Study Desk

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear--because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand.

thus says the Lord GOD: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall remain the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.

"And you, son of man, prophesy and say, "Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach,' and say: "A sword, a sword is drawn, Polished for slaughter, For consuming, for flashing--

Then say, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself.

In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me," says the Lord GOD.

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.

Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, "Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken.

Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.

"Therefore, Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will stir up your lovers against you, From whom you have alienated yourself, And I will bring them against you from every side:

"For thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will deliver you into the hand of those you hate, into the hand of those from whom you alienated yourself.

"Thus says the Lord GOD: "You shall drink of your sister's cup, The deep and wide one; You shall be laughed to scorn And held in derision; It contains much.

You shall drink and drain it, You shall break its shards, And tear at your own breasts; For I have spoken,' Says the Lord GOD.

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, Therefore you shall bear the penalty Of your lewdness and your harlotry."'

"For thus says the Lord GOD: "Bring up an assembly against them, give them up to trouble and plunder.

They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD."'

And utter a parable to the rebellious house, and say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "Put on a pot, set it on, And also pour water into it.

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the bloody city, To the pot whose scum is in it, And whose scum is not gone from it! Bring it out piece by piece, On which no lot has fallen.

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the bloody city! I too will make the pyre great.

I, the Lord, have spoken it;It shall come to pass, and I will do it;I will not hold back,Nor will I spare,Nor will I relent;According to your waysAnd according to your deedsThey [fn] will judge you,"Says the Lord God.' "

"Speak to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will profane My sanctuary, your arrogant boast, the desire of your eyes, the delight of your soul; and your sons and daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.