Study Desk

So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary,and set Jacob apart for destructionand Israel for scorn.

For I will pour water on the thirsty landand streams on the dry ground;I will pour out my Spirit on your descendantsand my blessing on your offspring.

He cuts down cedars for his use,or he takes a cypress or an oak.He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.

A person can use it for fuel.He takes some of it and warms himself;also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;he even makes it into a god and worships it;he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.

He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.He bows down to it and worships;he prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.”

Such people do not comprehendand cannot understand,for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see,and their minds so they cannot understand.

Remember these things, Jacob,and Israel, for you are my servant;I formed you, you are my servant;Israel, you will never be forgotten by me.

I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,and your sins like a mist.Return to me,for I have redeemed you.

Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted;shout, depths of the earth.Break out into singing, mountains,forest, and every tree in it.For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,and glorifies himself through Israel.

I call you by your name,for the sake of my servant Jacoband Israel my chosen one.I give a name to you,though you do not know me.

I have stirred him up in righteousness,and will level all roads for him.He will rebuild my city,and set my exiles free,not for a price or a bribe,”says the Lord of Armies.

For this is what the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens,the God who formed the earth and made it,the one who established it(he did not create it to be a wasteland,but formed it to be inhabited)—he says, “I am the Lord,and there is no other.

Remember what happened long ago,for I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and no one is like me.

I call a bird of prey from the east,a man for my purpose from a far country.Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about.I have planned it; I will also do it.

Look, they are like stubble;fire burns them.They cannot rescue themselvesfrom the power of the flame.This is not a coal for warming themselves,or a fire to sit beside!

For they are named after the Holy City,and lean on the God of Israel;his name is the Lord of Armies.

You have never heard; you have never known;for a long time your ears have not been open.For I knew that you were very treacherous,and were known as a rebel from birth.

I will delay my anger for the sake of my name,and I will restrain myself for your benefit and for my praise,so that you will not be destroyed.

I will act for my own sake, indeed, my own,for how can I be defiled?I will not give my glory to another.

They did not thirstwhen he led them through the deserts;he made water flow from the rock for them;he split the rock, and water gushed out.