Study Desk

Israel will be like a tribe of warriors celebrating with wine. When their children see this, they will also be happy because of me, the Lord .

I will give a signal for them to come together because I have rescued them. And there will be as many as ever before.

I'll strengthen my people because of who I am, and they will follow me. I, the Lord , have spoken!

Tend those sheep because I, the Lord , will no longer have pity on the people of this earth. I'll turn neighbor against neighbor and make them slaves of a king. They will bring disaster on the earth, and I'll do nothing to rescue any of them.

Instead of offering the acceptable animals you have promised, you bring me those that are unhealthy. I will punish you for this, because I am the great King, the Lord All-Powerful, and I am worshiped by nations everywhere.

You had better take seriously the need to honor my name. Otherwise, when you give a blessing, I will turn it into a curse. In fact, I have already done this, because you haven't taken to heart your duties as priests.

He taught the truth and never told lies, and he led a lot of people to turn from sin, because he obeyed me and lived right.

You priests should be eager to spread knowledge, and everyone should come to you for instruction, because you speak for me, the Lord All-Powerful.

So I caused everyone to hate and despise you, because you disobeyed me and failed to treat all people alike.

And what else are you doing? You cry noisily and flood the Lord 's altar with your tears, because he isn't pleased with your offerings and refuses to accept them.

And why isn't God pleased? It's because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise.

Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him."

"In Ramah a voice was heard crying and weeping loudly. Rachel was mourning for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they were dead."

Jesus answered, "For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do." Then John agreed.

God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.

When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.

Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.

Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, "Don't worry! You are now well because of your faith." At that moment she was healed.

Jesus touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith, you will be healed."