Study Desk

For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore.

But be happy and rejoice forevermore over what I am about to create! For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem to be a source of joy, and her people to be a source of happiness.

For this is what the Lord says: "Look, I am ready to extend to her prosperity that will flow like a river, the riches of nations will flow into her like a stream that floods its banks. You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees.

"I hate their deeds and thoughts! So I am coming to gather all the nations and ethnic groups; they will come and witness my splendor.

"For just as the new heavens and the new earth I am about to make will remain standing before me," says the Lord , "so your descendants and your name will remain.

I answered, "Oh, Lord God , I really do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young."

The Lord said to me, "Do not say, ‘I am too young.' But go to whomever I send you and say whatever I tell you.

Then the Lord said, "You have observed correctly. This means I am watching to make sure my threats are carried out."

"Go and shout this message to my people in the countries in the north. Tell them, ‘Come back to me, wayward Israel,' says the Lord . ‘I will not continue to look on you with displeasure. For I am merciful,' says the Lord . ‘I will not be angry with you forever.

"Come back to me, my wayward sons," says the Lord , "for I am your true master. If you do, I will take one of you from each town and two of you from each family group, and I will bring you back to Zion.

Raise a signal flag that tells people to go to Zion. Run for safety! Do not delay! For I am about to bring disaster out of the north. It will bring great destruction.

No, a wind too strong for that will come at my bidding. Yes, even now I, myself, am calling down judgment on them.'

In fact, I hear a cry like that of a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like that of a woman giving birth to her first baby. It is the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, reaching out for help, saying, "I am done in! My life is ebbing away before these murderers!"

The Lord says, "Listen, nation of Israel! I am about to bring a nation from far away to attack you. It will be a nation that was founded long ago and has lasted for a long time. It will be a nation whose language you will not know. Its people will speak words that you will not be able to understand.

I am as full of anger as you are, Lord , I am tired of trying to hold it in." The Lord answered, "Vent it, then, on the children who play in the street and on the young men who are gathered together. Husbands and wives are to be included, as well as the old and those who are advanced in years.

Hear this, you peoples of the earth: ‘Take note! I am about to bring disaster on these people. It will come as punishment for their scheming. For they have paid no attention to what I have said, and they have rejected my law.

But I am not really the one being troubled!" says the Lord . "Rather they are bringing trouble on themselves to their own shame!

The Lord says, "Yes indeed, I am sending an enemy against you that will be like poisonous snakes which cannot be charmed away. And they will inflict fatal wounds on you."

Then I said, "There is no cure for my grief! I am sick at heart!

My heart is crushed because my dear people are being crushed. I go about crying and grieving. I am overwhelmed with dismay.