Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Disobedience to God » Forfeits his promised blessings
The Israelis traveled 40 years in the wilderness until the entire nation that is, the warriors who had departed from Egypt had perished because they hadn't listened to the voice of the LORD. The LORD had promised them that he would not let them see the land that he had sworn to give us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
"Therefore, the LORD God of Israel has declared, "I did, in fact, say that your family and your ancestor's family would walk before me forever,' but now the LORD declares, "Far be it from me! The one who honors me I'll honor, and the one who despises me is to be treated with contempt.
But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
Evil » The reward for doing evil
because of all the evil that the Israelis and Judeans have done to provoke me. They, their kings, their officials, their priests, their prophets, the people of Judah, and those living in Jerusalem have done these things. They have turned their backs to me rather than their faces. Even though I taught them, teaching them again and again, they didn't listen to accept correction. They put their detestable idols in the house that is called by my name and defiled it. read more.
They built the high places of Baal that are in the Hinnom Valley in order to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech something that I didn't command, nor did it ever enter my mind for them to require this utterly repugnant thing and lead Judah into sin." "Now therefore," says the LORD God of Israel, "concerning this city about which you are saying, "It is being given into the control of the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague,'
They built the high places of Baal that are in the Hinnom Valley in order to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech something that I didn't command, nor did it ever enter my mind for them to require this utterly repugnant thing and lead Judah into sin." "Now therefore," says the LORD God of Israel, "concerning this city about which you are saying, "It is being given into the control of the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague,'
But as for you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill drink offerings for Destiny, I'll consign you to the sword, and all of you will bend down for the slaughter because when I called, you didn't answer, when I spoke, you didn't listen; but you did what was evil in my sight, and chose what I took no pleasure in." Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "See, my servants will eat, but you'll go hungry; my servants will drink, but you'll go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you'll be put to shame. read more.
My servants will sing in gladness of heart, but you'll cry for help from anguish of heart, and you'll howl from brokenness of spirit. You'll leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse, and the Lord GOD will put you to death permanently.
My servants will sing in gladness of heart, but you'll cry for help from anguish of heart, and you'll howl from brokenness of spirit. You'll leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse, and the Lord GOD will put you to death permanently.
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you would build for me, and where will my resting place be? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But this is the one to whom I will look favorably: to the one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my message. "Whoever slaughters an ox is just like one who kills a human being; whoever sacrifices a lamb is just like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is just like one who offers pig's blood; and whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense is just like one who blesses an idol. Yes, these have chosen their own ways, and they take delight in their contaminated actions. read more.
Therefore I, too, will choose harsh treatment for them, and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn't listen; but they did what I consider to be evil, and chose what doesn't please me."
Therefore I, too, will choose harsh treatment for them, and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn't listen; but they did what I consider to be evil, and chose what doesn't please me."
because I know that after my death, you'll surely act wickedly and turn from the road that I've instructed you. As a result, evil will fall on you in days to come, because you'll act wickedly in the sight of the LORD, causing him to become angry due to your behavior."
So the LORD announced through his prophets, "Because King Manasseh of Judah has committed these despicable things, acting more sinfully than did all of the Amorites who preceded him, including making Judah sin with its idols, therefore this is what the LORD God of Israel says: "Look! I'm going to bring such a disaster to Jerusalem and Judah that both ears of those who hear about it will ring. read more.
I'll stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line that is Samaria and the plumb line that is Ahab's dynasty. Then I'll wipe Jerusalem like one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down! I will abandon the survivors of my heritage and hand them over to their enemies. They will become war booty and spoil to all of their enemies, because they have done what I consider to be evil and they have provoked me from the day their ancestors left Egypt right up to this day!'" In addition to this, Manasseh shed lots of innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another besides his sin by which he caused Judah to sin by practicing what the LORD considered to be evil.
I'll stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line that is Samaria and the plumb line that is Ahab's dynasty. Then I'll wipe Jerusalem like one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down! I will abandon the survivors of my heritage and hand them over to their enemies. They will become war booty and spoil to all of their enemies, because they have done what I consider to be evil and they have provoked me from the day their ancestors left Egypt right up to this day!'" In addition to this, Manasseh shed lots of innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another besides his sin by which he caused Judah to sin by practicing what the LORD considered to be evil.
"Pay attention to me, you descendants of Levi! Consecrate yourselves and the Temple of the LORD God of your ancestors by taking out from the Holy Place whatever is unclean. Our ancestors have been unfaithful. They practiced what the LORD considers to be evil, abandoned him, turned their faces away from the place where the LORD resides, and turned their backs to him. They shut the doors to the vestibule of the Temple, extinguished its lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel in the Holy Place. That's why the LORD was angry with Judah and Jerusalem and made them an object of terror, horror, and derision, as you've seen with your own eyes. read more.
Now look! Our ancestors have been killed with swords and our sons, daughters, and wives are being held captive because of all of this.
Now look! Our ancestors have been killed with swords and our sons, daughters, and wives are being held captive because of all of this.
"But after they had gained relief, they returned to doing evil before you. Therefore you abandoned them to the control of their enemies, who continued to oppress them. But when they came back and cried out to you, you listened from heaven and delivered them in your compassion on many occasions. You admonished them to return to your Law, but they acted arrogantly, and would not listen to your commands. They sinned against your regulations, which if anyone obeys, he will live by them. They turned away, being stubborn and stiff-necked, and they did not listen. You were patient with them for many years, warning them by your Spirit through your prophets. But they would not listen, so you turned them over to the control of people in other lands. read more.
Nevertheless, in your great compassion you did not completely destroy them or abandon them, because you are a God of grace and you are merciful.
Nevertheless, in your great compassion you did not completely destroy them or abandon them, because you are a God of grace and you are merciful.
For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, "Break up your unplowed ground, and don't sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskin of your heart, you men of Judah and residents of Jerusalem, or else my wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to put it out, because of your evil deeds."
Then this message from the LORD came to me: "Israel, can't I deal with you like this potter?" declares the LORD. "Look, Israel, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. At one moment I may speak about a nation or a kingdom to uproot it, pull it down, or destroy it. read more.
But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it. At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it. At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. read more.
For they are God's servants, working for your good.
For they are God's servants, working for your good.
Government » God setting up and removing kings
Then this message from the LORD came to me: "Israel, can't I deal with you like this potter?" declares the LORD. "Look, Israel, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. At one moment I may speak about a nation or a kingdom to uproot it, pull it down, or destroy it. read more.
But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it. At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it. At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
This order is announced by the observers, and the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires, and he places the least important of men over them.'
Who among all of these doesn't know that the LORD's hand made them, and that the life of every living thing rests in his control, along with the breath of every living human being? The ear scrutinizes speech just as the palate tastes food." read more.
"Wisdom may be found in the company of the aged. Understanding comes with longevity. With God is wisdom and strength; counsel and understanding belongs to him. When he tears down, nobody rebuilds; when he incarcerates, nobody escapes. When he withholds water, rivers dry up; when he lets them loose, they'll flood the land. "With God are strength and sound wisdom; both the deceived and those who deceive are responsible to him. He leads counselors away naked; he turns judges into fools. He strips away the authority of kings to punish and puts them in prison clothes instead. He leads away the priests naked and overthrows the ruling class. He keeps reliable advisors from speaking, and removes discernment from elders. He pours contempt on nobles and embarrasses the mighty. He uncovers the hidden dimensions from darkness, bringing what is in deep shadow to light. He makes nations great, and then destroys them; he enlarges nations, but then sends them away to captivity.
"Wisdom may be found in the company of the aged. Understanding comes with longevity. With God is wisdom and strength; counsel and understanding belongs to him. When he tears down, nobody rebuilds; when he incarcerates, nobody escapes. When he withholds water, rivers dry up; when he lets them loose, they'll flood the land. "With God are strength and sound wisdom; both the deceived and those who deceive are responsible to him. He leads counselors away naked; he turns judges into fools. He strips away the authority of kings to punish and puts them in prison clothes instead. He leads away the priests naked and overthrows the ruling class. He keeps reliable advisors from speaking, and removes discernment from elders. He pours contempt on nobles and embarrasses the mighty. He uncovers the hidden dimensions from darkness, bringing what is in deep shadow to light. He makes nations great, and then destroys them; he enlarges nations, but then sends them away to captivity.
He's the one who sits above the disk of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He's the one who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in, who brings princes to nothing, and makes void the rulers of the earth.
Give them this order for their masters: "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says, and this is what you are to say to your masters, "By my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth, mankind, and the animals that are on the face of the earth, and I give it to whomever I see fit. Now I've given all these lands to my servant, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I've even given him the wild animals to serve him. read more.
All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his country's time also comes, and then many nations and great kings will use him as a slave. If a nation and kingdom does not serve him King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and does not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I'll judge that nation with the sword, with famine, and with plague," declares the LORD, "until I've completely destroyed it by his hand.
All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his country's time also comes, and then many nations and great kings will use him as a slave. If a nation and kingdom does not serve him King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and does not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I'll judge that nation with the sword, with famine, and with plague," declares the LORD, "until I've completely destroyed it by his hand.
and said, "May the name of God be blessed forever and ever; wisdom and power are his for evermore. It is God who alters the times and seasons, and he removes kings and promotes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Your majesty, the Most High God gave your grandfather Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, as well as greatness, glory, and splendor. And because of the greatness that he gave him, all nations, nations, and languages revered and feared him. He executed those whom he desired to execute, he spared those whom he wished to spare, he promoted those whom he desired to promote, and he humbled those whom he wished to humble. But when he became arrogant and his spirit hardened, he was removed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him. read more.
He was driven away from human society and given the mind of an animal. He lived with wild donkeys, ate grass like cattle, and his body was soaked with dew from the sky until he realized that the Most High God is sovereign over human kingdoms and places over them whomever he desires. "But you, Belshazzar, his grandson, haven't humbled yourself, even though you knew all of this. "You've exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. "You've had the vessels from his Temple brought into your presence. "And you, your officials, and your wives and mistresses drank wine from them. "You praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which can't see, hear, or demonstrate knowledge. "But you didn't honor God, who holds in his power your very life and all your ways. "Therefore, the hand that wrote this inscription was sent from his presence. This is the written inscription: MENE, MENE, TEKEL AND PARSIN These are the meanings of the words: MENE: God has audited your kingdom and has ended it. TEKEL: You've been weighed on the scales and you don't measure up. PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and will be given to the Medes and Persians." Then Belshazzar gave orders to clothe Daniel in purple, to place a chain of gold around his neck, and to proclaim him the third highest ruler of the kingdom. That night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was killed, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 62.
He was driven away from human society and given the mind of an animal. He lived with wild donkeys, ate grass like cattle, and his body was soaked with dew from the sky until he realized that the Most High God is sovereign over human kingdoms and places over them whomever he desires. "But you, Belshazzar, his grandson, haven't humbled yourself, even though you knew all of this. "You've exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. "You've had the vessels from his Temple brought into your presence. "And you, your officials, and your wives and mistresses drank wine from them. "You praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which can't see, hear, or demonstrate knowledge. "But you didn't honor God, who holds in his power your very life and all your ways. "Therefore, the hand that wrote this inscription was sent from his presence. This is the written inscription: MENE, MENE, TEKEL AND PARSIN These are the meanings of the words: MENE: God has audited your kingdom and has ended it. TEKEL: You've been weighed on the scales and you don't measure up. PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and will be given to the Medes and Persians." Then Belshazzar gave orders to clothe Daniel in purple, to place a chain of gold around his neck, and to proclaim him the third highest ruler of the kingdom. That night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was killed, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 62.
Nation » Chastised
"Look! I'm giving the order: I will sift the house of Israel throughout all the nations, as one sifts with a sieve, yet not a single kernel will reach the ground!
The nations will also learn that because of Israel's sin the house of Israel went into captivity, since they were unfaithful in their behavior toward me. As a result, I hid my presence from them, turned them over to the control of their enemies, and they died by violence. It was because of their defilement and transgression that I treated them this way by hiding my presence from them.'"
"I kept on watching until the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothes were white, like snow, and the hair on his head was like pure wool. His throne burned with flaming fire, and its wheels burned with fire. A river of fire flowed out from before him. Thousands upon thousands were serving him, with millions upon millions waiting before him. The court sat in judgment, and record books were unsealed. "I continued watching because of the audacious words that the horn was speaking. I kept observing until the animal was killed and its body destroyed and given over to burning fire. read more.
Now as to the other animals, their authority was removed, but they were granted a reprieve from execution for an appointed period of time."
Now as to the other animals, their authority was removed, but they were granted a reprieve from execution for an appointed period of time."
"Just you wait!" declares the LORD. "The day will come when I stand up as a prosecutor, for I am determined to assemble the nations and to gather the kingdoms, in order to pour out my indignation upon them all of my fierce anger. All the earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.
"This is what I've planned for the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of the Heavenly Armies has planned, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"
"Should I not punish them for this?' asks the LORD. "Should I not avenge myself on a nation like this?'
"Israel, can't I deal with you like this potter?" declares the LORD. "Look, Israel, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. At one moment I may speak about a nation or a kingdom to uproot it, pull it down, or destroy it. But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it. read more.
At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it. But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I'll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.
"Then when the seventy years have passed, I'll judge the king of Babylon and that nation, declares the LORD, I'll judge the land of the Chaldeans for their iniquity and I'll make it a desolation forever. I'll bring on that land all the things I spoke against it, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied about the nations. Indeed many nations and great kings will make slaves even of them, and I'll repay them according to their deeds, according to what they have done.'" read more.
For this is what the LORD God of Israel says to me, "Take this cup of the wine of burning anger from my hand and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. They'll drink, stagger, and act like madmen because of the sword I'm sending among them." So I took the cup from the LORD's hand, and I made all the nations to whom the LORD sent me drink it: Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, its kings and officials to make them into a ruin, an object of horror and scorn, and a curse, as it is this day; Pharaoh, king of Egypt, his officials, his princes, and all his people; all the various people; all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and what remains of Ashdod; Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon; all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and all the kings of the coast lands that are beyond the sea; Dedan, Tema, Buz, and those who shave the corners of their beards; all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the various people who live in the desert; all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media; all the kings of the north near and far, one after another, and all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. The king of Sheshak will drink after all the others. "You are to say to them, "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Drink, get drunk, and vomit! Fall down and don't get up because of the sword I'm sending among you."' And if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink it, say to them, "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "You will surely drink it! Look, I'm beginning to bring disaster on the city that is called by my name, and do you actually think you will avoid punishment? You won't avoid punishment because I'm summoning the sword against all those who live in the land," declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.'" "You are to prophesy all these things against them, and you are to say to them, "The LORD roars from his high place, from his holy dwelling he lifts his voice. He roars loudly against his flock, and against all who live on the earth; he shouts like those treading grapes. A tumult reaches to the ends of the earth because the LORD is bringing an indictment against the nations. He judges all flesh. He has given the wicked over to the sword,' declares the LORD. "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Look, disaster is going from nation to nation, a great storm is being stirred up from the most distant parts of the earth. "Those slain by the LORD on that day will extend from one end of the earth to the other. They won't be mourned for or gathered up or buried. They'll be like dung on the surface of the ground.
For this is what the LORD God of Israel says to me, "Take this cup of the wine of burning anger from my hand and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. They'll drink, stagger, and act like madmen because of the sword I'm sending among them." So I took the cup from the LORD's hand, and I made all the nations to whom the LORD sent me drink it: Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, its kings and officials to make them into a ruin, an object of horror and scorn, and a curse, as it is this day; Pharaoh, king of Egypt, his officials, his princes, and all his people; all the various people; all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and what remains of Ashdod; Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon; all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and all the kings of the coast lands that are beyond the sea; Dedan, Tema, Buz, and those who shave the corners of their beards; all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the various people who live in the desert; all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media; all the kings of the north near and far, one after another, and all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. The king of Sheshak will drink after all the others. "You are to say to them, "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Drink, get drunk, and vomit! Fall down and don't get up because of the sword I'm sending among you."' And if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink it, say to them, "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "You will surely drink it! Look, I'm beginning to bring disaster on the city that is called by my name, and do you actually think you will avoid punishment? You won't avoid punishment because I'm summoning the sword against all those who live in the land," declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.'" "You are to prophesy all these things against them, and you are to say to them, "The LORD roars from his high place, from his holy dwelling he lifts his voice. He roars loudly against his flock, and against all who live on the earth; he shouts like those treading grapes. A tumult reaches to the ends of the earth because the LORD is bringing an indictment against the nations. He judges all flesh. He has given the wicked over to the sword,' declares the LORD. "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Look, disaster is going from nation to nation, a great storm is being stirred up from the most distant parts of the earth. "Those slain by the LORD on that day will extend from one end of the earth to the other. They won't be mourned for or gathered up or buried. They'll be like dung on the surface of the ground.
"Son of Man, I'm sending you to that rebellious people, the Israelis, who have rebelled against me the same way their ancestors did. And they're still rebels to this very day! They're stubborn and strong willed. I'm sending you to them to tell them what the LORD says. Whether this rebellious group listens to you or not, at least they'll realize that a prophet had appeared in their midst!
"So I turned my attention to the Lord God, seeking him in prayer and supplication, accompanied with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God, confessing and saying: "Lord! Great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant and gracious love for those who love him and obey his commandments, we've sinned, we've practiced evil, we've acted wickedly, and we've rebelled, turning away from your commands and from your regulations. read more.
Furthermore, we haven't listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, to our officials, to our ancestors, and to all of the people of the land. "To you, Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us, open humiliation even to this day, to the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, both those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the lands to which you drove them because of their unfaithful acts that they committed against you. "Open humiliation belongs to us, LORD, to our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we've sinned against you. But to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we've rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws that he gave us through his servants the prophets. And all Israel flouted your Law, turning aside from it and not obeying your voice. Because we've sinned against him, the curse has been poured upon us, along with the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God. "He has confirmed his accusation that he spoke against us and against our rulers who governed us by bringing upon us great calamity, because nowhere in the universe has anything been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. As it's written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has befallen us, but we still haven't sought the LORD our God by turning from our lawlessness to pay attention to your truth. So the LORD watched for the right time to bring the calamity upon us, because the LORD our God is righteous regarding everything he does, but we have not obeyed his voice. "And now, Lord our God, who brought your people from the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made a name for yourself that remains to this day we've sinned. We've acted wickedly. Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, please turn your anger and wrath away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become an embarrassment to all of those around us.
Furthermore, we haven't listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, to our officials, to our ancestors, and to all of the people of the land. "To you, Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us, open humiliation even to this day, to the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, both those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the lands to which you drove them because of their unfaithful acts that they committed against you. "Open humiliation belongs to us, LORD, to our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we've sinned against you. But to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we've rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws that he gave us through his servants the prophets. And all Israel flouted your Law, turning aside from it and not obeying your voice. Because we've sinned against him, the curse has been poured upon us, along with the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God. "He has confirmed his accusation that he spoke against us and against our rulers who governed us by bringing upon us great calamity, because nowhere in the universe has anything been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. As it's written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has befallen us, but we still haven't sought the LORD our God by turning from our lawlessness to pay attention to your truth. So the LORD watched for the right time to bring the calamity upon us, because the LORD our God is righteous regarding everything he does, but we have not obeyed his voice. "And now, Lord our God, who brought your people from the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made a name for yourself that remains to this day we've sinned. We've acted wickedly. Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, please turn your anger and wrath away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become an embarrassment to all of those around us.
When they go, I'll cast my net over them. I'll bring them down, as one shoots birds in the sky. I'll chasten them, as the assembly has already heard.
"I have destroyed nations their fortifications are deserted. I have turned their main thoroughfares into wastelands where no one will travel. Their cities are desolate; as a result, not one man remains no, not even a single resident.