Study Desk

But I had pity on them. I did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert.

"‘But the children turned against me. They did not live by my rules, nor were they careful to obey my laws, by which people will live if they obey them. They dishonored my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger against them in the desert.

But I held back my anger. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations who watched as I brought the Israelites out.

I will get rid of those who refuse to obey me and who turn against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord .

"‘This is what the Lord God says: People of Israel, go serve your idols for now. But later you will listen to me; you will not continue to dishonor my holy name with your gifts and gods.

It is made sharp for the killing. It is polished to flash like lightning. "‘You are not happy about this horrible punishment by the sword. But my son Judah, you did not change when you were only beaten with a rod.

The people of Jerusalem have made agreements with other nations to help them fight Babylon. So they will think this prediction is wrong, but it is really proof of their sin, and they will be captured.

But you, yourself, will be dishonored in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord .'"

"I looked for someone to build up the walls and to stand before me where the walls are broken to defend these people so I would not have to destroy them. But I could not find anyone.

"Her sister Jerusalem saw what happened, but she became worse than her sister in her sexual desire and prostitution.

"But Jerusalem went even further. She saw carvings of Babylonian men on a wall. They wore red

But she continued her prostitution so openly that everyone knew about it. And I finally became sick of her, as I had her sister.

But she remembered how she was a young prostitute in Egypt, so she took part in even more prostitution.

"This is what the Lord God says: You became tired of your lovers, but I am going to hand you over to those men you now hate.

Then I said about the one who was worn out by her acts of adultery, ‘Let them continue their sexual sins with her. She is nothing but a prostitute.'

But men who do right will punish them as they punish women who take part in adultery and who murder people, because they are guilty of adultery and murder.

But efforts to clean the pot have failed. Its heavy rust cannot be removed, even in the fire.

"‘By your sinful action you have become unclean. I wanted to cleanse you, but you are still unclean. You will never be cleansed from your sin until my anger against you is carried out.

"Human, I am going to take your wife from you, the woman you look at with love. She will die suddenly, but you must not be sad or cry loudly for her or shed any tears.

‘Say to the people of Israel, This is what the Lord God says: I am going to dishonor my Temple. You think it gives you strength. You are proud of it, and you look at it with love and tenderness. But your sons and daughters that you left behind in Jerusalem will fall dead by the sword.