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.

¹¹ “Sharpen the arrows,^(A)
    take up the shields!^(B)
The Lord has stirred up the kings^(C) of the Medes,^(D)
    because his purpose^(E) is to destroy Babylon.
The Lord will take vengeance,^(F)
    vengeance for his temple.^(G)

⁴⁸ Then heaven and earth and all that is in them
    will shout^(A) for joy over Babylon,
for out of the north^(B)
    destroyers^(C) will attack her,”
declares the Lord.