6 Only a few of its people will be left,like stray olives left on a tree after the harvest.Only two or three remain in the highest branches,four or five scattered here and there on the limbs,”declares the lord, the God of Israel.
7 Then at last the people will look to their Creatorand turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8 They will no longer look to their idols for helpor worship what their own hands have made.They will never again bow down to their Asherah polesor worship at the pagan shrines they have built.
9 Their largest cities will be like a deserted forest,like the land the Hivites and Amorites abandonedwhen the Israelites came here so long ago.It will be utterly desolate.
10 Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you.You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you.So you may plant the finest grapevinesand import the most expensive seedlings.
11 They may sprout on the day you set them out;yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them,but you will never pick any grapes from them.Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain.
12 Listen! The armies of many nationsroar like the roaring of the sea.Hear the thunder of the mighty forcesas they rush forward like thundering waves.