Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate,- and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.-And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest-- as with the slave, so with his master-- as with the maid, so with her mistress--as with the buyer, so with the seller-- as with the lender, so with the borrower-- as with the creditor, so with the debtor.-The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered-- for the Lord has spoken this word.-The earth mourns and withers-- the world languishes and withers-- the highest people of the earth languish.-The earth lies defiled- under its inhabitants--for they have transgressed the laws,- violated the statutes,- broken the everlasting covenant.-Therefore a curse devours the earth,- and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt--therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,- and few men are left.-The wine mourns,- the vine languishes,- all the merry-hearted sigh.-The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,- the noise of the jubilant has ceased,- the mirth of the lyre is stilled.-No more do they drink wine with singing-- strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.-The wasted city is broken down-- every house is shut up so that none can enter.-There is an outcry in the streets for lack of wine-- all joy has grown dark-- the gladness of the earth is banished.-Desolation is left in the city-- the gates are battered into ruins.-For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth- among the nations,-as when an olive tree is beaten,- as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is done.