Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Following » The reward for following vanity
This happened because the Israelis had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt and from the domination of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, because they were fearing other gods, and because they were following the rules of the nations whom the LORD had expelled before the Israelis and that the kings of Israel had practiced. The Israelis practiced secret things that were not right, offending the LORD their God. In addition, they built high places for use by all their towns, watchtowers, and fortified cities. read more.
They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, where they made offerings on all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD had expelled before them. They also practiced other wickedness, provoking the LORD to become angry, and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this." Nevertheless, the LORD had warned both Israel and Judah by means of every prophet and seer: "Turn away from your evil practices and keep my commandments and statutes according to the entire Law that I gave your ancestors and that I sent to you through my servants, the prophets." But they would not listen. Instead, they were stubborn, just like their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. They abandoned all of the commands given by the LORD their God, crafted for themselves cast images of two calves, constructed an Asherah, worshipped all of the stars in heaven, and served Baal. They passed their sons and daughters through fire, practiced divination, cast spells, and sold themselves to practice what the LORD considered to be evil, thereby provoking him. As a result, the LORD was angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. No one was left except for the tribe of Judah. But Judah, too, did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. Instead, they lived the lifestyle that Israel had chosen, so the LORD rejected all of the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to the control of plunderers until he had thrown them away from his presence. He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The Israelis practiced all the sins that Jeroboam had practiced, and never wavered from them until the LORD removed Israel from his presence, just as he had warned through all of his prophets who served him. So Israel was carried off into exile from their own land into Assyria, where they remain to this day.
They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, where they made offerings on all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD had expelled before them. They also practiced other wickedness, provoking the LORD to become angry, and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this." Nevertheless, the LORD had warned both Israel and Judah by means of every prophet and seer: "Turn away from your evil practices and keep my commandments and statutes according to the entire Law that I gave your ancestors and that I sent to you through my servants, the prophets." But they would not listen. Instead, they were stubborn, just like their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. They abandoned all of the commands given by the LORD their God, crafted for themselves cast images of two calves, constructed an Asherah, worshipped all of the stars in heaven, and served Baal. They passed their sons and daughters through fire, practiced divination, cast spells, and sold themselves to practice what the LORD considered to be evil, thereby provoking him. As a result, the LORD was angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. No one was left except for the tribe of Judah. But Judah, too, did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. Instead, they lived the lifestyle that Israel had chosen, so the LORD rejected all of the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to the control of plunderers until he had thrown them away from his presence. He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The Israelis practiced all the sins that Jeroboam had practiced, and never wavered from them until the LORD removed Israel from his presence, just as he had warned through all of his prophets who served him. So Israel was carried off into exile from their own land into Assyria, where they remain to this day.
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
"Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "Ask the nations. Who has ever heard of anything like this? You have done a most horrible thing, virgin Israel. Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Or does the cold water from a foreign land ever cease to flow? Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up. read more.
They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. "Like the east wind, I'll scatter them before the enemy. I'll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.'"
They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. "Like the east wind, I'll scatter them before the enemy. I'll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.'"
Profit and loss » Loss » The wages of sin do not profit
After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
suffering harm as punishment for their wrongdoing. They take pleasure in wild parties in broad daylight. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceitful pleasures while they eat with you.
because if the message spoken by angels was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience received its just punishment,
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.
Verse Concepts
Accepting ChristThe DeadSpiritual DeathChristmasDeath, Description OfGiftsHeaven, Redeemed CommunityBad ChildrenAfterlifeAvoiding SinBecoming A Christianevil, warnings againstevil, origins ofeternal life, gift ofGenerosity, God'sBeing Born AgainBeing In DebtGod, The EternalPunishment, According To DeedsHell, As An ExperienceLast ThingsMind, The HumanMortalityPunishment, Nature OfResponsibility, To GodReward, DivineRomeServants, Working Conditions OfSin BearerWarning
Life, EverlastingSin, Consequences OfAdam, Results Of SinChrist, Names ForThe Immortal SoulBeing Dead In SinSalvation, As A GiftCancellation Of DeptLife Through ChristSin Producing DeathSinRepentanceSin Produces DeathWages For EvilAll Sins Being EqualDeathLiving In SinPunishmentEternal lifeDeath ofnatural Deaththe Gifts of GodDeserving DeathLife After DeathNatural DisastersJesus DeatheternityconsequencesfreeAbolishing Death
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
"This is what a wicked person inherits from God, and what the ruthless will receive from the Almighty:
Sin » Unpardonable, the » Wages of
After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
suffering harm as punishment for their wrongdoing. They take pleasure in wild parties in broad daylight. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceitful pleasures while they eat with you.
because if the message spoken by angels was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience received its just punishment,
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.
Verse Concepts
Accepting ChristThe DeadSpiritual DeathChristmasDeath, Description OfGiftsHeaven, Redeemed CommunityBad ChildrenAfterlifeAvoiding SinBecoming A Christianevil, warnings againstevil, origins ofeternal life, gift ofGenerosity, God'sBeing Born AgainBeing In DebtGod, The EternalPunishment, According To DeedsHell, As An ExperienceLast ThingsMind, The HumanMortalityPunishment, Nature OfResponsibility, To GodReward, DivineRomeServants, Working Conditions OfSin BearerWarning
Life, EverlastingSin, Consequences OfAdam, Results Of SinChrist, Names ForThe Immortal SoulBeing Dead In SinSalvation, As A GiftCancellation Of DeptLife Through ChristSin Producing DeathSinRepentanceSin Produces DeathWages For EvilAll Sins Being EqualDeathLiving In SinPunishmentEternal lifeDeath ofnatural Deaththe Gifts of GodDeserving DeathLife After DeathNatural DisastersJesus DeatheternityconsequencesfreeAbolishing Death
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
"This is what a wicked person inherits from God, and what the ruthless will receive from the Almighty:
Trust » What not to trust in
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Verse Concepts
Giving, Of OneselfAffluenceFalse ConfidenceCommitment, to the worldGenerosity, God'sGuardiansHappinessFalse HopesHope, In GodHope, Nature OfInsecurityPerils Of LuxuryMoney, Attitudes ToOptimismPeace, Divine In NtPleasurePresent, TheRich, TheRiches, Believers AttitudesRiches, Dangers OfRiches, Nature Of
Don't trust in oppression or put false hope in stealing; if you become wealthy, do not set your heart on it.
Trust » Of the wicked » Is in vanity
No one brings a lawsuit fairly, and no one goes to law honestly; they have relied on empty arguments and they tell lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
Vanity » The reward for following vanity
This happened because the Israelis had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt and from the domination of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, because they were fearing other gods, and because they were following the rules of the nations whom the LORD had expelled before the Israelis and that the kings of Israel had practiced. The Israelis practiced secret things that were not right, offending the LORD their God. In addition, they built high places for use by all their towns, watchtowers, and fortified cities. read more.
They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, where they made offerings on all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD had expelled before them. They also practiced other wickedness, provoking the LORD to become angry, and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this." Nevertheless, the LORD had warned both Israel and Judah by means of every prophet and seer: "Turn away from your evil practices and keep my commandments and statutes according to the entire Law that I gave your ancestors and that I sent to you through my servants, the prophets." But they would not listen. Instead, they were stubborn, just like their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. They abandoned all of the commands given by the LORD their God, crafted for themselves cast images of two calves, constructed an Asherah, worshipped all of the stars in heaven, and served Baal. They passed their sons and daughters through fire, practiced divination, cast spells, and sold themselves to practice what the LORD considered to be evil, thereby provoking him. As a result, the LORD was angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. No one was left except for the tribe of Judah. But Judah, too, did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. Instead, they lived the lifestyle that Israel had chosen, so the LORD rejected all of the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to the control of plunderers until he had thrown them away from his presence. He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The Israelis practiced all the sins that Jeroboam had practiced, and never wavered from them until the LORD removed Israel from his presence, just as he had warned through all of his prophets who served him. So Israel was carried off into exile from their own land into Assyria, where they remain to this day.
They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, where they made offerings on all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD had expelled before them. They also practiced other wickedness, provoking the LORD to become angry, and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this." Nevertheless, the LORD had warned both Israel and Judah by means of every prophet and seer: "Turn away from your evil practices and keep my commandments and statutes according to the entire Law that I gave your ancestors and that I sent to you through my servants, the prophets." But they would not listen. Instead, they were stubborn, just like their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. They abandoned all of the commands given by the LORD their God, crafted for themselves cast images of two calves, constructed an Asherah, worshipped all of the stars in heaven, and served Baal. They passed their sons and daughters through fire, practiced divination, cast spells, and sold themselves to practice what the LORD considered to be evil, thereby provoking him. As a result, the LORD was angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. No one was left except for the tribe of Judah. But Judah, too, did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. Instead, they lived the lifestyle that Israel had chosen, so the LORD rejected all of the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to the control of plunderers until he had thrown them away from his presence. He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The Israelis practiced all the sins that Jeroboam had practiced, and never wavered from them until the LORD removed Israel from his presence, just as he had warned through all of his prophets who served him. So Israel was carried off into exile from their own land into Assyria, where they remain to this day.
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
"Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "Ask the nations. Who has ever heard of anything like this? You have done a most horrible thing, virgin Israel. Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Or does the cold water from a foreign land ever cease to flow? Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up. read more.
They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. "Like the east wind, I'll scatter them before the enemy. I'll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.'"
They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. "Like the east wind, I'll scatter them before the enemy. I'll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.'"
Vanity » They who trust in, rewarded with
Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.
Wicked people » Temporal punishment of
"Indeed, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame from his fire doesn't shine. Light in his tent is dark, and his lamp goes out above him. His strong steps are restricted, and his own advice trips him up. read more.
"For he has stumbled into a net with his own feet; he walked right into the network! The trap seizes him by the heel; a snare tightens its hold on him. A rope lies hidden in the dirt; a trap lies waiting for him where he is walking." "He is petrified by terror that surrounds him on all sides; they chase at his heels. He is starved for strength; and is ripe for a fall. Something gnaws on his skin; a deadly disease consumes his limbs. Torn from the security of his home, he is brought before the king of terrors. "There's nothing in his tent that belongs to him; sulfur is scattered all over his dwelling place. His roots wither underneath, while his branches above are being cut off. No one remembers him anywhere in the land; no one names streets in his honor. He is driven away from light to darkness, made to wander the landscape. He has no children or descendants within his own people; and no survivors where he once lived. People who live west of him are appalled at his fate; those who live east of him are seized with terror. Indeed, the residences of the wicked are like this; and so are the homes of those who don't know God."
"For he has stumbled into a net with his own feet; he walked right into the network! The trap seizes him by the heel; a snare tightens its hold on him. A rope lies hidden in the dirt; a trap lies waiting for him where he is walking." "He is petrified by terror that surrounds him on all sides; they chase at his heels. He is starved for strength; and is ripe for a fall. Something gnaws on his skin; a deadly disease consumes his limbs. Torn from the security of his home, he is brought before the king of terrors. "There's nothing in his tent that belongs to him; sulfur is scattered all over his dwelling place. His roots wither underneath, while his branches above are being cut off. No one remembers him anywhere in the land; no one names streets in his honor. He is driven away from light to darkness, made to wander the landscape. He has no children or descendants within his own people; and no survivors where he once lived. People who live west of him are appalled at his fate; those who live east of him are seized with terror. Indeed, the residences of the wicked are like this; and so are the homes of those who don't know God."
Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have held back from you what is good.
"This is what a wicked person inherits from God, and what the ruthless will receive from the Almighty: If he has many children, their destiny is to die by the sword, and his descendants won't have enough food. Those who do survive him disease will bury, and his widow won't even weep. read more.
"Though he hoards silver like dust, and stores away garments like clay, whatever he stores up, the righteous will wear, and the innocent will inherit that silver! "He has built his house like a moth's cocoon, like a temporary sunshade that a watchman makes. He will go to bed wealthy, but won't be doing that anymore! When he opens his eyes, it will be gone! Terror will overtake him like a flood, at night, a tornado will sweep him away. He'll be swept up by a storm wind and carried away; he'll be whirled away from his place. It will toss him around without pity. He'll try to break free from its grip, but it will clap its hands over him, hissing at him as it lunges toward him."
"Though he hoards silver like dust, and stores away garments like clay, whatever he stores up, the righteous will wear, and the innocent will inherit that silver! "He has built his house like a moth's cocoon, like a temporary sunshade that a watchman makes. He will go to bed wealthy, but won't be doing that anymore! When he opens his eyes, it will be gone! Terror will overtake him like a flood, at night, a tornado will sweep him away. He'll be swept up by a storm wind and carried away; he'll be whirled away from his place. It will toss him around without pity. He'll try to break free from its grip, but it will clap its hands over him, hissing at him as it lunges toward him."
"The wicked person writhes in pain throughout his life, a number of years has been reserved for the ruthless. Terrifying sounds ring in his ears; when times are prosperous, the Destroyer will attack him. He does not believe he will escape darkness; he is destined for the sword. read more.
He wanders around for food where is it? He knows that a time of darkness is near. Distress and pressure terrify him; they overwhelm him, like a king poised for attack. "For he has raised his fist against God, defying the Almighty. He defiantly ran against him carrying his thick, reinforced shield. Though he covered his face with fat, and is grossly overweight at the waist, He will live in devastated towns, in abandoned houses that are about to become heaps of rubble. "He won't become rich and his wealth won't last; he won't expand his holdings to cover the land. He won't escape darkness; a flame will wither his shoots; and he'll depart by the breath of God's mouth. Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward. This will be accomplished before his time; his branches won't grow luxuriant. "He is like a vine that drops its unripe grapes; like an olive tree that loses its blossoms. For the company of the godless is desolation, and fire consumes the tents of those who bribe. For they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity; their womb is pregnant with deception."
He wanders around for food where is it? He knows that a time of darkness is near. Distress and pressure terrify him; they overwhelm him, like a king poised for attack. "For he has raised his fist against God, defying the Almighty. He defiantly ran against him carrying his thick, reinforced shield. Though he covered his face with fat, and is grossly overweight at the waist, He will live in devastated towns, in abandoned houses that are about to become heaps of rubble. "He won't become rich and his wealth won't last; he won't expand his holdings to cover the land. He won't escape darkness; a flame will wither his shoots; and he'll depart by the breath of God's mouth. Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward. This will be accomplished before his time; his branches won't grow luxuriant. "He is like a vine that drops its unripe grapes; like an olive tree that loses its blossoms. For the company of the godless is desolation, and fire consumes the tents of those who bribe. For they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity; their womb is pregnant with deception."
The wicked triumph only briefly; the joy of the godless is momentary. Though he grow as tall as the sky, or though his head touches the clouds, he'll perish forever, like his own excrement; those who saw him will ask, "Where is he?' read more.
He'll vanish like a dream, and no one will find him; he will be chased away like a night vision." "An eye that gazes at him won't do so again; and his place won't even recognize him. His sons will make amends to the poor; their hands will return his wealth. Though his bones were full of youthful vigor; yet they will lie down with him in the dust. Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth, though he conceals it under his tongue, though he savors it and delays swallowing it so he can taste it again and again in his mouth, his food will turn rancid in his stomach it will become a cobra's poison inside him. "Though he swallows wealth, he will vomit it; God will dislodge it from his stomach. He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will slay him. He won't look at the rivers the torrents of honey and curd. "He will restore what he has attained from his work and won't consume it; he won't enjoy the profits from his business transactions, because he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he didn't build. "Since his appetite won't quit; he won't let anything escape his lust. Because nothing was left for him to devour, therefore his prosperity won't last. Even though he is satiated and self-sufficient, he suffers everyone in any sort of trouble will attack him. "It will come about that, when he has filled himself to the full, God will vent his burning anger on him; he will pour it out on him and on his body. Though he dodges an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will pierce him. It will impale him and come out through his back; the point will glisten as it protrudes through his gall bladder, and he will be terrified. "Total darkness has been reserved for his treasures; a fire that has no need to be kindled will devour him and consume whatever remains in his possession. Heaven will reveal his iniquity, while the earth will rise up against him. A flood will wash away his house; dragging it away when God becomes angry. This is what the wicked person inherits from God; it is the inheritance that God appoints for him."
He'll vanish like a dream, and no one will find him; he will be chased away like a night vision." "An eye that gazes at him won't do so again; and his place won't even recognize him. His sons will make amends to the poor; their hands will return his wealth. Though his bones were full of youthful vigor; yet they will lie down with him in the dust. Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth, though he conceals it under his tongue, though he savors it and delays swallowing it so he can taste it again and again in his mouth, his food will turn rancid in his stomach it will become a cobra's poison inside him. "Though he swallows wealth, he will vomit it; God will dislodge it from his stomach. He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will slay him. He won't look at the rivers the torrents of honey and curd. "He will restore what he has attained from his work and won't consume it; he won't enjoy the profits from his business transactions, because he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he didn't build. "Since his appetite won't quit; he won't let anything escape his lust. Because nothing was left for him to devour, therefore his prosperity won't last. Even though he is satiated and self-sufficient, he suffers everyone in any sort of trouble will attack him. "It will come about that, when he has filled himself to the full, God will vent his burning anger on him; he will pour it out on him and on his body. Though he dodges an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will pierce him. It will impale him and come out through his back; the point will glisten as it protrudes through his gall bladder, and he will be terrified. "Total darkness has been reserved for his treasures; a fire that has no need to be kindled will devour him and consume whatever remains in his possession. Heaven will reveal his iniquity, while the earth will rise up against him. A flood will wash away his house; dragging it away when God becomes angry. This is what the wicked person inherits from God; it is the inheritance that God appoints for him."
"Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too? Their children grow up while they're alive, and they live to see their grandchildren. Their houses are safe from fear, and God's chastisement never visits them. read more.
Their bull breeds without fail, and their cows calve without miscarriages. They release their children to play like sheep; their young ones dance about, singing with tambourines and lyres as they rejoice to the sound of flutes. They grow old in prosperity, as they descend peacefully into the afterlife. "They say to God, "Turn away from us! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?' Behold! Their prosperity isn't in their control! The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me." "How often do the wicked have their lights put out? Does calamity ever fall on them? Will God in his anger ever apportion their destruction? May they become like a straw, blown away before the wind; like a chaff that's swept off by a storm. God stores up their iniquity to repay their children; making them repay so that they may be aware. Their own eyes will see their destruction; and they'll drink the wrath of the Almighty. What will they care for their household after them, when the number of his months comes to an end?" "Can God learn anything? After all, he will judge even the exalted ones. Such persons will die in their full vigor, completely prosperous and secure. His buckets are filled with milk, his bone marrow is healthy. Others die with a bitter soul, never having tasted the good life. They both lie down in the dust; and worms cover them." "Look! I know your thoughts, your plans are going to harm me. You ask, "Where is the noble person's house?' and "Where are the tents where the wicked live?' Haven't you asked travelers on the highway? Don't you accept their word that the wicked person is spared from times of calamity, that he is rescued on the day of wrath? Who will expose his conduct to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done when he is carried away to the cemetery and guardians are placed to watch his tomb? The runoff from the streams will seem sweet to him; everyone will follow after him; countless crows march ahead of him.
Their bull breeds without fail, and their cows calve without miscarriages. They release their children to play like sheep; their young ones dance about, singing with tambourines and lyres as they rejoice to the sound of flutes. They grow old in prosperity, as they descend peacefully into the afterlife. "They say to God, "Turn away from us! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?' Behold! Their prosperity isn't in their control! The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me." "How often do the wicked have their lights put out? Does calamity ever fall on them? Will God in his anger ever apportion their destruction? May they become like a straw, blown away before the wind; like a chaff that's swept off by a storm. God stores up their iniquity to repay their children; making them repay so that they may be aware. Their own eyes will see their destruction; and they'll drink the wrath of the Almighty. What will they care for their household after them, when the number of his months comes to an end?" "Can God learn anything? After all, he will judge even the exalted ones. Such persons will die in their full vigor, completely prosperous and secure. His buckets are filled with milk, his bone marrow is healthy. Others die with a bitter soul, never having tasted the good life. They both lie down in the dust; and worms cover them." "Look! I know your thoughts, your plans are going to harm me. You ask, "Where is the noble person's house?' and "Where are the tents where the wicked live?' Haven't you asked travelers on the highway? Don't you accept their word that the wicked person is spared from times of calamity, that he is rescued on the day of wrath? Who will expose his conduct to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done when he is carried away to the cemetery and guardians are placed to watch his tomb? The runoff from the streams will seem sweet to him; everyone will follow after him; countless crows march ahead of him.
They move boundary stones, steal flocks, and pasture them. They drive away the orphan's donkey; they take the ox of the widow as security for a loan; They push the needy off the road, and force the poor of the land into hiding. read more.
"Look! Like wild donkeys in the wilderness, they work diligently as they seek wild game in the desert, food for them and their young ones. They reap fodder in the field and glean in the vineyard of the wicked. They spend the night naked, without clothing, with no covering against the cold. They are wet from mountain rains; without shelter, they cling to a rock. "The fatherless are torn from the breast; the poor are taken away as security for a loan. They wander around naked, without clothes; hungry, though they carry sheaves of grain. They press oil between the olive groves owned by the wicked; they suffer from thirst, even while treading the winepress. From the city, dying men groan aloud, and the wounded cries out for help, but God charges no one with wrong. "Then there are those who rebel against the light; they are not acquainted with its ways; and they don't stay on its course. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy; at night, he is like a thief. The adulterer watches for twilight, saying, "No eye is watching me' while he veils his face. They break into houses in the dark; during the day they remained sealed in. They don't know daylight. As a group, deep darkness is their morning time; fear that lives in darkness is their friend." "They remain only a short time on the water's surface; their inheritance will be cursed in the land; no one will work in their vineyards. As drought and heat evaporate melting snow, that's what Sheol does with sinners. The womb will forget them. Maggots will find them to be a delicacy! They won't be remembered anymore, their iniquity will be cut to pieces like firewood. "They prey on the barren woman, and do no favors for widows. God prolongs the life of the strong by his power, but they get up in the morning without purpose in life. He gives them security and financial support, but he watches everything they do. They're exalted momentarily, but then they are gone; they are humbled, just like all the others. They are cut down like heads of corn.
"Look! Like wild donkeys in the wilderness, they work diligently as they seek wild game in the desert, food for them and their young ones. They reap fodder in the field and glean in the vineyard of the wicked. They spend the night naked, without clothing, with no covering against the cold. They are wet from mountain rains; without shelter, they cling to a rock. "The fatherless are torn from the breast; the poor are taken away as security for a loan. They wander around naked, without clothes; hungry, though they carry sheaves of grain. They press oil between the olive groves owned by the wicked; they suffer from thirst, even while treading the winepress. From the city, dying men groan aloud, and the wounded cries out for help, but God charges no one with wrong. "Then there are those who rebel against the light; they are not acquainted with its ways; and they don't stay on its course. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy; at night, he is like a thief. The adulterer watches for twilight, saying, "No eye is watching me' while he veils his face. They break into houses in the dark; during the day they remained sealed in. They don't know daylight. As a group, deep darkness is their morning time; fear that lives in darkness is their friend." "They remain only a short time on the water's surface; their inheritance will be cursed in the land; no one will work in their vineyards. As drought and heat evaporate melting snow, that's what Sheol does with sinners. The womb will forget them. Maggots will find them to be a delicacy! They won't be remembered anymore, their iniquity will be cut to pieces like firewood. "They prey on the barren woman, and do no favors for widows. God prolongs the life of the strong by his power, but they get up in the morning without purpose in life. He gives them security and financial support, but he watches everything they do. They're exalted momentarily, but then they are gone; they are humbled, just like all the others. They are cut down like heads of corn.
You're going to die violently, and I'll judge you as far as the borders of Israel. Then you'll learn that I am the LORD.
Then tell the people of the land, "This is what the LORD says to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to Israel's land: "They'll eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in trepidation, because their land will be desolate in its entirety due to all the violence committed by all who live in it. The towns that are inhabited will lie in ruins, because the land will be devastated. Then they'll learn that I am the LORD."'"
If anyone from the families of the earth will not come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, there will be no rain for them. If the people of Egypt do not come to Jerusalem to take part, they will have no annual Nile overflow. A plague will come from the LORD to strike the nations who do not come to observe the Festival of Tents. This will be the punishment for Egypt and all nations who do not come to observe the Festival of Tents."