and comfort, and between descriptions of the fate of Israel and the nations. The book opens with an announcement of doom upon the entire world. Humans and animals, birds and fish, are to be destroyed. Then the focus moves to Judah and Jerusalem, and to the idolaters there. They must prepare for the Day of the Lord, the time swiftly approaching when God will visit punishment on all who deserve it, including the members of the royal court and the merchant class who oppress the poor, and those who,