Study Desk

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.

Kings and queens will serve you and care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord . Those who trust in me will never be put to shame."

I will feed your enemies with their own flesh. They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood. All the world will know that I, the Lord , am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel."

"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?

For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!'"

But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them."

This is what the Lord says: "Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.

Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. "Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

Powerful kings and mighty nations will satisfy your every need, as though you were a child nursing at the breast of a queen. You will know at last that I, the Lord , am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.

The Lord says, "I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!' to a nation that did not call on my name.

Yet they say to each other, ‘Don't come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!' These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.

"Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.

And the Lord said, "That's right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans."

Listen! I am calling the armies of the kingdoms of the north to come to Jerusalem. I, the Lord , have spoken! "They will set their thrones at the gates of the city. They will attack its walls and all the other towns of Judah.

They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord , have spoken!"

Therefore, go and give this message to Israel. This is what the Lord says: "O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.

"Return home, you wayward children," says the Lord , "for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel— one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered.