Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Children » Sold for debt
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor has come to take unto him my two sons to be slaves.
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
But since he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Creditor » Oppressions of
For you have taken a pledge from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor has come to take unto him my two sons to be slaves.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Verily I say unto you, you shall by no means come out of there, till you have paid the last penny.
When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are in the way, give diligence that you may settle with him; lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there, till you have paid the very last penny.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were those that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore let us get grain for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy grain, because of the famine. read more.
There were also those that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tax, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, you exact interest, every one from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold unto the nations; and will you even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good what you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations our enemies? I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, are lending them money and grain: I pray you, let us stop this charging interest. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the wine, and the oil, that you exact of them. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
There were also those that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tax, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, you exact interest, every one from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold unto the nations; and will you even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good what you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations our enemies? I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, are lending them money and grain: I pray you, let us stop this charging interest. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the wine, and the oil, that you exact of them. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: from the proceeds of business he shall not rejoice. Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he built not; Surely he shall not feel quietness in his heart, he shall not save of that which he desired.
Be not one of them that gives pledges, or of them that become surety for debts. If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. read more.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.
Creditors » Often cruel in exacting debts
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, you exact interest, every one from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold unto the nations; and will you even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good what you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They drive the needy off the road: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising early for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children. read more.
They reap every one his grain in the field: and they gather the vineyard of the wicked. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
They reap every one his grain in the field: and they gather the vineyard of the wicked. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Creditors » Often exacted debts » By selling the debtor's family
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor has come to take unto him my two sons to be slaves.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
But since he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Debt » Security for
For you have taken a pledge from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
No man shall take the lower or the upper millstone in pledge: for he takes a man's living in pledge.
And they lay themselves down upon clothes taken in pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
If you lend money to any of my people who is poor among you, you shall not be to him as a lender, neither shall you charge him interest. If you at all take your neighbor's clothing as pledge, you shall deliver it unto him by the time the sun goes down: For that is his only covering, it is his clothing for his skin: in what shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he cries unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
When you do lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you do lend shall bring out the pledge unto you. And if the man be poor, you shall not sleep with his pledge: read more.
In any case you shall deliver him the pledge again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own clothing, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness unto you before the LORD your God.
In any case you shall deliver him the pledge again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own clothing, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness unto you before the LORD your God.
He that is surety for a stranger shall suffer for it: and he that hates being surety is secure.
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy grain, because of the famine. There were also those that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tax, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Landmarks » Protected from fraudulent removal
You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess it.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
Cursed be he that removes his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
The princes of Judah were like them that remove the landmark: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
Pitiless » Pitilessness condemned
But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever:
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
Pitilessness » Condemned
But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever:
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
The poor » The wicked » Oppress
They drive the needy off the road: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising early for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children. They reap every one his grain in the field: and they gather the vineyard of the wicked. read more.
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor. They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaves from the hungry;
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor. They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaves from the hungry;
Has oppressed the poor and needy, has robbed by violence, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,
Unkindness » Pitilessness condemned
But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever:
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
Wicked people » Temporal punishment of
Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the flame of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tent, and his lamp shall be put out with him. The steps of his strength shall be shortened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. read more.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks upon a snare. The trap shall take him by the heel, and a snare shall lay hold of him. The noose is laid for him on the ground, and a trap for him in the way. Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet. His strength shall be hunger-bitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side. It shall devour patches of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. His confidence shall be rooted out of his tent, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. They shall dwell in his tent, who are none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. His memory shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astounded at his day, as they that went before were frightened. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knows not God.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks upon a snare. The trap shall take him by the heel, and a snare shall lay hold of him. The noose is laid for him on the ground, and a trap for him in the way. Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet. His strength shall be hunger-bitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side. It shall devour patches of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. His confidence shall be rooted out of his tent, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. They shall dwell in his tent, who are none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. His memory shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astounded at his day, as they that went before were frightened. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knows not God.
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you.
This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. read more.
Though he heap up silver as the dust, and pile up clothing as the clay; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. He builds his house like a moth, and like a booth that the keeper makes. The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he opens his eyes, and he is not. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest steals him away in the night. The east wind carries him away, and he is gone: and as a storm hurls him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would scarcely flee out of his hand. Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
Though he heap up silver as the dust, and pile up clothing as the clay; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. He builds his house like a moth, and like a booth that the keeper makes. The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he opens his eyes, and he is not. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest steals him away in the night. The east wind carries him away, and he is gone: and as a storm hurls him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would scarcely flee out of his hand. Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
The wicked man travails with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden for the oppressor. A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. He believes not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for by the sword. read more.
He wanders abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready for battle. For he stretches out his hand against God, and strengthens himself against the Almighty. He runs stubbornly against him, with his heavily embossed shield. Because he covers his face with his fatness, and makes heavy fat on his waist. And he dwells in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, which are ready to become heaps. He shall not be rich, neither shall his wealth continue, neither shall he overspread the earth with it. He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for futility shall be his reward. It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. He shall shake off his unripe grapes like the vine, and shall cast off his blossom like the olive. For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their heart prepares deceit.
He wanders abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready for battle. For he stretches out his hand against God, and strengthens himself against the Almighty. He runs stubbornly against him, with his heavily embossed shield. Because he covers his face with his fatness, and makes heavy fat on his waist. And he dwells in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, which are ready to become heaps. He shall not be rich, neither shall his wealth continue, neither shall he overspread the earth with it. He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for futility shall be his reward. It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. He shall shake off his unripe grapes like the vine, and shall cast off his blossom like the olive. For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their heart prepares deceit.
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish forever like his own refuse: they who have seen him shall say, Where is he? read more.
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: Yet his food in his body is soured, it is the gall of asps within him. He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. He shall not see the rivers, the brooks flowing with honey and butter. That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: from the proceeds of business he shall not rejoice. Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he built not; Surely he shall not feel quietness in his heart, he shall not save of that which he desired. There shall none of his food be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods. In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in distress: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of bronze shall strike him through. It is drawn, and comes out of the body; yea, the glittering sword comes out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be laid up for his treasures: a fire not blown upon shall consume him; it shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: Yet his food in his body is soured, it is the gall of asps within him. He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. He shall not see the rivers, the brooks flowing with honey and butter. That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: from the proceeds of business he shall not rejoice. Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he built not; Surely he shall not feel quietness in his heart, he shall not save of that which he desired. There shall none of his food be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods. In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in distress: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of bronze shall strike him through. It is drawn, and comes out of the body; yea, the glittering sword comes out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be laid up for his treasures: a fire not blown upon shall consume him; it shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Why do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their descendants are established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. read more.
Their bull breeds, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. How often is the lamp of the wicked put out! and how often comes their destruction upon them! God distributes sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away. God lays up his iniquity for his children: he recompenses him, and he shall know it. His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are on high. One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me. For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their evidences, That the wicked are reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done? Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall follow after him, as there are innumerable gone before him.
Their bull breeds, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. How often is the lamp of the wicked put out! and how often comes their destruction upon them! God distributes sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away. God lays up his iniquity for his children: he recompenses him, and he shall know it. His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are on high. One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me. For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their evidences, That the wicked are reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done? Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall follow after him, as there are innumerable gone before him.
Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed on them. They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They drive the needy off the road: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. read more.
Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising early for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children. They reap every one his grain in the field: and they gather the vineyard of the wicked. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor. They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaves from the hungry; Who make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, yet suffer thirst. Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded cries out: yet God charges not folly to them. They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths. The murderer rising with the light kills the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguises his face. In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one recognizes them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. They are swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: no one turns into the way of the vineyards. Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so does the grave those who have sinned. The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. He evil treats the barren that bears not: and does not good to the widow. He draws also the mighty with his power: he rises up, but no man is sure of life. Though it be given him to be in safety, he rests; yet his eyes are upon their ways. They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all others, and cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.
Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising early for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children. They reap every one his grain in the field: and they gather the vineyard of the wicked. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge from the poor. They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaves from the hungry; Who make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, yet suffer thirst. Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded cries out: yet God charges not folly to them. They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths. The murderer rising with the light kills the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguises his face. In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one recognizes them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. They are swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: no one turns into the way of the vineyards. Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so does the grave those who have sinned. The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. He evil treats the barren that bears not: and does not good to the widow. He draws also the mighty with his power: he rises up, but no man is sure of life. Though it be given him to be in safety, he rests; yet his eyes are upon their ways. They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all others, and cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.
You shall fall by the sword; I will judge you at the border of Israel; and you shall know that I am the LORD.
And say unto the people of the land, Thus says the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dismay, that their land may be emptied from all who are in it, because of the violence of all them that dwell in it. And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and you shall know that I am the LORD.
And it shall be, that whosoever will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt goes not up, and comes not, they will have no rain; there shall be the plague, with which the LORD will smite the nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.