Study Desk

Listen to the wail of the shepherds, because their glory is spoiled. Listen to the roaring of young lions, because the Yarden's thickets are plundered.

"In a single month I got rid of three shepherds, because I grew impatient with them; and besides, they detested me.

so that if anyone continues to prophesy, his own father and mother who brought him into the world will tell him, ‘You cannot continue to live, because you are speaking lies in the name of Adonai '; then his own father and mother who brought him into the world will stab him to death.

If you won't listen, if you won't pay attention to honoring my name," says Adonai -Tzva'ot, "then I will send the curse on you; I will turn your blessings into curses. Yes, I will curse them, because you pay no attention.

A cohen's lips should safeguard knowledge, and people should seek Torah from his mouth, because he is the messenger of Adonai -Tzva'ot.

"Therefore I have in turn made you contemptible and vile before all the people, because you did not keep my ways but were partial in applying the Torah."

Here is something else you do: you cover Adonai 's altar with tears, with weeping and with sighing, because he no longer looks at the offering or receives your gift with favor.

Nevertheless, you ask, "Why is this?" Because Adonai is witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have broken faith with her, though she is your companion, your wife by covenant.

"But because I, Adonai , do not change, you sons of Ya‘akov will not be destroyed.

A curse is on you, on your whole nation, because you rob me.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means ‘ Adonai saves,'] because he will save his people from their sins."

"In Beit-Lechem of Y'hudah," they replied, "because the prophet wrote,

"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and lamenting loudly. It was Rachel sobbing for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no longer alive."

However, Yeshua answered him, "Let it be this way now, because we should do everything righteousness requires." Then Yochanan let him.

"How blessed are those who are persecuted because they pursue righteousness! for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

"How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me!

Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great — they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

But I tell you not to swear at all — not ‘by heaven ,' because it is God's throne ;

not ‘by the earth ,' because it is his footstool ; and not ‘by Yerushalayim,' because it is the city of the Great King.

And don't swear by your head, because you can't make a single hair white or black.