They said, "Now let's build a city with a tower that reaches the sky, so that we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered all over the earth."

You were determined to climb up to heaven and to place your throne above the highest stars. You thought you would sit like a king on that mountain in the north where the gods assemble.

You said you would climb to the tops of the clouds and be like the Almighty.

It grew bigger and bigger until it reached the sky and could be seen by everyone in the world.

"Your Majesty, you are the tree, tall and strong. You have grown so great that you reach the sky, and your power extends over the whole world.

Even if they dig their way down to the world of the dead, I will catch them. Even if they climb up to heaven, I will bring them down.

Your pride has deceived you. Your capital is a fortress of solid rock; your home is high in the mountains, and so you say to yourself, 'Who can ever pull me down?'

Even though you make your home as high as an eagle's nest, so that it seems to be among the stars, yet I will pull you down.

And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be in existence today!