The rich forests and farmlands will be totally destroyed, in the same way that a fatal sickness destroys someone.

There will be so few trees left that even a child will be able to count them.

The LORD said, "A day is coming when Israel's greatness will come to an end, and its wealth will be replaced by poverty.

Israel will be like a field where the grain has been cut and harvested, as desolate as a field in Rephaim Valley when it has been picked bare.

When God's people were defeated and humiliated by cruel oppression and suffering,

But if you defy me, you are doomed to die. I, the LORD, have spoken."

God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done.

I, the LORD, will give you proof that I will punish you in this place and that my promise to bring destruction on you will come true.

Through my servants the prophets I gave your ancestors commands and warnings, but they disregarded them and suffered the consequences. Then they repented and acknowledged that I, the LORD Almighty, had punished them as they deserved and as I had determined to do.' "

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.