The earth dries up and withers,
 the world languishes and withers;
 the heavens languish together with the earth.
 The earth lies polluted
 under its inhabitants;
 for they have transgressed laws,
 violated the statutes,
 broken the everlasting covenant.
 Therefore a curse devours the earth,
 and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;
 therefore the inhabitants of the earth dwindled,
 and few people are left.

Isaiah 24:4-6