Study Desk

Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him-grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the porch and the altar, saying, "Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

You will have plenty to eat, until you are satisfied. You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you. My people will never again be put to shame.

Then you will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame.

Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.

I will cut off the ruler from Ashdod and him who wields the scepter from Ashkelon. And I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish," says the Lord GOD.

They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their God, they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

The lion has roared-who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken-who will not prophesy?

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: "An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your citadels."

Hear and testify against the house of Jacob, declares the Lord GOD, the God of Hosts.

The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: "Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do," declares the LORD GOD.

"Therefore, that is what I will do to you, O Israel, and since I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!

For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, the One who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth, the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name."

This is what the Lord GOD says: "The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel."

Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed.

Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."

Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the Lord, says: "There will be wailing in all the public squares and cries of 'Alas! Alas!' in all the streets. The farmer will be summoned to mourn, and the mourners to wail.