Study Desk

Daughters of Jerusalem,I am dark like the tents of Kedar,yet lovely like the curtains of Solomon.

Do not stare at me because I am dark,for the sun has gazed on me.My mother’s sons were angry with me;they made me take care of the vineyards.I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

I am a wildflower of Sharon,

Sustain me with raisins;refresh me with apricots,for I am lovesick.

My love is mine and I am his;he feeds among the lilies.

Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you,if you find my love,tell him that I am lovesick.

I am my love’s and my love is mine;he feeds among the lilies.

I am my love’s,and his desire is for me.

I am a walland my breasts like towers.So in his eyes I have becomelike one who finds peace.

I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.They have become a burden to me;I am tired of putting up with them.

Now I will tell youwhat I am about to do to my vineyard:I will remove its hedge,and it will be consumed;I will tear down its wall,and it will be trampled.

Here I am with the children the Lord has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Armies who dwells on Mount Zion.

Look! I am stirring up the Medes against them,who cannot be bought off with silverand who have no desire for gold.

The princes of Zoan are complete fools;Pharaoh’s wisest advisers give stupid advice!How can you say to Pharaoh,“I am one of the wise,a student of eastern kings”?

Therefore I am filled with anguish.Pain grips me, like the pain of a woman in labor.I am too perplexed to hear,too dismayed to see.

I am the Lord, who watches over itto water it regularly.So that no one disturbs it,I watch over it night and day.

I am not angry.If only there were thorns and briers for me to battle,I would trample themand burn them to the ground.

and none there will say, “I am sick.”The people who dwell therewill be forgiven their iniquity.

I am about to put a spirit in him and he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”

“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.