Study Desk

And you, O region of the sea, shall become pastures and meadows for shepherds and sheep pens for the flocks.

And it shall become a region for the remnant of the house of Judah; upon them they shall graze, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down in the evening. For Yahweh their God shall be mindful of them, and he will restore their fortunes.

This shall be for them in place of their pride because they mocked and boasted against the people of Yahweh of hosts.

Yahweh will be awesome against them, for he will destroy all the gods of the earth and all the lands of the nations; each in its place will bow down to him.

Herds shall lie down in her midst, every wild animal of a nation; even the desert owl and the screech owl shall lodge on her capitals. A voice shall hoot in the window; rubble on the threshold; for the cedar is laid bare.

This is the city of rejoicing that lived securely; the one saying in her heart, "I am, and there is none besides me." How she has become a desolation, a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

"Therefore, wait for me"—a declaration of Yahweh— "for the day of my rising as a witness. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out my wrath upon them, all my burning anger. For by the fire of my anger all the land shall be consumed.

On that day you shall not be humiliated on account of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against me. For then I shall remove from your midst those exulting in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain.

The remnant of Israel shall not do wickedness; they shall not speak deception, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall frighten them."

Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Cry aloud, O Israel! Rejoice and be jubilant with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

At that time I will bring you in; at the time of my gathering you together. For I will make you renowned and praised among all the nations of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says Yahweh.

"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your houses that have been paneled while this house is desolate?"

‘You have looked for much, and look! It came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' declares Yahweh of hosts. ‘Because my house is desolate and you are running each to your own house!

I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and wild animals, and on all their labor.'"

For thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and dry land.

"Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Ask now the priests for a ruling:

‘On that day,' declares Yahweh of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant,' declares Yahweh, ‘and I will make you a signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares Yahweh of hosts."

And the angel who was talking with me said to me, "Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts: "I am very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion!

And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease, for while I was a little angry, they furthered disaster."

And I will be for it a wall of fire all around,' declares Yahweh, ‘and I will be the glory in its midst.'"