He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.
WEB
Sirach 48:2
He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal made them few in number.
Parallel Translations
He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.
He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.
He broght a famine vpon them, and by his zeale he diminished them: [for they might not away with the commandements of the Lord.]