Study Desk

He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done.

You were like a young wife, brokenhearted and crying because her husband had divorced her. But the Lord your God says, "I am taking you back!

You will call out to nations you have never known. And they have never known you, but they will come running because I am the Lord , the holy God of Israel, and I have honored you.

Then I will set up monuments in my temple with your names written on them. This will be much better than having children, because these monuments will stand there forever.

Did you forget about me and become unfaithful because you were more afraid of someone else? Have I been silent so long that you no longer fear me?

I celebrate and shout because of my Lord God. His saving power and justice are the very clothes I wear. They are more beautiful than the jewelry worn by a bride or a groom.

Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The Lord will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride.

I did this because I wanted to take revenge— the time had come to rescue my people.

Be a spark that starts a fire causing water to boil. Then your enemies will know who you are; all nations will tremble because you are nearby.

Here is what the Lord says: A cluster of grapes that produces wine is worth keeping! So, because of my servants, I won't destroy everyone.

If you tremble when the Lord speaks, listen to what he says: "Some of your own people hate and reject you because of me. They make fun and say, ‘Let the Lord show his power! Let us see him make you truly happy.' But those who say these things will be terribly ashamed."

If you love Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! If you were in sorrow because of the city, you can now be glad.

I will punish my people, because they are guilty of turning from me to worship idols.

Your own sins will punish you, because it was a bitter mistake for you to reject me without fear of punishment. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken.

Go cry to the gods you made! There should be enough of them to save you, because Judah has as many gods as it has towns.

The Lord said to the people of Israel: If a divorced woman marries, can her first husband ever marry her again? No, because this would pollute the land. But you have more gods than a prostitute has lovers. Why should I take you back?

I will tell them, "Come back, and I will cure you of your unfaithfulness." They will answer, "We will come back, because you are the Lord our God.

I will tell their enemies, "Go through my vineyard. Don't destroy the vines, but cut off the branches, because they are the people who don't belong to me."

So watch out! Someday that place will no longer be called Topheth or Hinnom Valley. It will be called Slaughter Valley, because you will bury your dead there until you run out of room,

You say, "We are wise because we have the teachings and laws of the Lord ." But I say that your teachers have turned my words into lies!