Study Desk

But the Lord All-Powerful sends up in flames what nations and people work so hard to gain.

His troops had come like a storm, hoping to scatter us and glad to gobble us down. To them we were refugees in hiding— but you smashed their heads with their own weapons.

When I heard this message, I felt weak from fear, and my lips quivered. My bones seemed to melt, and I stumbled around. But I will patiently wait. Someday those vicious enemies will be struck by disaster.

but I will still celebrate because the Lord God saves me.

All who do evil are shameless, but the Lord does right and is always fair. With the dawn of each day, God brings about justice.

God felt certain that Jerusalem would learn to respect and obey him. Then he would hold back from punishing the city and not wipe it out. But everyone there was eager to start sinning again.

But I, the Lord , won't destroy any of your people who are truly humble and turn to me for safety.

that the Lord All-Powerful had said to them and to the people: You say this isn't the right time to build a temple for me. But is it right for you to live in expensive houses, while my temple is a pile of ruins? Just look at what's happening.

But first, go to the hills and get wood for my temple, so I can take pride in it and be worshiped there.

You expected much, but received only a little. And when you brought it home, I made that little disappear. Why have I done this? It's because you hurry off to build your own houses, while my temple is still in ruins.

But cheer up! Because I, the Lord All-Powerful, will be here to help you with the work,

But from now on, things will get better. Before you started laying the foundation for the temple,

I made all of your hard work useless by sending mildew, mold, and hail—but you still did not return to me, your Lord .

But tell my servant Zerubbabel that I, the Lord All-Powerful, have chosen him, and he will rule in my name.

Israel, I, the Lord All-Powerful, was very angry with your ancestors. But if you people will return to me, I will turn and help you.

Don't be stubborn like your ancestors. They were warned by the earlier prophets to give up their evil and turn back to me, but they paid no attention.

But my warnings and my words spoken by the prophets caught up with your ancestors. So they turned back to me and said, " Lord All-Powerful, you have punished us for our sins, just as you had planned."

For a while I was angry at the nations, but now I am furious, because they have made things worse for Jerusalem and are not the least bit concerned.

But the Lord said, "Satan, you are wrong. Jerusalem is my chosen city, and this man was rescued like a stick from a flaming fire."

But, sir, what do these mean?"