Study Desk

"Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them Like an Arabian in the wilderness; And you have polluted the land With your harlotries and your wickedness.

Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense," says the LORD.

Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: "Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; "I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD; "I will not remain angry forever.

"Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

A voice was heard on the desolate heights, Weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; They have forgotten the LORD their God.

"Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, For You are the LORD our God.

Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel.

For shame has devoured The labor of our fathers from our youth-- Their flocks and their herds, Their sons and their daughters.

We lie down in our shame, And our reproach covers us. For we have sinned against the LORD our God, We and our fathers, From our youth even to this day, And have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God."

For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: "Break up your fallow ground, And do not sow among thorns.

Set up the standard toward Zion. Take refuge! Do not delay! For I will bring disaster from the north, And great destruction."

For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth, Lament and wail. For the fierce anger of the LORD Has not turned back from us.

A wind too strong for these will come for Me; Now I will also speak judgment against them."

"Behold, he shall come up like clouds, And his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are plundered!"

For a voice declares from Dan And proclaims affliction from Mount Ephraim:

"Your ways and your doings Have procured these things for you. This is your wickedness, Because it is bitter, Because it reaches to your heart."

Destruction upon destruction is cried, For the whole land is plundered. Suddenly my tents are plundered, And my curtains in a moment.

"For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge."

For thus says the LORD: "The whole land shall be desolate; Yet I will not make a full end.