3 Fortified cities will disappear from Ephraim,and Damascus will lose its kingdom.The survivors in Syriawill end up like the splendor of the Israelites,”says the Lord who commands armies.
4 “At that timeJacob’s splendor will be greatly diminished,and he will become skin and bones.
5 It will be as when one gathers the grain harvest, and his hand gleans the ear of grain.It will be like one gathering the ears of grainin the Valley of Rephaim.
6 There will be some left behind,like when an olive tree is beaten – two or three ripe olives remain toward the very top,four or five on its fruitful branches,”says the Lord God of Israel.
7 At that time men will trust in their creator;they will depend on the Holy One of Israel.
8 They will no longer trust in the altars their hands made,or depend on the Asherah poles and incense altars their fingers made.
9 At that time their fortified cities will be like the abandoned summits of the Amorites,which they abandoned because of the Israelites;there will be desolation.