Study Desk

Egypt is as sleek as a beautiful heifer, but a horsefly from the north is on its way!

I will hand them over to those who want them killed—to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his army. But afterward the land will recover from the ravages of war. I, the Lord , have spoken!

"But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them.

Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished."

"But how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission? For the city of Ashkelon and the people living along the sea must be destroyed."

But the time is coming soon," says the Lord , "when I will send men to pour him from his jar. They will pour him out, then shatter the jar!

But now Moab and his towns will be destroyed. His most promising youth are doomed to slaughter," says the King, whose name is the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

I know about his insolence," says the Lord , "but his boasts are empty— as empty as his deeds.

"You people of Sibmah, rich in vineyards, I will weep for you even more than I did for Jazer. Your spreading vines once reached as far as the Dead Sea, but the destroyer has stripped you bare! He has harvested your grapes and summer fruits.

Joy and gladness are gone from fruitful Moab. The presses yield no wine. No one treads the grapes with shouts of joy. There is shouting, yes, but not of joy.

"The people flee as far as Heshbon but are unable to go on. For a fire comes from Heshbon, King Sihon's ancient home, to devour the entire land with all its rebellious people.

But I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come. I, the Lord , have spoken!" This is the end of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning Moab.

You are proud of your fertile valleys, but they will soon be ruined. You trusted in your wealth, you rebellious daughter, and thought no one could ever harm you.

But look! I will bring terror upon you," says the Lord, the Lord of Heaven's Armies. "Your neighbors will chase you from your land, and no one will help your exiles as they flee.

But I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites in days to come. I, the Lord , have spoken."

But I will strip bare the land of Edom, and there will be no place left to hide. Its children, its brothers, and its neighbors will all be destroyed, and Edom itself will be no more.

But I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help."

You have been deceived by the fear you inspire in others and by your own pride. You live in a rock fortress and control the mountain heights. But even if you make your nest among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you crashing down," says the Lord .

But I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come. I, the Lord , have spoken!"

"But now, flee from Babylon! Leave the land of the Babylonians. Like male goats at the head of the flock, lead my people home again.