1. This is a message about Damascus: “Damascus is now a city, but it will be destroyed. Only ruined buildings will be left there.
2. People will leave the cities of Aroer. Flocks of sheep will wander freely in those empty towns; there will be no one to bother them.
3. The fort cities of Ephraim will be destroyed. The government in Damascus will be finished. Those left in Aram will lose everything, just like the people of Israel,” says the Lord All-Powerful.
4. “At that time Jacob’s wealth will all be gone. Yes, Israel will be like a sick man who has become weak and thin.
5. “That time will be like the grain harvest in Rephaim Valley. The workers gather the plants that grow in the field. Then they cut the heads of grain from the plants and collect the grain.
6. “That time will also be like the olive harvest. People knock olives from the trees, but a few olives are usually left at the top of each tree. Four or five olives are left on some of the top branches. It will be the same for those cities,” says the Lord All-Powerful.
7. Then the people will look up to the one who made them. Their eyes will see the Holy One of Israel.