Study Desk

For the Lord will not cast us off forever.

For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

You heard my plea: "Do not ignore my cry for relief."

The nursing infant's tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.

But this was for the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst.

All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.

They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come!

The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

Why have You forgotten us forever? Why have You forsaken us for so long?

And whether they listen or refuse to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.

But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

For you are not being sent to a people of unfamiliar speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel-

But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate.

I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

If I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.

Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says.' Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side.

For I have assigned you the years of their iniquity according to the number of days you lie down, 390 days; so you will bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.