Study Desk

"Behold, I am bringing a nation against you from far away, you house of Israel," declares the LORD. "It is an enduring nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say.

"Yet even in those days," declares the LORD, "I will not make a complete destruction of you.

"And it shall come about when they say, 'Why has the LORD our God done all these things to us?' then you shall say to them, 'Just as you have abandoned Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you will serve strangers in a land that is not yours.'

'Do you not fear Me?' declares the LORD. 'Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal limit, and it will not cross over it. Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they will not cross over it.

'But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; They have turned aside and departed.

'For wicked people are found among My people, They watch like fowlers lying in wait; They set a trap, They catch people.

'Like a cage full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit; Therefore they have become great and rich.

'Shall I not punish them for these things?' declares the LORD, 'Or shall I not avenge Myself On a nation such as this?'

"Flee to safety, you sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem! Blow a trumpet in Tekoa And raise a warning signal over Beth-haccerem; For evil looks down from the north, Along with a great destruction.

"As a well keeps its waters fresh, So she keeps fresh her wickedness. Violence and destruction are heard in her; Sickness and wounds are constantly before Me.

"Be warned, Jerusalem, Or I shall be alienated from you, And make you a desolation, An uninhabited land."

This is what the LORD of armies says: "They will thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel like the vine; Pass your hand over the branches again Like a grape gatherer."

To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed And they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become for them a rebuke; They take no delight in it.

This is what the LORD says: "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

"For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me."

This is what the LORD says: "Behold, there is a people coming from the north land, And a great nation will be stirred up from the remote parts of the earth.

"They seize bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea, And they ride on horses, Lined up as a man for the battle Against you, daughter of Zion!"

We have heard the report of it; Our hands are limp. Anguish has seized us, Pain like that of a woman in childbirth.

Do not go out into the field, And do not walk on the road; For the enemy has a sword, Terror is on every side.

Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth And roll in ashes; Mourn as for an only son, A most bitter mourning. For suddenly the destroyer Will come against us.