Isaiah 17:1
This is the burden against Damascus:
What it says
Damascus is declared a ruined heap rather than a standing city.
What it is doing
This verse opens the burden with the city's total collapse.
In context
1This is the burden against Damascus: 2The cities of Aroer are forsaken; 3The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, 4“In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, 5as the reaper gathers the standing grain 6Yet gleanings will remain, 7In that day men will look to their Maker 8They will not look to the altars 9In that day their strong cities 10For you have forgotten the God of your salvation 11though on the day you plant 12Alas, the tumult of many peoples; 13The nations rage like the rush of many waters. 14In the evening, there is sudden terror!