Jer 51:26 | NET2full | STEP | No one will use any of your stones as a cornerstone ; no one will use any of them in the foundation of his house. For you will lie desolate forever ,” says the Lord .

‏ Jeremiah 51:26

26 No one will use any of your stones as a cornerstone;
no one will use any of them in the foundation of his house.
For you will lie desolate forever,” ^{▼▼tn This is a fairly literal translation of the original, which reads, “No one will take from you a stone for a cornerstone or a stone for foundations.” There is no unanimity in the commentaries, with many feeling that the figure of the burned mountain continues, and others feeling that the figure here shifts to a burned city whose stones are too burned to be used in building. The latter is the interpretation adopted here (see, e.g., F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations [NAC], 423; W. L. Holladay, Jeremiah [Hermeneia], 2:426; NCV).} ^{▼▼sn The figure here shifts to that of a burned-up city whose stones cannot be used for building. Babylon will become a permanent heap of ruins.}
says the Lord. ^{▼▼tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”}