21. How long must I see the battle flagsand hear the blast of the trumpet?
22. My people are foolish.They don’t even know me!They are thoughtless childrenwithout understanding;they are skilled at doing wrong,inept at doing right.
23. I looked at the earth,and it was without shape or form;at the heavensand there was no light.
24. I looked at the mountainsand they were quaking;all the hills were rocking back and forth.
25. I looked and there was no one left;every bird in the sky had taken flight.
26. I looked and the fertile land was a desert;all its towns were in ruinsbefore the Lord, before his fury.
27. The Lord proclaims:The whole earth will become a desolation,but I will not destroy it completely.
28. Therefore, the earth will grieveand the heavens grow darkbecause I have declared my planand will neither change my mindnor cancel the plan.