Study Desk

'The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada, to be the chief officer in the house of the LORD, responsible for any madman who acts like a prophet-you must put him in stocks and neck irons.

For he has sent to us in Babylon, claiming: The exile will be long. So build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their produce.'"

this is what the LORD says: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good that I bring to My people, declares the LORD, for he has preached rebellion against the LORD."

For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land I gave to their forefathers, and they will possess it.'"

Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

As for you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel; for I will surely deliver you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to frighten him.

For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you; yet I will correct you in measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished."

For this is what the LORD says: "Your injury is incurable; your wound is grievous.

There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you.

All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and numerous sins.

But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares."

Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me? declares the LORD.

For there will be a day when watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Arise, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God!'"

For this is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard and say, 'O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!'

They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel's Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn."

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him.

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant in the bounty of the LORD-the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.

Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing consolation, because they are no more."

This is what the LORD says: "Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come, declares the LORD. Then your children will return from the land of the enemy.