Across all the desert highlands people have come to plunder. I have sent war to destroy the entire land; no one can live in peace.

I, the LORD, have decided that four terrible things will happen to them: they will be killed in war; their bodies will be dragged off by dogs; birds will eat them, and wild animals will devour what is left over.

Then the LORD said to me, "Tell the people that I, the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, am commanding them to drink until they are drunk and vomit, until they fall down and cannot get up, because of the war that I am sending against them.

The LORD says, "Babylonia, you are my hammer, my weapon of war. I used you to crush nations and kingdoms,

to kill men and women, to slay old and young, to kill boys and girls,

that I will sharpen my flashing sword and see that justice is done. I will take revenge on my enemies and punish those who hate me.

My arrows will drip with their blood, and my sword will kill all who oppose me. I will spare no one who fights against me; even the wounded and prisoners will die.'

Come, LORD! Oppose my enemies and defeat them! Save me from the wicked by your sword;

The LORD said, "Assyria! I use Assyria like a club to punish those with whom I am angry.

But the LORD says, "Can an ax claim to be greater than the one who uses it? Is a saw more important than the one who saws with it? A club doesn't lift up a person; a person lifts up a club."

"Or I might bring war on that country and send destructive weapons to wipe out people and animals alike,

that I, the LORD, am saying: I am your enemy. I will draw my sword and kill all of you, good and evil alike.

Everyone will know that I, the LORD, have drawn my sword and that I will not put it away.

How long must I see the battle raging and hear the blasts of trumpets?

How long will our land be dry, and the grass in every field be withered? Animals and birds are dying because of the wickedness of our people, people who say, 'God doesn't see what we are doing.' "

Abner called out to Joab, "Do we have to go on fighting forever? Can't you see that in the end there will be nothing but bitterness? We are your relatives. How long will it be before you order your men to stop chasing us?"

The LORD told the angel to put his sword away, and the angel obeyed.

" 'Put up the sword! I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born.

Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?"