³ Prepare you the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.

⁵ They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink: rise up, you princes, anoint the shield.

¹¹ Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Yahweh has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of Yahweh, the vengeance of his temple.

¹² Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Yahweh has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

⁹ Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare war. Stir up the mighty men. Let all the warriors draw near. Let them come up.

¹ He who dashes in pieces has come up against you. Keep the fortress! Watch the way! Strengthen your loins! Fortify your power mightily!

¹⁴ Draw water for the siege. Strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay, and tread the mortar. Make the brick kiln strong.

⁹ Make an uproar, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces! And give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces! Gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces!

¹⁰ Take counsel together, and it shall be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.