Study Desk

Look around and see what is happening! Your people are assembling—they are coming home! As surely as I am the living God, you will be proud of your people, as proud as a bride is of her jewels.

I will make your oppressors kill each other; they will be drunk with murder and rage. Then all people will know that I am the Lord , the one who saves you and sets you free. They will know that I am Israel's powerful God."

for God is near, and he will prove me innocent. Does anyone dare bring charges against me? Let us go to court together! Let him bring his accusation!

All of you that honor the Lord and obey the words of his servant, the path you walk may be dark indeed, but trust in the Lord , rely on your God.

"I am the Lord your God; I stir up the sea and make its waves roar. My name is the Lord Almighty!

the Lord your God defends you and says, "I am taking away the cup that I gave you in my anger. You will no longer have to drink the wine that makes you stagger.

Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again.

In time to come you will acknowledge that I am God and that I have spoken to you."

How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, "Your God is king!"

This time you will not have to leave in a hurry; you will not be trying to escape. The Lord your God will lead you and protect you on every side.

"But he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God.

Your Creator will be like a husband to you— the Lord Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you— he is the ruler of all the world.

Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you! I, the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I will give you honor and glory."

Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the Lord , our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

You put on your perfumes and ointments and go to worship the god Molech. To find gods to worship, you send messengers far and wide, even to the world of the dead.

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

It is because of your sins that he doesn't hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him.

The people say, "Now we know why God does not save us from those who oppress us. We hope for light to walk by, but there is only darkness,

We are frightened and distressed. We long for God to save us from oppression and wrong, but nothing happens.

They are ships coming from distant lands, Bringing God's people home. They bring with them silver and gold To honor the name of the Lord , The holy God of Israel, Who has made all nations honor his people.