Study Desk

But be glad and have joy forever in what I make. For see, I make Jerusalem for joy, and her people for happiness.

No more will there be in it a child who lives only a few days, or an old man who does not live many years. For the child will live to be a hundred years old. And the one who does not live a hundred years will be thought to be cursed.

They will not build a house and another live in it. They will not plant and another eat. For My people will live a long time, like the days of a tree. And for a long time My chosen ones will enjoy the work of their hands.

They will not work for nothing, or give birth to children and have trouble. For they will be the children of those who receive good from the Lord, and their children with them.

The Lord says, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is the place where I rest My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

Be glad with Jerusalem and have joy in her, all you who love her. Be filled with joy for her, all you who have sorrow for her.

For the Lord says, "See, I will give peace to her like a river, and the greatness of the nations like a river flowing over. And you will be nursed. You will be carried at the side and given loving-kindness on the knees.

For see, the Lord will come in fire. His war-wagons will be like a very strong wind. And He will show His anger with fire.

"For I know their works and their thoughts. The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they will come and see My shining-greatness.

I will take some of them for religious leaders and for Levites," says the Lord.

"Then they will go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have sinned against Me. For their worm will not die, and their fire will not be put out. And they will be a hated thing to all people."

"Before I started to put you together in your mother, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart as holy. I chose you to speak to the nations for Me."

Do not be afraid of them. For I am with you to take you out of trouble," says the Lord.

Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching to see that My Word is completed."

For, see, I am calling all the families of the nations of the north," says the Lord. "And they will come. Then every one will set up his throne at the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls around it, and against all the cities of Judah.

And I will tell how they are to be punished for all their sin. For they have turned away from Me and have given gifts to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.

Now get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I tell you. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make trouble for you in front of them.

Today I have made you as a strong city ready for war, as a pillar of iron and as walls of brass against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, the rulers, its religious leaders, and the people of the land.

And they will fight against you. But they will not have power over you, for I am with you to take you out of trouble," says the Lord.

Has a nation changed its gods, even when they are not gods? But My people have changed their greatness for that which does not help them.