Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Ambition » Vanity of
the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Though his arrogance reaches heaven, and his head touches the clouds, he will vanish forever like his own dung. Those who know him will ask, "Where is he?" read more.
He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see [him] no more, and his household will no longer see him.
He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see [him] no more, and his household will no longer see him.
they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else.
They wither like heads of grain.
Their graves are their eternal homes, their homes from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves. But despite [his] assets, man will not last; he is like the animals that perish. This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words. Selah read more.
Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah Do not be afraid when a man gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases. For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down. Though he praises himself during his lifetime- and people praise you when you do well for yourself- he will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light. A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish.
Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah Do not be afraid when a man gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases. For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down. Though he praises himself during his lifetime- and people praise you when you do well for yourself- he will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light. A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish.
Exaltation » Who is exalted for a little while
The wicked are those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways or stay on its paths. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and by night he becomes a thief. The adulterer's eye watches for twilight, thinking: No eye will see me, he covers [his] face. read more.
In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
Rebellion » The rebellious
The wicked are those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways or stay on its paths. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and by night he becomes a thief. The adulterer's eye watches for twilight, thinking: No eye will see me, he covers [his] face. read more.
In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
Woe to the rebellious children! [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. They carry out a plan, but not Mine, They make an alliance, but against My will, piling sin on top of sin. They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh's protection and take refuge in Egypt's shadow. But Pharaoh's protection will become your shame, and refuge in Egypt's shadow your disgrace. read more.
For though his princes are at Zoan and his messengers reach as far as Hanes, everyone will be ashamed because of a people who can't help. They are of no benefit, they are no help; they are good for nothing but shame and reproach. An oracle about the animals of the Negev: Through a land of trouble and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who will not help them. Egypt's help is completely worthless; therefore, I call her: Rahab Who Just Sits. Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the future, forever and ever. They are a rebellious people, deceptive children, children who do not obey the Lord's instruction. They say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions. Get out of the way! Leave the pathway. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel."
For though his princes are at Zoan and his messengers reach as far as Hanes, everyone will be ashamed because of a people who can't help. They are of no benefit, they are no help; they are good for nothing but shame and reproach. An oracle about the animals of the Negev: Through a land of trouble and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who will not help them. Egypt's help is completely worthless; therefore, I call her: Rahab Who Just Sits. Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the future, forever and ever. They are a rebellious people, deceptive children, children who do not obey the Lord's instruction. They say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions. Get out of the way! Leave the pathway. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel."
The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Wicked people » Temporal punishment of
Yes, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him is put out. His powerful stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up. read more.
For his own feet lead him into a net, and he strays into its mesh. A trap catches [him] by the heel; a noose seizes him. A rope lies hidden for him on the ground, and a snare [waits] for him along the path. Terrors frighten him on every side and harass him at every step. His strength is depleted; disaster lies ready for him to stumble. Parts of his skin are eaten away; death's firstborn consumes his limbs. He is ripped from the security of his tent and marched away to the king of terrors. Nothing he owned remains in his tent. Burning sulfur is scattered over his home. His roots below dry up, and his branches above wither away. [All] memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name abroad. He is driven from light to darkness and chased from the inhabited world. He has no children or descendants among his people, no survivor where he used to live. Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror. Indeed, such is the dwelling of the wicked, and this is the place of the one who does not know God.
For his own feet lead him into a net, and he strays into its mesh. A trap catches [him] by the heel; a noose seizes him. A rope lies hidden for him on the ground, and a snare [waits] for him along the path. Terrors frighten him on every side and harass him at every step. His strength is depleted; disaster lies ready for him to stumble. Parts of his skin are eaten away; death's firstborn consumes his limbs. He is ripped from the security of his tent and marched away to the king of terrors. Nothing he owned remains in his tent. Burning sulfur is scattered over his home. His roots below dry up, and his branches above wither away. [All] memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name abroad. He is driven from light to darkness and chased from the inhabited world. He has no children or descendants among his people, no survivor where he used to live. Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror. Indeed, such is the dwelling of the wicked, and this is the place of the one who does not know God.
Your sins have withheld My bounty from you,
This is a wicked man's lot from God, the inheritance the ruthless receive from the Almighty. Even if his children increase, they are destined for the sword; his descendants will never have enough food. Those who survive him will be buried by the plague, yet their widows will not weep [for them]. read more.
Though he piles up silver like dust and heaps up a wardrobe like clay- he may heap [it] up, but the righteous will wear [it], and the innocent will divide up his silver. The house he built is like a moth's [cocoon] or a booth set up by a watchman. He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, it is gone. Terrors overtake him like a flood; a storm wind sweeps him away at night. An east wind picks him up, and he is gone; it carries him away from his place. It blasts at him without mercy, while he flees desperately from its grasp. It claps its hands at him and scorns him from its place.
Though he piles up silver like dust and heaps up a wardrobe like clay- he may heap [it] up, but the righteous will wear [it], and the innocent will divide up his silver. The house he built is like a moth's [cocoon] or a booth set up by a watchman. He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, it is gone. Terrors overtake him like a flood; a storm wind sweeps him away at night. An east wind picks him up, and he is gone; it carries him away from his place. It blasts at him without mercy, while he flees desperately from its grasp. It claps its hands at him and scorns him from its place.
A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; few years are stored up for the ruthless. Dreadful sounds fill his ears; when he is at peace, a robber attacks him. He doesn't believe he will return from darkness; he is destined for the sword. read more.
He wanders about for food, [saying,] "Where is it?" He knows the day of darkness is at hand. Trouble and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle. For he has stretched out his hand against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty. He rushes headlong at Him with his thick, studded shields. Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with it, he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble. He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not spread over the land. He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and he will depart by the breath of God's mouth. Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless. It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish. He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb prepares deception.
He wanders about for food, [saying,] "Where is it?" He knows the day of darkness is at hand. Trouble and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle. For he has stretched out his hand against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty. He rushes headlong at Him with his thick, studded shields. Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with it, he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble. He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not spread over the land. He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and he will depart by the breath of God's mouth. Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless. It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish. He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb prepares deception.
the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Though his arrogance reaches heaven, and his head touches the clouds, he will vanish forever like his own dung. Those who know him will ask, "Where is he?" read more.
He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see [him] no more, and his household will no longer see him. His children will beg from the poor, for his own hands must give back his wealth. His bones may be full of youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the grave. Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue, though he cherishes it and will not let it go but keeps it in his mouth, yet the food in his stomach turns into cobras' venom inside him. He swallows wealth but must vomit it up; God will force it from his stomach. He will suck the poison of cobras; a viper's fangs will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming [it]; he doesn't enjoy the profits from his trading. For he oppressed and abandoned the poor; he seized a house he did not build. Because his appetite is never satisfied, he does not escape his desires. Nothing is left for him to consume; therefore, his prosperity will not last. At the height of his success distress will come to him; the full weight of misery will crush him. When he fills his stomach, God will send His burning anger against him, raining [it] down on him while he is eating. If he flees from an iron weapon, [an arrow from] a bronze bow will pierce him. He pulls it out of his back, the flashing tip out of his liver. Terrors come over him. Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned [by human hands] will consume him; it will feed on what is left in his tent. The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. The possessions in his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God's anger. This is the wicked man's lot from God, the inheritance God ordained for him.
He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see [him] no more, and his household will no longer see him. His children will beg from the poor, for his own hands must give back his wealth. His bones may be full of youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the grave. Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue, though he cherishes it and will not let it go but keeps it in his mouth, yet the food in his stomach turns into cobras' venom inside him. He swallows wealth but must vomit it up; God will force it from his stomach. He will suck the poison of cobras; a viper's fangs will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming [it]; he doesn't enjoy the profits from his trading. For he oppressed and abandoned the poor; he seized a house he did not build. Because his appetite is never satisfied, he does not escape his desires. Nothing is left for him to consume; therefore, his prosperity will not last. At the height of his success distress will come to him; the full weight of misery will crush him. When he fills his stomach, God will send His burning anger against him, raining [it] down on him while he is eating. If he flees from an iron weapon, [an arrow from] a bronze bow will pierce him. He pulls it out of his back, the flashing tip out of his liver. Terrors come over him. Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned [by human hands] will consume him; it will feed on what is left in his tent. The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. The possessions in his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God's anger. This is the wicked man's lot from God, the inheritance God ordained for him.
Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful? Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes. Their homes are secure and free of fear; no rod from God [strikes] them. read more.
Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about, singing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoicing at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. Yet they say to God: "Leave us alone! We don't want to know Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what will we gain by pleading with Him?" But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come on them? Does He apportion destruction in His anger? Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away? God reserves a person's punishment for his children. Let God repay the person himself, so that he may know [it]. Let his own eyes see his demise; let him drink from the Almighty's wrath! For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out? Can anyone teach God knowledge, since He judges the exalted ones? One person dies in excellent health, completely secure and at ease. His body is well-fed, and his bones are full of marrow. Yet another person dies with a bitter soul, having never tasted prosperity. But they both lie in the dust, and worms cover them. Look, I know your thoughts, the schemes you would wrong me with. For you say, "Where now is the nobleman's house?" and "Where are the tents the wicked lived in?" Have you never consulted those who travel the roads? Don't you accept their reports? Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of disaster, rescued from the day of wrath. Who would denounce his behavior to his face? Who would repay him for what he has done? He is carried to the grave, and someone keeps watch over [his] tomb. The dirt on his grave is sweet to him. Everyone follows behind him, and those who go before him are without number.
Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about, singing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoicing at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. Yet they say to God: "Leave us alone! We don't want to know Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what will we gain by pleading with Him?" But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come on them? Does He apportion destruction in His anger? Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away? God reserves a person's punishment for his children. Let God repay the person himself, so that he may know [it]. Let his own eyes see his demise; let him drink from the Almighty's wrath! For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out? Can anyone teach God knowledge, since He judges the exalted ones? One person dies in excellent health, completely secure and at ease. His body is well-fed, and his bones are full of marrow. Yet another person dies with a bitter soul, having never tasted prosperity. But they both lie in the dust, and worms cover them. Look, I know your thoughts, the schemes you would wrong me with. For you say, "Where now is the nobleman's house?" and "Where are the tents the wicked lived in?" Have you never consulted those who travel the roads? Don't you accept their reports? Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of disaster, rescued from the day of wrath. Who would denounce his behavior to his face? Who would repay him for what he has done? He is carried to the grave, and someone keeps watch over [his] tomb. The dirt on his grave is sweet to him. Everyone follows behind him, and those who go before him are without number.
The wicked displace boundary markers. They steal a flock and provide pasture for [it]. They drive away the donkeys [owned] by the fatherless and take the widow's ox as collateral. They push the needy off the road; the poor of the land are forced into hiding. read more.
Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go out to their task of foraging for food; the wilderness provides nourishment for their children. They gather their fodder in the field and glean the vineyards of the wicked. Without clothing, they spend the night naked, having no covering against the cold. Drenched by mountain rains, they huddle against the rocks, shelterless. The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized as collateral. Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry sheaves but go hungry. They crush olives in their presses; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty. From the city, men groan; the mortally wounded cry for help, yet God pays no attention to this crime. The wicked are those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways or stay on its paths. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and by night he becomes a thief. The adulterer's eye watches for twilight, thinking: No eye will see me, he covers [his] face. In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go out to their task of foraging for food; the wilderness provides nourishment for their children. They gather their fodder in the field and glean the vineyards of the wicked. Without clothing, they spend the night naked, having no covering against the cold. Drenched by mountain rains, they huddle against the rocks, shelterless. The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized as collateral. Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry sheaves but go hungry. They crush olives in their presses; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty. From the city, men groan; the mortally wounded cry for help, yet God pays no attention to this crime. The wicked are those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways or stay on its paths. The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and by night he becomes a thief. The adulterer's eye watches for twilight, thinking: No eye will see me, he covers [his] face. In the dark they break into houses; by day they lock themselves in, never experiencing the light. For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow! They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards. As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow, so Sheol [steals] those who have sinned. The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree. They prey on the barren, childless woman and do not deal kindly with the widow. Yet God drags away the mighty by His power; when He rises up, they have no assurance of life. He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely [on it], but His eyes [watch] over their ways. They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.
You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
Verse Concepts
Then say to the people of the land: This is what the Lord God says about the residents of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water in dread, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. The inhabited cities will be destroyed, and the land will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
Should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, rain will not fall on them. And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter, then rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague the Lord inflicts on the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths. This will be the punishment of Egypt and all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths.