3. The earth will be stripped bare and left that way. This is what the Lord has promised.
4. The earth wilts away;its mighty leaders meltto nothing.
5. The earth is pollutedbecause its peopledisobeyed the laws of God,breaking their agreementthat was to last for ever.
6. The earth is under a curse;its people are dying outbecause of their sins.
7. Grapevines have dried up:wine is almost gone—mournful sounds are heardinstead of joyful shouts.
8. No one plays tambourinesor stringed instruments;all noisy celebratinghas come to an end.
9. They no longer singas they drink their wine,and it tastes sour.
10. Towns are crushed and in chaos;houses are locked tight.
11. Happy times have disappearedfrom the earth,and people shout in the streets,“We're out of wine!”
12. Cities are destroyed;their gates are torn down.
13. Nations will be stripped bare,like olive trees or vineyardsafter the harvest season.
14. People in the west shout;they joyfully praisethe majesty of the Lord.
15. And so, everyone in the eastand those on the islandsshould praise the Lord,the God of Israel.
16. From all over the worldsongs of praise are heardfor the God of justice.But I feel awful,terribly miserable.Can anyone be trusted?So many are treacherous!
17. Terror, traps, and pitsare waiting for everyone.
18. If you are terrified and run,you will fall into a pit;if you crawl out of the pit,you will get caught in a trap.The sky has split apartlike a window thrown open.The foundations of the earthhave been shaken;
19. the earth is shattered,ripped to pieces.
20. It staggers and shakeslike a drunkardor a hut in a storm.It is burdened down with sin;the earth will fall,never again to get up.
21. On that day the Lordwill punish the powersin the heavensand the kings of the earth.