Study Desk

My lover is mine, and I am his; he feeds his flock among the lilies.

I am trembling; you have made me as eager for love as a chariot driver is for battle.

The Woman I am a wall, and my breasts are its towers. My lover knows that with him I find contentment and peace.

The Lord said, "Earth and sky, listen to what I am saying! The children I brought up have rebelled against me.

He says, "Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats.

It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.

"Here is what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge around it, break down the wall that protects it, and let wild animals eat it and trample it down.

I said, "There is no hope for me! I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful, and I live among a people whose every word is sinful. And yet, with my own eyes I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."

Remember that I, the Lord Almighty, am holy; I am the one you must fear.

Because of my awesome holiness I am like a stone that people stumble over; I am like a trap that will catch the people of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and the people of Jerusalem.

Here I am with the children the Lord has given me. The Lord Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent us as living messages to the people of Israel.

The Lord said, "Assyria! I use Assyria like a club to punish those with whom I am angry.

But the Lord says, "When I finish what I am doing on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, I will punish the emperor of Assyria for all his boasting and all his pride."

The emperor of Assyria boasts, "I have done it all myself. I am strong and wise and clever. I wiped out the boundaries between nations and took the supplies they had stored. Like a bull I have trampled the people who live there.

The Lord says, "I am stirring up the Medes to attack Babylon. They care nothing for silver and are not tempted by gold.

I am going to frustrate the plans of the Egyptians and destroy their morale. They will ask their idols to help them, and they will go and consult mediums and ask the spirits of the dead for advice.

My head is spinning, and I am trembling with fear. I had been longing for evening to come, but it has brought me nothing but terror.

From the most distant parts of the world we will hear songs in praise of Israel, the righteous nation. But there is no hope for me! I am wasting away! Traitors continue to betray, and their treachery grows worse and worse.

I am no longer angry with the vineyard. If there were thorns and briers to fight against, I would burn them up completely.