Understanding God's Heart For Us in Song
1 Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.
2 It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.
3 The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for Yahweh has spoken this word.
4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
5 The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
7 The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh.
8 The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.
9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
10 The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.