Study Desk

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;the Lord takes vengeanceand is fierce in wrath.The Lord takes vengeance against his foes;he is furious with his enemies.

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.His path is in the whirlwind and storm,and clouds are the dust beneath his feet.

The mountains quake before him,and the hills melt;the earth trembles at his presence—the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand his indignation?Who can endure his burning anger?His wrath is poured out like fire;even rocks are shattered before him.

But he will completely destroy Ninevehwith an overwhelming flood,and he will chase his enemies into darkness.

For I will now break off his yoke from youand tear off your shackles.

The shields of his warriors are dyed red;the valiant men are dressed in scarlet.The fittings of the chariot flash like fireon the day of its battle preparations,and the spears are brandished.

He gives orders to his officers;they stumble as they advance.They race to its wall;the protective shield is set in place.

Look, his ego is inflated;he is without integrity.But the righteous one will live by his faith.

Moreover, wine betrays;an arrogant man is never at rest.He enlarges his appetite like Sheol,and like Death he is never satisfied.He gathers all the nations to himself;he collects all the peoples for himself.

Won’t all of these take up a taunt against him,with mockery and riddles about him?They will say:Woe to him who amasses what is not his—how much longer?—and loads himself with goods taken in pledge.

Woe to him who dishonestly makeswealth for his houseto place his nest on high,to escape the grasp of disaster!

Woe to him who gives his neighbors drink,pouring out your wrathand even making them drunk,in order to look at their nakedness!

But the Lord is in his holy temple;let the whole earthbe silent in his presence.

God comes from Teman,the Holy One from Mount Paran.SelahHis splendor covers the heavens,and the earth is full of his praise.

His brilliance is like light;rays are flashing from his hand.This is where his power is hidden.

Plague goes before him,and pestilence follows in his steps.

You pierce his headwith his own spears;his warriors storm out to scatter us,gloating as if ready to secretly devour the weak.

Be silent in the presence of the Lord God,for the day of the Lord is near.Indeed, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice;he has consecrated his guests.

Their silver and their goldwill be unable to rescue themon the day of the Lord’s wrath.The whole earth will be consumedby the fire of his jealousy,for he will make a complete,yes, a horrifying endof all the inhabitants of the earth.