Study Desk

But of late My people have risen up like an enemy: You strip off the splendid robe from unsuspecting passers-by like men returning from battle.

Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.

This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

But now many nations have assembled against you, saying, "Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion."

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan: that He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

He has shown you, O mankind, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give over to the sword.

You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.

But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

But with an overflowing flood, He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.

Nineveh has been like a pool of water throughout her days, but now it is draining away. "Stop! Stop!" they cry, but no one turns back.

How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, "Violence!" but You do not save?

Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright-but the righteous will live by his faith-

But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him."

those who bow on the rooftops to worship the heavenly host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Molech,

Their wealth will be plundered and their houses laid waste. They will build houses but not inhabit them, and plant vineyards but never drink their wine.

Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.

I said, 'Surely you will fear Me and accept correction.' Then her dwelling place would not be cut off despite all for which I punished her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.

But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.