14Consecrate a fast,
         Proclaim a solemn assembly;
         Gather the elders
         And all the inhabitants of the land
         To the house of the LORD your God,
         And cry out to the LORD.

15Alas for the day!
         For the day of the LORD is near,
         And it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

16Has not food been cut off before our eyes,
         Gladness and joy from the house of our God?

17The seeds shrivel under their clods;
         The storehouses are desolate,
         The barns are torn down,
         For the grain is dried up.

18How the beasts groan!
         The herds of cattle wander aimlessly
         Because there is no pasture for them;
         Even the flocks of sheep suffer.

19To You, O LORD, I cry;
         For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness
         And the flame has burned up all the trees of the field.

20Even the beasts of the field pant for You;
         For the water brooks are dried up
         And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

NASB ©1995