²⁹ The land trembles^(A) and writhes,
    for the Lord’s purposes^(B) against Babylon stand—
to lay waste^(C) the land of Babylon
    so that no one will live there.^(D)

¹⁹ Babylon,^(A) the jewel of kingdoms,^(B)
    the pride and glory^(C) of the Babylonians,^[a]
will be overthrown^(D) by God
    like Sodom and Gomorrah.^(E)
20 She will never be inhabited^(F)
    or lived in through all generations;
there no nomads^(G) will pitch their tents,
    there no shepherds will rest their flocks.
²¹ But desert creatures^(H) will lie there,
    jackals^(I) will fill her houses;
there the owls^(J) will dwell,
    and there the wild goats^(K) will leap about.
²² Hyenas^(L) will inhabit her strongholds,^(M)
    jackals^(N) her luxurious palaces.
Her time is at hand,^(O)
    and her days will not be prolonged.^(P)

¹² your mother will be greatly ashamed;
    she who gave you birth will be disgraced.^(A)
She will be the least of the nations—
    a wilderness, a dry land, a desert.^(B)