Study Desk

But if I say, "I won't think about him, I won't speak in his name any more," then it seems as though a fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I wear myself out trying to hold it in, but I just can't do it.

Afterwards," says Adonai "I will hand over Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, his servants, the people, and anyone remaining alive in this city after the plague, war and famine, to N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel and to their enemies, to those who seek their lives; and he will put them to the sword. He will not spare them; he will have no pity, no compassion."'

Anyone who stays in this city will die by sword, famine and plague. But he who leaves and surrenders to the Kasdim besieging you will stay alive; his own life will be his only ‘spoils of war.'

"‘"If you are careful to do this, then future kings occupying David's throne will enter these palace gates riding in chariots and on horses — he, his servants and his people.

I will designate men to destroy you, each one with his weapons; they will chop down your choice cedars and throw them in the fire.'

Do not weep for [the king] who has died, do not mourn for him [Yoshiyahu]. But weep for him who departs [to Egypt], for he will never return or see his native land again.

For this is what Adonai says about Shalum the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah, who succeeded Yoshiyahu his father as king: "He has left this place, never to return;

"Woe to him who builds his palace unfairly, its upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbor work for free and will not give him his wages;

Therefore here is what Adonai says concerning Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah: "There will be no one to mourn for him, ‘Oh! My brother!' or ‘Oh! My sister!' There will be no one to mourn for him, ‘Oh! My master!' or ‘Oh! His glory!'

Is this man Koniyahu a despised, broken pot, an instrument nobody wants? Why are they being thrown out? Why are he and his offspring thrown out into a country they do not know?

This what Adonai says: "List this man as childless; he is a lifetime failure — none of his offspring will succeed, none will sit on David's throne or rule again in Y'hudah."

In his days Y'hudah will be saved, Isra'el will live in safety, and the name given to him will be Adonai Tzidkenu [ Adonai our righteousness].

Concerning the prophets: My heart within me is broken, all my bones are shaking; I am like a drunk, like a man overcome by wine, because of Adonai , because of his holy words.

But in the prophets of Yerushalayim I have seen a horrible thing — they commit adultery, live in lies, so encouraging evildoers that none returns from his sin. For me they have all become like S'dom, its inhabitants like ‘Amora."

But which of them has been present at the council of Adonai to see and hear his word? Who has paid attention to his word enough to hear it?"

Adonai 's anger will not abate till he fully accomplishes the purpose in his heart. In the acharit-hayamim, you will understand everything.

As for a prophet, cohen or [someone else from] this people who speaks about ‘the burden of Adonai ,' I will punish him and his household."

Don't use the expression, "burden of Adonai " any more; for every person's own word will be his burden. Must you twist the words of the living God, of Adonai -Tzva'ot, our God?

"But concerning the bad figs that are so bad as to be inedible, Adonai says: ‘I will make Tzidkiyahu the king of Y'hudah and his leaders resemble them, likewise the rest of Yerushalayim remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt.

Moreover, Adonai sent you all his servants the prophets — again, on numerous occasions — but you didn't listen or pay attention.