23-26 I looked at the earth—it was back to pre-Genesis chaos and emptiness.I looked at the skies,and not a star to be seen.I looked at the mountains—they were trembling like aspen leaves,And all the hillsrocking back and forth in the wind.I looked—what’s this! Not a man or woman in sight,and not a bird to be seen in the skies.I looked—this can’t be! Every garden and orchard shriveled up.All the towns were ghost towns.And all this because of God,because of the blazing anger of God.
27-28 Yes, this is God’s Word on the matter:“The whole country will be laid waste—still it won’t be the end of the world.The earth will mournand the skies lamentBecause I’ve given my word and won’t take it back.I’ve decided and won’t change my mind.”
29 Someone shouts, “Horsemen and archers!”and everybody runs for cover.They hide in ditches,they climb into caves.The cities are emptied,not a person left anywhere.
30-31 And you, what do you think you’re up to?Dressing up in party clothes,Decking yourselves out in jewelry,putting on lipstick and rouge and mascara!Your primping goes for nothing.You’re not going to seduce anyone. They’re out to kill you!And what’s that I hear? The cry of a woman in labor,the screams of a mother giving birth to her firstborn.It’s the cry of Daughter Zion, gasping for breath,reaching out for help:“Help, oh help me! I’m dying!The killers are on me!”