Study Desk

People will forget about Tyre for 70 years—that is, about the length of a king's rule. After 70 years, Tyre will be like the prostitute in this song:

After 70 years, the Lord will review Tyre's case, and he will give her a decision. Tyre will again have trade. She will be like a prostitute for all the nations on earth.

But Tyre will not keep the money she earns. The profit from her trade will be saved for the Lord . Tyre will give that money to the people who serve the Lord to buy good food and nice clothes.

"Total Confusion" is a good name for this city. The city has been destroyed. People cannot enter the houses. The doors are blocked.

People still ask for wine in the marketplaces, but all the joy is gone. It was carried off with everything else.

We hear songs of praise for God from every place on earth. They praise the God who does what is right. But I say, "Enough! I have had enough. What I see is terrible. Traitors are turning against people and hurting them."

I see troubles for you people living in this land. I see fear, pits, and problems all around.

You have been a safe place for poor people in trouble. You are like a shelter from floods and shade from the heat when powerful men attack. They are like rain streaming down the walls that protect us from the storm.

The Lord All-Powerful will give a feast for all the people on this mountain. At the feast, there will be the best foods and wines. The meat will be good and tender, the wine pure and clear.

At that time people will say, "Here is our God! He is the one we have been waiting for. He has come to save us. We have been waiting for our Lord . So we will rejoice and be happy when he saves us."

Open the gates for the good people to enter. They are the God's faithful followers.

But, Lord , we are waiting for your way of justice. We want to honor you and your name.

Lord , your arm is raised to punish them, but they don't see it. Show them how strong your love is for your people. Then those who are evil will be ashamed. Yes, your fire will destroy your enemies.

But we struggled in pain for nothing. We gave birth only to wind. We did nothing to save the land. No one was born to live in the world.

My people, go into your rooms and lock your doors. Hide in there for a short time until God's anger is finished.

Look! The Lord is coming out from his place to judge the people of the world for the bad things they have done. The earth will reveal the blood that has been spilled on it. It will no longer hide the proof of those murders.

"I, the Lord , will care for the vineyard. I will water it at the right time. I will guard it day and night. No one will hurt it.

But if anyone comes to me for safety and wants to make peace with me, then let them come and make peace.

How will Jacob's guilt be forgiven? What will happen so his sins can be taken away? The rocks of the altar will be crushed to dust; the statues and altars for worshiping false gods will all be destroyed.

The vines will become dry, and the branches will break off. Women will use them for firewood. The people refuse to understand. So God, their Maker, will not comfort them or be kind to them.