Study Desk

The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace." So says the Lord who loves you.

But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory." The Lord has spoken.

"My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat.

So also will be the word that I speak— it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.

"You will leave Babylon with joy; you will be led out of the city in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into singing, and the trees will shout for joy.

The Lord says to his people, "Do what is just and right, for soon I will save you.

"I will bring you to Zion, my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations."

You wear yourselves out looking for other gods, but you never give up. You think your obscene idols give you strength, and so you never grow weak.

The Lord says, "Who are these gods that make you afraid, so that you tell me lies and forget me completely? Have you stopped honoring me because I have kept silent for so long?

When you cry for help, let those idols of yours save you! A puff of wind will carry them off! But those who trust in me will live in the land and will worship me in my Temple."

There is no safety for sinners," says the Lord .

Don't think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help!

The people say, "Now we know why God does not save us from those who oppress us. We hope for light to walk by, but there is only darkness,

We are frightened and distressed. We long for God to save us from oppression and wrong, but nothing happens.

And I make a covenant with you: I have given you my power and my teachings to be yours forever, and from now on you are to obey me and teach your children and your descendants to obey me for all time to come."

Nations and kings will care for you As a mother nurses her child. You will know that I, the Lord , have saved you, That the mighty God of Israel sets you free.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the Lord himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

You will be like a beautiful crown for the Lord .

The Lord has made a solemn promise, And by his power he will carry it out: "Your grain will no longer be food for your enemies, And foreigners will no longer drink your wine.