23
I looked at the earth,
and it was formless and empty;
and at the heavens,
and their light was gone.
24
I looked at the mountains,
and they were quaking;
all the hills were swaying.
25
I looked, and there were no people;
every bird in the sky had flown away.
26
I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;
all its towns lay in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.
27
This is what the Lord says:
“The whole land will be ruined,
though I will not destroy it completely.
28
Therefore the earth will mourn
and the heavens above grow dark,
because I have spoken and will not relent,
I have decided and will not turn back.”