17
Alas for me! Alas for me! Who will deliver me in those days?
18
The beginning of sorrows, when there shall be much lamentation; the beginning of famine, when many shall perish; the beginning of wars, when the powers shall be terrified; the beginning of calamities, when all shall tremble. What shall they do in these circumstances, when the calamities come?
19
Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish are sent as scourges for the correction of men.
20
Yet for all this they will not turn from their iniquities, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
21
Behold, provision will be so cheap upon earth that men will imagine that peace is assured for them, and then the calamities shall spring up on the earth -- the sword, famine, and great confusion.
22
For many of those who live on the earth shall perish by famine; and those who survive the famine shall die by the sword.
23
And the dead shall be cast out like dung, and there shall be no one to console them; for the earth shall be left desolate, and its cities shall be demolished.
24
No one shall be left to cultivate the earth or to sow it.
25
The trees shall bear fruit, and who will gather it?
26
The grapes shall ripen, and who will tread them? For in all places there shall be great solitude;
27
one man will long to see another, or even to hear his voice.