Bible Cross References
Why
Jeremiah 15:18
Why do I keep on suffering? Why are my wounds incurable? Why won't they heal? Do you intend to disappoint me like a stream that goes dry in the summer?"
Joshua 9:10
and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan: King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11
Our leaders and all the people that live in our land told us to get some food ready for a trip and to go and meet you. We were told to put ourselves at your service and ask you to make a treaty with us.
Lamentations 3:39
Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?
Micah 7:9
We have sinned against the LORD, so now we must endure his anger for a while. But in the end he will defend us and right the wrongs that have been done to us. He will bring us out to the light; we will live to see him save us.
thy sorrows
Jeremiah 30:12
The LORD says to his people, "Your wounds are incurable, your injuries cannot be healed.
Jeremiah 30:17
I will make you well again; I will heal your wounds, though your enemies say, 'Zion is an outcast; no one cares about her.' I, the LORD, have spoken."
Jeremiah 46:11
People of Egypt, go to Gilead and look for medicine! All your medicine has proved useless; nothing can heal you.
Job 34:6
He asks, "How could I lie and say I am wrong? I am fatally wounded, but I am sinless."
Job 34:29
If God decided to do nothing at all, no one could criticize him. If he hid his face, we would be helpless.
Isaiah 30:13
You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse.
Isaiah 30:14
You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with or to dip water from a cistern."
Hosea 5:12
I will bring destruction on Israel and ruin on the people of Judah.
Hosea 5:13
"When Israel saw how sick she was and when Judah saw her own wounds, then Israel went to Assyria to ask the great emperor for help, but he could not cure them or heal their wounds.
Micah 1:9
Samaria's wounds cannot be healed, and Judah is about to suffer in the same way; destruction has reached the gates of Jerusalem itself, where my people live."
Malachi 4:1
The LORD Almighty says, "The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.
for the
Jeremiah 30:14
All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer care about you. I have attacked you like an enemy; your punishment has been harsh because your sins are many and your wickedness is great.
Jeremiah 2:19
Your own evil will punish you, and your turning from me will condemn you. You will learn how bitter and wrong it is to abandon me, the LORD your God, and no longer to remain faithful to me. I, the Sovereign LORD Almighty, have spoken."
Jeremiah 2:28-30
28
"Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? When you are in trouble, let them save you---if they can! Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities.
29
What is your complaint? Why have you rebelled against me?
30
I punished you, but it did no good; you would not let me correct you. Like a raging lion, you have murdered your prophets.
Jeremiah 5:6-9
6
That is why lions from the forest will kill them; wolves from the desert will tear them to pieces, and leopards will prowl through their towns. If those people go out, they will be torn apart because their sins are numerous and time after time they have turned from God.
7
The LORD asked, "Why should I forgive the sins of my people? They have abandoned me and have worshiped gods that are not real. I fed my people until they were full, but they committed adultery and spent their time with prostitutes.
8
They were like well-fed stallions wild with desire, each lusting for his neighbor's wife.
9
Shouldn't I punish them for these things and take revenge on a nation such as this?
Jeremiah 5:25-31
25
Instead, your sins have kept these good things from you.
26
"Evildoers live among my people; they lie in wait like those who lay nets to catch birds, but they have set their traps to catch people.
27
Just as a hunter fills a cage with birds, they have filled their houses with loot. That is why they are powerful and rich,
28
why they are fat and well fed. There is no limit to their evil deeds. They do not give orphans their rights or show justice to the oppressed.
29
"But I, the LORD, will punish them for these things; I will take revenge on this nation.
30
A terrible and shocking thing has happened in the land:
31
prophets speak nothing but lies; priests rule as the prophets command, and my people offer no objections. But what will they do when it all comes to an end?"
Jeremiah 6:6
The LORD Almighty has ordered these kings to cut down trees and build mounds in order to besiege Jerusalem. He has said, "I will punish this city because it is full of oppression.
Jeremiah 6:7
As a well keeps its water fresh, so Jerusalem keeps its evil fresh. I hear violence and destruction in the city; sickness and wounds are all I see.
Jeremiah 6:13
Everyone, great and small, tries to make money dishonestly; even prophets and priests cheat the people.
Jeremiah 7:8-11
8
"Look, you put your trust in deceitful words.
9
You steal, murder, commit adultery, tell lies under oath, offer sacrifices to Baal, and worship gods that you had not known before.
10
You do these things I hate, and then you come and stand in my presence, in my own Temple, and say, 'We are safe!'
11
Do you think that my Temple is a hiding place for robbers? I have seen what you are doing.
Jeremiah 9:1-9
1
I wish my head were a well of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I could cry day and night for my people who have been killed.
2
I wish I had a place to stay in the desert where I could get away from my people. They are all unfaithful, a mob of traitors.
3
They are always ready to tell lies; dishonesty instead of truth rules the land. The LORD says, "My people do one evil thing after another and do not acknowledge me as their God."
4
Everyone must be on guard against their friends, and no one can trust their relatives; for all relatives are as deceitful as Jacob, and everyone slanders their friends.
5
They all mislead their friends, and no one tells the truth; they have taught their tongues to lie and will not give up their sinning. They do one violent thing after another, and one deceitful act follows another. The LORD says that his people reject him.
6
(SEE 9:5)
7
Because of this the LORD Almighty says, "I will refine my people like metal and put them to the test. My people have done evil--- what else can I do with them?
8
Their tongues are like deadly arrows; they always tell lies. Everyone speaks friendly words to their neighbors, but they are really setting a trap for them.
9
Will I not punish them for these things? Will I not take revenge on a nation like this? I, the LORD, have spoken."
Jeremiah 11:13
The people of Judah have as many gods as they have cities, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have set up as many altars for sacrifices to that disgusting god Baal as there are streets in the city.
Jeremiah 32:30-35
30
From the very beginning of their history the people of Israel and the people of Judah have displeased me and made me angry by what they have done.
31
The people of this city have made me angry and furious from the day it was built. I have decided to destroy it
32
because of all the evil that has been done by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, together with their kings and leaders, their priests and prophets.
33
They turned their backs on me; and though I kept on teaching them, they would not listen and learn.
34
They even placed their disgusting idols in the Temple built for my worship, and they have defiled it.
35
They have built altars to Baal in Hinnom Valley, to sacrifice their sons and daughters to the god Molech. I did not command them to do this, and it did not even enter my mind that they would do such a thing and make the people of Judah sin."
2 Chronicles 36:14-17
14
In addition, the leaders of Judah, the priests, and the people followed the sinful example of the nations around them in worshiping idols, and so they defiled the Temple, which the LORD himself had made holy.
15
The LORD, the God of their ancestors, had continued to send prophets to warn his people, because he wanted to spare them and the Temple.
16
But they made fun of God's messengers, ignoring his words and laughing at his prophets, until at last the LORD's anger against his people was so great that there was no escape.
17
So the LORD brought the king of Babylonia to attack them. The king killed the young men of Judah even in the Temple. He had no mercy on anyone, young or old, man or woman, sick or healthy. God handed them all over to him.
Ezra 9:6
I said, "O God, I am too ashamed to raise my head in your presence. Our sins pile up higher than our heads; they reach as high as the heavens.
Ezra 9:7
From the days of our ancestors until now, we, your people, have sinned greatly. Because of our sins we, our kings, and our priests have fallen into the hands of foreign kings, and we have been slaughtered, robbed, and carried away as prisoners. We have been totally disgraced, as we still are today.
Ezra 9:13
Even after everything that has happened to us in punishment for our sins and wrongs, we know that you, our God, have punished us less than we deserve and have allowed us to survive.
Nehemiah 9:26-36
26
"But your people rebelled and disobeyed you; they turned their backs on your Law. They killed the prophets who warned them, who told them to turn back to you. They insulted you time after time,
27
so you let their enemies conquer and rule them. In their trouble they called to you for help, and you answered them from heaven. In your great mercy you sent them leaders who rescued them from their foes.
28
When peace returned, they sinned again, and again you let their enemies conquer them. Yet when they repented and asked you to save them, in heaven you heard, and time after time you rescued them in your great mercy.
29
You warned them to obey your teachings, but in pride they rejected your laws, although keeping your Law is the way to life. Hard-headed and stubborn, they refused to obey.
30
Year after year you patiently warned them. You inspired your prophets to speak, but your people were deaf, so you let them be conquered by other nations.
31
And yet, because your mercy is great, you did not forsake or destroy them. You are a gracious and merciful God!
32
"O God, our God, how great you are! How terrifying, how powerful! You faithfully keep your covenant promises. From the time when Assyrian kings oppressed us, even till now, how much we have suffered! Our kings, our leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors, and all our people have suffered. Remember how much we have suffered!
33
You have done right to punish us; you have been faithful, even though we have sinned.
34
Our ancestors, our kings, leaders, and priests have not kept your Law. They did not listen to your commands and warnings.
35
With your blessing, kings ruled your people when they lived in the broad, fertile land you gave them; but they failed to turn from sin and serve you.
36
And now we are slaves in the land that you gave us, this fertile land which gives us food.
Isaiah 1:4
You are doomed, you sinful nation, you corrupt and evil people! Your sins drag you down! You have rejected the LORD, the holy God of Israel, and have turned your backs on him.
Isaiah 1:5
Why do you keep on rebelling? Do you want to be punished even more? Israel, your head is already covered with wounds, and your heart and mind are sick.
Isaiah 1:21-24
21
The city that once was faithful is behaving like a whore! At one time it was filled with righteous people, but now only murderers remain.
22
Jerusalem, you were once like silver, but now you are worthless; you were like good wine, but now you are only water.
23
Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case.
24
So now, listen to what the LORD Almighty, Israel's powerful God, is saying: "I will take revenge on you, my enemies, and you will cause me no more trouble.
Isaiah 5:2
He dug the soil and cleared it of stones; he planted the finest vines. He built a tower to guard them, dug a pit for treading the grapes. He waited for the grapes to ripen, but every grape was sour.
Isaiah 59:1-4
1
Don't think that the LORD is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help!
2
It is because of your sins that he doesn't hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him.
3
You are guilty of lying, violence, and murder.
4
You go to court, but you do not have justice on your side. You depend on lies to win your case. You carry out your plans to hurt others.
Isaiah 59:12-15
12
" LORD, our crimes against you are many. Our sins accuse us. We are well aware of them all.
13
We have rebelled against you, rejected you, and refused to follow you. We have oppressed others and turned away from you. Our thoughts are false; our words are lies.
14
Justice is driven away, and right cannot come near. Truth stumbles in the public square, and honesty finds no place there.
15
There is so little honesty that those who stop doing evil find themselves the victims of crime." The LORD has seen this, and he is displeased that there is no justice.
Lamentations 1:5
Her enemies succeeded; they hold her in their power. The LORD has made her suffer for all her many sins; Her children have been captured and taken away.
Lamentations 4:13
But it happened, because her prophets sinned and her priests were guilty of causing the death of innocent people.
Lamentations 5:16
Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed.
Lamentations 5:17
We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears,
Ezekiel 16:1-63
1
The LORD spoke to me again.
2
"Mortal man," he said, "point out to Jerusalem what disgusting things she has done.
3
Tell Jerusalem what the Sovereign LORD is saying to her: "You were born in the land of Canaan. Your father was an Amorite, and your mother was a Hittite.
4
When you were born, no one cut your umbilical cord or washed you or rubbed you with salt or wrapped you in cloths.
5
No one took enough pity on you to do any of these things for you. When you were born, no one loved you. You were thrown out in an open field.
6
"Then I passed by and saw you squirming in your own blood. You were covered with blood, but I wouldn't let you die.
7
I made you grow like a healthy plant. You grew strong and tall and became a young woman. Your breasts were well-formed, and your hair had grown, but you were naked.
8
"As I passed by again, I saw that the time had come for you to fall in love. I covered your naked body with my coat and promised to love you. Yes, I made a marriage covenant with you, and you became mine." This is what the Sovereign LORD says.
9
"Then I took water and washed the blood off you. I rubbed olive oil on your skin.
10
I dressed you in embroidered gowns and gave you shoes of the best leather, a linen headband, and a silk cloak.
11
I put jewels on you---bracelets and necklaces.
12
I gave you a nose ring and earrings and a beautiful crown to wear.
13
You had ornaments of gold and silver, and you always wore clothes of embroidered linen and silk. You ate bread made from the best flour, and had honey and olive oil to eat. Your beauty was dazzling, and you became a queen.
14
You became famous in every nation for your perfect beauty, because I was the one who made you so lovely." This is what the Sovereign LORD says.
15
"But you took advantage of your beauty and fame to sleep with everyone who came along.
16
You used some of your clothes to decorate your places of worship, and just like a prostitute, you gave yourself to everyone.
17
You took the silver and gold jewelry that I had given you, used it to make male images, and committed adultery with them.
18
You took the embroidered clothes I gave you and put them on the images, and you offered to the images the olive oil and incense I had given you.
19
I gave you food---the best flour, olive oil, and honey---but you offered it as a sacrifice to win the favor of idols." This is what the Sovereign LORD says.
20
"Then you took the sons and the daughters you had borne me and offered them as sacrifices to idols. Wasn't it bad enough to be unfaithful to me,
21
without taking my children and sacrificing them to idols?
22
During your disgusting life as a prostitute you never once remembered your childhood---when you were naked, squirming in your own blood."
23
The Sovereign LORD said, "You are doomed! Doomed! You did all that evil, and then
24
by the side of every road you built places to worship idols and practice prostitution.
25
You dragged your beauty through the mud. You offered yourself to everyone who came by, and you were more of a prostitute every day.
26
You let your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, go to bed with you, and you used your prostitution to make me angry.
27
"Now I have raised my hand to punish you and to take away your share of my blessing. I have handed you over to the Philistines, who hate you and are disgusted with your immoral actions.
28
"Because you were not satisfied by the others, you went running after the Assyrians. You were their prostitute, but they didn't satisfy you either.
29
You were also a prostitute for the Babylonians, that nation of merchants, but they didn't satisfy you either."
30
This is what the Sovereign LORD is saying: "You have done all this like a shameless prostitute.
31
On every street you built places to worship idols and practice prostitution. But you are not out for money like a common prostitute.
32
You are like a woman who commits adultery with strangers instead of loving her husband.
33
A prostitute is paid, but you gave presents to all your lovers and bribed them to come from everywhere to sleep with you.
34
You are a special kind of prostitute. No one forced you to become one. You didn't get paid; you paid them! Yes, you are different."
35
Now then, Jerusalem, you whore! Hear what the LORD is saying.
36
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "You stripped off your clothes, and like a prostitute, you gave yourself to your lovers and to all your disgusting idols, and you killed your children as sacrifices to idols.
37
Because of this I will bring all your former lovers together---the ones you liked and the ones you hated. I will bring them around you in a circle, and then I will strip off your clothes and let them see you naked.
38
I will condemn you for adultery and murder, and in my anger and fury I will punish you with death.
39
I will put you in their power, and they will tear down the places where you engage in prostitution and worship idols. They will take away your clothes and jewels and leave you completely naked.
40
"They will stir up a crowd to stone you, and they will cut you to pieces with their swords.
41
They will burn your houses down and let crowds of women see your punishment. I will make you stop being a prostitute and make you stop giving gifts to your lovers.
42
Then my anger will be over, and I will be calm. I will not be angry or jealous any more.
43
You have forgotten how I treated you when you were young, and you have made me angry by all the things you did. That is why I have made you pay for them all. Why did you add sexual immorality to all the other disgusting things you did?" The Sovereign LORD has spoken.
44
The LORD said, "People will use this proverb about you, Jerusalem: 'Like mother, like daughter.'
45
You really are your mother's daughter. She detested her husband and her children. You are like your sisters, who hated their husbands and their children. You and your sister cities had a Hittite mother and an Amorite father.
46
"Your older sister, with her villages, is Samaria, in the north. Your younger sister, with her villages, is Sodom, in the south.
47
Were you satisfied to follow in their footsteps and copy their disgusting actions? No, in only a little while you were acting worse than they were in everything you did.
48
"As surely as I am the living God," the Sovereign LORD says, "your sister Sodom and her villages never did the evil that you and your villages have done.
49
She and her daughters were proud because they had plenty to eat and lived in peace and quiet, but they did not take care of the poor and the underprivileged.
50
They were proud and stubborn and did the things that I hate, so I destroyed them, as you well know.
51
"Samaria did not sin half as much as you have. You have acted more disgustingly than she ever did. Your corruption makes your sisters look innocent by comparison.
52
And now you will have to endure your disgrace. Your sins are so much worse than those of your sisters that they look innocent beside you. Now blush and bear your shame, because you make your sisters look pure."
53
The LORD said to Jerusalem, "I will make them prosperous again---Sodom and her villages and Samaria and her villages. Yes, I will make you prosperous too.
54
You will be ashamed of yourself, and your disgrace will show your sisters how well-off they are.
55
They will become prosperous again, and you and your villages will also be restored.
56
Didn't you joke about Sodom in those days when you were proud
57
and before the evil you did had been exposed? Now you are just like her---a joke to the Edomites, the Philistines, and your other neighbors who hate you.
58
You must suffer for the obscene, disgusting things you have done." The LORD has spoken.
59
The Sovereign LORD says, "I will treat you the way you deserve, because you ignored your promises and broke the covenant.
60
But I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.
61
You will remember how you have acted, and be ashamed of it when you get your older sister and your younger sister back. I will let them be like daughters to you, even though this was not part of my covenant with you.
62
I will renew my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the LORD.
63
I will forgive all the wrongs you have done, but you will remember them and be too ashamed to open your mouth." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.
Ezekiel 20:1-49
1
It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the LORD's will, and they sat down in front of me.
2
Then the LORD spoke to me.
3
"Mortal man," he said, "speak to these leaders and tell them that the Sovereign LORD is saying: You have come to ask my will, have you? As surely as I am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken.
4
"Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did.
5
Tell them what I am saying. When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am the LORD your God.
6
It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all.
7
I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt, because I am the LORD their God.
8
But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt.
9
But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt.
10
"And so I led them out of Egypt into the desert.
11
I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them.
12
I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the LORD, make them holy.
13
But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them.
14
But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt.
15
So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all.
16
I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath---they preferred to worship their idols.
17
"But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert.
18
Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols.
19
I am the LORD your God. Obey my laws and my commands.
20
Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the LORD your God.
21
"But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all.
22
But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt.
23
So I made another vow in the desert. I vowed that I would scatter them all over the world.
24
I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served.
25
"Then I gave them laws that are not good and commands that do not bring life.
26
I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am the LORD.
27
"Now then, mortal man, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness.
28
I brought them to the land I had promised to give them. When they saw the high hills and green trees, they offered sacrifices at all of them. They made me angry by the sacrifices they burned and by the wine they brought as offerings.
29
I asked them: What are these high places where you go? So they have been called 'High Places' ever since.
30
Now tell the Israelites what I am saying: Why must you commit the same sins your ancestors did and go running after their idols?
31
Even today you offer the same gifts and defile yourselves with the same idols by sacrificing your children to them in the fire. And then you Israelites still come to ask what my will is! As surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything.
32
You have made up your minds that you want to be like the other nations, like the people who live in other countries and worship trees and rocks. But that will never be.
33
"As surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power.
34
I will show you my power and my anger when I gather you together and bring you back from all the countries where you have been scattered.
35
I will bring you into the 'Desert of the Nations,' and there I will condemn you to your face.
36
I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert," says the Sovereign LORD.
37
"I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant.
38
I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD."
39
The Sovereign LORD says, "And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols.
40
There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts.
41
After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy.
42
When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the LORD.
43
Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did.
44
When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the LORD, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.
45
The LORD spoke to me.
46
"Mortal man," he said, "look toward the south. Speak against the south and prophesy against the forest of the south.
47
Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign LORD is saying: Look! I am starting a fire, and it will burn up every tree in you, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put it out. It will spread from south to north, and everyone will feel the heat of the flames.
48
They will all see that I, the LORD, set it on fire and that no one can put it out."
49
But I protested, "Sovereign LORD, don't make me do it! Everyone is already complaining that I always speak in riddles."
Ezekiel 22:1-23
1
The LORD spoke to me.
2
"Mortal man," he said, "are you ready to judge the city that is full of murderers? Make clear to her all the disgusting things she has done.
3
Tell the city what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying: Because you have murdered so many of your own people and have defiled yourself by worshiping idols, your time is coming.
4
You are guilty of those murders and are defiled by the idols you made, and so your day is coming, your time is up! That is why I have let the nations make fun of you and all the countries sneer at you.
5
Countries nearby and countries far away sneer at you because of your lawlessness.
6
All Israel's leaders trust in their own strength and commit murder.
7
None of you in the city honor your parents. You cheat foreigners and take advantage of widows and orphans.
8
You have no respect for the holy places, and you don't keep the Sabbath.
9
Some of your people tell lies about others in order to have them put to death. Some of them eat sacrifices offered to idols. Some are always satisfying their lusts.
10
Some of them sleep with their father's wife. Some force women to have intercourse with them during their period.
11
Some commit adultery, and others seduce their daughters-in-law or their half sisters.
12
Some of your people murder for pay. Some charge interest on the loans they make to other Israelites and get rich by taking advantage of them. They have forgotten me." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.
13
"I will bring my fist down on your robberies and murders.
14
Do you think you will have any courage left or have strength enough to lift your hand when I am finished with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and I keep my word.
15
I will scatter your people to every country and nation and will put an end to your evil actions.
16
And so the other nations will dishonor you, but you will know that I am the LORD."
17
The LORD said to me,
18
"Mortal man, the Israelites are of no use to me. They are like waste metal---copper, tin, iron, and lead---left over after silver has been refined in a furnace.
19
So now I, the Sovereign LORD, am telling them that they are just as useless as that. I will bring them all together in Jerusalem
20
in the same way that the ore of silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin is put in a refining furnace. My anger and rage will melt them the way fire melts ore.
21
Yes, I will gather them in Jerusalem, build a fire under them, and melt them with my anger.
22
They will be melted in Jerusalem the way silver is melted in a furnace, and then they will know that they are feeling the anger of the LORD."
23
The LORD spoke to me again.
Zephaniah 3:1-5
1
Jerusalem is doomed, that corrupt, rebellious city that oppresses its own people.
2
It has not listened to the LORD or accepted his discipline. It has not put its trust in the LORD or asked for his help.
3
Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning.
4
The prophets are irresponsible and treacherous; the priests defile what is sacred, and twist the law of God to their own advantage.
5
But the LORD is still in the city; he does what is right and never what is wrong. Every morning without fail, he brings justice to his people. And yet the unrighteous people there keep on doing wrong and are not ashamed.