⁴ Listen, a commotion on the mountains,
like that of a mighty people!
Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms,
like nations being gathered together!
The Lord of Armies is mobilising an army for war.
⁵ They are coming from a distant land,
from the farthest horizon –
the Lord and the weapons of his wrath –
to destroy the whole country.^[a]

¹⁷ Look! I am stirring up the Medes against them,^(A)
who cannot be bought off with^[a] silver
and who have no desire for gold.
¹⁸ Their bows will cut young men to pieces.
They will have no compassion on offspring;
they will not look with pity on children.

¹⁰ I declare the end from the beginning,
and from long ago what is not yet done,
saying: my plan will take place,
and I will do all my will.^(A)
11 I call a bird of prey^[a] from the east,^(B)
a man for my purpose from a far country.
Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about.^(C)
I have planned it; I will also do it.