3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word.
4 The earth mourns and withers;the world languishes and withers;the highest people of the earth languish.
5 The earth lies defiledunder its inhabitants;for they have transgressed the laws,violated the statutes,broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,and few men are left.
7 The wine mourns,the vine languishes,all the merry-hearted sigh.
8 The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,the noise of the jubilant has ceased,the mirth of the lyre is stilled.
9 No more do they drink wine with singing;strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.