24 Look! The LORD is about to destroy the earth and scatters the people. 2 Priests and laypeople, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. 3 The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The LORD has spoken! 4 The earth mourns and dries up, Even the greatest people on earth waste away. 5 The earth suffers for the sins of its people, and broken his everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. and only a few are left alive. 7 The grapevines waste away, All the merrymakers sigh and mourn. 8 The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled; The melodious chords of the harp are silent. 9 Gone are the joys of wine and song; alcoholic drink turns bitter in the mouth. 10 The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out intruders. 11 Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Gladness has been banished from the land. 12 The city is left in ruins, its gates battered down. 13 Throughout the earth the story is the same— or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest. 14 But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the LORD’s majesty. 15 In eastern lands, give glory to the LORD. In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 16 We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, and treachery is everywhere. 17 Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth. 18 Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, the foundations of the earth shake. 19 The earth has broken up. it is violently shaken. 20 The earth staggers like a drunk. for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy. 21 In that day the LORD will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. 22 They will be rounded up and put in prison. and will finally be punished. 23 Then the glory of the moon will wane, in the sight of all the leaders of his people.