    both people and animals^(C) will flee away.

⁹ For I will stir^(A) up and bring against Babylon
    an alliance of great nations^(B) from the land of the north.^(C)
They will take up their positions against her,
    and from the north she will be captured.^(D)
Their arrows^(E) will be like skilled warriors
    who do not return empty-handed.

²⁷ “Lift up a banner^(A) in the land!
    Blow the trumpet among the nations!
Prepare the nations for battle against her;
    summon against her these kingdoms:^(B)
    Ararat,^(C) Minni and Ashkenaz.^(D)
Appoint a commander against her;
    send up horses like a swarm of locusts.^(E)
28 Prepare the nations for battle against her—
    the kings of the Medes,^(F)
their governors and all their officials,
    and all the countries they rule.^(G)