Isaiah 24:1-9 ▼

1 Behold, the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.

2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.

3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.

4 The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish.

5 The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

7 The wine mourns, the vine languishes, all the merry-hearted sigh.

8 The mirth of the tambourines is stilled, the noise of the jubilant has ceased, the mirth of the lyre is stilled.

9 No more do they drink wine with singing; strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.