Study Desk

And they will call them "The holy people, the people who have been saved and set free by the Lord." And you will be called "A city looked for, a city that God has not forgotten."

From long ago no ear has heard and no eye has seen any God besides You, Who works for those who wait for Him.

But you who turn away from the Lord, who forget My holy mountain, who set a table for the false god, Gad, and who fill cups of mixed wine for the false female goddess, Meni,

So the Lord God says, "See, My servants will eat, but you will be hungry. See, My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. See, My servants will be glad, but you will be put to shame.

And you will leave your name as a curse for My chosen ones. The Lord God will kill you, but My servants will be called by another name.

Anyone who has good things come to him in the land will have good things come to him by the God of truth. And he who makes a promise in the land will promise by the God of truth. The troubles of the past are forgotten, and are hidden from My eyes.

"He who kills an ox is like one who kills a man. He who kills a lamb on the altar in worship is like one who breaks a dog's neck. He who gives a grain gift is like one who gives pig's blood. He who burns special perfume is like the one who gives honor and thanks to a false god. They have chosen their own ways, and their soul finds joy in the sinful things they do.

Listen! A noise from the city! A voice from the house of God! It is the voice of the Lord Who is giving punishment to those who hate Him.

Will I bring a child to birth, and not let him be born?" says the Lord. "Will I, Who gives birth, stop it?" says your God.

Then I said, "O, Lord God! I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy."

The religious leaders did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?' And those who worked with the Law did not know Me. The rulers sinned against Me. And the men of God spoke by the false god of Baal, and went after things that did not help.

Have you not brought this upon yourself, by turning away from the Lord your God, when He led you in the way?

Your own sin will punish you. Your turning away from the Lord will punish you. So know and see that it is sinful and bitter for you to leave the Lord your God. You have no fear of Me," says the Lord God of All.

Even when you wash yourself with much strong soap, the mark of your sin is still before Me," says the Lord God.

"As a robber is put to shame when he is caught, so the family of Israel is put to shame: they, their kings, their rulers, their religious leaders, and their men of God.

"I have punished your children for nothing, for they would not learn from it. Your sword has destroyed your men of God like a destroying lion.

God says, "If a husband divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be made unclean? But you are like a sinful woman with many lovers, yet would you return to Me?" says the Lord.

Only know and tell of your guilt, that you have sinned against the Lord your God and have given your favors to the strangers under every green tree. Know that you have not obeyed My voice,' says the Lord.

A voice is heard on the open hill-tops, the cries and prayers of the sons of Israel, because they have made their way sinful. They have forgotten the Lord their God.

"Return, O sons who are not faithful. I will heal you and make you faithful." "See, we come to You, for You are the Lord our God.