Study Desk

If you go to Egypt, what's in it for you? Drinking water from the Nile? If you go to Ashur, what's in it for you? Drinking water from the [Euphrates] River?

"For long ago I broke your yoke; when I snapped your chains, you said, ‘I won't sin.' Yet on every high hill, under every green tree, you sprawled and prostituted yourself.

But I planted you as a choice vine of seed fully tested and true. How did you degenerate into a wild vine for me?

wild, accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her lust — who can control her when she's in heat? Males seeking her need not weary themselves, for at mating season they will find her.

who say to a log, ‘You are my father,' and to a stone, ‘You gave us birth.' For they have turned their backs to me instead of their faces. But when trouble comes, they will plead, ‘Rouse yourself and save us!'

Where are your gods that you made for yourselves? Let them rouse themselves, if they can save you when trouble comes. Y'hudah, you have as many gods as you have cities!

You are so clever in your search for love that the worst of women can learn from you!

Yes, you will leave him too, with your hands on your heads [in shame]. For Adonai rejects those in whom you trust; from them you will gain nothing."

"Raise your eyes to the bare hills, take a look: where have you not had sex? You sat by the roadsides waiting for them like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.

For this reason the showers have been withheld, there has been no rain in the spring; still you maintain a whore's brazen look and refuse to be ashamed.

Go and proclaim these words toward the north: ‘"Return, backsliding Isra'el," says Adonai . "I will not frown on you, for I am merciful," says Adonai . "I will not bear a grudge forever.

"Return, backsliding children," says Adonai ; "for I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and bring you to Tziyon.

"‘"And," says Adonai , "in those days, when your numbers have increased in the land, people will no longer talk about the ark for the covenant of Adonai — they won't think about it, they won't miss it, and they won't make another one.

A sound is heard on the heights, the house of Isra'el crying, pleading for mercy, because they have perverted their way and forgotten Adonai their God.

"Return, backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding." "Here we are, we are coming to you, for you are Adonai our God.

Let us lie down in our shame, let our disgrace cover us, for we have sinned against Adonai our God, both we and our ancestors, from our youth until today; we have not paid attention to the voice of Adonai our God."

For here is what Adonai says to the people of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim: "Break up your ground that hasn't been plowed, and do not sow among thorns."

"People of Y'hudah and inhabitants of Yerushalayim, circumcise yourselves for Adonai , remove the foreskins of your heart! Otherwise my fury will lash out like fire, burning so hot that no one can quench it, because of how evil your actions are.

Set up a signal toward Tziyon, head for cover without delay. For I will bring disaster from the north, yes, dire destruction.

So wrap yourselves in sackcloth, lament and wail, for Adonai 's fierce anger has not turned away from us.