171 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
171 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
Misery Turned to Hope
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# Chapter 7
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1. How miserable I am!
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I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest
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who can find nothing to eat.
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Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig
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can be found to satisfy my hunger.
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2. The godly people have all disappeared;
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not one honest person is left on the earth.
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They are all murderers,
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setting traps even for their own brothers.
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3. Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!
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Officials and judges alike demand bribes.
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The people with influence get what they want,
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and together they scheme to twist justice.
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4. Even the best of them is like a brier;
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the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.
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But your judgment day is coming swiftly now.
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Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
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5. Don't trust anyone--
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not your best friend or even your wife!
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6. For the son despises his father.
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The daughter defies her mother.
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The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.
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Your enemies are right in your own household!
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7. As for me, I look to the LORD for help.
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I wait confidently for God to save me,
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and my God will certainly hear me.
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8. Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
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For though I fall, I will rise again.
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Though I sit in darkness,
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the LORD will be my light.
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9. I will be patient as the LORD punishes me,
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for I have sinned against him.
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But after that, he will take up my case
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and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
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The LORD will bring me into the light,
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and I will see his righteousness.
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10. Then my enemies will see that the LORD is on my side.
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They will be ashamed that they taunted me, saying,
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"So where is the LORD--
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that God of yours?"
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With my own eyes I will see their downfall;
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they will be trampled like mud in the streets.
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11. In that day, Israel, your cities will be rebuilt,
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and your borders will be extended.
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12. People from many lands will come and honor you--
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from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt,
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from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River,
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and from distant seas and mountains.
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13. But the land will become empty and desolate
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because of the wickedness of those who live there.The LORD's Compassion on Israel
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14. O LORD, protect your people with your shepherd's staff;
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lead your flock, your special possession.
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Though they live alone in a thicket
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on the heights of Mount Carmel,
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let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead
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as they did long ago.
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15. "Yes," says the LORD,
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"I will do mighty miracles for you,
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like those I did when I rescued you
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from slavery in Egypt."
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16. All the nations of the world will stand amazed
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at what the LORD will do for you.
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They will be embarrassed
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at their feeble power.
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They will cover their mouths in silent awe,
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deaf to everything around them.
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17. Like snakes crawling from their holes,
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they will come out to meet the LORD our God.
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They will fear him greatly,
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trembling in terror at his presence.
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18. Where is another God like you,
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who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
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overlooking the sins of his special people?
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You will not stay angry with your people forever,
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because you delight in showing unfailing love.
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19. Once again you will have compassion on us.
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You will trample our sins under your feet
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and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
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20. You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love
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as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
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