Study Desk

And if you ask yourself, "Why have these things happened to me?" it is because of your many sins that your skirts are pulled up and you have been violated.

This is what you get," says Adonai , "the portion I measure out to you, because you have forgotten me and trusted in the lie.

Because of the ground, which is cracked, since it has not rained in the land, the farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.

And the people to whom they are prophesying will be thrown out into the streets of Yerushalayim because of the famine and war, with no one to bury them — them, or their wives, or their sons, or their daughters — because I will pour their own wickedness out upon them.

You are to give them this message: ‘Let my eyes stream with tears night and day, unceasingly, because the virgin daughter of my people has been severely broken; she has been dealt a crushing blow.

I will make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of M'nasheh the son of Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah, because of what he did in Yerushalayim.

With a winnowing fork I am scattering them to the wind at the gates of the land; I am bereaving them, destroying my people, because they will not return from their ways.

I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder, and you will not be paid for them, because of all your sins throughout your territory;

Adonai , you know. Remember me, think of me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. Because you are patient, don't banish me; know that for your sake I suffer insults.

When I found your words, I devoured them; your words made me glad, they gave me joy; because, Adonai -Tzva'ot, you had me bear your name.

then you are to say to them, ‘It is because your ancestors abandoned me, says Adonai , and went after other gods, serving and worshipping them, but abandoned me and did not keep my Torah.

First, I will pay them back double for their crimes and sins; because they have defiled the land which is mine; they have filled my heritage with the corpses of their horrors and abominations.'"

My mountain in the field, your wealth and all your treasures will be plundered; because of the sin of your high places throughout your territory.

Hope of Isra'el, Adonai ! All who abandon you will be ashamed, those who leave you will be inscribed in the dust, because they have abandoned Adonai , the source of living water.

This is because they have abandoned me and alienated this place. In it they have offered to other gods that neither they nor their ancestors have known, nor the kings of Y'hudah. They have filled this place with the blood of innocent people.

I will make this city an object of horror and ridicule; everyone passing by will be horrified and will ridicule it because of all its wounds.

I will cause them to eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters; everyone will be eating the flesh of his friends during the siege, because of the shortage imposed on them by their enemies and those set on killing them."'

and say to them, ‘ Adonai -Tzva'ot says that this is how I will break this people and this city, just as one smashes a potter's vessel beyond the possibility of repair. The dead will be buried in Tofet, because there will be no space left for burial [anywhere else].

"This is what Adonai -Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: ‘I am bringing on this city and all its surrounding villages all the disaster I have pronounced against it; because they have stiffened their necks and refused to pay attention to my words.'"

But Adonai is with me like a dreaded warrior; so my persecutors will stumble, defeated, greatly ashamed because of their failure; their lasting disgrace will not be forgotten.