Isaiah 14:1-11

1The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.

2Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the LORD ’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. 3On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you,

4you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the word in the Masoretic Text is uncertain. has ended!

5The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,

6which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression.

7All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.

8Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say, “Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down.”

9The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones— all those who were kings over the nations.

10They will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.”

11All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you.