Study Desk

But if people want to brag, let them brag that they understand and know me. Let them brag that I am the Lord , and that I am kind and fair, and that I do things that are right on earth. This kind of bragging pleases me," says the Lord .

Mother, I am sorry that you gave birth to me since I must accuse and criticize the whole land. I have not loaned or borrowed anything, but everyone curses me.

Your words came to me, and I listened carefully to them. Your words made me very happy, because I am called by your name, Lord God All-Powerful.

I will make you as strong as a wall to this people, as strong as a wall of bronze. They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, because I am with you. I will rescue you and save you," says the Lord .

"So, say this to the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: I am preparing disaster for you and making plans against you. So stop doing evil. Change your ways and do what is right.'

Lord , you tricked me, and I was fooled. You are stronger than I am, so you won. I have become a joke; everyone makes fun of me all day long.

Every time I speak, I shout. I am always shouting about violence and destruction. I tell the people about the message I received from the Lord , but this only brings me insults. The people make fun of me all day long.

"‘Jerusalem, I am against you, you who live on top of the mountain over this valley, says the Lord . You say, "No one can attack us or come into our strong city."

"I am a God who is near," says the Lord . "I am also a God who is far away.

"So I am against the false prophets," says the Lord . "They keep stealing words from each other and say they are from me.

I am against the false prophets," says the Lord . "They use their own words and pretend it is a message from me.

I am against the prophets who prophesy false dreams," says the Lord . "They mislead my people with their lies and false teachings! I did not send them or command them to do anything for me. They can't help the people of Judah at all," says the Lord .

I will make them want to know me, that I am the Lord . They will be my people, and I will be their God, because they will return to me with their whole hearts.

The Lord , the God of Israel, said this to me: "My anger is like the wine in a cup. Take it from my hand and make all the nations, to whom I am sending you, drink all of my anger from this cup.

They will drink my anger and stumble about and act like madmen because of the war I am going to send among them."

"Then say to them, ‘This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: Drink this cup of my anger. Get drunk from it and vomit. Fall down and don't get up because of the war I am sending among you!'

Look! I am already bringing disaster on Jerusalem, the city that is called by my name. Do you think you will not be punished? You will be punished! I am sending war on all the people of the earth, says the Lord All-Powerful.'

Maybe they will listen and stop their evil ways. If they will, I will change my mind about bringing on them the disaster that I am planning because of the evil they have done.

As for me, I am in your power. Do to me what you think is good and right.

"But listen to what I am going to say to you and all the people.