Their residents are powerless; they are terrified and ashamed. They are as short-lived as plants in the field or green vegetation. They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops when it is scorched by the east wind.

For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap around oneself.

In just a very short time Lebanon will turn into an orchard, and the orchard will be considered a forest.

"I, I am the one who consoles you. Why are you afraid of mortal men, of mere human beings who are as short-lived as grass?

"For a short time I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.

For a short time your special nation possessed a land, but then our adversaries knocked down your holy sanctuary.

Look, the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, is ready to cut off the branches with terrifying power. The tallest trees will be cut down, the loftiest ones will be brought low.

"At that time," says the Lord who commands armies, "the peg fastened into a solid place will come loose. It will be cut off and fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut off." Indeed, the Lord has spoken.