Study Desk

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

Don't rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

Don't fret because of evildoers; don't envy the wicked.

It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something,

So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

Don't stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn't care for myself—my own vineyard.

You will be ashamed of your idol worship in groves of sacred oaks. You will blush because you worshiped in gardens dedicated to idols.

For the Lord has rejected his people, the descendants of Jacob, because they have filled their land with practices from the East and with sorcerers, as the Philistines do. They have made alliances with pagans.

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the Lord and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face.

So my people will go into exile far away because they do not know me. Those who are great and honored will starve, and the common people will die of thirst.

Nevertheless, there will be enough milk for everyone because so few people will be left in the land. They will eat their fill of yogurt and honey.

They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven

Kill this man's children! Let them die because of their father's sins! They must not rise and conquer the earth, filling the world with their cities."

Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings.

All the future events in this vision are like a sealed book to them. When you give it to those who can read, they will say, "We can't read it because it is sealed."

Because of this, I will once again astound these hypocrites with amazing wonders. The wisdom of the wise will pass away, and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear."

This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies,