3 The fortress disappears from Ephraim, and a kingdom from Damascus.The remnant of Aram will belike the splendor of the Israelites.This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.
4 On that daythe splendor of Jacob will fade,and his healthy body will become emaciated.
5 It will be as if a reaper had gathered standing grain —his arm harvesting the heads of grain —and as if one had gleaned heads of grainin the Valley of Rephaim.
6 Only gleanings will be left in Israel, as if an olive tree had been beaten —two or three berries at the very top of the tree,four or five on its fruitful branches.This is the declaration of the Lord,the God of Israel.
7 On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8 They will not look to the altars they made with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they made with their fingers.
9 On that day their strong cities will belike the abandoned woods and mountaintops that were abandoned because of the Israelites;there will be desolation.