Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Wicked people » Prosperity of
{A Psalm of David} Fret not thyself because of the ungodly; neither be thou envious against the evil doers.
"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.
A fearful sound is ever in his ears, and when it is peace yet feareth he destruction.
the praise of the ungodly hath been short, and that the joy of the hypocrites continued but the twinkling of an eye?
But though an evil person offend a hundredth times, and have a long life: yet am I sure, that it shall go well with them that fear God, because they have him before their eyes. Again, as for the ungodly, it shall not be well with him, neither shall he prolong his days: but even as a shadow, so shall he be that feareth not God.
I myself have seen the ungodly in great power, and flourishing like a green bay-tree. But when I went by, lo, he was gone; I sought him, but his place could nowhere be found.
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.'
Why lettest thou me see weariness and labour? Tyranny and violence are before me, power overgoeth right: for the law is torn in pieces, and there can no right judgment go forth. And why? The ungodly is more set by than the righteous: this is the cause that wrong judgment proceedeth.
I have seen myself, when the foolish was deep rooted, that his beauty was suddenly destroyed, that his children were without prosperity or health; that they were slain in the door, and no man to deliver them; that his harvest was eaten up of the hungry; that the weaponed man had spoiled it, and that the thirsty had drunk up his riches.
When he goeth forth to get his living, he thinketh plainly, that the day of darkness is at hand.
Though he had plenteousness of everything, yet was he poor, and therefore he is but a wretch on every side.
"Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches? Their children's children live in their sight, and their generation before their eyes. Their houses are safe from all fear, for the rod of God doth not smite them. read more.
Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time: their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful. They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and harps, and have instruments of music at their pleasure. They spend their days in wealthiness: but suddenly, they go down to hell.
Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time: their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful. They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and harps, and have instruments of music at their pleasure. They spend their days in wealthiness: but suddenly, they go down to hell.
For he seeth that wise men also die and perish together, as well as the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches for others. And yet they think that their houses shall continue forever, and that their dwelling-places shall endure from one generation to another; and call the lands after their own names. Nevertheless, man will not abide in honour, seeing he may be compared unto the beasts that perish; this is the way of them. read more.
This way of theirs is very foolishness, and yet their posterity praise it with their mouth. Selah. They lie in the hell like sheep, death gnaweth upon them, and the righteous shall have domination of them in the morning. Their beauty shall consume in the sepulchre, and hell shall be their dwelling. But God shall deliver my soul from the power of hell, when he receiveth me. Selah.
This way of theirs is very foolishness, and yet their posterity praise it with their mouth. Selah. They lie in the hell like sheep, death gnaweth upon them, and the righteous shall have domination of them in the morning. Their beauty shall consume in the sepulchre, and hell shall be their dwelling. But God shall deliver my soul from the power of hell, when he receiveth me. Selah.
And why? I was grieved at the wicked, to see the ungodly in such prosperity. For they are in no peril of death, but stand fast like a palace. They come in no misfortune like other folk; neither are they plagued like other men. read more.
And this is the cause that they be so puffed up in pride, and overwhelmed with cruelty and unrighteousness. Their eyes swell with fatness, and they do even what they lust. They corrupt others, and speak blasphemies maliciously; proud and presumptuous are their words. They stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven, and their tongue goeth through the world. Therefore fall the people unto them, and there out suck they no small advantage. "Tush," say they, "How should God perceive it? Is there knowledge in the most high?" Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, these have riches in possession; and I said, "Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency? Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?" Yea, I had almost also said even as they do; but lo, then should I have condemned the generation of thy children. Then thought I to understand this; but it was too hard for me, until I went into the Sanctuary of God. Then understood I the end of these men. Namely, how thou hast set them in a slippery places, that thou mayest cast them down headlong and destroy them. O how suddenly do they consume, perish and come to a fearful end! Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh, so makest thou their image to vanish out of the city. Thus my heart was grieved, and it went even through my veins. So foolish was I, and ignorant, even as it were a beast before thee.
And this is the cause that they be so puffed up in pride, and overwhelmed with cruelty and unrighteousness. Their eyes swell with fatness, and they do even what they lust. They corrupt others, and speak blasphemies maliciously; proud and presumptuous are their words. They stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven, and their tongue goeth through the world. Therefore fall the people unto them, and there out suck they no small advantage. "Tush," say they, "How should God perceive it? Is there knowledge in the most high?" Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, these have riches in possession; and I said, "Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency? Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?" Yea, I had almost also said even as they do; but lo, then should I have condemned the generation of thy children. Then thought I to understand this; but it was too hard for me, until I went into the Sanctuary of God. Then understood I the end of these men. Namely, how thou hast set them in a slippery places, that thou mayest cast them down headlong and destroy them. O how suddenly do they consume, perish and come to a fearful end! Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh, so makest thou their image to vanish out of the city. Thus my heart was grieved, and it went even through my veins. So foolish was I, and ignorant, even as it were a beast before thee.
An unwise man will not know this, and a fool will not understand it - that the ungodly are green as grass, and that all the works of wickedness do flourish, to be destroyed forever.
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? Thou plantest them, they take root, they grow, and bring forth fruit. They boast much of thee, yet doest thou not punish them.
Thine eyes are clean, thou mayest not see evil, thou cannot behold the thing that is wicked. Wherefore then doest thou look upon the ungodly, and holdest thy tongue, when the wicked devoureth the man that is better than himself? Thou makest men as the fish in the sea, and like as the creeping beasts, that have no guide. They take up all with their angle, they catch it in their net, and gather it in their yarn: whereof they rejoice and are glad. read more.
Therefore offer they unto their net, and do sacrifice unto their yarn: because that through it their portions is become so fat, and their meat so plenteous. Wherefore they cast out their net again, and never cease to slay the people.
Therefore offer they unto their net, and do sacrifice unto their yarn: because that through it their portions is become so fat, and their meat so plenteous. Wherefore they cast out their net again, and never cease to slay the people.
Wicked people » Temporal punishment of
Shall not the light of the ungodly be put out? Yea, the flame of his fire shall not burn. The light shall be dark in his dwelling, and his candle shall be put out with him. His presumptuous goings shall be kept in, and his own counsel shall cast him down. read more.
For his feet shall be taken in the net, and he is at his wits end. His foot shall be holden in the gilder, and the thirsty shall catch him. The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a pitfall in the way. "Fearfulness shall make him afraid on every side, that he shall not know where to get out. Hunger shall be his substance, and misfortune shall hang upon him. He shall eat the strength of his own skin; the firstborn of death shall eat his members. All his comfort and hope shall be rooted out of his dwelling, and shall bring him unto the king of fear. Other men shall dwell in his house - which now is none of his - and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his harvest be cut down. His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and his name shall not be praised in the streets: he shall be driven from the light into darkness, and cast clean out of the world. He shall neither have children nor kinfolks among his people, no nor any posterity in his country: young and old shall be astonished at his death. Such are now the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
For his feet shall be taken in the net, and he is at his wits end. His foot shall be holden in the gilder, and the thirsty shall catch him. The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a pitfall in the way. "Fearfulness shall make him afraid on every side, that he shall not know where to get out. Hunger shall be his substance, and misfortune shall hang upon him. He shall eat the strength of his own skin; the firstborn of death shall eat his members. All his comfort and hope shall be rooted out of his dwelling, and shall bring him unto the king of fear. Other men shall dwell in his house - which now is none of his - and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his harvest be cut down. His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and his name shall not be praised in the streets: he shall be driven from the light into darkness, and cast clean out of the world. He shall neither have children nor kinfolks among his people, no nor any posterity in his country: young and old shall be astonished at his death. Such are now the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
"Nevertheless, your misdeeds have turned these from you, and your sins have robbed you hereof.
saying, 'This is that portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that Tyrants shall receive of the Almighty'? If he get many children, they shall perish with the sword, and his posterity shall have scarceness of bread. Look, whom he leaveth behind him, they shall die and be buried, and no man shall have pity of his widows. read more.
Though he have as much money as the dust of the earth, and raiment as ready as the clay, he may well prepare it: but the godly shall put it upon him, and the innocent shall deal out the money. His house shall endure as the moth, and as a booth that the watchman maketh. When the rich man dieth, he carrieth nothing with him: he is gone in the twinkling of an eye. Destruction taketh hold upon him as a water flood, and the tempest stealeth him away in the night season. A vehement wind carrieth him hence, and departeth: a storm plucketh him out of his place. It rusheth in upon him, and spareth him not, he may not escape from the power thereof. Then clap men their hands at him, yea and jest of him, when they look upon his place.
Though he have as much money as the dust of the earth, and raiment as ready as the clay, he may well prepare it: but the godly shall put it upon him, and the innocent shall deal out the money. His house shall endure as the moth, and as a booth that the watchman maketh. When the rich man dieth, he carrieth nothing with him: he is gone in the twinkling of an eye. Destruction taketh hold upon him as a water flood, and the tempest stealeth him away in the night season. A vehement wind carrieth him hence, and departeth: a storm plucketh him out of his place. It rusheth in upon him, and spareth him not, he may not escape from the power thereof. Then clap men their hands at him, yea and jest of him, when they look upon his place.
The ungodly despaireth all the days of his life, and the number of a tyrant's years is unknown. A fearful sound is ever in his ears, and when it is peace yet feareth he destruction. He believeth never to be delivered out of darkness; the sword is always before his eyes. read more.
When he goeth forth to get his living, he thinketh plainly, that the day of darkness is at hand. Sorrow and carefulness make him afraid, and compass him round about, like as it where a king with his host ready to the battle. For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and armed himself against the Almighty. He runneth proudly upon him, and with a stiff neck fighteth he against him: whereas he covereth his face with fatness, and maketh his body well liking. Therefore shall his dwelling be in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, but are become heaps of stones. He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, nor increase upon earth. He shall never come out of darkness, the flame shall dry up his branches, with the blast of the mouth of God shall he be taken away. He will never apply himself to faithfulness and truth, so sore is he deceived with vanity. He shall perish, before his time be worn out, and his hand shall not be green. He shall be plucked off as an untimely grape from the vine, and shall let his flower fall, as the olive doth. For the congregation of hypocrites is unfruitful, and the fire shall consume the houses of such as are greedy to receive gifts. He conceiveth travail, he beareth mischief, and his body bringeth forth deceit."
When he goeth forth to get his living, he thinketh plainly, that the day of darkness is at hand. Sorrow and carefulness make him afraid, and compass him round about, like as it where a king with his host ready to the battle. For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and armed himself against the Almighty. He runneth proudly upon him, and with a stiff neck fighteth he against him: whereas he covereth his face with fatness, and maketh his body well liking. Therefore shall his dwelling be in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, but are become heaps of stones. He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, nor increase upon earth. He shall never come out of darkness, the flame shall dry up his branches, with the blast of the mouth of God shall he be taken away. He will never apply himself to faithfulness and truth, so sore is he deceived with vanity. He shall perish, before his time be worn out, and his hand shall not be green. He shall be plucked off as an untimely grape from the vine, and shall let his flower fall, as the olive doth. For the congregation of hypocrites is unfruitful, and the fire shall consume the houses of such as are greedy to receive gifts. He conceiveth travail, he beareth mischief, and his body bringeth forth deceit."
the praise of the ungodly hath been short, and that the joy of the hypocrites continued but the twinkling of an eye? Though he be magnified up to the heaven, so that his head reacheth into the clouds: yet he perisheth at the last, like dung. Insomuch that they which have seen him, say, 'Where is he?' read more.
He vanisheth as a dream, so that he can no more be found, and passeth away as a vision in the night. So that the eye which saw him before, getteth now no sight of him, and his place knoweth him no more. "His children shall be fain to agree with the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. From his youth his bones are full of vice; but now shall it lie down with him in the earth. When wickedness was sweet in his mouth, he hid it under his tongue. That he favoured, that would he not forsake; but kept it close in his throat. The bread that he did eat is turned to the poison of serpents, within his body. The riches that he devoured, shall he vomit out again; for God shall draw them out of his belly. He shall suck the serpent's gall, and the adder's tongue shall slay him: so that he shall no more see the rivers, and brooks of honey and butter. But he shall labour, and yet have nothing to eat. Great travail shall he make for riches, but he shall not enjoy them. And why? He hath oppressed the poor, and not helped them: houses hath he spoiled, and not builded them. His belly could never be filled; therefore shall he perish in his covetousness. He devoured so greedily that he left nothing behind; therefore his goods shall not prosper. Though he had plenteousness of everything, yet was he poor, and therefore he is but a wretch on every side. "For though the wicked have never so much to fill his belly, yet God shall send his wrath upon him, and cause his indignation to rain over him: so that if he flee the iron weapons, he shall be shot with the steel bow. The arrow shall be taken forth, and go out at his back; and a glistering sword through the gall of him. Fear shall come upon him. There shall no darkness be able to hide him. An unkindled fire shall consume him; and look, what remaineth in his house, it shall be destroyed. The heaven shall declare his wickedness, and the earth shall take part against him. The substance that he hath in his house, shall be taken away and perish, in the day of the LORD's wrath. This is the portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that he may look for of the LORD."
He vanisheth as a dream, so that he can no more be found, and passeth away as a vision in the night. So that the eye which saw him before, getteth now no sight of him, and his place knoweth him no more. "His children shall be fain to agree with the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. From his youth his bones are full of vice; but now shall it lie down with him in the earth. When wickedness was sweet in his mouth, he hid it under his tongue. That he favoured, that would he not forsake; but kept it close in his throat. The bread that he did eat is turned to the poison of serpents, within his body. The riches that he devoured, shall he vomit out again; for God shall draw them out of his belly. He shall suck the serpent's gall, and the adder's tongue shall slay him: so that he shall no more see the rivers, and brooks of honey and butter. But he shall labour, and yet have nothing to eat. Great travail shall he make for riches, but he shall not enjoy them. And why? He hath oppressed the poor, and not helped them: houses hath he spoiled, and not builded them. His belly could never be filled; therefore shall he perish in his covetousness. He devoured so greedily that he left nothing behind; therefore his goods shall not prosper. Though he had plenteousness of everything, yet was he poor, and therefore he is but a wretch on every side. "For though the wicked have never so much to fill his belly, yet God shall send his wrath upon him, and cause his indignation to rain over him: so that if he flee the iron weapons, he shall be shot with the steel bow. The arrow shall be taken forth, and go out at his back; and a glistering sword through the gall of him. Fear shall come upon him. There shall no darkness be able to hide him. An unkindled fire shall consume him; and look, what remaineth in his house, it shall be destroyed. The heaven shall declare his wickedness, and the earth shall take part against him. The substance that he hath in his house, shall be taken away and perish, in the day of the LORD's wrath. This is the portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that he may look for of the LORD."
"Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches? Their children's children live in their sight, and their generation before their eyes. Their houses are safe from all fear, for the rod of God doth not smite them. read more.
Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time: their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful. They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and harps, and have instruments of music at their pleasure. They spend their days in wealthiness: but suddenly, they go down to hell. They say unto God, 'Go from us: we desire not the knowledge of thy ways! What manner of fellow is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, to submit ourselves unto him?' Lo, there is utterly no goodness in them, therefore will not I have to do with the counsel of the ungodly. "How oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out? How oft cometh their destruction upon them? Oh what sorrow shall God give them for their part in his wrath! Yea, they shall be even as chaff before the wind, and as dust that the storm carrieth away. And though God save their children from such sorrow, yet will he so reward themselves, that they shall know it. Their own destruction and misery shall they see with their eyes, and drink of the fearful wrath of the Almighty. For what careth he, what become of his household after his death, when the number of his months is cut short? Inasmuch then as God hath the highest power of all, who can teach him any knowledge? One dieth now when he is mighty and at his best, rich and in prosperity; even when his bowels are at the fattest, and his bones full of marrow. Another dieth in sorrow and heaviness, and never had good days. Now sleep they both alike in the earth, and the worms cover them. "But I know what ye think; yea, and what ye imagine against me unrighteously. For ye say, 'Where is the prince's palace? Where is the dwelling of the ungodly? Ask any man that goeth by the way, and - if ye will not regard their tokens and deeds - he shall tell you, that the wicked is kept unto the day of destruction, and that the ungodly shall be brought forth in the day of wrath. Who dare reprove him for his ways to his face? Who rewardeth him for the ungraciousness that he doth? Yet shall he be brought to his grave, and dwell among the heap of the dead. Then shall he be fain to be buried among the stones by the brookside. All men must follow him, and there are innumerable gone before him.
Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time: their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful. They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and harps, and have instruments of music at their pleasure. They spend their days in wealthiness: but suddenly, they go down to hell. They say unto God, 'Go from us: we desire not the knowledge of thy ways! What manner of fellow is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, to submit ourselves unto him?' Lo, there is utterly no goodness in them, therefore will not I have to do with the counsel of the ungodly. "How oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out? How oft cometh their destruction upon them? Oh what sorrow shall God give them for their part in his wrath! Yea, they shall be even as chaff before the wind, and as dust that the storm carrieth away. And though God save their children from such sorrow, yet will he so reward themselves, that they shall know it. Their own destruction and misery shall they see with their eyes, and drink of the fearful wrath of the Almighty. For what careth he, what become of his household after his death, when the number of his months is cut short? Inasmuch then as God hath the highest power of all, who can teach him any knowledge? One dieth now when he is mighty and at his best, rich and in prosperity; even when his bowels are at the fattest, and his bones full of marrow. Another dieth in sorrow and heaviness, and never had good days. Now sleep they both alike in the earth, and the worms cover them. "But I know what ye think; yea, and what ye imagine against me unrighteously. For ye say, 'Where is the prince's palace? Where is the dwelling of the ungodly? Ask any man that goeth by the way, and - if ye will not regard their tokens and deeds - he shall tell you, that the wicked is kept unto the day of destruction, and that the ungodly shall be brought forth in the day of wrath. Who dare reprove him for his ways to his face? Who rewardeth him for the ungraciousness that he doth? Yet shall he be brought to his grave, and dwell among the heap of the dead. Then shall he be fain to be buried among the stones by the brookside. All men must follow him, and there are innumerable gone before him.
For some men there be, that remove other men's landmarks; that rob them of their cattle, and keep the same for their own; that drive away the ass of the fatherless; that take the widow's ox for a pledge; that thrust the poor out of the way, and oppress the simple of the world together. read more.
Behold, even as the wild asses in the desert go they forth to their work, and rise betimes to spoil: Yea, the very wilderness ministereth food for them and their children. by times, as their manner is, to spoil: Yea the very wilderness ministereth food for their children. They reap the corn field that is not their own; and let the vineyard of the ungodly alone. They are the cause that so many men are naked and bare, having no clothes to cover them and keep them from cold; So that when the showers in the mountains have rained upon them, and they be all wet, they have none other succour, but to embrace the rock for want of a covering. They spoil the sucking fatherless children, and put the poor in prison, insomuch that they let him go naked without clothing, and take way the sheaf of the hungry. The poor are fain to labour in their oil mills, yea and to tread in their wine presses, and yet to suffer thirst. "The whole city crieth unto the LORD with sighing, the souls of the slain make their complaint: But God destroyeth them not for all this, whereas they, notwithstanding, are rebellious and disobedient enemies: which seek not his light and way, nor turn again in to his path. Timely in the morning do they arise, to murder the simple and poor, and in the night they go a stealing. The eye of the ungodly is like the adulterer, that waiteth for the darkness, and sayeth thus in himself, 'Tush, there shall no man see me,' and so he disguiseth his face. In the night season they search the houses, and hide themselves in the daytime, but will not know the light. For as soon as the day breaketh, the shadow of death cometh upon them, and they go in horrible darkness. "The ungodly is very swift: O that his portion also upon earth were swifter than the running water, which suffereth not the shipman to behold the fair and pleasant vineyards. O that they, for the wickedness which they have done, were drawn to the hell, sooner than snow melteth at the heat. O that all compassion upon them were forgotten: that their dainties were worms, that they were clean put out of remembrance, and utterly hewn down like an unfruitful tree. For they maintain the barren, and make them that they cannot bear, and unto widows they do no good. They pluck down the mighty with their power, and when they themselves are gotten up, they are never without fear, as long as they live. And though they might be safe, yet they will not receive it, for their eyes look upon their own ways. They are exalted for a little, but shortly are they gone, brought to extreme poverty, and taken out of the way: yea, and utterly plucked off, as the ears of corn.
Behold, even as the wild asses in the desert go they forth to their work, and rise betimes to spoil: Yea, the very wilderness ministereth food for them and their children. by times, as their manner is, to spoil: Yea the very wilderness ministereth food for their children. They reap the corn field that is not their own; and let the vineyard of the ungodly alone. They are the cause that so many men are naked and bare, having no clothes to cover them and keep them from cold; So that when the showers in the mountains have rained upon them, and they be all wet, they have none other succour, but to embrace the rock for want of a covering. They spoil the sucking fatherless children, and put the poor in prison, insomuch that they let him go naked without clothing, and take way the sheaf of the hungry. The poor are fain to labour in their oil mills, yea and to tread in their wine presses, and yet to suffer thirst. "The whole city crieth unto the LORD with sighing, the souls of the slain make their complaint: But God destroyeth them not for all this, whereas they, notwithstanding, are rebellious and disobedient enemies: which seek not his light and way, nor turn again in to his path. Timely in the morning do they arise, to murder the simple and poor, and in the night they go a stealing. The eye of the ungodly is like the adulterer, that waiteth for the darkness, and sayeth thus in himself, 'Tush, there shall no man see me,' and so he disguiseth his face. In the night season they search the houses, and hide themselves in the daytime, but will not know the light. For as soon as the day breaketh, the shadow of death cometh upon them, and they go in horrible darkness. "The ungodly is very swift: O that his portion also upon earth were swifter than the running water, which suffereth not the shipman to behold the fair and pleasant vineyards. O that they, for the wickedness which they have done, were drawn to the hell, sooner than snow melteth at the heat. O that all compassion upon them were forgotten: that their dainties were worms, that they were clean put out of remembrance, and utterly hewn down like an unfruitful tree. For they maintain the barren, and make them that they cannot bear, and unto widows they do no good. They pluck down the mighty with their power, and when they themselves are gotten up, they are never without fear, as long as they live. And though they might be safe, yet they will not receive it, for their eyes look upon their own ways. They are exalted for a little, but shortly are they gone, brought to extreme poverty, and taken out of the way: yea, and utterly plucked off, as the ears of corn.
Ye shall be slain in all the coasts of Israel. I will be avenged of you: to learn you for to know that I am the LORD.
And unto the people of the land, speak thou on this manner: 'Thus sayeth the LORD God to them that dwell in Jerusalem, and to the land of Israel: Ye shall eat your bread with sorrow, and drink your water with heaviness. Yea, the land with the fullness thereof shall be laid waste, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. And the cities that now be well occupied, shall be void, and the land desolate: that ye may know how that I am the LORD.'"
And look: what generation upon earth goeth not up to Jerusalem for to worship the King, even the LORD of Hosts: upon the same shall come no rain. If the kindred of Egypt go not up, and come not, it shall not rain upon them neither. This shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all Heathen, that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. Yea, this shall be the sin plague of Egypt and the sin plague of all people that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.