Study Desk

"Now your ^(C1)older sister is Samaria, who lives ^(F1)north of you with her ^(F2)daughters; and your younger sister, who lives ^(F3)south of you, is ^(C2)Sodom with her ^(F2)daughters.

"Yet you have not merely walked in their ways and ^(F1)committed their abominations; but, as if that were ^(C1)too little, you also acted ^(C2)more corruptly in all your conduct than they.

"As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "Sodom, your sister and her daughters have ^(C1)not done as you and your daughters have done!

"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had ^(C1)arrogance, ^(C2)plenty of food, and ^(C3)carefree ease, but she did not ^(F1)help the ^(C4)poor and needy.

"So they were haughty and committed ^(C1)abominations before Me. Therefore I ^(C2)removed them ^(F1)when I saw it.

"Furthermore, Samaria did not commit half of your sins, for you have multiplied your abominations more than they. So you have made your sisters appear ^(C1)innocent by all your abominations which you have committed.

"Also, bear your disgrace in that you have ^(F1)made judgment favorable for your sisters. Because of your sins in which you acted ^(C1)more abominably than they, they are more in the right than you. Yes, be also ashamed and bear your disgrace, in that you made your sisters appear innocent.

"Nevertheless, I will restore their fortunes, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters, and ^(F1)along with them your own fortunes,

so that you will bear your disgrace and feel ^(C1)ashamed for all that you have done when you become ^(C2)a consolation to them.

"Your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, ^(F1)will return to their former state, and you with your daughters will also return to your former state.

"As the name of your sister Sodom was not heard from your lips in your day of pride,

before your ^(C1)wickedness was uncovered, ^(F1)so now you have become the ^(C2)disgrace of the daughters of ^(F2)Edom and of all who are around her, of the daughters of the Philistines—those surrounding you who despise you.

"You have ^(C1)suffered the penalty of your outrageous sin and abominations," the LORD declares.

For this is what the Lord GOD says: "I will also do with you as you have done, you who have ^(C1)despised the oath by breaking the covenant.

"Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an ^(C1)everlasting covenant with you.

"Then you will ^(C1)remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger; and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant.

"So I will ^(C1)establish My covenant with you, and you shall ^(C2)know that I am the LORD,

so that you may ^(C1)remember and be ashamed, and ^(C2)not open your mouth again because of your disgrace, when I have ^(F1)(C3)forgiven you for all that you have done," the Lord GOD declares.