Isaiah 24:4-12
4
The earth dries up and withers,
the world languishes and withers,
the exalted of the earth languish.
5
The earth is defiled by its people;
they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant.
6
Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up,
and very few are left.
7
The new wine dries up and the vine withers;
all the merrymakers groan.
8
The gaiety of the tambourines is stilled,
the noise of the revelers has stopped,
the joyful harp is silent.
9
No longer do they drink wine with a song;
the beer is bitter to its drinkers.
10
The ruined city lies desolate;
the entrance to every house is barred.
11
In the streets they cry out for wine;
all joy turns to gloom,
all gaiety is banished from the earth.
12
The city is left in ruins,
its gate is battered to pieces.