Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions of the The Wicked » Are multiplied
When that happens, my anger will burn against them, because they will have abandoned me. I'll hide my face from them, they will be consumed, and many evils and distresses will find them. When this happens, they will say, "These troubles have happened to us because God isn't among us.'
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. read more.
"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,
"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,
The wicked have many sorrows, but gracious love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
Creditor » Oppressions of
"After all, you've taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped the naked of their clothing.
They drive away the orphan's donkey; they take the ox of the widow as security for a loan;
Now there happened to be a certain woman who had been the wife of a member of the Guild of Prophets. She cried out to Elisha, "My husband who served you has died, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. But a creditor has come to take away my children into indentured servitude!"
"The fatherless are torn from the breast; the poor are taken away as security for a loan.
Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court, or your opponent may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you with certainty, you will not get out of there until you pay back the last dollar!"
For example, when you go with your opponent in front of a ruler, do your best to settle with him on the way there. Otherwise, you will be dragged in front of the judge, and the judge will hand you over to an officer, and the officer will throw you into prison. I tell you, you will never get out of there until you pay back the last penny!"
Now the people along with their spouses complained loudly against their fellow Jews, because certain of them kept claiming, "Since we have so many sons and daughters, we must get some grain so we can eat and survive." Others were saying, "We're having to mortgage our fields, our vineyards, and our homes so we can buy grain during this famine." read more.
Still others were saying "We've borrowed money against our fields and vineyards to pay the king's taxes. Now our bodies are no different than the bodies of our relatives, and our children are like their children. Nevertheless, we're about to force our sons and daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are already in bondage. It's beyond our power to do anything about it, because our fields and vineyards belong to others." I became very livid when I heard their complaining and these charges. So after thinking it over carefully, I accused the officials and nobles openly, "Every one of you is charging your fellow countrymen interest!" So I opened a public investigation against them. I accused them, "To the best of our ability, we've been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you're selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet and never spoke a word. So I said, "What you're doing isn't right! Shouldn't you live in the fear of our God to avoid shame from our foreign enemies? I'm also lending money and grain, as are my fellow-Jews and my servants, but let's not charge interest. So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil." They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. I also shook my robes, and said, "May God shake out every man from his house and his possessions who does not keep this promise. May he be emptied out and shaken just like this." All the assembly said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. And the people kept their promise.
Still others were saying "We've borrowed money against our fields and vineyards to pay the king's taxes. Now our bodies are no different than the bodies of our relatives, and our children are like their children. Nevertheless, we're about to force our sons and daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are already in bondage. It's beyond our power to do anything about it, because our fields and vineyards belong to others." I became very livid when I heard their complaining and these charges. So after thinking it over carefully, I accused the officials and nobles openly, "Every one of you is charging your fellow countrymen interest!" So I opened a public investigation against them. I accused them, "To the best of our ability, we've been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you're selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet and never spoke a word. So I said, "What you're doing isn't right! Shouldn't you live in the fear of our God to avoid shame from our foreign enemies? I'm also lending money and grain, as are my fellow-Jews and my servants, but let's not charge interest. So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil." They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. I also shook my robes, and said, "May God shake out every man from his house and his possessions who does not keep this promise. May he be emptied out and shaken just like this." All the assembly said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. And the people kept their promise.
"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.
Don't be one of those who make promises to guarantee loans for debts. If you don't have the ability to pay, why should your very bed be taken from under you?
"But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, "Pay what you owe!' Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, "Be patient with me and I will repay you!' But he refused and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt. read more.
"When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. Then his master sent for him and told him, "You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers until he could repay the entire debt. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts."
"When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. Then his master sent for him and told him, "You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers until he could repay the entire debt. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts."
Oppression » Those that oppress the poor
Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy will yield only loss.
Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.
Then Zophar from Naamath replied: "Therefore my anxious thoughts cause me to answer because I'm agitated within me. Whenever I hear an insulting rebuke, I respond from my spirit because I understand." read more.
"Haven't you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth? 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?' 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.
"Haven't you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth? 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?' 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.
A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops.
Restitution » To be made for dishonesty
Later, Zacchaeus stood up and announced to the Lord, "Look! I'm giving half of my possessions to the destitute, and if I have accused anyone falsely, I'm repaying four times as much as I owe."
He is to confess the sin that he had committed, pay its full compensation, add one fifth to it, and give the compensation to whomever he offended.
returning what has been placed as collateral for a loan, paying back what he has taken, following the regulations that promote life, and committing no iniquity, he will certainly live, and not die.
"A person sins against the LORD by acting treacherously toward his neighbor regarding something entrusted to his care, regarding security for a loan, robbery, if he has oppressed his neighbor, if he has found something that had been lost and then lied about it, or if he makes a false oath about any of these things, thus committing a sin with respect to these things. If that person has sinned and has been found guilty, then he is to return the stolen thing that he took or obtained by oppression, or the security that had been entrusted to him, or the lost thing that he had found, read more.
or the thing about which he had given a false oath. He is to restore it in full, add a fifth to it, then give it to whom it belongs the very day he's found guilty.
or the thing about which he had given a false oath. He is to restore it in full, add a fifth to it, then give it to whom it belongs the very day he's found guilty.
"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,
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."