Study Desk

So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from where I had hidden it. But now it was ruined; it was good for nothing.

These evil people refuse to listen to my warnings. They stubbornly do only what they want to do, and they follow other gods to serve and worship them. So they will become like this linen belt—good for nothing.

"Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: All leather bags for holding wine should be filled with wine.' People will say to you: ‘Of course, we know all wine bags should be filled with wine.'

Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness and before you slip and fall on the dark hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it into thick darkness; he will change it into deep gloom.

Jerusalem, look up and see the people coming from the north. Where is the flock God gave you to care for, the flock you bragged about?

I have seen the terrible things you have done: your acts of adultery and your snorting, your prostitution, your hateful acts on the hills and in the fields. How terrible it will be for you, Jerusalem. How long will you continue being unclean?"

We know that we suffer because of our sins. Lord , do something to help us for the good of your name. We have left you many times; we have sinned against you.

This is what the Lord says about the people of Judah: "They really love to wander from me; they don't stop themselves from leaving me. So now the Lord will not accept them. He will now remember the evil they do and will punish them for their sins."

Then the Lord said, "Don't pray for good things to happen to the people of Judah.

Lord , have you completely rejected the nation of Judah? Do you hate Jerusalem? Why have you hurt us so badly that we cannot be made well again? We hoped for peace, but nothing good has come. We looked for a time of healing, but only terror came.

For your sake, do not hate us. Do not take away the honor from your glorious throne. Remember your agreement with us, and do not break it.

Then the Lord said to me: "I would not feel sorry for the people of Judah even if Moses and Samuel prayed for them. Send them away from me! Tell them to go!

"Who will feel sorry for you, Jerusalem? Who will be sad and cry for you? Who will go out of his way to ask how you are?

The Lord said, "I have saved you for a good reason. I have made your enemies beg you in times of disaster and trouble.

Lord , you understand. Remember me and take care of me. Punish for me those who are hurting me. Don't destroy me while you remain patient with them. Think about the shame I suffer for you.

So this is what the Lord says: "If you change your heart and return to me, I will take you back. Then you may serve me. And if you speak things that have worth, not useless words, then you may speak for me. Let the people of Judah turn to you, but you must not change and be like them.

"They will die of terrible diseases, and no one will cry for them or bury them. Their bodies will lie on the ground like dung. They will die in war, or they will starve to death. Their bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals."

So this is what the Lord says: "Jeremiah, do not go into a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go there to cry for the dead or to show your sorrow for them, because I have taken back my blessing, my love, and my pity from these people," says the Lord .

"Important people and common people will die in the land of Judah. No one will bury them or cry for them or cut himself or shave his head to show sorrow for them.

No one will bring food to comfort those who are crying for the dead. No one will offer a drink to comfort someone whose mother or father has died.