Study Desk

but Ashpenaz said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my master, the king. He ordered me to give you this food and drink. If you begin to look worse than other young men your age, the king will see this. Then he will cut off my head because of you."

The Most High God has done miracles and wonderful things for me that I am happy to tell you about.

The man I am talking about is named Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. He was very wise and had knowledge and understanding. He could explain dreams and secrets and could answer very hard problems. Call for Daniel. He will tell you what the writing on the wall means."

My God sent his angel to close the lions' mouths. They have not hurt me, because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, O king."

I am making a new law for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel. Daniel's God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, so I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "Master, I am upset and afraid because of what I saw in the vision. I feel helpless.

The Lord said, "Name him Lo-Ammi, because you are not my people, and I am not your God.

"Plead with your mother. Accuse her, because she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband. Tell her to stop acting like a prostitute, to stop behaving like an unfaithful wife.

"So I am going to attract her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.

I am like a moth to Israel, like a rot to the people of Judah.

I hate the calf-shaped idol of Israel! I am very angry with the people. How long will they remain unclean?

When I am ready, I will come to punish them. Nations will come together against them, and they will be punished for their double sins.

I won't punish you in my anger, and I won't destroy Israel again. I am God and not a human; I am the Holy One, and I am among you. I will not come against you in anger.

Israel said, "I am rich! I am someone with power!" All their money will do them no good because of the sins they have done.

"But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again as you used to do on worship days.

"I, the Lord , have been your God since you were in the land of Egypt. You should have known no other God except me. I am the only one who saves.

The Lord says, "I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them anymore.

Israel, have nothing to do with idols. I, the Lord , am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from me."

Lord , I am calling to you for help, because fire has burned up the open pastures, and flames have burned all the trees in the field.

Then you will know that I am among the people of Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other God. My people will never be shamed again.