Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Exaltation » Who is exalted for a little while
"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. read more.
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.
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.
Forgetting » Who shall be forgotten
"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. read more.
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 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.
Rebellion » The rebellious
"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. read more.
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.
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.
"Oh, you stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out plans but they are not mine, and who make alliances but not by my Spirit, piling sin upon sin. They set out to go down to Egypt, without asking my advice; taking refuge in Pharaoh's protection, and seeking shelter in Egypt's shadow. But Pharaoh's protection will become your shame, and sheltering in Egypt's shadow your longing. read more.
And it will turn out that his officials are at Zoan, and his envoys will reach Hanes. There is only loathsome destruction through a people that cannot benefit them, who bring neither help nor profit, but only shame and disgrace." An oracle about the animals of the Negev: "Through a land of trouble, dryness, and distress, of lionesses and roaring lions, where there is no water, a land of vipers and darting snakes, he carries their riches on donkeys' backs, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a nation that cannot benefit them, to Egypt, which gives help that is worthless and useless. Therefore I call her, "Rahab, who just sits still.'" "Go now, and write it down on a tablet in their presence, inscribing it in a book, so that for times to come it may be an everlasting witness. For they are a rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to hear the LORD's instruction. They say to the seers, "Don't see visions,' and to the prophets, "Don't give us visions of what is right! Instead, tell us welcome things, prophesy illusions, get out of the way, turn aside from the path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel."
And it will turn out that his officials are at Zoan, and his envoys will reach Hanes. There is only loathsome destruction through a people that cannot benefit them, who bring neither help nor profit, but only shame and disgrace." An oracle about the animals of the Negev: "Through a land of trouble, dryness, and distress, of lionesses and roaring lions, where there is no water, a land of vipers and darting snakes, he carries their riches on donkeys' backs, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a nation that cannot benefit them, to Egypt, which gives help that is worthless and useless. Therefore I call her, "Rahab, who just sits still.'" "Go now, and write it down on a tablet in their presence, inscribing it in a book, so that for times to come it may be an everlasting witness. For they are a rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to hear the LORD's instruction. They say to the seers, "Don't see visions,' and to the prophets, "Don't give us visions of what is right! Instead, tell us welcome things, prophesy illusions, get out of the way, turn aside from the path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel."
This message came to me from the LORD: "Son of Man, you live in a rebellious house that has eyes to see, but they can't see, and ears to hear, but they can't hear, since they're a rebellious house.
Straying » Who strays from the right path
Now there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed. read more.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but threw them into the lowest hell and imprisoned them in chains of deepest darkness, holding them for judgment; and if he did not spare the ancient world but protected Noah, a righteous preacher, along with seven others when he brought the flood on the world of ungodly people; and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them by burning them to ashes, making them an example to ungodly people of what is going to happen to them; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man who was greatly distressed by the immoral conduct of lawless people for as long as that righteous man lived among them, day after day he was being tortured in his righteous soul by what he saw and heard in their lawless actions then the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials and to hold unrighteous people for punishment on the day of judgment, especially those who satisfy their flesh by indulging in its passions and who despise authority. Being bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to slander glorious beings. Yet even angels, although they are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous accusation against them from the Lord. These people, like irrational animals, are mere creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. They insult what they don't understand, and like animals they, too, will be destroyed, 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. With eyes full of adultery, they cannot get enough of sin. They seduce unsteady souls and have had their hearts expertly trained in greed. They are doomed to a curse. They have left the straight path and wandered off to follow the path of Bosor's son Balaam, who loved the reward he got for doing wrong. But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. These men are dried-up springs, mere clouds driven by a storm. Gloomy darkness is reserved for them. By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but threw them into the lowest hell and imprisoned them in chains of deepest darkness, holding them for judgment; and if he did not spare the ancient world but protected Noah, a righteous preacher, along with seven others when he brought the flood on the world of ungodly people; and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them by burning them to ashes, making them an example to ungodly people of what is going to happen to them; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man who was greatly distressed by the immoral conduct of lawless people for as long as that righteous man lived among them, day after day he was being tortured in his righteous soul by what he saw and heard in their lawless actions then the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials and to hold unrighteous people for punishment on the day of judgment, especially those who satisfy their flesh by indulging in its passions and who despise authority. Being bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to slander glorious beings. Yet even angels, although they are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous accusation against them from the Lord. These people, like irrational animals, are mere creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. They insult what they don't understand, and like animals they, too, will be destroyed, 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. With eyes full of adultery, they cannot get enough of sin. They seduce unsteady souls and have had their hearts expertly trained in greed. They are doomed to a curse. They have left the straight path and wandered off to follow the path of Bosor's son Balaam, who loved the reward he got for doing wrong. But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. These men are dried-up springs, mere clouds driven by a storm. Gloomy darkness is reserved for them. By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him.
"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. read more.
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.
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.
Discretion will protect you; understanding will watch over you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men who speak perverse things, and from those who abandon the right path to travel along the ways of darkness; read more.
who delight in doing evil, and rejoice in the perverseness of evil; whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways, delivering you from the adulteress, from the immoral woman with her seductive words, someone who abandoned the companion of her youth and forgot the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths down to the realm of the dead. None who go to her return, nor do they reach the paths of life.
who delight in doing evil, and rejoice in the perverseness of evil; whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways, delivering you from the adulteress, from the immoral woman with her seductive words, someone who abandoned the companion of her youth and forgot the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths down to the realm of the dead. None who go to her return, nor do they reach the paths of life.
Indeed, what a man does is always in the LORD's presence, and he weighs all his paths. The wicked person's iniquities will capture him, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of discipline, and he goes astray because of his great folly.
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."