Study Desk

^[a]"In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes^(a) of Judah^(b) and Jerusalem,

I will gather^(c) all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.^[b](d) There I will put them on trial^(e) for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered^(f) my people among the nations and divided up my land.

They cast lots^(g) for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine^(h) to drink.

"Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon⁽ⁱ⁾ and all you regions of Philistia?^(j) Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done.^(k)

For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples.^[c](l)

You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks,^(m) that you might send them far from their homeland.

"See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them,⁽ⁿ⁾ and I will return^(o) on your own heads what you have done.

I will sell your sons^(p) and daughters to the people of Judah,^(q) and they will sell them to the Sabeans,^(r) a nation far away." The Lord has spoken.^(s)

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war!^(t) Rouse the warriors!^(u) Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks^(v) into spears.^(w) Let the weakling^(x) say, "I am strong!"^(y)

Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble^(z) there. Bring down your warriors,^(aa) Lord !

"Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat,^(ab) for there I will sit to judge^(ac) all the nations on every side.

Swing the sickle,^(ad) for the harvest^(ae) is ripe. Come, trample the grapes,^(af) for the winepress^(ag) is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!"

Multitudes,^(ah) multitudes in the valley^(ai) of decision! For the day of the Lord ^(aj) is near in the valley of decision.^(ak)

The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.^(al)

The Lord will roar^(am) from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem;^(an) the earth and the heavens will tremble.^(ao) But the Lord will be a refuge^(ap) for his people, a stronghold^(aq) for the people of Israel.

"Then you will know^(ar) that I, the Lord your God,^(as) dwell in Zion,^(at) my holy hill.^(au) Jerusalem will be holy;^(av) never again will foreigners invade her.^(aw)

"In that day the mountains will drip new wine,^(ax) and the hills will flow with milk;^(ay) all the ravines of Judah will run with water.^(az) A fountain will flow out of the Lord 's house^(ba) and will water the valley of acacias.^[d](bb)

But Egypt^(bc) will be desolate, Edom^(bd) a desert waste, because of violence^(be) done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

Judah will be inhabited forever^(bf) and Jerusalem through all generations.

Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged?^(bg) No, I will not.^(bh)" The Lord dwells in Zion!^(bi)