Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Apparent injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? How long shall I complain unto thee, suffering wrong, and thou wilt not help?
"The houses of robbers are in wealth and prosperity; and they that maliciously meddle against God, dwell without care: yea, God giveth all things richly with his hand.
"Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches?
Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?"
These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity: that the just man perisheth for his righteousness' sake, and the ungodly liveth in his wickedness.
It happeneth unto one as unto another; It goeth with the righteous as with the ungodly; with the good and clean as with the unclean; with him that offereth as with him that offereth not; like as it goeth with the virtuous, so goeth it also with the sinner; As it happeneth unto the perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be foresworn.
O LORD, thou art more righteous than that I should dispute with thee: Nevertheless, let me talk with thee in things reasonable. How happeneth it, that the way of the ungodly is so prosperous? And that it goeth so well with them, which without any shame offend and live in wickedness?
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal?
'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day.'
Children » Not punished for parents' sake
Then shall it no more be said, 'The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' For every one shall die for his own misdeed, so that who so eateth a sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
The word of the LORD came unto me, on this manner, "What mean ye by this common proverb, that ye use in the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, ye shall use this byword no more in Israel. read more.
Behold, all souls are mine. Like as the father is mine, so is the son mine also. The soul that sinneth, shall die. If a man be godly, and do the thing that is equal and right, he eateth not upon the hills; he lifteth not his eyes up to the Idols of Israel; he defileth not his neighbour's wife; he meddleth with no menstruous woman; he grieveth nobody; he giveth his debtor his pledge again; he raketh none other man's goods by violence; he parteth his meat with the hungry; he clotheth the naked; he lendeth nothing upon usury; he taketh nothing over; he withdraweth his hand from doing wrong; he handleth faithfully betwixt man and man; he walketh in my commandments, and keepeth my laws, and performeth them faithfully: This is a righteous man, he shall surly live, sayeth the LORD God. "If he now get a son, that is a murderer, a shedder of blood: if he do one of these things - though he do not all - he eateth upon the hills; he defileth his neighbour's wife; he grieveth the poor and needy; he robbeth and spoileth; he giveth not the debtor his pledge again; he lifteth up his eyes unto Idols, and meddle with abominable things; he lendeth upon usury, and taketh moreover. Shall this man live? He shall not live. Seeing he hath done all these abominations, he shall die: his blood shall be upon him. Now if this man get a son also, that seeth all his father's sins, which he hath done, and feareth, neither doth such like: Namely, he eateth not upon the mountains; he lifteth not his eyes up to the Idols of Israel; he defileth not his neighbour's wife; he vexeth no man; he keepeth no man's pledge, he neither spoileth, nor robbeth any man; he dealeth his meat with the hungry; he clotheth the naked; he opresseth not the poor; he receiveth no usury, nor anything over; he keepeth my laws, and walketh in my commandments: this man shall not die in his father's sin, but shall live without fail. As for his father, because he oppressed and spoiled his brother, and did wickedly among his people: Lo, he is dead in his own sin. And yet say ye, 'Wherefore then should not this son bear his father's sin?' Therefore, because the son hath done equity and right, hath kept all my commandments and done them: therefore shall he live indeed. The soul that sinneth, she shall die. The son shall not bear part of the father's wickedness. The righteousness of the right shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him. And yet the wicked, if he turn from all his sins which he did, and keep all mine ordinances, and do justly and righteously; he shall live and not die. None of the sins that he hath done shall be reckoned unto him: In the righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. For I desire not the death of a sinner, saith the Lord Jehovah, but rather that he should turn from his way, and live. And so if a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedness, and shall do like unto all the abominations which a wicked doth, shall he live? No, none of those righteousness that he did shall be remembered. But in the wickedness which he wrought, and in the sin which he did, in them shall he die. But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die. And when a wicked turneth from his wickedness and doth justly and righteously, he shall save his soul: because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
Behold, all souls are mine. Like as the father is mine, so is the son mine also. The soul that sinneth, shall die. If a man be godly, and do the thing that is equal and right, he eateth not upon the hills; he lifteth not his eyes up to the Idols of Israel; he defileth not his neighbour's wife; he meddleth with no menstruous woman; he grieveth nobody; he giveth his debtor his pledge again; he raketh none other man's goods by violence; he parteth his meat with the hungry; he clotheth the naked; he lendeth nothing upon usury; he taketh nothing over; he withdraweth his hand from doing wrong; he handleth faithfully betwixt man and man; he walketh in my commandments, and keepeth my laws, and performeth them faithfully: This is a righteous man, he shall surly live, sayeth the LORD God. "If he now get a son, that is a murderer, a shedder of blood: if he do one of these things - though he do not all - he eateth upon the hills; he defileth his neighbour's wife; he grieveth the poor and needy; he robbeth and spoileth; he giveth not the debtor his pledge again; he lifteth up his eyes unto Idols, and meddle with abominable things; he lendeth upon usury, and taketh moreover. Shall this man live? He shall not live. Seeing he hath done all these abominations, he shall die: his blood shall be upon him. Now if this man get a son also, that seeth all his father's sins, which he hath done, and feareth, neither doth such like: Namely, he eateth not upon the mountains; he lifteth not his eyes up to the Idols of Israel; he defileth not his neighbour's wife; he vexeth no man; he keepeth no man's pledge, he neither spoileth, nor robbeth any man; he dealeth his meat with the hungry; he clotheth the naked; he opresseth not the poor; he receiveth no usury, nor anything over; he keepeth my laws, and walketh in my commandments: this man shall not die in his father's sin, but shall live without fail. As for his father, because he oppressed and spoiled his brother, and did wickedly among his people: Lo, he is dead in his own sin. And yet say ye, 'Wherefore then should not this son bear his father's sin?' Therefore, because the son hath done equity and right, hath kept all my commandments and done them: therefore shall he live indeed. The soul that sinneth, she shall die. The son shall not bear part of the father's wickedness. The righteousness of the right shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him. And yet the wicked, if he turn from all his sins which he did, and keep all mine ordinances, and do justly and righteously; he shall live and not die. None of the sins that he hath done shall be reckoned unto him: In the righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. For I desire not the death of a sinner, saith the Lord Jehovah, but rather that he should turn from his way, and live. And so if a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedness, and shall do like unto all the abominations which a wicked doth, shall he live? No, none of those righteousness that he did shall be remembered. But in the wickedness which he wrought, and in the sin which he did, in them shall he die. But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die. And when a wicked turneth from his wickedness and doth justly and righteously, he shall save his soul: because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
Condescension of God » Expostulates with backsliding israel
Stand at your cause, sayeth the LORD, and bring forth your strongest ground, counseleth the King of Jacob. Let the gods come forth themselves, and show us the things that are past, what they be: let them declare them unto us, that we may take them to heart, and know them hereafter. Either, let them show us things for to come, and tell us what shall be done hereafter: so shall we know, that they be gods. Show something, either good or bad: so will we both knowledge the same, and tell it out. read more.
Behold, ye gods are of naught, and your making is of naught; yea, abominable is the man that hath chosen you.
Behold, ye gods are of naught, and your making is of naught; yea, abominable is the man that hath chosen you.
But now, the LORD that made thee O Jacob, and he that fashioned thee O Israel, sayeth thus, "Fear not, for I will defend thee. I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine own. If thou goest through the water, I will be with thee, that the strong floods should not pluck thee away. When thou walkest in the fire, it shall not burn thee, and the flame shall not kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the holy one of Israel, thy Saviour. I gave Egypt for thy deliverance, the Ethiopians and the Sabees for thee: read more.
because thou wast dear in my sight, and because I set by thee, and loved thee. I will give over all men for thee, and deliver up all people for thy sake. Fear not, for I am with thee. I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee together from the West. I will say to the North, 'Let go.' And to the South, 'Keep not back: but bring me my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the world: Namely, all those that be called after my name. For them have I created, fashioned, and made for mine honour.'" Bring forth that people which is blind, yet hath eyes; which is deaf yet hath ears. All nations shall come in one, and be gathered in one people. But which among yonder gods shall declare such things, and tell us what is to come? Let them bring their witnesses, so shall they be free: for then men shall hear it, and say, "It is truth." But I bring you witnesses, sayeth the LORD: even those that are my servants, whom I have chosen - to the intent that ye might be certified and give me faithful credence. Yea, and to consider, that I am he before whom there was never any God, and there shall be none after me. I, even I, am the only LORD, and without me there is no Saviour. I gave warning, I made whole, I taught you when there was no strange god among you. And this record must ye bear me yourselves, sayeth the LORD: that I am God. And even he am I from the beginning, and there is none that can take anything out of my hand. And what I do, can no man change. Thus sayeth the LORD the holy one of Israel, your redeemer, "For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and brought down the strongest of them. All they are fugitive with the Chaldeans that boast them of their ships: Even I the LORD your holy one, which have made Israel, and am your King." Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD, even he that maketh a way in the sea, and a footpath in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth the chariots and horses, the host and the power, that they may fall asleep and never rise, and be extinct, like as towe is quenched: "Remember not things of old, and regard nothing that is past. Behold, I shall make a new thing, and shortly shall it appear. Ye shall well know it; I told it you afore, but I will tell it you again. I will make streets in the desert, and rivers of water in the wilderness.
because thou wast dear in my sight, and because I set by thee, and loved thee. I will give over all men for thee, and deliver up all people for thy sake. Fear not, for I am with thee. I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee together from the West. I will say to the North, 'Let go.' And to the South, 'Keep not back: but bring me my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the world: Namely, all those that be called after my name. For them have I created, fashioned, and made for mine honour.'" Bring forth that people which is blind, yet hath eyes; which is deaf yet hath ears. All nations shall come in one, and be gathered in one people. But which among yonder gods shall declare such things, and tell us what is to come? Let them bring their witnesses, so shall they be free: for then men shall hear it, and say, "It is truth." But I bring you witnesses, sayeth the LORD: even those that are my servants, whom I have chosen - to the intent that ye might be certified and give me faithful credence. Yea, and to consider, that I am he before whom there was never any God, and there shall be none after me. I, even I, am the only LORD, and without me there is no Saviour. I gave warning, I made whole, I taught you when there was no strange god among you. And this record must ye bear me yourselves, sayeth the LORD: that I am God. And even he am I from the beginning, and there is none that can take anything out of my hand. And what I do, can no man change. Thus sayeth the LORD the holy one of Israel, your redeemer, "For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and brought down the strongest of them. All they are fugitive with the Chaldeans that boast them of their ships: Even I the LORD your holy one, which have made Israel, and am your King." Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD, even he that maketh a way in the sea, and a footpath in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth the chariots and horses, the host and the power, that they may fall asleep and never rise, and be extinct, like as towe is quenched: "Remember not things of old, and regard nothing that is past. Behold, I shall make a new thing, and shortly shall it appear. Ye shall well know it; I told it you afore, but I will tell it you again. I will make streets in the desert, and rivers of water in the wilderness.
They shall seek me, that hitherto have not asked for me, they shall find me, that hitherto have not sought me. Then shall I say immediately to the people that never called upon my name, "I am here, I am here." For thus long have I ever holden out my hands to an unfaithful people, that go not the right way, but after their own imaginations: To a people that is ever defying me to my face. They make their oblations in gardens, and their smoke upon altars of brick; read more.
they lurk among the graves, and lie in the dens all night. They eat swine flesh, and unclean broth is in their vessels. If thou comest nigh them, they say, "Touch me not, for I am holier than thou." All these men when I am angry, shall be turned to smoke and fire, that shall burn forever. Behold, it is written before my face, and shall not be forgotten, but recompensed. I shall reward it them into their bosom: I mean your misdeeds, and the misdeeds of your fathers together, sayeth the LORD, which have made their smokes upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their old deeds into their bosom again. Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD: like as when one would gather holy grapes, men say unto him, "Break it not off, for it is holy," even so will I do also for my servants' sakes, that I will not destroy them all. But I will take a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah, one to take possession of my hill. My chosen shall possess these things, and my servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a sheepfold, and the valley of Achor shall give the stalling for the cattle of my people, that fear me. But as for you, ye are they that have forsaken the LORD, and forgotten my holy hill. Ye have set up an altar to Fortune, and given rich drink offerings unto the planets. Therefore will I number you with the sword, that ye shall be destroyed all together. For when I called, no man gave me answer: when I spake, ye hearkened not unto me, but did wickedness before mine eyes, and chose the thing that pleased me not. Therefore thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall have hunger. Behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall suffer thirst. Behold, my servants shall be merry, but ye shall be confounded. Behold, my servants shall rejoice for very quietness of heart: But ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and complain for vexation of mind. Your name shall not be sworn by among my chosen, for God the LORD shall slay you, and call his servants by another name. Whoso rejoiceth upon earth, shall rejoice in the true God: And whoso sweareth upon earth, shall swear in the true God. For the old enmity shall be forgotten, and taken away out of my sight.
they lurk among the graves, and lie in the dens all night. They eat swine flesh, and unclean broth is in their vessels. If thou comest nigh them, they say, "Touch me not, for I am holier than thou." All these men when I am angry, shall be turned to smoke and fire, that shall burn forever. Behold, it is written before my face, and shall not be forgotten, but recompensed. I shall reward it them into their bosom: I mean your misdeeds, and the misdeeds of your fathers together, sayeth the LORD, which have made their smokes upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their old deeds into their bosom again. Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD: like as when one would gather holy grapes, men say unto him, "Break it not off, for it is holy," even so will I do also for my servants' sakes, that I will not destroy them all. But I will take a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah, one to take possession of my hill. My chosen shall possess these things, and my servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a sheepfold, and the valley of Achor shall give the stalling for the cattle of my people, that fear me. But as for you, ye are they that have forsaken the LORD, and forgotten my holy hill. Ye have set up an altar to Fortune, and given rich drink offerings unto the planets. Therefore will I number you with the sword, that ye shall be destroyed all together. For when I called, no man gave me answer: when I spake, ye hearkened not unto me, but did wickedness before mine eyes, and chose the thing that pleased me not. Therefore thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall have hunger. Behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall suffer thirst. Behold, my servants shall be merry, but ye shall be confounded. Behold, my servants shall rejoice for very quietness of heart: But ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and complain for vexation of mind. Your name shall not be sworn by among my chosen, for God the LORD shall slay you, and call his servants by another name. Whoso rejoiceth upon earth, shall rejoice in the true God: And whoso sweareth upon earth, shall swear in the true God. For the old enmity shall be forgotten, and taken away out of my sight.
Commonly, when a man putteth away his wife, and she goeth from him, and marrieth with another, then the question is: should he resort unto her any more after that? Is not this field then defiled and unclean? But as for thee, thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet turn again to me, sayeth the LORD. Lift up thine eyes on every side, and look, if thou be not defiled. Thou hast waited for them in the streets, and as a murderer in the wilderness. through thy whoredoms and shameful blasphemies, is the land defiled. This is the cause that the rain and evening dew hath ceased. Thou hast gotten thee a whore's forehead, and canst not be ashamed. read more.
Else wouldst thou say unto me, 'O my father, thou art he that hast brought me up, and led me from my youth: Wilt thou then put me away and cast me off for ever? Or wilt thou withdraw thyself clean from me?' Nevertheless, thou speakest such words, but thou art ever doing worse and worse." The LORD said also unto me, in the time of Josiah the king, "Hast thou seen what that shrinking Israel hath done? How she hath run up upon all high hills, and among all thick trees, and there played the harlot? Hast thou seen also, when she had done all this, how I said unto her that she should turn again unto me, and yet she is not returned? Judah, that unfaithful sister of hers also saw this: Namely, that after I had well seen the adultery of the shrinking harlot Israel, I put her away, and gave her a bill of divorcement. For all this, her unfaithful sister Judah was not ashamed, but went back and played the whore also. Yea, and the noise of her whoredom hath defiled the whole land. For she hath committed her adultery with stones and stocks. Nevertheless, her unfaithful sister Judah is not turned unto me again with her whole heart, but feignedly, sayeth the LORD." And the LORD said unto me, "The shrinking Israel is more righteous than the unfaithful Judah: and therefore go preach these words toward the north, and say, 'Thou shrinking Israel, turn again, sayeth the LORD; and I will not turn my face from you, for I am merciful, sayeth the LORD. And I will not always bear displeasure against thee: but on this condition, that thou know thy great blasphemy: Namely, that thou hast unfaithfully forsaken the LORD thy God, and hast made thyself partaker of strange gods under all green trees, but hast had no will to hear my voice, sayeth the LORD. O ye shrinking children, turn again, sayeth the LORD: and I will be married with you. For I will take one out of the city, and two out of one generation from among you, and bring you out of Zion: and I will give you herdsmen after mine own mind, which shall feed you with learning and wisdom.
Else wouldst thou say unto me, 'O my father, thou art he that hast brought me up, and led me from my youth: Wilt thou then put me away and cast me off for ever? Or wilt thou withdraw thyself clean from me?' Nevertheless, thou speakest such words, but thou art ever doing worse and worse." The LORD said also unto me, in the time of Josiah the king, "Hast thou seen what that shrinking Israel hath done? How she hath run up upon all high hills, and among all thick trees, and there played the harlot? Hast thou seen also, when she had done all this, how I said unto her that she should turn again unto me, and yet she is not returned? Judah, that unfaithful sister of hers also saw this: Namely, that after I had well seen the adultery of the shrinking harlot Israel, I put her away, and gave her a bill of divorcement. For all this, her unfaithful sister Judah was not ashamed, but went back and played the whore also. Yea, and the noise of her whoredom hath defiled the whole land. For she hath committed her adultery with stones and stocks. Nevertheless, her unfaithful sister Judah is not turned unto me again with her whole heart, but feignedly, sayeth the LORD." And the LORD said unto me, "The shrinking Israel is more righteous than the unfaithful Judah: and therefore go preach these words toward the north, and say, 'Thou shrinking Israel, turn again, sayeth the LORD; and I will not turn my face from you, for I am merciful, sayeth the LORD. And I will not always bear displeasure against thee: but on this condition, that thou know thy great blasphemy: Namely, that thou hast unfaithfully forsaken the LORD thy God, and hast made thyself partaker of strange gods under all green trees, but hast had no will to hear my voice, sayeth the LORD. O ye shrinking children, turn again, sayeth the LORD: and I will be married with you. For I will take one out of the city, and two out of one generation from among you, and bring you out of Zion: and I will give you herdsmen after mine own mind, which shall feed you with learning and wisdom.
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die. And when a wicked turneth from his wickedness and doth justly and righteously, he shall save his soul: read more.
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done: make you new hearts and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? Seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the LORD God; Turn you then, and ye shall live."
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done: make you new hearts and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? Seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the LORD God; Turn you then, and ye shall live."
"Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel. Yea, say thus, 'Our offenses and sins lie upon us, and we be corrupt in them: how should we then be restored unto life?' Tell them, 'As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn you, turn you from your ungodly ways, O ye of the house of Israel. Oh, wherefore will ye die?' Thou son of man, tell the children of thy people, 'The righteousness of the righteous shall not save him, whensoever he turneth away unfaithfully. Again, the wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, whensoever he converteth from his ungodliness. And the righteousness of the righteous, shall not save his life, whensoever he sinneth. read more.
If I say unto the righteous, that he shall surely live, and so he trust to his own righteousness, and do sin: then shall his righteousnesses be no more thought upon, but in the wickedness that he hath done he shall die. Again; If I say unto the wicked, 'Thou shalt surely die,' and so he turn from his sins, and do the thing that is lawful and right: Insomuch that the same wicked man giveth the pledge again, restoreth that he had taken away by robbery, walketh in the commandments of life, and doth no wrong: Then shall he surely live, and not die. Yea the sins that he hath done, shall never be thought upon: For insomuch as he doth now the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live. And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
If I say unto the righteous, that he shall surely live, and so he trust to his own righteousness, and do sin: then shall his righteousnesses be no more thought upon, but in the wickedness that he hath done he shall die. Again; If I say unto the wicked, 'Thou shalt surely die,' and so he turn from his sins, and do the thing that is lawful and right: Insomuch that the same wicked man giveth the pledge again, restoreth that he had taken away by robbery, walketh in the commandments of life, and doth no wrong: Then shall he surely live, and not die. Yea the sins that he hath done, shall never be thought upon: For insomuch as he doth now the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live. And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
Hearken now what the LORD sayeth: Up, reprove the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. O hear the punishment of the LORD, ye mountains, and ye mighty foundations of the earth: for the LORD will reprove his people, and reason with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? Or wherein have I hurt thee? Give me answer! read more.
Because I brought thee from the land of Egypt, and delivered thee out of the house of bondage? Because I made Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead thee? Remember, O my people, what Balak the king of Moab had imagined against thee, and what answer that Balaam the son of Beor gave him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the loving-kindness of the LORD. "What acceptable thing shall I offer unto the LORD? Shall I bow my knee to the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, and with calves of a year old? Hath the LORD a pleasure in many thousand rams, or innumerable streams of oil? Or shall I give my firstborn for mine offenses, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" I will show thee, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requireth of thee: Namely, to do right, to have pleasure in loving-kindness, to be lowly, and to walk with thy God. The LORD's voice crieth unto the city, and the man that shall be saved considereth thy name, O LORD. Hear and that thy name may be righteousness. Hear, O ye tribes: who would else give you such warning?
Because I brought thee from the land of Egypt, and delivered thee out of the house of bondage? Because I made Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead thee? Remember, O my people, what Balak the king of Moab had imagined against thee, and what answer that Balaam the son of Beor gave him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the loving-kindness of the LORD. "What acceptable thing shall I offer unto the LORD? Shall I bow my knee to the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, and with calves of a year old? Hath the LORD a pleasure in many thousand rams, or innumerable streams of oil? Or shall I give my firstborn for mine offenses, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" I will show thee, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requireth of thee: Namely, to do right, to have pleasure in loving-kindness, to be lowly, and to walk with thy God. The LORD's voice crieth unto the city, and the man that shall be saved considereth thy name, O LORD. Hear and that thy name may be righteousness. Hear, O ye tribes: who would else give you such warning?
"Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and since the time of your forefathers have ye not kept them. Turn you now unto me, and I will turn me unto you, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Ye say, 'Wherein shall we turn?' Should a man use falsity and deceit with God, as ye use falsity and deceit with me? Yet ye say, 'Wherein use we deceit with thee?' In tithes and heave offerings. Therefore are ye cursed with penury, because ye dissemble with me, all the sort of you. read more.
Bring every tithe into my barn, that there may be meat in mine house: and prove me withal, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, and pour you out a blessing with plenteousness. Yea, I shall reprove the consumer for your sakes, so that he shall not eat up the fruit of your ground, neither shall the vineyard be barren in the field, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Insomuch that all people shall say that ye be blessed, for ye shall be a pleasant land, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Ye speak hard words against me, sayeth the LORD. And yet ye say, 'What have we spoken against thee?' Ye have said, 'It is but lost labour, to serve God: What profit have we for keeping his commandments, and for walking humbly before the LORD of Hosts? Therefore may we say, that the proud are happy, and that they which deal with ungodliness, are set up: for they tempt God and yet escape.'
Bring every tithe into my barn, that there may be meat in mine house: and prove me withal, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, and pour you out a blessing with plenteousness. Yea, I shall reprove the consumer for your sakes, so that he shall not eat up the fruit of your ground, neither shall the vineyard be barren in the field, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Insomuch that all people shall say that ye be blessed, for ye shall be a pleasant land, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Ye speak hard words against me, sayeth the LORD. And yet ye say, 'What have we spoken against thee?' Ye have said, 'It is but lost labour, to serve God: What profit have we for keeping his commandments, and for walking humbly before the LORD of Hosts? Therefore may we say, that the proud are happy, and that they which deal with ungodliness, are set up: for they tempt God and yet escape.'
Injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? How long shall I complain unto thee, suffering wrong, and thou wilt not help?
"The houses of robbers are in wealth and prosperity; and they that maliciously meddle against God, dwell without care: yea, God giveth all things richly with his hand.
"Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches?
Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?"
These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity: that the just man perisheth for his righteousness' sake, and the ungodly liveth in his wickedness.
It happeneth unto one as unto another; It goeth with the righteous as with the ungodly; with the good and clean as with the unclean; with him that offereth as with him that offereth not; like as it goeth with the virtuous, so goeth it also with the sinner; As it happeneth unto the perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be foresworn.
O LORD, thou art more righteous than that I should dispute with thee: Nevertheless, let me talk with thee in things reasonable. How happeneth it, that the way of the ungodly is so prosperous? And that it goeth so well with them, which without any shame offend and live in wickedness?
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal?
'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day.'
God, Justice of » Exhibited in » All his ways
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal?
And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal?
Man » The ways of man
Now I know, O LORD, that it is not in man's power to order his own ways, or to rule his own steps and goings.
For every man's ways are open in the sight of the LORD, and he pondereth all their goings.
Every man thinketh his own way to be right; but the LORD judgeth the hearts.
A man thinketh all his ways to be clean; but it is the LORD that fashioneth the minds.
Let the ungodly man forsake his ways and the unrighteous his imaginations, and turn again unto the LORD: so shall he be merciful unto him; and to our God, for he is ready to forgive. For thus sayeth the LORD: My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. But as far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so far do my ways exceed yours, and my thoughts yours.
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die. And when a wicked turneth from his wickedness and doth justly and righteously, he shall save his soul: read more.
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. read more.
Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
Partiality » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? How long shall I complain unto thee, suffering wrong, and thou wilt not help?
"The houses of robbers are in wealth and prosperity; and they that maliciously meddle against God, dwell without care: yea, God giveth all things richly with his hand.
"Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches?
Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?"
These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity: that the just man perisheth for his righteousness' sake, and the ungodly liveth in his wickedness.
It happeneth unto one as unto another; It goeth with the righteous as with the ungodly; with the good and clean as with the unclean; with him that offereth as with him that offereth not; like as it goeth with the virtuous, so goeth it also with the sinner; As it happeneth unto the perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be foresworn.
O LORD, thou art more righteous than that I should dispute with thee: Nevertheless, let me talk with thee in things reasonable. How happeneth it, that the way of the ungodly is so prosperous? And that it goeth so well with them, which without any shame offend and live in wickedness?
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal?
'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day.'
Turning » Those that turn from righteousness
Tell them, 'As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn you, turn you from your ungodly ways, O ye of the house of Israel. Oh, wherefore will ye die?' Thou son of man, tell the children of thy people, 'The righteousness of the righteous shall not save him, whensoever he turneth away unfaithfully. Again, the wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, whensoever he converteth from his ungodliness. And the righteousness of the righteous, shall not save his life, whensoever he sinneth. If I say unto the righteous, that he shall surely live, and so he trust to his own righteousness, and do sin: then shall his righteousnesses be no more thought upon, but in the wickedness that he hath done he shall die. read more.
Again; If I say unto the wicked, 'Thou shalt surely die,' and so he turn from his sins, and do the thing that is lawful and right: Insomuch that the same wicked man giveth the pledge again, restoreth that he had taken away by robbery, walketh in the commandments of life, and doth no wrong: Then shall he surely live, and not die. Yea the sins that he hath done, shall never be thought upon: For insomuch as he doth now the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live. And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
Again; If I say unto the wicked, 'Thou shalt surely die,' and so he turn from his sins, and do the thing that is lawful and right: Insomuch that the same wicked man giveth the pledge again, restoreth that he had taken away by robbery, walketh in the commandments of life, and doth no wrong: Then shall he surely live, and not die. Yea the sins that he hath done, shall never be thought upon: For insomuch as he doth now the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live. And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
"Now if a righteous man go from his righteousness, and do the thing that is evil: I will lay a stumbling block before him, and he shall die, because thou hast not given him warning - Yea, die shall he in his own sin, so that the virtue which he did before shall not be thought upon, but his blood will I require of thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou exhortest the righteous, that he sin not, and so the righteous do not sin - then shall he live, because he hath received thy warning, and thou hast discharged thy soul."
And so if a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedness, and shall do like unto all the abominations which a wicked doth, shall he live? No, none of those righteousness that he did shall be remembered. But in the wickedness which he wrought, and in the sin which he did, in them shall he die. But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die.
Ways » The ways of man
Now I know, O LORD, that it is not in man's power to order his own ways, or to rule his own steps and goings.
For every man's ways are open in the sight of the LORD, and he pondereth all their goings.
Every man thinketh his own way to be right; but the LORD judgeth the hearts.
A man thinketh all his ways to be clean; but it is the LORD that fashioneth the minds.
Let the ungodly man forsake his ways and the unrighteous his imaginations, and turn again unto the LORD: so shall he be merciful unto him; and to our God, for he is ready to forgive. For thus sayeth the LORD: My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. But as far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so far do my ways exceed yours, and my thoughts yours.
But you will say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Here I pray you, ye house of Israel. Is not my way equal? If a righteous turn from his righteousness and do wickedly, and die therefore: in the wickedness which he did he shall die. And when a wicked turneth from his wickedness and doth justly and righteously, he shall save his soul: read more.
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
because he feared and turned from all his wickedness which he did, he shall live and not die, saith the Lord almighty. And yet sayeth the house of Israel, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not equal.' Are my ways unright, O ye house of Israel? Are not your ways rather unequal? "As for me, I will judge every man, according to his ways, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD God. Wherefore be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm.
And yet the children of thy people say, 'Tush, the way of the LORD is not right,' whereas their own way is rather unright. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth the thing that is wicked, he shall die therefore. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, doing the thing that is lawful and right, he shall live therefore. read more.
Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"
Yet ye say, 'The way of the LORD is not equal.' O ye house of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways!'"