Study Desk

But the next day when the sun rose, God sent a worm to attack the plant so that it died.

But God said to Jonah, "Do you think it is right for you to be angry about the plant?" Jonah answered, "It is right for me to be angry! I am so angry I could die!"

Pass on your way, naked and ashamed, you who live in Shaphir. Those who live in Zaanan won't come out. The people in Beth Ezel will cry, but they will not give you any support.

But I must say this, people of Jacob: The Lord is becoming angry about what you have done. My words are welcome to the person who does what is right.

But you are fighting against my people like an enemy. You take the coats from people who pass by; you rob them of their safety; you plan war.

But you people want a false prophet who will tell you nothing but lies. You want one who promises to prophesy good things for you if you give him wine and beer. He's just the prophet for you.

but you hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones.

They will cry to the Lord , but he won't answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them, because what they have done is evil."

The Lord says this about the prophets who teach his people the wrong way of living: "If these prophets are given food to eat, they shout, ‘Peace!' But if someone doesn't give them what they ask for, they call for a holy war against that person.

But I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord , and with justice and strength, to tell the people of Jacob how they have turned against God, and the people of Israel how they have sinned.

Its judges take money to decide who wins in court. Its priests only teach for pay, and its prophets only look into the future when they get paid. But they lean on the Lord and say, "The Lord is here with us, so nothing bad will happen to us."

All other nations may follow their own gods, but we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever.

People of Jerusalem, strain and be in pain. Be like a woman trying to give birth, because now you must leave the city and live in the field. You will go to Babylon, but you will be saved from that place. The Lord will go there and buy you back from your enemies.

But now many nations have come to fight against you, saying, "Let's destroy Jerusalem. We will look at her and be glad we have defeated her."

But they don't know what the Lord is thinking; they don't understand his plan. He has gathered them like bundles of grain to the threshing floor.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are too small to be among the army groups from Judah, from you will come one who will rule Israel for me. He comes from very old times, from days long ago."

You will eat, but you won't become full; you will still be hungry and empty. You will store up, but save nothing, and what you store up, the sword will destroy.

You will plant, but you won't harvest. You will step on your olives, but you won't get any oil from them. You will crush the grapes, but you will not drink the new wine.

Enemy, don't laugh at me. I have fallen, but I will get up again. I sit in the shadow of trouble now, but the Lord will be a light for me.

I sinned against the Lord , so he was angry with me, but he will defend my case in court. He will bring about what is right for me. Then he will bring me out into the light, and I will see him set things right.