Study Desk

Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the Lord says: "The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me.

"What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?" says the Lord . "I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

"Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord . "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, "I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes!

The Lord says, "Beautiful Zion is haughty: craning her elegant neck, flirting with her eyes, walking with dainty steps, tinkling her ankle bracelets.

But this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "This invasion will never happen; it will never take place;

So this is what the Lord, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, says: "O my people in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians when they oppress you with rod and club as the Egyptians did long ago.

This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: "I, myself, have risen against Babylon! I will destroy its children and its children's children," says the Lord .

But now the Lord says, "Within three years, counting each day, the glory of Moab will be ended. From its great population, only a feeble few will be left alive."

I will hand Egypt over to a hard, cruel master. A fierce king will rule them," says the Lord, the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

"Yes, I will drive you out of office," says the Lord . "I will pull you down from your high position.

But the Lord of Heaven's Armies also says: "The time will come when I will pull out the nail that seemed so firm. It will come out and fall to the ground. Everything it supports will fall with it. I, the Lord , have spoken!"

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

That is why the Lord , who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel, "My people will no longer be ashamed or turn pale with fear.

"What sorrow awaits my rebellious children," says the Lord . "You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.

This is what the Sovereign Lord , the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.

Even the strongest will quake with terror, and princes will flee when they see your battle flags," says the Lord , whose fire burns in Zion, whose flame blazes from Jerusalem.

But the Lord says: "Now I will stand up. Now I will show my power and might.

the prophet replied, "Say to your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech against me from the Assyrian king's messengers.