“When I destroy all mankind
    on the face of the earth,”^(C)
declares the Lord,^(D)

“There will be wailing^(A) in all the streets^(B)
    and cries of anguish in every public square.
The farmers^(C) will be summoned to weep
    and the mourners to wail.

“The whole land will be ruined,^(A)
    though I will not destroy^(B) it completely.
²⁸ Therefore the earth will mourn^(C)
    and the heavens above grow dark,^(D)
because I have spoken and will not relent,^(E)
    I have decided and will not turn back.^(F)”

²⁵ I looked, and there were no people;
    every bird in the sky had flown away.^(A)

⁸ “Will not the land tremble^(A) for this,
    and all who live in it mourn?
The whole land will rise like the Nile;
    it will be stirred up and then sink
    like the river of Egypt.^(B)

“The Lord roars^(A) from Zion
    and thunders^(B) from Jerusalem;^(C)
the pastures of the shepherds dry up,
    and the top of Carmel^(D) withers.”^(E)