170 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
170 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
Jerusalem's Rebellion and Redemption
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# Chapter 3
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1. What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem,
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the city of violence and crime!
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2. No one can tell it anything;
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it refuses all correction.
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It does not trust in the LORD
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or draw near to its God.
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3. Its leaders are like roaring lions
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hunting for their victims.
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Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time,
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who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
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4. Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain.
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Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God's instructions.
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5. But the LORD is still there in the city,
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and he does no wrong.
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Day by day he hands down justice,
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and he does not fail.
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But the wicked know no shame.
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6. "I have wiped out many nations,
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devastating their fortress walls and towers.
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Their streets are now deserted;
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their cities lie in silent ruin.
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There are no survivors--
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none at all.
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7. I thought, 'Surely they will have reverence for me now!
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Surely they will listen to my warnings.
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Then I won't need to strike again,
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destroying their homes.'
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But no, they get up early
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to continue their evil deeds.
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8. Therefore, be patient," says the LORD.
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"Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations.
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For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth
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and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them.
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All the earth will be devoured
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by the fire of my jealousy.
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9. "Then I will purify the speech of all people,
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so that everyone can worship the LORD together.
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10. My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
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will come to present their offerings.
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11. On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed,
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for you will no longer be rebels against me.
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I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you.
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There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain.
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12. Those who are left will be the lowly and humble,
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for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD.
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13. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong;
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they will never tell lies or deceive one another.
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They will eat and sleep in safety,
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and no one will make them afraid."
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14. Sing, O daughter of Zion;
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shout aloud, O Israel!
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Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
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O daughter of Jerusalem!
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15. For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment
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and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
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And the LORD himself, the King of Israel,
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will live among you!
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At last your troubles will be over,
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and you will never again fear disaster.
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16. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be,
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"Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid!
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17. For the LORD your God is living among you.
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He is a mighty savior.
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He will take delight in you with gladness.
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With his love, he will calm all your fears.
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He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
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18. "I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals;
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you will be disgraced no more.
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19. And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you.
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I will save the weak and helpless ones;
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I will bring together
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those who were chased away.
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I will give glory and fame to my former exiles,
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wherever they have been mocked and shamed.
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20. On that day I will gather you together
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and bring you home again.
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I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,
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among all the nations of the earth,
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as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
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I, the LORD, have spoken!"
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