Isa 24:18-20 | NETfull | STEP | The one who runs away from the sound of the terror will fall into the pit; the one who climbs out of the pit, will be trapped by the snare. For the floodgates of the heavens are opened up and the foundations of the earth shake.

Isaiah 24:18-20

18 The one who runs away from the sound of the terror
will fall into the pit; ^{▼▼ The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.}
the one who climbs out of the pit,
will be trapped by the snare.
For the floodgates of the heavens ^{▼▼ Heb “from the height”; KJV “from on high.”} are opened up ^{▼▼ The language reflects the account of the Noahic Flood (see Gen 7:11).}
and the foundations of the earth shake.
19 The earth is broken in pieces,
the earth is ripped to shreds,
the earth shakes violently. ^{▼▼ Once more repetition is used to draw attention to a statement. In the Hebrew text each lines ends with אֶרֶץ (’erets, “earth”). Each line also uses a Hitpolel verb form from a geminate root preceded by an emphatic infinitive absolute.}
20 The earth will stagger around ^{▼▼ Heb “staggering, staggers.” The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute before the finite verb for emphasis and sound play.} like a drunk;
it will sway back and forth like a hut in a windstorm. ^{▼▼ The words “in a windstorm” are supplied in the translation to clarify the metaphor.}
Its sin will weigh it down,
and it will fall and never get up again.