Study Desk

Because of all your abominations, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again.

Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you.

This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and cry "Alas!" because of all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel, who will fall by sword, famine, and plague.

The seller will surely not recover what he sold as long as both remain alive. For the vision concerning the whole multitude will not be revoked, and because of their iniquity, not one will preserve his life.

Then tell the people of the land that this is what the Lord GOD says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: 'They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water in dread, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.

because I, the LORD, will speak whatever word I speak, and it will be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass, declares the Lord GOD.'"

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.

Because they have led My people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies, even though I have caused them no grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives,

so that I may take hold of the hearts of the people of Israel. For because of their idols, they are all estranged from Me.'

Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully, declares the Lord GOD.'"

No one cared enough for you to do even one of these things out of compassion for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, because you were despised on the day of your birth.

But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking.

Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians because you were not satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.

But when you built your shrines at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment.

This is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,

Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but enraged Me with all these things, I will surely bring your deeds down upon your own head, declares the Lord GOD. Have you not committed this lewdness on top of all your other abominations?

So now you must bear your disgrace, since you have brought justification for your sisters. For they appear more righteous than you, because your sins were more vile than theirs. So you too must bear your shame and disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous.

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of My covenant with you.

so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth again because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.'"