Study Desk

Jerusalem is suffering and homeless. She remembers all the good things from the past. But her people were defeated by the enemy, and there was no one to help her. When her enemies saw her, they laughed to see her ruined.

Jerusalem reaches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The Lord commanded the people of Jacob to be surrounded by their enemies. Jerusalem is now unclean like those around her.

Jerusalem says, "The Lord is right, but I refused to obey him. Listen, all you people, and look at my pain. My young women and men have gone into captivity.

"I called out to my friends, but they turned against me. My priests and my elders have died in the city while looking for food to stay alive.

Your prophets saw visions, but they were false and worth nothing. They did not point out your sins to keep you from being captured. They preached what was false and led you wrongly.

I cry out and beg for help, but he ignores my prayer.

But I have hope when I think of this:

The precious people of Jerusalem were more valuable than gold, but now they are thought of as clay jars made by the hands of a potter.

Even wild dogs give their milk to feed their young, but my people are cruel like ostriches in the desert.

The babies are so thirsty their tongues stick to the roofs of their mouths. Children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.

But now they are blacker than coal, and no one recognizes them in the streets. Their skin hangs on their bones; it is as dry as wood.

Your punishment is complete, Jerusalem. He will not send you into captivity again. But the Lord will punish the sins of Edom; he will uncover your evil.

Our ancestors sinned against you, but they are gone; now we suffer because of their sins.

But you rule forever, Lord . You will be King from now on.

but each of them had four faces and four wings.

and their wings touched each other. The living creatures did not turn when they moved, but each went straight ahead.

They may listen, or they may not, since they are a people who have turned against me. But they will know that a prophet has been among them.

But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they turn against me.

But you, human, listen to what I say to you. Don't turn against me as those people do. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you."

But the people of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, because they are not willing to listen to me. Yes, all the people of Israel are stubborn and will not obey.