13 Has not the Lord Almighty determined

that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire,

that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts

That the people shall labour in the very fire,

And the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised

that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?

They work so hard,

but all in vain!

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts

That the peoples labor to feed the fire,

And nations weary themselves in vain?

13 The Lord All-Powerful will send fire

to destroy what those people have built;

all the nations’ work will be for nothing.

13 Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

13 Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?

13 Isn’t it from the Lord of Armies 

that people grow tired only to feed the flames 

and nations exhaust themselves for nothing? 

13 Is it not from the Lord of Hosts

that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire

and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?

13 Is it not from the Lord of hosts

that peoples labor only to feed the flames,

and nations weary themselves for nothing?

13 Look! Is it not from Yahweh of hosts

that people labor for mere fire,

and nations exhaust themselves for mere vanity?

13 I am the Lord who rules over all.

Human effort is no better than wood that feeds a fire.

So the nations wear themselves out for nothing.

13 “Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts

That peoples toil for fire,

And nations grow weary for nothing?