Study Desk

So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary, and set Jacob apart for destruction and Israel for abuse.

Who, like Me, can announce the future? Let him say so and make a case before Me, since I have established an ancient people. Let these gods declare the coming things, and what will take place.

All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure does not profit. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame.

Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand.

I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I, Yahweh, the God of Israel call you by your name.

so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is no one but Me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

"Heavens, sprinkle from above, and let the skies shower righteousness. Let the earth open up so that salvation will sprout and righteousness will spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.

"Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?

I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it.

"So now hear this, lover of luxury, who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I exist, and there is no one else. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.'

So take your stand with your spells and your many sorceries, which you have wearied yourself with from your youth. Perhaps you will be able to succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

You are worn out with your many consultations. So let them stand and save you— the astrologers, who observe the stars, who predict monthly what will happen to you.

therefore I declared to you long ago. I announced it to you before it occurred, so you could not claim, ‘My idol caused them; my carved image and cast idol control them.'

They have been created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today, so you could not claim, ‘I already knew them!'

I will delay My anger for the honor of My name, and I will restrain Myself for your benefit and for My praise, so that you will not be destroyed.

And now, says the Lord , who formed me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him so that Israel might be gathered to Him; for I am honored in the sight of the Lord , and my God is my strength—

Yet as you listen, the children that you have been deprived of will say, ‘This place is too small for me; make room for me so that I may settle.'

For I am Yahweh your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— His name is Yahweh of Hosts.

So listen to this, afflicted and drunken one—but not with wine.

I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you: Lie down, so we can walk over you. You made your back like the ground, and like a street for those who walk on it.