Study Desk

Don't stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn't care for myself—my own vineyard.

Young Woman You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words! The soft grass is our bed;

So I said to myself, "I will get up and roam the city, searching in all its streets and squares. I will search for the one I love." So I searched everywhere but did not find him.

Young Women of Jerusalem Why is your lover better than all others, O woman of rare beauty? What makes your lover so special that we must promise this?

Young Women of Jerusalem Where has your lover gone, O woman of rare beauty? Which way did he turn so we can help you find him?

Young Women of Jerusalem Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam. Come back, come back, that we may see you again. Young Man Why do you stare at this young woman of Shulam, as she moves so gracefully between two lines of dancers?

See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers.

Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine.

So now they will be humbled, and all will be brought low— do not forgive them.

So the Lord will send scabs on her head; the Lord will make beautiful Zion bald."

In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, "Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won't be mocked as old maids."

So my people will go into exile far away because they do not know me. Those who are great and honored will starve, and the common people will die of thirst.

What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

Therefore, just as fire licks up stubble and dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will rot and their flowers wither. For they have rejected the law of the Lord of Heaven's Armies; they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel's stump will be a holy seed."

The news had come to the royal court of Judah: "Syria is allied with Israel against us!" So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.

For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.

Nevertheless, there will be enough milk for everyone because so few people will be left in the land. They will eat their fill of yogurt and honey.

So we will defeat Jerusalem and her gods, just as we destroyed Samaria with hers.'"

Of all that glorious forest, only a few trees will survive— so few that a child could count them!