Study Desk

The LORD has made evident our innocence; come, let us declare in Zion the works of the LORD our God.

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, when wheat is ready to be threshed; yet a little while and the time of harvest shall come.

The spoilers have come upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, and their bows are broken in pieces; for God is the LORD of recompense; he will surely requite them.

O MIGHTY God, see my affliction; I am chastised by the rod of his wrath.

This I recall to mind; therefore I have hope in God.

Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in heaven.

Your iniquities have come to an end, O daughter of Zion; God will no more carry you away into captivity; but your iniquities will be punished, O daughter of Edom; your sins are well uncovered.

NOW it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of God, like the sound of speech in a host; and when they stopped, they let down their wings.

And I saw as it were the appearance of God, and the appearance of fire within it round about from his loins and upward; and from his loins and downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire shining round about.

And they to whom I am sending you are impudent and stubborn children; and you shall say to them, Thus says the LORD God of hosts.

And go and get you to them of the captivity, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, Thus says the LORD God; perhaps they will listen, and tremble.

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, Thus says the LORD God: He that hears, let him hear; and he that trembles, let him tremble; for they are a rebellious house.

Then said I, Ah LORD God! behold, I have never defiled myself; and from my youth up even till now I have not eaten of that which dies of itself or is torn in pieces by wild beasts; neither has unclean meat entered into my mouth.

Thus says the LORD God: This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations, with all the cities round about her.

Therefore thus says the LORD God: Because you have regarded the statutes which you took from nations round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, but you have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;

Therefore thus says the LORD God: Behold I, even I, am against you, and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.

Therefore, as I live, says the LORD God, Because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will scatter you; neither shall my eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

And say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD God; Thus says the LORD God to the mountains and to the hills, to the valleys and to the brooks: Behold, I am bringing a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Thus says the LORD God, Strike with your hand, and stamp with your foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.