8 The highways are so dangerous that no one travels on them. Treaties are broken and agreements are violated. No one is respected any more.
9 The land lies idle and deserted. The forests of Lebanon have withered, the fertile valley of Sharon is like a desert, and in Bashan and on Mount Carmel the leaves are falling from the trees.
10 The Lord says to the nations, “Now I will act. I will show how powerful I am.
11 You make worthless plans and everything you do is useless. My spirit is like a fire that will destroy you.
12 You will crumble like rocks burnt to make lime, like thorns burnt to ashes.
13 Let everyone near and far hear what I have done and acknowledge my power.”
14 The sinful people of Zion are trembling with fright. They say, “God's judgement is like a fire that burns for ever. Can any of us survive a fire like that?”