Study Desk

when I am ready to heal Isra'el, the crimes of Efrayim confront me, along with the wickedness of Shomron. For they keep practicing deceit; thieves break in, bands of robbers raid outside.

Woe to them! for they have strayed from me. Destruction to them! for they have wronged me. Am I supposed to redeem them, when they have spoken lies against me?

I will not give vent to the fierceness of my rage, I will not return to destroy Efrayim; for I am God, not a human being, the Holy One among you; so I will not come in fury.

class="poetry"> "When Isra'el was a child, I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more [the prophets] called them, the farther they went from them. They sacrificed to the ba‘alim and offered incense to idols. "Yet it was I who taught Efrayim to walk; I took them by their arms. But they did not know that it was I who was healing them, who was guiding them on through human means with reins made of love. With them I was like someone removing the yoke from their jaws, and I bent down to feed them. He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Ashur will be his king, because they refused to repent. The sword will fall on his cities, destroying the bars of his gates, because they follow their own advice. My people are hanging in suspense about returning to me; and though they call them upwards, nobody makes a move. Efrayim, how can I give you up, or surrender you, Isra'el? How could I treat you like Admah or make you like Tzvoyim? My heart recoils at the idea, as compassion warms within me. I will not give vent to the fierceness of my rage, I will not return to destroy Efrayim; for I am God, not a human being, the Holy One among you; so I will not come in fury. They will go after Adonai , who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west. They will tremble like a bird as they come from Egypt, like a dove as they come from the land of Ashur; and I will resettle them in their own houses, says Adonai .

"But I am Adonai your God, from the land of Egypt. Again I will make you live in tents, as in the days of the established festival.

Still, I am Adonai your God, from the land of Egypt; and you don't know any God but me or, other than me, any Savior.

lass="poetry"> "When Efrayim spoke, there was trembling; he was a power in Isra'el. But when he incurred guilt through Ba‘al, he died. So now they keep adding sin to sin, casting images from their silver; idols they invent for themselves, all of them the work of craftsmen. ‘Sacrifice to them,' they say. Men give kisses to calves! Therefore they will be like a morning cloud, like the dew that disappears early, like chaff blown by wind from the threshing-floor, or like smoke that goes out the window. Still, I am Adonai your God, from the land of Egypt; and you don't know any God but me or, other than me, any Savior. I knew you in the desert, in a land of terrible drought. When they were fed, they were satisfied; when satisfied, they became proud. Therefore they forgot me. So now I have become like a lion to them; like a leopard I will lurk by the road; I will meet them like a bear whose cubs have been taken away. I will tear their hearts from their bodies. I will devour them there like a lion, like a wild animal ripping them up. It is your destruction, Isra'el, although your help is in me. So now, where is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and leaders'? I gave you a king in my anger; and in my fury I took him away. "Efrayim's guilt has been wrapped up, his sin is stored away. The pain of being born will come to him; but he is an unwise son. The time has come; and he shouldn't delay, there at the mouth of the womb. Should I ransom them from the power of Sh'ol? Should I redeem them from death? Where are your plagues, death; where is your destruction, Sh'ol? My eyes are closed to compassion. For though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come, a wind from Adonai , blowing up from the desert. Then his water source will dry up, then his spring will fail — it will plunder his treasury, removing every precious thing."

Efrayim [will say], ‘What have I to do any more with idols?' And I, I answer and affirm him; I am like a fresh, green cypress tree; your fruitfulness comes from me." Let the wise understand these things, and let the discerning know them. For the ways of Adonai are straight, And the righteous walk in them, but in them sinners stumble.

You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

class="poetry"> "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of Adonai is coming! It's upon us! — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick fog; a great and mighty horde is spreading like blackness over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be again, not even after the years of many generations. Ahead of them a fire devours, behind them a flame consumes; ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden, behind them a desert waste. From them there is no escape. They look like horses, and like cavalry they charge. With a rumble like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like crackling flames devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array. At their presence the peoples writhe in anguish, every face is drained of color. Like warriors they charge, they scale the wall like soldiers. Each one keeps to his own course, without getting in the other's way. They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank. They rush into the city, they run along the wall, they climb up into the houses, entering like a thief through the windows. At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining. Adonai shouts orders to his forces — his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of Adonai , fearsome, terrifying! Who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Adonai , "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting." Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster. Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him, [enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings to present to Adonai your God. "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Proclaim a holy fast, call for a solemn assembly." Gather the people; consecrate the congregation; assemble the leaders; gather the children, even infants sucking at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride the bridal chamber. Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai , stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Adonai ! Don't expose your heritage to mockery, or make them a byward among the Goyim. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?'" Then Adonai will become jealous for his land and have pity on his people. Here is how Adonai will answer his people: "I will send you grain, wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you; and no longer will I make you a mockery among the Goyim. No, I will take the northerner away, far away from you, and drive him to a land that is waste and barren; with his vanguard toward the eastern sea and his rearguard toward the western sea, his stench and his rottenness will rise, because he has done great things." Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for Adonai has done great things. Don't be afraid, wild animals; for the desert pastures are green, the trees are putting out their fruit, the fig tree and vine are giving full yield. Be glad, people of Tziyon! rejoice in Adonai your God! For he is giving you the right amount of rain in the fall, he makes the rain come down for you, the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first. Then the floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil. "I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you. You will eat until you are satisfied and will praise the name of Adonai your God, who has done with you such wonders. Then my people will never again be shamed. You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

class="poetry"> "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of Adonai is coming! It's upon us! — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick fog; a great and mighty horde is spreading like blackness over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be again, not even after the years of many generations. Ahead of them a fire devours, behind them a flame consumes; ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden, behind them a desert waste. From them there is no escape. They look like horses, and like cavalry they charge. With a rumble like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like crackling flames devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array. At their presence the peoples writhe in anguish, every face is drained of color. Like warriors they charge, they scale the wall like soldiers. Each one keeps to his own course, without getting in the other's way. They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank. They rush into the city, they run along the wall, they climb up into the houses, entering like a thief through the windows. At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining. Adonai shouts orders to his forces — his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of Adonai , fearsome, terrifying! Who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Adonai , "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting." Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster. Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him, [enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings to present to Adonai your God. "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Proclaim a holy fast, call for a solemn assembly." Gather the people; consecrate the congregation; assemble the leaders; gather the children, even infants sucking at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride the bridal chamber. Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai , stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Adonai ! Don't expose your heritage to mockery, or make them a byward among the Goyim. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?'" Then Adonai will become jealous for his land and have pity on his people. Here is how Adonai will answer his people: "I will send you grain, wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you; and no longer will I make you a mockery among the Goyim. No, I will take the northerner away, far away from you, and drive him to a land that is waste and barren; with his vanguard toward the eastern sea and his rearguard toward the western sea, his stench and his rottenness will rise, because he has done great things." Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for Adonai has done great things. Don't be afraid, wild animals; for the desert pastures are green, the trees are putting out their fruit, the fig tree and vine are giving full yield. Be glad, people of Tziyon! rejoice in Adonai your God! For he is giving you the right amount of rain in the fall, he makes the rain come down for you, the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first. Then the floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil. "I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you. You will eat until you are satisfied and will praise the name of Adonai your God, who has done with you such wonders. Then my people will never again be shamed. You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

class="poetry"> "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of Adonai is coming! It's upon us! — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick fog; a great and mighty horde is spreading like blackness over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be again, not even after the years of many generations. Ahead of them a fire devours, behind them a flame consumes; ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden, behind them a desert waste. From them there is no escape. They look like horses, and like cavalry they charge. With a rumble like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like crackling flames devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array. At their presence the peoples writhe in anguish, every face is drained of color. Like warriors they charge, they scale the wall like soldiers. Each one keeps to his own course, without getting in the other's way. They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank. They rush into the city, they run along the wall, they climb up into the houses, entering like a thief through the windows. At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining. Adonai shouts orders to his forces — his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of Adonai , fearsome, terrifying! Who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Adonai , "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting." Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster. Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him, [enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings to present to Adonai your God. "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Proclaim a holy fast, call for a solemn assembly." Gather the people; consecrate the congregation; assemble the leaders; gather the children, even infants sucking at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride the bridal chamber. Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai , stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Adonai ! Don't expose your heritage to mockery, or make them a byward among the Goyim. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?'" Then Adonai will become jealous for his land and have pity on his people. Here is how Adonai will answer his people: "I will send you grain, wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you; and no longer will I make you a mockery among the Goyim. No, I will take the northerner away, far away from you, and drive him to a land that is waste and barren; with his vanguard toward the eastern sea and his rearguard toward the western sea, his stench and his rottenness will rise, because he has done great things." Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for Adonai has done great things. Don't be afraid, wild animals; for the desert pastures are green, the trees are putting out their fruit, the fig tree and vine are giving full yield. Be glad, people of Tziyon! rejoice in Adonai your God! For he is giving you the right amount of rain in the fall, he makes the rain come down for you, the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first. Then the floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil. "I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you. You will eat until you are satisfied and will praise the name of Adonai your God, who has done with you such wonders. Then my people will never again be shamed. You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

class="poetry"> "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of Adonai is coming! It's upon us! — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick fog; a great and mighty horde is spreading like blackness over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be again, not even after the years of many generations. Ahead of them a fire devours, behind them a flame consumes; ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden, behind them a desert waste. From them there is no escape. They look like horses, and like cavalry they charge. With a rumble like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like crackling flames devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array. At their presence the peoples writhe in anguish, every face is drained of color. Like warriors they charge, they scale the wall like soldiers. Each one keeps to his own course, without getting in the other's way. They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank. They rush into the city, they run along the wall, they climb up into the houses, entering like a thief through the windows. At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining. Adonai shouts orders to his forces — his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of Adonai , fearsome, terrifying! Who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Adonai , "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting." Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster. Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him, [enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings to present to Adonai your God. "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Proclaim a holy fast, call for a solemn assembly." Gather the people; consecrate the congregation; assemble the leaders; gather the children, even infants sucking at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride the bridal chamber. Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai , stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Adonai ! Don't expose your heritage to mockery, or make them a byward among the Goyim. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?'" Then Adonai will become jealous for his land and have pity on his people. Here is how Adonai will answer his people: "I will send you grain, wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you; and no longer will I make you a mockery among the Goyim. No, I will take the northerner away, far away from you, and drive him to a land that is waste and barren; with his vanguard toward the eastern sea and his rearguard toward the western sea, his stench and his rottenness will rise, because he has done great things." Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for Adonai has done great things. Don't be afraid, wild animals; for the desert pastures are green, the trees are putting out their fruit, the fig tree and vine are giving full yield. Be glad, people of Tziyon! rejoice in Adonai your God! For he is giving you the right amount of rain in the fall, he makes the rain come down for you, the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first. Then the floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil. "I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you. You will eat until you are satisfied and will praise the name of Adonai your God, who has done with you such wonders. Then my people will never again be shamed. You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

class="poetry"> "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of Adonai is coming! It's upon us! — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick fog; a great and mighty horde is spreading like blackness over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be again, not even after the years of many generations. Ahead of them a fire devours, behind them a flame consumes; ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden, behind them a desert waste. From them there is no escape. They look like horses, and like cavalry they charge. With a rumble like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like crackling flames devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array. At their presence the peoples writhe in anguish, every face is drained of color. Like warriors they charge, they scale the wall like soldiers. Each one keeps to his own course, without getting in the other's way. They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank. They rush into the city, they run along the wall, they climb up into the houses, entering like a thief through the windows. At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining. Adonai shouts orders to his forces — his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of Adonai , fearsome, terrifying! Who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Adonai , "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting." Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster. Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him, [enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings to present to Adonai your God. "Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Proclaim a holy fast, call for a solemn assembly." Gather the people; consecrate the congregation; assemble the leaders; gather the children, even infants sucking at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride the bridal chamber. Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai , stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Adonai ! Don't expose your heritage to mockery, or make them a byward among the Goyim. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?'" Then Adonai will become jealous for his land and have pity on his people. Here is how Adonai will answer his people: "I will send you grain, wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you; and no longer will I make you a mockery among the Goyim. No, I will take the northerner away, far away from you, and drive him to a land that is waste and barren; with his vanguard toward the eastern sea and his rearguard toward the western sea, his stench and his rottenness will rise, because he has done great things." Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for Adonai has done great things. Don't be afraid, wild animals; for the desert pastures are green, the trees are putting out their fruit, the fig tree and vine are giving full yield. Be glad, people of Tziyon! rejoice in Adonai your God! For he is giving you the right amount of rain in the fall, he makes the rain come down for you, the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first. Then the floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil. "I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you. You will eat until you are satisfied and will praise the name of Adonai your God, who has done with you such wonders. Then my people will never again be shamed. You will know that I am with Isra'el and that I am Adonai your God, and that there is no other. Then my people will never again be shamed.

Adonai asked me, "‘Amos, what do you see?" I answered, "A plumbline." Then Adonai said, "I am going to put a plumbline in among my people Isra'el; I will never again overlook their offenses.

‘Amos gave this answer to Amatzyah: "I am not trained as a prophet, and I'm not one of the guild prophets — I own sheep and grow figs.

"I am making you the least of all nations, you will be beneath contempt.

He answered them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear Adonai , the God of heaven, who made both the sea and the dry land."

The word of Adonai came to Yonah the son of Amitai: "Set out for the great city of Ninveh, and proclaim to it that their wickedness has come to my attention." But Yonah, in order to get away from Adonai , prepared to escape to Tarshish. He went down to Yafo, found a ship headed for Tarshish, paid the fare and went aboard, intending to travel with them to Tarshish and get away from Adonai . However, Adonai let loose over the sea a violent wind, which created such stormy conditions that the ship threatened to break to pieces. The sailors were frightened, and each cried out to his god. They threw the cargo overboard to make the ship easier for them to control. Meanwhile, Yonah had gone down below into the hold, where he lay, fast asleep. The ship's captain found him and said to him, "What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Maybe the god will remember us, and we won't die." Then they said to each other, "Come, let's draw lots to find out who is to blame for this calamity." They drew lots, and Yonah was singled out. They said to him, "Tell us now, why has this calamity come upon us? What work do you do? Where are you from? What is your country? Which is your people?" He answered them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear Adonai , the God of heaven, who made both the sea and the dry land." At this the men grew very afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done?" For the men knew he was trying to get away from Adonai , since he had told them. They asked him, "What should we do to you, so that the sea will be calm for us?" — for the sea was getting rougher all the time. "Pick me up," he told them, "and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you; because I know it's my fault that this terrible storm has come over you." Nevertheless, the men rowed hard, trying to reach the shore. But they couldn't, because the sea kept growing wilder against them. Finally they cried to Adonai , "Please, Adonai , please! Don't let us perish for causing the death of this man, and don't hold us to account for shedding innocent blood; because you, Adonai , have done what you saw fit." Then they picked up Yonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging. Seized with great fear of Adonai , they offered a sacrifice to Adonai and made vows.

Therefore this is what Adonai says: "Against this family I am planning an evil from which you will not withdraw your necks; nor will you walk with your heads held high, for it will be an evil time."