23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.

26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.

27 For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

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23 I looked at the earth,
    and it was formless and empty;(A)
and at the heavens,
    and their light(B) was gone.
24 I looked at the mountains,
    and they were quaking;(C)
    all the hills were swaying.
25 I looked, and there were no people;
    every bird in the sky had flown away.(D)
26 I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;(E)
    all its towns lay in ruins(F)
    before the Lord, before his fierce anger.(G)

27 This is what the Lord says:

“The whole land will be ruined,(H)
    though I will not destroy(I) it completely.
28 Therefore the earth will mourn(J)
    and the heavens above grow dark,(K)
because I have spoken and will not relent,(L)
    I have decided and will not turn back.(M)

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