Study Desk

Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the judgment of their God.

"I will go to the great And speak to them, For they know the way of the LORD And the judgment of their God." But together they too have broken the yoke And burst the restraints.

"Shall I not punish them for these things?" declares the LORD, "And shall I not avenge Myself On a nation such as this?

"Go up through her vine rows and destroy, But do not execute a complete destruction; Strip away her branches, For they are not the LORD'S.

"For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," declares the LORD.

'Do you not fear Me?' declares the LORD. 'Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal limit, and it will not cross over it. Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they will not cross over it.

'They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain in its season, Both the autumn rain and the spring rain, Who keeps for us The appointed weeks of the harvest."

'For wicked people are found among My people, They watch like fowlers lying in wait; They set a trap, They catch people.

'Shall I not punish them for these things?' declares the LORD, 'Or shall I not avenge Myself On a nation such as this?'

"Flee to safety, you sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem! Blow a trumpet in Tekoa And raise a warning signal over Beth-haccerem; For evil looks down from the north, Along with a great destruction.

'Prepare for war against her; Arise, and let's attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day declines, For the shadows of the evening lengthen!

For this is what the LORD of armies says: "Cut down her trees And pile up an assault ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, In whose midst there is only oppression.

To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed And they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become for them a rebuke; They take no delight in it.

But I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street And on the gathering of young men together; For both husband and wife shall be taken, The old and the very old.

"Their houses shall be turned over to others, Their fields and their wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land," declares the LORD.

"For from the least of them to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet to the priest Everyone deals falsely.

This is what the LORD says: "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

"Hear, earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My Law, they have rejected it also.

"For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me."

"They seize bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea, And they ride on horses, Lined up as a man for the battle Against you, daughter of Zion!"