Study Desk

Now, because you have done all these things—this is the Lord’s declaration—and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn’t listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer,

But are they really provoking me?” This is the Lord’s declaration. “Isn’t it they themselves being provoked to disgrace?”

Yet they didn’t listen or pay attention but followed their own advice and their own stubborn, evil heart. They went backward and not forward.

However, my people wouldn’t listen to me or pay attention but became obstinate; they did more evil than their ancestors.

“Therefore, look, the days are coming”—the Lord’s declaration—“when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter. Topheth will become a cemetery, because there will be no other burial place.

They will be exposed to the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the sky, which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be collected and buried but will become like manure on the soil’s surface.

Even storks in the skyknow their seasons.Turtledoves, swallows, and cranesare aware of their migration,but my people do not knowthe requirements of the Lord.

We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good;for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

Harvest has passed, summer has ended,but we have not been saved.

Their tongues are deadly arrows—they speak deception.With his mouthone speaks peaceably with his friend,but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

But the one who boasts should boast in this:that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love,justice, and righteousness on the earth,for I delight in these things.

But the Lord is the true God;he is the living God and eternal King.The earth quakes at his wrath,and the nations cannot endure his rage.

Woe to me because of my brokenness—I am severely wounded!I exclaimed, “This is my intense suffering,but I must bear it.”

Discipline me, Lord, but with justice—not in your anger,or you will reduce me to nothing.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I am about to bring on them disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to me, but I will not hear them.

Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods they have been burning incense to, but they certainly will not save them in their time of disaster.

But, Lord of Armies, who judges righteously,who tests heart and mind,let me see your vengeance on them,for I have presented my case to you.

You planted them, and they have taken root.They have grown and produced fruit.You are ever on their lips,but far from their conscience.

They have made it a desolation.It mourns, desolate, before me.All the land is desolate,but no one takes it to heart.

They have sown wheat but harvested thorns.They have exhausted themselves but have no profit.Be put to shame by your harvestsbecause of the Lord’s burning anger.