Study Desk

I listened and my stomach churned; the sound made my lips quiver. My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying, and I shook as I tried to walk. I long for the day of distress to come upon the people who attack us.

The sovereign Lord is my source of strength. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. (This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

Be silent before the Lord God , for the Lord 's day of judgment is almost here. The Lord has prepared a sacrificial meal; he has ritually purified his guests.

Wail, you who live in the market district, for all the merchants will disappear and those who count money will be removed.

I will bring distress on the people and they will stumble like blind men, for they have sinned against the Lord . Their blood will be poured out like dirt; their flesh will be scattered like manure.

The seacoast will be used as pasture lands by the shepherds and as pens for their flocks.

Those who are left from the kingdom of Judah will take possession of it. By the sea they will graze, in the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down in the evening, for the Lord their God will intervene for them and restore their prosperity.

This is how they will be repaid for their arrogance, for they taunted and verbally harassed the people of the Lord who commands armies.

The Lord will terrify them, for he will weaken all the gods of the earth. All the distant nations will worship the Lord in their own lands.

Therefore you must wait patiently for me," says the Lord , "for the day when I attack and take plunder. I have decided to gather nations together and assemble kingdoms, so I can pour out my fury on them— all my raging anger. For the whole earth will be consumed by my fiery anger.

Know for sure that I will then enable the nations to give me acceptable praise. All of them will invoke the Lord 's name when they pray, and will worship him in unison.

In that day you will not be ashamed of all your rebelliousness against me, for then I will remove from your midst those who proudly boast, and you will never again be arrogant on my holy hill.

Shout for joy, Daughter Zion! Shout out, Israel! Be happy and boast with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!

The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you."

"As for those who grieve because they cannot attend the festivals— I took them away from you; they became tribute and were a source of shame to you.

The Lord who rules over all says this: "These people have said, ‘The time for rebuilding the Lord 's temple has not yet come.'"

"Is it right for you to live in richly paneled houses while my temple is in ruins?

Moreover, I have called for a drought that will affect the fields, the hill country, the grain, new wine, fresh olive oil, and everything that grows from the ground; it also will harm people, animals, and everything they produce.'"

Even so, take heart, Zerubbabel,' says the Lord . ‘Take heart, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you citizens of the land,' says the Lord , ‘and begin to work. For I am with you,' says the Lord who rules over all.

On that day,' says the Lord who rules over all, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant,' says the Lord , ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,' says the Lord who rules over all."