2 The villages around Aroerwill be deserted,with only sheep living thereand no one to bother them.
3 Israel will lose its fortresses.The kingdom of Damascuswill be destroyed;its survivors will sufferthe same fate as Israel.The Lord All-Powerfulhas promised this.
4 When that time comes,the glorious nation of Israelwill be brought down;its prosperous peoplewill be skin and bones.
5 Israel will be like wheat fieldsin Rephaim Valleypicked clean of grain.
6 It will be like an olive treebeaten with a stick,leaving two or three olivesor perhaps four or fiveon the highestor most fruitful branches.The Lord God of Israelhas promised this.
7 At that time the people will turn and trust their Creator, the holy God of Israel.
8 They have built altars and places for burning incense to their goddess Asherah, and they have set up sacred poles for her. But they will stop worshipping at these places.