Study Desk

"Or I might send wild animals into that land, leaving the land empty and without children. Then no one would pass through it because of the animals.

As surely as I live, says the Lord God , even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, they could not save their son or daughter. They could save only themselves because they did what was right.

You will be comforted when you see what happens to them for living as they did, because you will know there was a good reason for what I did to Jerusalem, says the Lord God ."

So I will make the land empty, because the people have not been loyal, says the Lord God ."

No one felt sorry enough for you to do any of these things for you. No, you were thrown out into the open field, because you were hated on the day you were born.

Then you became famous among the nations, because you were so beautiful. Your beauty was perfect, because of the glory I gave you, says the Lord God .

"‘But you trusted in your beauty. You became a prostitute, because you were so famous. You had sexual relations with anyone who passed by.

Also, you had sexual relations with the Assyrians, because you could not be satisfied. Even though you had sexual relations with them, you still were not satisfied.

I will punish you as women guilty of adultery or as murderers are punished. I will put you to death because I am angry and jealous.

"‘Because you didn't remember when you were young, but have made me angry in all these ways, I will repay you for what you have done, says the Lord God . Didn't you add sexual sins to all your other acts which I hate?

Also, Samaria did not do half the sins you do; you have done more hateful things than they did. So you make your sisters look good because of all the hateful things you have done.

You will suffer disgrace, because you have provided an excuse for your sisters. They are better than you are. Your sins were even more terrible than theirs. Feel ashamed and suffer disgrace, because you made your sisters look good.

Then you will remember what you have done and feel ashamed when you receive your sisters—both your older and your younger sisters. I will give them to you like daughters, but not because they share in my agreement with you.

You will remember what you did and feel ashamed. You will not open your mouth again because of your shame, when I forgive you for all the things you have done, says the Lord God .'"

Their sins will be forgotten. Because they have done what is right, they will live.

"But suppose good people stop doing good and do wrong and do the same hateful things the wicked do. Will they live? All their good acts will be forgotten, because they became unfaithful. They have sinned, so they will die because of their sins.

When good people stop doing good and do wrong, they will die because of it. They will die, because they did wrong.

Because they thought about it and stopped doing all the sins they had done, they will surely live; they will not die.

"‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted beside the water. The vine had many branches and gave much fruit, because there was plenty of water.

The vine had strong branches, good enough for a king's scepter. The vine became tall among the thick branches. And it was seen, because it was tall with many branches.