Study Desk

Cry out and wail, O son of man, for it is against My people; it is against all the princes of Israel! They are tossed to the sword with My people; therefore strike your thigh.

So that their hearts may melt and many may stumble, I have appointed at all their gates a sword for slaughter. Yes, it is ready to flash like lightning; it is drawn for slaughter.

"Now you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same land. And make a signpost where the road branches off to each city.

Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.

In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to set the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.

And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.'

Now prophesy, son of man, and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt: 'A sword! A sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning.

While they offer false visions for you and lying divinations about you, to be placed on the necks of the wicked who are slain, whose day has come-the time of their final punishment.

You will be fuel for the fire. Your blood will stain your own land. You will not be remembered, for I, the LORD, have spoken.'"

"As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations

Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.

The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted.

Therefore I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted.

At the sight of them she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Surely I will deliver you into the hands of those you hate, from whom you turned away in disgust.

They will treat you with hatred, take all for which you have worked, and leave you naked and bare, so that the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your indecency and promiscuity

This is what the Lord GOD says: 'You will drink your sister's cup, a cup deep and wide. It will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much.