1. The Lord is going to turn the earth into a desolate wasteland.He will mar the face of the earth and scatter the people living on it.
2. The same will happen to people and priests,male slaves and masters,female slaves and masters,buyers and sellers,lenders and borrowers,debtors and creditors.
3. The earth will be completely laid waste and strippedbecause the Lord has spoken.
4. The earth dries up and withers.The world wastes away and withers.The great leaders of the earth waste away.
5. The earth is polluted by those who live on itbecause they’ve disobeyed the Lord’s teachings,violated his laws,and rejected the everlasting promise.
6. That is why a curse devours the earth,and its people are punished for their guilt.That is why those who live on the earth are burned up,and only a few people are left.
7. New wine dries up, and grapevines waste away.All happy people groan.
8. Joyful tambourine music stops.Noisy celebrations cease.Joyful harp music stops.
9. People no longer drink wine when they sing.Liquor tastes bad to its drinkers.
10. The ruined city lies desolate.The entrance to every house is barred shut.
11. People in the streets call for wine.All joy passes away,and the earth’s happiness is banished.