1Look, the LORD makes the earth empty. He lays it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters the people who live in it.
2It will be the same for everyone: the same for the people as for the priest; the same for the servant as for his master; the same for the maid as for her mistress; the same for the buyer as for the seller; the same for the lender as for the borrower; the same for the one who takes interest as for the one who pays it.
3The land will be completely emptied and completely stripped bare, for the LORD has spoken this word.
4The earth mourns and withers away. The world grows weak and withers away. The proud people of the earth grow weak.
5The earth is defiled by the people who live on it. For they have broken the laws, changed the rules, and broken the everlasting covenant.
6So a curse has eaten up the earth, and those who live in it are left desolate. So the people of the earth are burned, and few are left.
7The new wine mourns, the vine grows weak, and all the merry-hearted sigh.
8The happy sound of tambourines stops. The noise of those who celebrate ends. The joy of the harp stops.
9They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
10The city of confusion is broken down. Every house is shut up, so that no one may come in.
11In the streets there is a cry for wine. All joy has grown dark. The gladness of the land is gone.
12In the city only ruin is left, and the gate is beaten down and broken.
13So it will be in the middle of the land among the people: like the shaking of an olive tree, like the few grapes left when the harvest is over.
14They will lift up their voice. They will sing for the majesty of the LORD. They will cry aloud from the sea.
15So give glory to the LORD in the fires, the name of the LORD God of Israel in the islands of the sea.
16From the farthest part of the earth we have heard songs, saying, "Glory to the righteous one." But I said, "I waste away, I waste away. Woe to me. The treacherous have acted treacherously; yes, the treacherous have acted very treacherously."
17Fear, and the pit, and the trap are upon you, you who live on the earth.
18Whoever runs from the sound of the fear will fall into the pit. Whoever climbs up out of the pit will be caught in the trap. For the windows on high are open, and the foundations of the earth shake.
19The earth is completely broken down. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.
20The earth will stagger to and fro like a drunk man. It will sway like a hut. Its sin lies heavy upon it. It will fall and not rise again.
21On that day the LORD will punish the host of the high ones who are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22They will be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit. They will be shut up in the prison, and after many days they will be visited.
23Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun will be put to shame, when the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and in glory before his elders.