81 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
81 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
God's Reasons for Punishing Israel
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# Chapter 3
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1. Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken against you, Israelites, against the entire clan that I brought from the land of Egypt:
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2. I have known only you
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out of all the clans of the earth;
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therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.
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3. Can two walk together
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without agreeing to meet?
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4. Does a lion roar in the forest
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when it has no prey?
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Does a young lion growl from its lair
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unless it has captured something?
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5. Does a bird land in a trap on the ground
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if there is no bait for it?
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Does a trap spring from the ground
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when it has caught nothing?
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6. If a ram's horn is blown in a city,
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aren't people afraid?
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If a disaster occurs in a city,
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hasn't the Lord done it?
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7. Indeed, the Lord God does nothing
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without revealing his counsel
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to his servants the prophets.
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8. A lion has roared;
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who will not fear?
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The Lord God has spoken;
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who will not prophesy?
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9. Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod
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and on the citadels in the land of Egypt:
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Assemble on the mountains of Samaria,
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and see the great turmoil in the city
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and the acts of oppression within it.
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10. The people are incapable of doing right--
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this is the Lord's declaration--
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those who store up violence and destruction
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in their citadels.
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11. Therefore, the Lord God says:
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An enemy will surround the land;
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he will destroy your strongholds
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and plunder your citadels.
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12. The Lord says:
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As the shepherd snatches two legs
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or a piece of an ear
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from the lion's mouth,
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so the Israelites who live in Samaria
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will be rescued
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with only the corner of a bed
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or the cushion of a couch.
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13. Listen and testify against the house of Jacob--
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this is the declaration of the Lord God,
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the God of Armies.
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14. I will punish the altars of Bethel
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on the day I punish Israel for its crimes;
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the horns of the altar will be cut off
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and fall to the ground.
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15. I will demolish the winter house
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and the summer house;
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the houses inlaid with ivory will be destroyed,
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and the great houses will come to an end.
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This is the Lord's declaration.
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