Study Desk

Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because their wickedness is great.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

For I will acquit their bloodguilt which I have not yet acquitted." For the LORD dwells in Zion.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population to deliver them up to Edom.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept His statutes; they have been led astray by the lies in which their forefathers walked.

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.

"You only have I known from all the clans of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."

"For they know not how to do right-" declares the LORD-"those who store up violence and destruction in their citadels."

On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off, and they will fall to the ground.

Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do," declares the LORD GOD.

People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.

For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, the One who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth, the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name."

For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek Me and live!

Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.