Study Desk

Of the people of Judah who were left alive and have gone to live in Egypt, none will escape my punishment. They want to return to Judah and live there, but none of them will live to return to Judah, except a few people who will escape."

But since we stopped making sacrifices to the Queen Goddess and stopped pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had great problems. Our people have also been killed in war and by hunger."

But hear the word of the Lord . Listen, all you Jews living in Egypt. The Lord says, ‘I have sworn by my great name: The people of Judah now living in Egypt will never again use my name to make promises. They will never again say in Egypt, "As surely as the Lord God lives... "

I am watching over them, not to take care of them, but to hurt them. The Jews who live in Egypt will die from swords or hunger until they are all destroyed.

Baruch, you are looking for great things for yourself. Don't look for them, because I will bring disaster on all the people, says the Lord . You will have to go many places, but I will let you escape alive wherever you go.'"

"But that day belongs to the Lord God All-Powerful. At that time he will give those people the punishment they deserve. The sword will kill until it is finished, until it satisfies its thirst for their blood. The Lord God All-Powerful will offer a sacrifice in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River.

"Go up to Gilead and get some balm, people of Egypt! You have prepared many medicines, but they will not work; you will not be healed.

"Egypt is like a beautiful young cow, but a horsefly is coming from the north to attack her.

I will hand those people over to their enemies, who want to kill them. I will give them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But in the future, Egypt will live in peace as it once did," says the Lord .

People of Jacob, my servants, do not be afraid, because I am with you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy the many different nations where I scattered you. But I will not completely destroy you. I will punish you fairly, but I will not let you escape your punishment."

But how can his sword rest when the Lord has given it a command? He has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the seacoast."

The Lord says, "I know Moab's great pride, but it is useless. Moab's bragging accomplishes nothing.

I cry with the people of the town of Jazer for you, the grapevines of the town of Sibmah. In the past your vines spread all the way to the sea, as far as the sea of Jazer. But the destroyer has taken over your fruit and grapes.

Joy and happiness are gone from the large, rich fields of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the winepresses. No one walks on the grapes with shouts of joy. There are shouts, but not shouts of joy.

People are crying on every roof in Moab and in every public square. There is nothing but sadness, because I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants," says the Lord .

"People will run from fear, but they will fall into the pits. Anyone who climbs out of the pits will be caught in the traps. I will bring the year of punishment to Moab," says the Lord .

"People have run from the powerful enemy and have gone to Heshbon for safety. But fire started in Heshbon; a blaze has spread from the hometown of Sihon king of Moab. It burned up the leaders of Moab and destroyed those proud people.

"But in days to come, I will make good things happen again to Moab," says the Lord . This ends the judgment on Moab.

The Lord says, "The time will come when I will make Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites, hear the battle cry. It will become a hill covered with ruins, and the towns around it will be burned. Those people forced Israel out of that land, but now Israel will force them out!" says the Lord .

"But the time will come when I will make good things happen to the Ammonites again," says the Lord .