[1] An oracle about Damascus. Look! Damascus is finished as a city; it will become a fallen ruin. [2] The villages of Aroer are abandoned forever. They will be pastures for flocks, which will lie down undisturbed. [3] Ephraim’s security will cease, as will Damascus’ rule. What’s left of Aram will resemble the glory of the Israelites, says the LORD of heavenly forces. [4] On that day, Jacob’s glory will dwindle; his sleek body will waste away. [5] It will be as when harvesters gather grain. God will harvest armfuls at a time, like one who gathers grain in the Rephaim Valley. [6] Only remaining bits are left, like an olive tree that has been shaken: two or three olives on the highest branch; four or five on a fruitful twig, says the LORD God of Israel. [7] On that day, people will have regard for their maker, and their eyes will look to the holy one of Israel. [8] They will have no regard for altars, the work of their hands, or look to what their fingers made: sacred poles and incense stands. [9] On that day, their strong cities will be like those abandoned by the Hivites and the Amorites; abandoned because of the Israelites. They will be a wasteland, [10] because you forgot the God who saves you, and didn’t remember the rock who shelters you. Therefore, plant your pleasant plants, and set out exotic sprouts; [11] make them grow the day you plant them, and make them bloom the morning you start them. But the harvest will disappear on a day of sickness and incurable pain. [12] Doom to the raging of many peoples; like the thundering seas they thunder. Doom to the roar of nations, like the roaring of mighty waters. [13] Nations roar like the roaring of rushing waters. But God will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, pursued like chaff by wind in the mountains, like tumbleweeds before a storm. [14] In the evening, there is terror; but before morning it is gone. This is the fate of those who loot us, the destiny of those who rob us.
