Study Desk

This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for you and your wives, you women have spoken with your mouths, and you men fulfilled it by your deeds, saying, “We will keep our vows that we have made to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings for her.” Go ahead, confirm your vows! Keep your vows!’

“Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you Judeans who live in the land of Egypt: ‘I have sworn by my great name, says the Lord, that my name will never again be invoked by anyone of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord God lives.”

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:

That day belongs to the Lord, the God of Armies,a day of vengeance to avenge himselfagainst his adversaries.The sword will devour and be satisfied;it will drink its fill of their blood,because it will be a sacrifice to the Lord, the God of Armies,in the northern land by the Euphrates River.

The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says, “I am about to punish Amon, god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings—Pharaoh and those trusting in him.

About Moab, this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says:

Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to punish the king of Babylon and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.

The Lord opened his armoryand brought out his weapons of wrath,because it is a task of the Lord God of Armiesin the land of the Chaldeans.

There is a voice of fugitives and refugeesfrom the land of Babylon.The voice announces in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God,the vengeance for his temple.

Just as God demolished Sodom and Gomorrahand their neighboring towns—

For Israel and Judah are not left widowedby their God, the Lord of Armies,though their land is full of guiltagainst the Holy One of Israel.

The Lord has brought about our vindication;come, let’s tell in Zionwhat the Lord our God has accomplished.

For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says:

for a destroyer is coming against her,against Babylon.Her warriors will be captured,their bows shattered,for the Lord is a God of retribution;he will certainly repay.

Let him sit alone and be silent,for God has disciplined him.

Let us lift up our hearts and our handsto God in heaven:

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

The descendants are obstinate and hardhearted. I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’

Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.”

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse—for they are a rebellious house.