CHAPTER 24
Behold,
the LORD
lays waste
to the earth
and leaves it in ruins.
He will twist
its surface
and scatter
its inhabitants—
people
and priest alike,
servant
and master,
maid
and mistress,
buyer
and seller,
lender
and borrower,
creditor
and debtor.
The earth
mourns
and withers;
the world
languishes
and fades;
the exalted
of the earth
waste away.
The earth
is defiled
by
its people;
they have transgressed
the laws;
they have overstepped
the decrees
and broken
the everlasting
covenant.
Therefore
a curse
has consumed
the earth,
and its inhabitants
must bear the guilt;
the earth’s
dwellers
have been burned,
and only a few
survive.
So
will it be
on
the earth
and among
the nations:
like a harvested
olive tree,
like a gleaning
after
a grape harvest.
They
raise
their voices,
they shout for joy;
from the west
they proclaim
the majesty
of the LORD.
Therefore
glorify
the LORD
in the east.
Extol the name
of the LORD,
the God
of Israel
in the islands
of the sea.
From the ends
of the earth
we hear
singing:
“Glory
to the Righteous One.”
But I said,
“I am wasting away!
I am wasting away!
Woe is me.”
The treacherous
betray;
the treacherous
deal in
treachery.
Whoever flees
the sound
of terror
will fall
into
a pit,
and whoever escapes
from
the pit
will be caught
in a trap.
For
the windows
of heaven
are open,
and the foundations
of the earth
are shaken.
The earth
staggers
like a drunkard
and sways
like a shack.
Earth’s rebellion
weighs it down,
and it falls,
never
to rise
again.
They will be gathered
together
like prisoners
in
a pit.
They will be confined
to
a dungeon
and punished
after
many days.
The moon
will be confounded
and the sun
ashamed;
for
the LORD
of Hosts
will reign
on Mount
Zion
and in Jerusalem,
and in the presence of
His elders,
He will display His glory.