Study Desk

How the faithful city has become a ^(ay)harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.

Your ^(az)rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone ^(ba)loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They ^(bb)do not ^[h]defend the ^[i]orphan, Nor does the widow's plea come before them.

Therefore the Lord ^[j] God of hosts, The ^(bc)Mighty One of Israel, declares, "Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries And ^(bd)avenge Myself on My foes.

"I will also turn My hand against you, And will ^(be)smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.

"Then I will restore your ^(bf)judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the ^(bg)city of righteousness, A faithful city."

Zion will be ^(bh)redeemed with justice And her ^[k]repentant ones with righteousness.

But ^[l]transgressors and sinners will be ^(bi)crushed together, And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

Surely ^[m]you will be ashamed of the ^[n](bj)oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed at the ^(bk)gardens which you have chosen.

For you will be like an ^[o]oak whose ^(bl)leaf fades away Or as a garden that has no water.

The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both ^(bm)burn together And there will be ^(bn)none to quench them.