Study Desk

I will tell their enemies, "Go through my vineyard. Don't destroy the vines, but cut off the branches, because they are the people who don't belong to me."

And the people who survive will ask, "Why did the Lord our God do such terrible things to us?" Then tell them: I am the Lord , but you abandoned me and worshiped other gods in your own land. Now you will be slaves in a foreign country.

that you should worship me with fear and trembling? I'm the one who made the shore to hold back the ocean. Waves may crash on the beach, but they can come no farther.

A hunter traps birds and puts them in a cage, but some of you trap humans and make them your slaves.

and prosperous, but you refuse to help the poor get the justice they deserve.

Prophets give their messages in the name of a false god, my priests don't want to serve me, and you—my own people— like it this way! But on the day of disaster, where will you turn for help?

Jerusalem is a lovely pasture, but shepherds will surround it and divide it up,

Kings will tell their troops, "If we reach Jerusalem in the morning, we'll attack at noon. But if we arrive later,

I have told the people that you, Lord , will punish them, but they just laugh and refuse to listen.

They should be ashamed of their disgusting sins, but they don't even blush. And so, when I punish Judah, they will end up on the ground, dead like everyone else. I, the Lord , have spoken.

The Lord said: My people, when you stood at the crossroads, I told you, "Follow the road your ancestors took, and you will find peace." But you refused.

I also sent prophets to warn you of danger, but when they sounded the alarm, you paid no attention.

People of Judah, you bring me incense from Sheba and spices from distant lands. You offer sacrifices of all kinds. But why bother? I hate these gifts of yours!

but my people are too wicked to be made pure, and so I have rejected them.

Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you.

But just look at what is happening! You put your trust in worthless lies.

You are thieves, and you have made my temple your hideout. But I've seen everything you have done.

While you have been sinning, I have been trying to talk to you, but you refuse to listen.

Don't think this temple will protect you. Long ago I told your ancestors to build it and worship me here, but now I have decided to tear it down, just as I destroyed Shiloh.

But they are not only insulting me; they are also insulting themselves by doing these shameful things.