Study Desk

But you have not merely sinned as they did. You quickly surpassed them in corruption.

"But someday I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and Samaria, and I will restore you, too.

But now your greater wickedness has been exposed to all the world, and you are the one who is scorned—by Edom and all her neighbors and by Philistia.

But then another great eagle came with broad wings and full plumage. So the vine now sent its roots and branches toward him for water,

But when the vine is transplanted, will it thrive? No, it will wither away when the east wind blows against it. It will die in the same good soil where it had grown so well."

"Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste'?

He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

"But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right.

"But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father's wickedness and decides against that kind of life.

He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.

But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.

But the vine was uprooted in fury and thrown down to the ground. The desert wind dried up its fruit and tore off its strong branches, so that it withered and was destroyed by fire.

"But they rebelled against me and would not listen. They did not get rid of the vile images they were obsessed with, or forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I threatened to pour out my fury on them to satisfy my anger while they were still in Egypt.

But I didn't do it, for I acted to protect the honor of my name. I would not allow shame to be brought on my name among the surrounding nations who saw me reveal myself by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

"But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn't obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life. They also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the wilderness.

But again I held back in order to protect the honor of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt.

But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful place on earth.

"But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So again I threatened to pour out my fury on them in the wilderness.

But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would scatter them among all the nations