LXX Concordance for λέγει

But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? ”[fn]

and said, “By myself I have sworn,” this is the LORD's declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son,

He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now.

“Return quickly to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your neighbor? ”[fn]

Then Moses went back to his father-in-law, Jethro, and said to him, “Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt and see if they are still living.”

Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

“And you will say to Pharaoh: This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.

Later, Moses and Aaron went in and said to Pharaoh, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival for me in the wilderness.”

So the overseers and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am not giving you straw.

“This is what the LORD says: Here is how you will know that I am the LORD. Watch. I am about to strike the water in the Nile with the staff in my hand, and it will turn to blood.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him: This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

The LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh when you see him going out to the water. Tell him: This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship[fn] me.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him: This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh. Tell him: This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may worship me.

Moses replied, “We will go with our young and with our old; we will go with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds because we must hold the LORD's festival.”

Pharaoh said to him, “Leave me! Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.”

So Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

When Moses's father-in-law saw everything he was doing for them he asked, “What is this you're doing for the people? Why are you alone sitting as judge, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening? ”

Moses responded to the people, “Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not[fn] sin.”

Aaron replied to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.”

When Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a sound of war in the camp.”

He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man fasten his sword to his side; go back and forth through the camp from entrance to entrance, and each of you kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.' ”

And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.”

“Tell them: As I live ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​I will do to you exactly as I heard you say.

Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says, ‘You know all the hardships that have overtaken us.

They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me,

Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times? ”

But the donkey said, “Am I not the donkey you've ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before? ”

“No,” he replied.

“but your servants are equipped for war before the LORD and will go across to the battle as my lord orders.”

The Gadites and Reubenites replied, “What the LORD has spoken to your servants is what we will do.

The commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did that.

“Go and consecrate the people. Tell them to consecrate themselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are things that are set apart among you, Israel. You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove what is set apart.

“This is what the LORD's entire community says: ‘What is this treachery you have committed today against the God of Israel by turning away from the LORD and building an altar for yourselves, so that you are in rebellion against the LORD today?

Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.

the LORD sent a prophet to them. He said to them, “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I brought you out of Egypt and out of the place of slavery.

to tell him, “This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take away the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites.

A man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Didn't I reveal myself to your forefather's family[fn] when they were in Egypt and belonged to Pharaoh's palace?

“Go to my servant David and say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you to build me a house to dwell in?

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from Saul.

“This is what the LORD says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you from your own family: I will take your wives and give them to another[fn] before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them in broad daylight.[fn]

The God of Israel spoke;

the Rock of Israel said to me,

“The one who rules the people with justice,

who rules in the fear of God,

“Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am offering you three choices. Choose one of them, and I will do it to you.' ”

So Benaiah went to the tabernacle and said to Joab, “This is what the king says: ‘Come out! ' ”

But Joab said, “No, for I will die here.”

So Benaiah took a message back to the king, “This is what Joab said, and this is how he answered me.”

and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I am about to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand. I will give you ten tribes,

“‘This is what the LORD says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you return home, for this situation is from me.' ”

So they listened to the word of the LORD and went back according to the word of the LORD.

The man of God cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD: “Altar, altar, this is what the LORD says, ‘A son will be born to the house of David, named Josiah, and he will sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who are burning incense on you. Human bones will be burned on you.' ”

and the prophet cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you rebelled against the LORD's command and did not keep the command that the LORD your God commanded you ​— ​

“for this is what the LORD God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the surface of the land.' ”

“‘Your silver and your gold are mine! And your best wives and children are mine as well! ' ”

The messengers then returned and said, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I have sent messengers to you, saying, “You are to give me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children.”

A prophet approached King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this whole huge army? Watch, I am handing it over to you today so that you may know that I am the LORD.' ”

Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The LORD is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,” I will hand over all this whole huge army to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' ”

So they dressed with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.' ”

So he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”

The prophet said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you released from your hand the man I had set apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.' ”

“Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Have you murdered and also taken possession? ' Then tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth's blood, the dogs will also lick up your blood! ' ”

“This is what the LORD says:[fn] ‘I am about to bring disaster on you and will eradicate your descendants:

I will wipe out all of Ahab's males,[fn]

both slave and free,[fn] in Israel;

Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.' ”

“Therefore, this is what the LORD says: You will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.' ” Then Elijah left.

They replied, “A man came to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him, “This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you're sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.” ' ”

So the king sent another captain with his fifty men to Elijah. He took in the situation[fn] and announced, “Man of God, this is what the king says: ‘Come down immediately! ' ”

Then Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron ​— ​is it because there is no God in Israel for you to inquire of his will? ​— ​you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.' ”

Elisha went out to the spring, threw salt in it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will death or unfruitfulness result from it.' ”

Then he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.'

But Elisha's attendant asked, “What? Am I to set this before a hundred men? ”

“Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat, and they will have some left over.' ”

Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at Samaria's gate, six quarts[fn] of fine flour will sell for a half ounce of silver[fn] and twelve quarts[fn] of barley will sell for a half ounce of silver.' ”

“Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, ‘This is what the LORD says: “I anoint you king over Israel.” ' Open the door and escape. Don't wait.”

So Jehu got up and went into the house. The young prophet poured the oil on his head and said, “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD's people, Israel.

But they replied, “That's a lie! Tell us! ”

So Jehu said, “He talked to me about this and that and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' ”

So a horseman went to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Do you come in peace? ' ”

Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.”

The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them but hasn't started back.”

Then the royal spokesman said to them, “Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: ‘What are you relying on?[fn]

“This is what the king says: ‘Don't let Hezekiah deceive you; he can't rescue you from my power.

“Don't listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: ‘Make peace[fn] with me and surrender to me. Then each of you may eat from his own vine and his own fig tree, and each may drink water from his own cistern

They said to him, “This is what Hezekiah says: ‘Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them.

who said to them, “Tell your master, ‘The LORD says this: Don't be afraid because of the words you have heard, with which the king of Assyria's attendants have blasphemed me.

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “The LORD, the God of Israel says, ‘I have heard your prayer to me about King Sennacherib of Assyria.'

“Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria:

He will not enter this city,

shoot an arrow here,

come before it with a shield,

or build up a siege ramp against it.

In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.' ”

“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the LORD's temple.

“this is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I am about to bring such a disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that everyone who hears about it will shudder.[fn]

She said to them, “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: Say to the man who sent you to me,

“Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘This is what the LORD God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard,

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

“Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am offering you three choices. Choose one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you.' ”

“‘This is what the LORD says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers. Each of you return home, for this incident has come from me.' ”

So they listened to what the LORD said and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the LORD says: You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.”

and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Then a letter came to Jehoram from the prophet Elijah, saying:

This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David says: “Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of King Asa of Judah

The Spirit of God enveloped[fn] Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, “This is what God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands so that you do not prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.' ”

“This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: ‘What are you relying on that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?

“‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, fulfilling[fn] all the curses written in the book that they read in the presence of the king of Judah,

“Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘This is what the LORD God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard,

This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The LORD, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a temple at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the LORD his God be with him.

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Then Job answered:

Yet they say to God, “Leave us alone!

We don't want to know your ways.

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then Job answered:

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Then Job answered:

I too will answer;[fn]

yes, I will tell what I know.

Then Elihu continued,[fn] saying:

Then Elihu continued, saying:

Then Elihu continued, saying:

When the ram's horn blasts, he snorts defiantly.[fn]

He smells the battle from a distance;

he hears the officers' shouts and the battle cry.

Then Job answered the LORD:

Then Job replied to the LORD:

“Because of the devastation of the needy

and the groaning of the poor,

I will now rise up,” says the LORD.

“I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.”

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth[fn]

and strips the woodlands bare.

In his temple all cry, “Glory! ”

She cries out above[fn] the commotion;

she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

The slacker says, “There's a lion outside!

I'll be killed in the public square! ”

The slacker says, “There's a lion in the road —

a lion in the public square! ”

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The pronouncement.[fn]

The man's oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:[fn]

My love calls to me:

Arise, my darling.

Come away, my beautiful one.

“What are all your sacrifices to me? ”

asks the LORD.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams

and the fat of well-fed cattle;

I have no desire for the blood of bulls,

lambs, or male goats.

“Come, let's settle this,”

says the LORD.

“Though your sins are scarlet,

they will be as white as snow;

though they are crimson red,

they will be like wool.

Therefore the Lord GOD of Armies,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah, I will get even with my foes;

I will take revenge against my enemies.

The LORD also says:

Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,

walking with heads held high

and seductive eyes,

prancing along,

jingling their ankle bracelets,

This is what the Lord GOD says:

It will not happen; it will not occur.

For this is what the LORD said to me with great power, to keep[fn] me from going the way of this people:

Therefore, the Lord GOD of Armies says this: “My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear Assyria, though they strike you with a rod and raise their staff over you as the Egyptians did.

“I will rise up against them” ​— ​this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies ​— ​“and I will cut off from Babylon her reputation, remnant, offspring, and posterity” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

The LORD of Armies has sworn:

As I have purposed, so it will be;

as I have planned it, so it will happen.

The fortress disappears from Ephraim,

and a kingdom from Damascus.

The remnant of Aram will be

like the splendor of the Israelites.

This is the declaration of the LORD of Armies.

Only gleanings will be left in Israel,

as if an olive tree had been beaten —

two or three olives at the very top of the tree,

four or five on its fruitful branches.

This is the declaration of the LORD,

the God of Israel.

I will hand over Egypt to harsh masters,

and a strong king will rule it.

This is the declaration of the Lord GOD of Armies.

The Lord GOD of Armies said, “Go to Shebna, that steward who is in charge of the palace, and say to him:

“On that day” ​— ​the declaration of the LORD of Armies ​— ​“the peg that was driven into a firm place will give way, be cut off, and fall, and the load on it will be destroyed.” Indeed, the LORD has spoken.

Therefore the Lord GOD said:

“Look, I have laid a stone in Zion,

a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

the one who believes will be unshakable.[fn]

Therefore, the LORD who redeemed Abraham says this about the house of Jacob:

Jacob will no longer be ashamed,

and his face will no longer be pale.

Woe to the rebellious children!

This is 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.

Therefore the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message

and have trusted in oppression and deceit,

and have depended on them,

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

“You will be delivered by returning and resting;

your strength will lie in quiet confidence.

But you are not willing.”

His rock[fn] will pass away because of fear,

and his officers will be afraid because of the signal flag.

This is the LORD's declaration ​— ​whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

“Now I will rise up,” says the LORD.

“Now I will lift myself up.

Now I will be exalted.

The royal spokesman said to them, “Tell Hezekiah:

The great king, the king of Assyria, says this: What are you relying on?

This is what the king says: “Don't let Hezekiah deceive you, for he cannot rescue you.

Don't listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: “Make peace[fn] with me and surrender to me. Then every one of you may eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern

They said to him, “This is what Hezekiah says: ‘Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace. It is as if children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them.

who said to them, “Tell your master, ‘The LORD says this: Don't be afraid because of the words you have heard, with which the king of Assyria's attendants have blasphemed me.

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “The LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Because you prayed to me about King Sennacherib of Assyria,

“Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria:

He will not enter this city,

shoot an arrow here,

come before it with a shield,

or build up a siege ramp against it.

In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.' ”[fn]

“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.[fn]

“‘Look, the days are coming when everything in your palace and all that your predecessors have stored up until today will be carried off to Babylon; nothing will be left,' says the LORD.

“Comfort, comfort my people,”

says your God.

“Do not fear, you worm Jacob,

you men[fn] of Israel.

I will help you” —

this is the LORD's declaration.

Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

“Submit your case,” says the LORD.

“Present your arguments,” says Jacob's King.

This is what God, the LORD, says —

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people on it

and spirit to those who walk on it —

Now this is what the LORD says —

the one who created you, Jacob,

and the one who formed you, Israel —

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are mine.

“You are my witnesses” —

this is the LORD's declaration —

“and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.

No god was formed before me,

and there will be none after me.

“I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed —

and not some foreign god[fn] among you.

So you are my witnesses” —

this is the LORD's declaration —

“and[fn] I am God.

This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:

Because of you, I will send an army[fn] to Babylon

and bring all of them as fugitives,[fn]

even the Chaldeans in the ships in which they rejoice.[fn]

This is what the LORD says —

who makes a way in the sea,

and a path through raging water,

“This is the word of the LORD

your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb:

He will help you.

Do not fear, Jacob my servant,

Jeshurun[fn] whom I have chosen.

This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says:

I am the first and I am the last.

There is no God but me.

This is what the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb, says:

I am the LORD, who made everything;

who stretched out the heavens by myself;

who alone spread out the earth;

The LORD says this to Cyrus, his anointed,

whose right hand I have grasped

to subdue nations before him

and disarm[fn] kings,

to open doors before him,

and even city gates will not be shut:

This is what the LORD,

the Holy One of Israel and its Maker, says:

“Ask me what is to happen to[fn] my sons,

and instruct me about the work of my hands.

This is what the LORD says:

“The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush

and the Sabeans, men of stature,

will come over to you

and will be yours;

they will follow you,

they will come over in chains

and bow down to you.

They will confess[fn] to you,

‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other;

there is no other God.' ”

For this is what the LORD says —

the Creator of the heavens,

the God who formed the earth and made it,

the one who established it

(he did not create it to be a wasteland,

but formed it to be inhabited) —

he says, “I am the LORD,

and there is no other.

This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:

I am the LORD your God,

who teaches you for your benefit,

who leads you in the way you should go.

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the LORD.

Coasts and islands,[fn] listen to me;

distant peoples, pay attention.

The LORD called me before I was born.

He named me while I was in my mother's womb.

And now, says the LORD,

who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him

so that Israel might be gathered to him;

for I am honored in the sight of the LORD,

and my God is my strength —

This is what the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, says

to one who is despised,

to one abhorred by people,[fn]

to a servant of rulers:

“Kings will see, princes will stand up,

and they[fn] will all bow down

because of the LORD, who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israel ​— ​and he has chosen you.”

“Look up, and look around.

They all gather together; they come to you.

As I live” —

this is the LORD's declaration —

“you will wear all your children[fn] as jewelry,

and put them on as a bride does.

This is what the Lord GOD says:

Look, I will lift up my hand to the nations,

and raise my banner to the peoples.

They will bring your sons in their arms,

and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.

For this is what the LORD says:

“Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken,

and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered;

I will contend with the one who contends with you,

and I will save your children.

This is what the LORD says:

Where is your mother's divorce certificate

that I used to send her away?

Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?

Look, you were sold for your iniquities,

and your mother was sent away

because of your transgressions.

This is what your Lord says —

the LORD, even your God,

who defends his people —

“Look, I have removed from your hand

the cup that causes staggering;

that goblet, the cup of my fury.

You will never drink it again.

For this is what the LORD says:

“You were sold for nothing,

and you will be redeemed without silver.”

“No weapon formed against you will succeed,

and you will refute any accusation[fn]

raised against you in court.

This is the heritage of the LORD's servants,

and their vindication is from me.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

and your ways are not my ways.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

This is what the LORD says:

Preserve justice and do what is right,

for my salvation is coming soon,

and my righteousness will be revealed.

For the LORD says this:

“For the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,

and choose what pleases me,

and hold firmly to my covenant,

For the High and Exalted One,

who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:

“I live in a high and holy place,

and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and revive the heart of the oppressed.

“Isn't this the fast I choose:

To break the chains of wickedness,

to untie the ropes of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free,

and to tear off every yoke?

“for your iniquities and the iniquities

of your[fn] ancestors together,”

says the LORD.

“Because they burned incense on the mountains

and reproached me on the hills,

I will reward them fully[fn]

for their former deeds.”

Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says:

“Look! My servants will eat,

but you will be hungry.

Look! My servants will drink,

but you will be thirsty.

Look! My servants will rejoice,

but you will be put to shame.

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together,[fn]

and the lion will eat straw like cattle,

but the serpent's food will be dust!

They will not do what is evil or destroy

on my entire holy mountain,”

says the LORD.

This is what the LORD says:

Heaven is my throne,

and earth is my footstool.

Where could you possibly build a house for me?

And where would my resting place be?

For this is what the LORD says:

I will make peace flow to her like a river,

and the wealth[fn] of nations like a flood;

you will nurse and be carried on her hip

and bounced on her lap.

“For just as the new heavens and the new earth,

which I will make,

will remain before me” —

this is the LORD's declaration —

“so your offspring and your name will remain.

Do not be afraid of anyone,

for I will be with you to rescue you.

This is the LORD's declaration.

“Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

They will come, and each king will set up his throne

at the entrance to Jerusalem's gates.

They will attack all her surrounding walls

and all the other cities of Judah.

“Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them.

“Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says:

I remember the loyalty of your youth,

your love as a bride —

how you followed me in the wilderness,

in a land not sown.

This is what the LORD says:

What fault did your ancestors find in me

that they went so far from me,

followed worthless idols,

and became worthless themselves?

Therefore, I will bring a case against you again.

This is the LORD's declaration.

I will bring a case against your children's children.

Be appalled at this, heavens;

be shocked and utterly desolated!

This is the LORD's declaration.

Have you not brought this on yourself

by abandoning the LORD your God

while he was leading you along the way?

Your own evil will discipline you;

your own apostasies will reprimand you.

Recognize[fn] how evil and bitter it is

for you to abandon the LORD your God

and to have no fear of me.

This is the declaration

of the Lord GOD of Armies.

Even if you wash with lye

and use a great amount of bleach,[fn]

the stain of your iniquity is still in front of me.

This is the Lord GOD's declaration.

Why do you bring a case against me?

All of you have rebelled against me.

This is the LORD's declaration.

Evil generation,

pay attention to the word of the LORD!

Have I been a wilderness to Israel

or a land of dense darkness?

Why do my people claim,

“We will go where we want;[fn]

we will no longer come to you”?

If[fn] a man divorces his wife

and she leaves him to marry another,

can he ever return to her?

Wouldn't such a land[fn] become totally defiled?

But you!

You have prostituted yourself with many partners —

can you return to me?

This is the LORD's declaration.

“Go, proclaim these words to the north, and say,

‘Return, unfaithful Israel.

This is the LORD's declaration.

I will not look on you with anger,[fn]

for I am unfailing in my love.

This is the LORD's declaration.

I will not be angry forever.

“When you multiply and increase in the land, in those days ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​no one will say again, “The ark of the LORD's covenant.” It will never come to mind, and no one will remember or miss it. Another one will not be made.[fn]

However, as a woman may betray her lover,[fn]

so you have betrayed me, house of Israel.

This is the LORD's declaration.

If you return,[fn] Israel —

this is the LORD's declaration —

you will return to me,

if you remove your abhorrent idols

from my presence

and do not waver,

For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:

Break up the unplowed ground;

do not sow among the thorns.

“On that day” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be scared speechless.”

They have her surrounded

like those who guard a field,

because she has rebelled against me.

This is the LORD's declaration.

For this is what the LORD says:

“The whole land will be a desolation,

but I will not finish it off.

Roam through the streets of Jerusalem.

Investigate;[fn]

search in her squares.

If you find one person,

any who acts justly,

who pursues faithfulness,

then I will forgive her.

Should I not punish them for these things?

This is the LORD's declaration.

Should I not avenge myself

on such a nation as this?

They, the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

have dealt very treacherously with me.

This is the LORD's declaration.

Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD of Armies says:

Because you have spoken this word,

I am going to make my words

become fire in your mouth.

These people are the wood,

and the fire will consume them.

“But even in those days” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“I will not finish you off.

“Do you not fear me?

This is the LORD's declaration.

Do you not tremble before me,

the one who set the sand as the boundary of the sea,

an enduring barrier that it cannot cross?

The waves surge, but they cannot prevail.

They roar but cannot pass over it.

“Should I not punish them for these things?

This is the LORD's declaration.

Should I not avenge myself

on such a nation as this?

For this is what the LORD of Armies says:

Cut down the trees;

raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem.

This city must be punished.

There is nothing but oppression within her.

This is what the LORD of Armies says:

Glean the remnant of Israel

as thoroughly as a vine.

Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer

over the branches.

Their houses will be turned over to others,

their fields and wives as well,

for I will stretch out my hand

against the inhabitants of the land.

This is the LORD's declaration.

This is what the LORD says:

Stand by the roadways and look.

Ask about the ancient paths,

“Which is the way to what is good? ”

Then take it

and find rest for yourselves.

But they protested, “We won't! ”

Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people;

fathers and sons together will stumble over them;

friends and neighbors will also perish.

“ ‘This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your actions, and I will allow you to live in this place.

Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it.

This is the LORD's declaration.

“But are they really provoking me? ” This is the LORD's declaration. “Isn't it they themselves being provoked to disgrace? ”

“For the Judeans have done what is evil in my sight.” This is the LORD's declaration. “They have set up their abhorrent things in the house that bears my name in order to defile it.

“Therefore, look, the days are coming” ​— ​the LORD's declaration ​— ​“when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley. Topheth will become a cemetery,[fn] because there will be no other burial place.

“At that time” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of her officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the residents of Jerusalem will be brought out of their graves.

“You are to say to them: This is what the LORD says:

Do people fall and not get up again?

If they turn away, do they not return?

“I will gather them and bring them to an end.”[fn]

This is the LORD's declaration.

“There will be no grapes on the vine,

no figs on the fig tree,

and even the leaf will wither.

Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.”

Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says:

I am about to refine them and test them,

for what else can I do

because of my dear[fn] people?[fn]

Should I not punish them for these things?

This is the LORD's declaration.

Should I not avenge myself

on such a nation as this?

Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to feed this people wormwood and give them poisonous water to drink.

This is what the LORD of Armies says:

Consider, and summon the women who mourn;

send for the skillful women.

“ ‘This is what the LORD says:

The wise person should not boast in his wisdom;

the strong should not boast in his strength;

the wealthy should not boast in his wealth.

This is what the LORD says:

Do not learn the way of the nations

or be terrified by signs in the heavens,

although the nations are terrified by them,

For this is what the LORD says:

Look, I am flinging away

the land's residents at this time

and bringing them such distress

that they will feel it.

“Tell them, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Let a curse be on the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

“Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring on them disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to me, but I will not hear them.

Therefore, here is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who intend to take your life. They warn, “Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will certainly die at our hand.”

This is what the LORD says: “Concerning all my evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to my people, Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them.

This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment and put it on.[fn] But do not put it in water.”

“This is what the LORD says: Just like this I will ruin the great pride of both Judah and Jerusalem.

“And you will say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to fill all who live in this land ​— ​the kings who reign for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the residents of Jerusalem ​— ​with drunkenness.

This is your lot,

what I have decreed for you —

this is the LORD's declaration —

because you have forgotten me

and trusted in lies.

This is what the LORD says concerning these people:

Truly they love to wander;

they never rest their feet.

So the LORD does not accept them.

Now he will remember their iniquity

and punish their sins.

“Therefore, this is what the LORD says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.' By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end.

“If they ask you, ‘Where will we go? ' tell them: This is what the LORD says:

Those destined for death, to death;

those destined for the sword, to the sword.

Those destined for famine, to famine;

those destined for captivity, to captivity.

“You have left me.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

“You have turned your back,

so I have stretched out my hand against you

and destroyed you.

I am tired of showing compassion.

Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

If you return, I will take you back;

you will stand in my presence.

And if you speak noble words,

rather than worthless ones,

you will be my spokesman.

It is they who must return to you;

you must not return to them.

The word of the LORD came to me:

“For this is what the LORD says concerning sons and daughters born in this place as well as concerning the mothers who bear them and the fathers who father them in this land:

“For this is what the LORD says: Don't enter a house where a mourning feast is taking place.[fn] Don't go to lament or sympathize with them, for I have removed my peace from these people as well as my faithful love and compassion.” This is the LORD's declaration.

“For this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to eliminate from this place, before your very eyes and in your time, the sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride.

“Then you will answer them, ‘Because your ancestors abandoned me ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​and followed other gods, served them, and bowed in worship to them. Indeed, they abandoned me and did not keep my instruction.

“However, look, the days are coming” ​— ​the LORD's declaration ​— ​“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,'

“I am about to send for many fishermen” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“and they will fish for them. Then I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and out of the clefts of the rocks,

This is what the LORD said to me, “Go and stand at the People's Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem.

“This is what the LORD says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem's gates on the Sabbath day.

“ ‘However, if you listen to me ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​and do not bring loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it,

Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

Ask among the nations,

who has heard things like these?

Virgin Israel has done a most horrible thing.

“Say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such a disaster on this place that everyone who hears about it will shudder[fn]

“ ‘Therefore, look, the days are coming ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley.

“and you are to proclaim to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I will shatter these people and this city, like one shatters a potter's jar that can never again be mended. They will bury the dead in Topheth because there is no other place for burials.

“This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to bring on this city ​— ​and on all its cities ​— ​every disaster that I spoke against it, for they have become obstinate, not obeying my words.' ”

“for this is what the LORD says, ‘I am about to make you a terror to both yourself and those you love. They will fall by the sword of their enemies before your very eyes. I will hand Judah over to the king of Babylon, and he will deport them to Babylon and put them to the sword.

“‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to repel the weapons of war in your hands, those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans[fn] who are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the center of this city.

“Afterward ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people ​— ​those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine ​— ​I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to their enemies, yes, to those who intend to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won't spare them or show pity or compassion.'

“House of David, this is what the LORD says:

Administer justice every morning,

and rescue the victim of robbery

from his oppressor,

or my anger will flare up like fire

and burn unquenchably

because of your evil deeds.

This is what the LORD says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and announce this word there.

“This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from his oppressor. Don't exploit or brutalize the resident alien, the fatherless, or the widow. Don't shed innocent blood in this place.

“But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by myself ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​that this house will become a ruin.' ”

For this is what the LORD says concerning Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah, and who has left this place: “He will never return here again,

He took up the case of the poor and needy;

then it went well.

Is this not what it means to know me?

This is the LORD's declaration.

Therefore, this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:

They will not mourn for him, saying,

“Woe, my brother! ” or “Woe, my sister! ”

They will not mourn for him, saying,

“Woe, lord! Woe, his majesty! ”

“As I live” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“though you, Coniah[fn] son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would tear you from it.

“Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend my people: You have scattered my flock, banished them, and have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you because of your evil acts” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

“I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. They will no longer be afraid or discouraged, nor will any be missing.” This is the LORD's declaration.

“Look, the days are coming” ​— ​the LORD's declaration ​— ​“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,'

Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says concerning the prophets:

I am about to feed them wormwood

and give them poisoned water to drink,

for from the prophets of Jerusalem

ungodliness[fn] has spread throughout the land.

“Am I a God who is only near” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“and not a God who is far away?

“The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain? ” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

“Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden[fn] of the LORD? ' you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! This is the LORD's declaration.'

“But if you say, ‘The burden of the LORD,' then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of the LORD,' and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of the LORD,'

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

“But as for the bad figs, so bad they are inedible, this is what the LORD says: In this way I will deal with King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem ​— ​those remaining in this land or living in the land of Egypt.

“Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Because you have not obeyed my words,

“The tumult reaches to the ends of the earth

because the LORD brings a case against the nations.

He enters into judgment with all humanity.

As for the wicked, he hands them over to the sword —

this is the LORD's declaration.

‘They will be taken to Babylon and will remain there until I attend to them again.' This is the LORD's declaration. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.' ”

“ ‘Yet hear the LORD's word, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;

“This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go, say to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem, ‘Will you not accept discipline by listening to my words? ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

“But as for you, do you pursue great things for yourself? Stop pursuing! For I am about to bring disaster on all humanity” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.” ' ”

Why have I seen this?

They are terrified,

they are retreating,

their warriors are crushed,

they flee headlong,

they never look back,

terror is on every side!

This is the LORD's declaration.

As I live —

this is the King's declaration;

the LORD of Armies is his name —

the king of Babylon[fn] will come like Tabor among the mountains

and like Carmel by the sea.

They will cut down her forest —

this is the LORD's declaration —

though it is dense,

for they are more numerous than locusts;

they cannot be counted.

And you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid —

this is the LORD's declaration —

for I will be with you.

I will bring destruction on all the nations

where I have banished you,

but I will not bring destruction on you.

I will discipline you with justice,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

This is what the LORD says:

Look, water is rising from the north

and becoming an overflowing wadi.

It will overflow the land and everything in it,

the cities and their inhabitants.

The people will cry out,

and every inhabitant of the land will wail.

About Edom, this is what the LORD of Armies says:

Is there no longer wisdom in Teman?

Has counsel perished from the prudent?

Has their wisdom rotted away?

“For by myself I have sworn” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration ​— ​“Bozrah[fn] will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and an example for cursing, and all its surrounding cities will become ruins forever.”

This is what the LORD of Armies says:

I am about to shatter Elam's bow,

the source[fn] of their might.

Yet, in the last days,

I will restore the fortunes of Elam.

This is the LORD's declaration.

Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to punish the king of Babylon and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.

In those days and at that time —

this is the LORD's declaration —

one will search for Israel's iniquity,

but there will be none,

and for Judah's sins,

but they will not be found,

for I will forgive those I leave as a remnant.

Look, I am against you, you arrogant one —

this is the declaration of

the Lord GOD of Armies —

for your day has come,

the time when I will punish you.

This is what the LORD of Armies says:

Israelites and Judeans alike have been oppressed.

All their captors hold them fast;

they refuse to release them.

This is what the LORD says:

I am about to rouse the spirit of a destroyer[fn] against Babylon

and against the population of Leb-qamai.[fn][fn]

“Before your very eyes, I will repay Babylon and all the residents of Chaldea for all their evil they have done in Zion.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

No one will be able to retrieve a cornerstone

or a foundation stone from you,

because you will become desolate forever.

This is the LORD's declaration.

For this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says:

Daughter Babylon is like a threshing floor

at the time it is trampled.

In just a little while her harvest time will come.

Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

I am about to champion your cause

and take vengeance on your behalf;

I will dry up her sea

and make her fountain run dry.

While they are flushed with heat, I will serve them a feast,

and I will make them drunk so that they celebrate.[fn]

Then they will fall asleep forever

and never wake up.

This is the LORD's declaration.

Therefore, look, the days are coming —

this is the LORD's declaration —

when I will punish her carved images,

and the wounded will groan

throughout her land.

I will make her princes and sages drunk,

along with her governors, officials, and warriors.

Then they will fall asleep forever

and never wake up.

This is the King's declaration;

the LORD of Armies is his name.

“The descendants are obstinate[fn] and hardhearted. I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.'

“Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,' whether they listen or refuse to listen.”

“But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.' Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse ​— ​for they are a rebellious house.

The LORD said, “This is how the Israelites will eat their bread ​— ​ceremonially unclean ​— ​among the nations where I will banish them.”

“This is what the Lord GOD says: I have set this Jerusalem in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have been more insubordinate than the nations around you ​— ​you have not walked in my statutes or kept my ordinances; you have not even kept the ordinances of the nations around you ​— ​

“Therefore, as I live” ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​“I will withdraw and show you no pity, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your abhorrent acts and detestable practices. Yes, I will not spare you.

“You are to say: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

“This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and cry out over all the evil and detestable practices of the house of Israel, who will fall by the sword, famine, and plague.

“Son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel:

An end! The end has come

on the four corners of the earth.

This is what the Lord GOD says:

Look, one disaster after another is coming!

Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me, and he told me, “You are to say, ‘This is what the LORD says: That is what you are thinking, house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your mind.

“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: The slain you have put within it are the meat, and the city is the pot, but I[fn] will take you out of it.

“Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Though I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.'

“But as for those whose hearts pursue their desire for abhorrent acts and detestable practices, I will bring their conduct down on their own heads.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: This pronouncement concerns the prince[fn] in Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel living there.'[fn]

“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[fn][fn] land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there.

“Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel.' But say to them, ‘The days have arrived, as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

“But I, the LORD, will speak whatever message I will speak, and it will be done. It will no longer be delayed. For in your days, rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing.

“They saw false visions and their divinations were a lie. They claimed, “This is the LORD's declaration,” when the LORD did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.

“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: You have spoken falsely and had lying visions; that's why you discover that I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“ ‘So this is what the Lord GOD says: I will release a whirlwind in my wrath. Torrential rain will come in my anger, and hailstones will fall in destructive fury.

“those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.'

“Say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic bands on the wrist of every hand and who make veils for the heads of people of every size in order to ensnare lives. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?

“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: I am against your magic bands with which you ensnare people like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. I will free the people you have ensnared like birds.

“Therefore, speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart and puts his sinful stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet, I, the LORD, will answer him appropriately.[fn] I will answer him according to his many idols,

“Therefore, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your detestable things.

“in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from following me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Then they will be my people and I will be their God. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“Even if these three men ​— ​Noah, Daniel, and Job ​— ​were in it, they would rescue only themselves by their righteousness.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Even if these three men were in it, as I live” ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​“they could not rescue their sons or daughters. They alone would be rescued, but the land would be desolate.

“Even if these three men were in it, as I live” ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​“they could not rescue their sons or daughters, but they alone would be rescued.

“Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live” ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​“they could not rescue their son or daughter. They would rescue only themselves by their righteousness.

“They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done what I did to it.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says, “Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire as fuel, so I will give up the residents of Jerusalem.

“I will make the land desolate because they have acted unfaithfully.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hethite.

“ ‘Then I passed by you and saw you, and you were indeed at the age for love. So I spread the edge of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged myself to you, entered into a covenant with you ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​and you became mine.

“Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through my splendor, which I had bestowed on you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“The food that I gave you ​— ​the fine flour, oil, and honey that I fed you ​— ​you set it before them as a pleasing aroma. That is what happened. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“ ‘Then after all your evil ​— ​Woe, woe to you! ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​

“ ‘How your heart was inflamed with lust[fn] ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​when you did all these things, the acts of a brazen prostitute,

“This is what the Lord GOD says: Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness exposed by your acts of prostitution with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols and the blood of your children that you gave to them,

“Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will also bring your conduct down on your own head. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. Haven't you committed depravity in addition to all your detestable practices?

“ ‘As I live ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​your sister Sodom and her daughters have not behaved as you and your daughters have.

“You yourself must bear the consequences of your depravity and detestable practices ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

“so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth again because of your disgrace. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: A huge eagle with powerful wings, long feathers, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

“You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Will it flourish? Will he not tear out its roots and strip off its fruit so that it shrivels? All its fresh leaves will wither! Great strength and many people will not be needed to pull it from its roots.

“ ‘As I live ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: As I live, I will bring down on his head my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke.

“ ‘This is what the Lord GOD says:

I will take a sprig

from the lofty top of the cedar and plant it.

I will pluck a tender sprig

from its topmost shoots,

and I will plant it

on a high towering mountain.

“As I live” ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​“you will no longer use this proverb in Israel.

“He follows my statutes and keeps my ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “Instead, don't I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?

“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn from all your rebellious acts, so they will not become a sinful stumbling block to you.

“For I take no pleasure in anyone's death.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “So repent and live!

“Son of man, speak with the elders of Israel and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you coming to inquire of me? As I live, I will not let you inquire of me. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.'

“Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath[fn] to the descendants of Jacob's house and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying, “I am the LORD your God.”

“Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your ancestors blasphemed me by committing treachery against me:

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you defiling yourselves the way your ancestors did, and prostituting yourselves with their abhorrent things?

As I live ​— ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​I will reign over you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.

Just as I entered into judgment with your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“ ‘As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, each of you. But afterward you will surely listen to me, and you will no longer defile my holy name with your gifts and idols.

“You will know that I am the LORD, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you for the sake of my name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“and say to the forest there, ‘Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.

“And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning? ' then say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will become weak. Every spirit will be discouraged, and all knees will run with urine.[fn] Yes, it is coming and it will happen. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' ”

“Son of man, prophesy, ‘This is what the Lord says! ' You are to proclaim,

‘A sword! A sword is sharpened

and also polished.

“Surely it will be a trial! And what if the sword despises even the scepter? The scepter will not continue.”[fn] This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your actions ​— ​since you have done this, you will be captured by them.

“This is what the Lord GOD says:

Remove the turban, and take off the crown.

Things will not remain as they are;[fn]

exalt the lowly and bring down the exalted.

“Now you, son of man, prophesy, and say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt.' You are to proclaim,

‘A sword! A sword

is drawn for slaughter,

polished to consume, to flash like lightning.

“You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: A city that sheds blood within her walls so that her time of judgment has come and who makes idols for herself so that she is defiled!

“People who live in you accept bribes in order to shed blood. You take interest and profit on a loan and brutally extort your neighbors. You have forgotten me. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because all of you have become dross, I am about to gather you into Jerusalem.

“Her prophets plaster for them with whitewash by seeing false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,' when the LORD has not spoken.

“So I have poured out my indignation on them and consumed them with the fire of my fury. I have brought their conduct down on their own heads.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to incite your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust. I will bring them against you from every side:

“For this is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to hand you over to those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust.

This is what the Lord GOD says:

“You will drink your sister's cup,

which is deep and wide.

You will be an object of[fn] ridicule and scorn,

for it holds so much.

“You will drink it and drain it;

then you will gnaw its broken pieces,

and tear your breasts.

For I have spoken.”

This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“This is what the Lord GOD says: Summon[fn] an assembly against them and consign them to terror and plunder.

“Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says:

Put the pot on the fire —

put it on,

and then pour water into it!

“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says:

Woe to the city of bloodshed,

the pot that has corrosion inside it,