Study Desk

And now the Lord has done everything he said he would do. This disaster happened because the people of Judah sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.

‘If you will stay in Judah, I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not pull you up, because I am sad about the disaster I brought on you.

Now you fear the king of Babylon, but don't be afraid of him. Don't be afraid of him,' says the Lord , ‘because I am with you. I will save you and rescue you from his power.

It is because the people who lived there did evil. They made me angry by burning incense and worshiping other gods that neither they nor you nor your ancestors ever knew.

All this happened because you burned incense to other gods. You sinned against the Lord . You did not obey him or follow his teachings or the laws he gave you. You did not keep your part of the agreement with him. So this disaster has happened to you. It is there for you to see."

You have said, ‘How terrible it is for me! The Lord has given me sorrow along with my pain. I am tired because of my suffering and cannot rest.'"

Baruch, you are looking for great things for yourself. Don't look for them, because I will bring disaster on all the people, says the Lord . You will have to go many places, but I will let you escape alive wherever you go.'"

"Announce this message in Egypt, and preach it in Migdol. Preach it also in the cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Get ready for war, because the battle is all around you.'

Egypt, why were your warriors killed? They could not stand because the Lord pushed them down.

People of Egypt, pack your things to be taken away as captives, because Memphis will be destroyed. It will be a ruin, and no one will live there.

The hired soldiers in Egypt's army are like fat calves, because even they all turn and run away together; they do not stand strong against the attack. Their time of destruction is coming; they will soon be punished.

People of Jacob, my servants, do not be afraid, because I am with you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy the many different nations where I scattered you. But I will not completely destroy you. I will punish you fairly, but I will not let you escape your punishment."

They will hear the sound of the running horses and the noisy chariots and the rumbling chariot wheels. Parents will not help their children to safety, because they will be too weak to help.

This message is to the country of Moab. This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: "How terrible it will be for the city of Nebo, because it will be ruined. The town of Kiriathaim will be disgraced and captured; the strong city will be disgraced and shattered.

Give wings to Moab, because she will surely leave her land. Moab's towns will become empty, with no one to live in them.

"You people living in the town of Dibon, come down from your place of honor and sit on the dry ground, because the destroyer of Moab has come against you. And he has destroyed your strong, walled cities.

Moab is filled with shame, because she is ruined. Cry, Moab, cry out! Announce at the Arnon River that Moab is destroyed.

People are crying on every roof in Moab and in every public square. There is nothing but sadness, because I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants," says the Lord .

The nation of Moab will be destroyed, because they thought they were greater than the Lord .

"People in the town of Heshbon, cry sadly because the town of Ai is destroyed! Those who live in Rabbah, cry out! Put on your rough cloth to show your sadness, and cry loudly. Run here and there for safety inside the walls, because Molech will be taken captive and his priests and officers with him.