The Hebrew Prophets

And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn. So He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land and marches into our borders.

Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.

Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

Your hand will be lifted over your foes, and all your enemies will be cut off.

“In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will remove your horses from among you and wreck your chariots.

I will remove the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds.

I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.

I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands.

I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities.

I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”

Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:

‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!

For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam.

My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?

Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.

Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed?

Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?

For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

Therefore I am striking you severely, to ruin you because of your sins.

You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give to the sword.

You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.