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The Blessed Death of the Righteous

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

¹ The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, with none considering that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil.² Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.

God Condemns Idolatry

³ But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!⁴ Whom are you mocking? At whom do you snarl and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,⁵ who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?⁶ Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?⁷ On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.⁸ Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.⁹ You went to Molech^(a) with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys^(a) a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.¹⁰ You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.¹¹ Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Have I not held My peace such a long time, and still you do not fear Me?¹² I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.

¹³ When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

Healing for the Repentant

(Jeremiah 3:11-25; Hosea 14:1-3; Zechariah 1:1-6)

¹⁷ I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.¹⁸ I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,¹⁹ bringing praise to their lips. “Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”²⁰ But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.²¹ “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”