Study Desk

Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans^(a) on their beds! At morning light^(b) they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.^(c)

They covet fields^(d) and seize them;^(e) they also take houses. They deprive a man of his home,^(f) a person of his inheritance.^(g)

Therefore, the Lord says: I am now planning^(h) a disaster against this nation;⁽ⁱ⁾ you cannot free your necks from it.^(j) Then you will not walk so proudly^(k) because it will be an evil time.^(l)

In that day one will take up^(m) a taunt against you, and lament mournfully,⁽ⁿ⁾ saying, "We are totally ruined!^(o) He measures out the allotted land of my people. How He removes it from me! He allots our fields^(p) to traitors."

Therefore, there will be no one in the assembly of the Lord to divide the land by casting lots.^[a](q)

"Quit your preaching,"^(r) they^[b] preach. "They should not preach these things;^(s) shame will not overtake us."^[c](t)

House of Jacob, should it be asked, "Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient?^(u) Are these the things He does?" Don't My words bring good^(v) to the one who walks uprightly?^(w)

But recently My people have risen up like an enemy:^(x) You strip off the splendid robe^(y) from those who are passing through confidently,^(z) like those returning from war.

You force^(aa) the women of My people out of their comfortable homes, and you take My blessing^[d](ab) from their children forever.

Get up and leave, for this is not your place of rest,^(ac) because defilement^(ad) brings destruction— a grievous destruction!^(ae)

If a man of wind^[e] comes and invents lies:^(af) "I will preach to you about wine and beer,"^(ag) he would be just the preacher for this people!^(ah)

I will indeed gather^(ai) all of you, Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel.^(aj) I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the middle of its fold. It will be noisy with people.^(ak)

One who breaks open the way will advance before them; they will break out, pass through the gate, and leave by it. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord as their leader.