Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Wicked people » Prosperity of
Don't be angry because of those who do evil, do not be jealous because of those who commit iniquity.
The tents of robbers are at rest, and those who provoke God are secure, that is, those who carry their god in their pocket.
Terrifying sounds ring in his ears; when times are prosperous, the Destroyer will attack him.
Even though a sinner does what is wrong a hundred times and still survives, nevertheless I also know that things will go well for those who fear God, who fear in his presence. But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God.
I once observed a wicked and oppressive person, flourishing like a green tree in native soil. But then he passed away; in fact, he simply was not there. When I looked for him, he could not be found.
and, "Now we call the arrogant one blessed. Those who do evil prosper and those who challenge God escape the consequences.'"
Why are you forcing me to look at iniquity and to stare at wickedness? Social havoc and oppression are all around me; there are legal conflicts, and disputes abound. Therefore, the Law has become paralyzed, and justice never comes about. Because criminals outnumber the righteous, whenever judgments are issued, they come out crooked."
"I myself saw a fool becoming established, but I suddenly cursed where he lived. His children are far from deliverance; they'll be maltreated before they leave home, with no one to rescue them. Then the hungry will devour his harvest, snatching it even from the midst of thorns, while the thirsty covet their wealth.
He wanders around for food where is it? He knows that a time of darkness is near.
"He won't become rich and his wealth won't last; he won't expand his holdings to cover the land.
Even though he is satiated and self-sufficient, he suffers everyone in any sort of trouble will attack 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.
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.
Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves. But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. read more.
This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home. God will truly redeem me from the power of Sheol. He will surely receive me! Interlude
This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home. God will truly redeem me from the power of Sheol. He will surely receive me! Interlude
For I was envious of the proud when I observed the prosperity of the wicked. For there is no struggle at their deaths, and their bodies are healthy. They do not experience problems common to ordinary people; they aren't afflicted as others are. read more.
Therefore pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge from obesity and the imaginations of their mind cross the border into sin. In their mockery they speak evil; from their arrogant position they speak oppression. They choose to speak against heaven; while they talk about things on earth. Therefore God's people return there and drink it all in like water until they're satiated. Then they say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" Just look at these wicked people! They're perpetually carefree as they increase their wealth. I kept my heart pure for nothing and kept my hands clean from guilt. For I suffer all day long and I am punished every morning. If I say, "I will talk like this," I would betray a generation of your children. When I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me until I entered the sanctuaries of God. Then I understood their destiny. You have certainly set them in slippery places; you will make them fall to their ruin. How desolate they quickly become, completely destroyed by calamities. Like a dream when one awakens, Lord, you will despise their image when you arise. When I chose to be bitter I was emotionally pained. Then, I was too stupid and didn't realize I was acting like a wild animal with you.
Therefore pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge from obesity and the imaginations of their mind cross the border into sin. In their mockery they speak evil; from their arrogant position they speak oppression. They choose to speak against heaven; while they talk about things on earth. Therefore God's people return there and drink it all in like water until they're satiated. Then they say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" Just look at these wicked people! They're perpetually carefree as they increase their wealth. I kept my heart pure for nothing and kept my hands clean from guilt. For I suffer all day long and I am punished every morning. If I say, "I will talk like this," I would betray a generation of your children. When I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me until I entered the sanctuaries of God. Then I understood their destiny. You have certainly set them in slippery places; you will make them fall to their ruin. How desolate they quickly become, completely destroyed by calamities. Like a dream when one awakens, Lord, you will despise their image when you arise. When I chose to be bitter I was emotionally pained. Then, I was too stupid and didn't realize I was acting like a wild animal with you.
A stupid man doesn't know, and a fool can't comprehend this: Though the wicked sprout like grass; and all who practice iniquity flourish, it is they who will be eternally destroyed.
You are righteous, LORD, even when I bring a complaint to you. But I want to discuss justice with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, while all who are treacherous are at ease? You plant them and they take root, they grow and bear fruit. "You are near to us," they say with their mouths, but the truth is that you're far from their hearts.
Your eyes are too pure to gaze upon evil; and you cannot tolerate wickedness. So why do you tolerate the treacherous? And why do you stay silent while the wicked devour those who are more righteous than they are? "You have fashioned mankind like fish in the ocean, like creeping things that have no ruler. The adversary captures them with a hook, gathering them up in a fishing net. He collects them with a dragnet, rejoicing and gloating over his catch. read more.
Therefore he sacrifices to his fishing net, and burns incense in the presence of his dragnet, because by them his assets increase and he gets plenty of food. Is he to continue to empty his fishing net? Will he ever stop killing entire nations without mercy?"
Therefore he sacrifices to his fishing net, and burns incense in the presence of his dragnet, because by them his assets increase and he gets plenty of food. Is he to continue to empty his fishing net? Will he ever stop killing entire nations without mercy?"
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."