Study Desk

Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected.

On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him but did not find him.

I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.

I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: "Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one." My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.

I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him, but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer.

but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the favorite of the mother who bore her. The maidens see her and call her blessed; the queens and concubines sing her praises.

But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: "I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand."

But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!

But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.

He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!

For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice but saw injustice; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain."

But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.

And He replied, "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.

But this is what the Lord GOD says: "It will not arise; it will not happen.

But Ahaz replied, "I will not ask; I will not test the LORD."