expresses the meaning in nonfigurative language as “destroy.” In some languages one may say “kill.” Although God is the one initiating the “destroying,” or “killing,” others actually carry out the action. Therefore in many other languages it will be helpful to say “I will cause every living creature to die.” The face of the earth means simply “the earth,” which here refers to the whole world, not just the land of Judah. In Hebrew each verse ends with the words translated says the Lord in RSV. TEV