Study Desk

They roar over mountains like noisy chariots, or a mighty army ready for battle. They are a forest fire that feasts on straw.

I am the Lord your God. Perhaps I will change my mind and treat you with mercy. Then you will be blessed with enough grain and wine for offering sacrifices to me.

I, the Lord your God, will make up for the losses caused by those swarms and swarms of locusts I sent to attack you.

My people, you will eat until you are satisfied. Then you will praise me for the wonderful things I have done. Never again will you be put to shame.

and gambled to see who would get my people; they sold boys and girls to pay for prostitutes and wine.

Say to the nations: "Get ready for war! Be eager to fight. Line up for battle and prepare to attack.

From the heart of Jerusalem the Lord roars like a lion, shaking the earth and sky. But the Lord is a fortress, a place of safety for his people Israel.

The Lord said: I will punish Syria for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They dragged logs with spikes over the people of Gilead.

The Lord said: I will punish Philistia for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They dragged off my people from town after town to sell them as slaves to the Edomites.

The Lord said: I will punish Phoenicia for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They broke their treaty and dragged off my people from town after town to sell them as slaves to the Edomites.

The Lord said: I will punish Edom for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They killed their own relatives and were so terribly furious that they showed no mercy.

The Lord said: I will punish Ammon for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. In Gilead they ripped open pregnant women, just to take the land.

The Lord said: I will punish Moab for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They made lime from the bones of the king of Edom.

The Lord said: I will punish Judah for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They have rejected my teachings and refused to obey me. They were led astray by the same false gods their ancestors worshiped.

The Lord said: I will punish Israel for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They sell honest people for money, and the needy are sold for the price of sandals.

They lie down beside altars on clothes taken as security for loans. And they drink wine in my temple, wine bought with the money they received from fines.

I had rescued you from Egypt, and for forty years I had led you through the desert. Then I gave you the land of the Amorites.

Here is a message for the leaders of Philistia and Egypt— tell everyone to come together on the hills of Samaria. Let them see the injustice and the lawlessness in that city.

When I, the Lord , punish Israel for their sins, I will destroy the altars at Bethel. Even the corners of the altar will be left in the dirt.

This is what the Lord has sworn: Noisy crying will be heard in every town and street. Even farmers will be told to mourn for the dead, together with those who are paid to mourn.