The Hebrew Prophets

They will shepherd the land of Ashur with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will rescue us from Ashur when he invades our land, when he overruns our borders.

Then the remnant of Ya'akov, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from ADONAI, like showers on the grass, which doesn't wait for a man or expect anything from mortals.

The remnant of Ya'akov among the nations, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among forest animals, like a young lion among flocks of sheep - if it passes through, tramples and tears to pieces, there is no one to rescue them.

Your hand will be raised over your enemies; all your adversaries will be destroyed.

"When that day comes," says ADONAI, "I will cut off your horses from among you and destroy your chariots.

I will cut off the cities of your land and lay waste your strongholds.

I will cut off sorceries from your land; you will no longer have soothsayers.

I will cut off your carved images and standing-stones from among you; no longer will you worship what your own hands have made.

I will pull up your sacred poles from among you and destroy your enemies.

I will wreak vengeance in anger and fury on the nations, because they would not listen."

So listen now to what ADONAI says: "Stand up and state your case to the mountains, let the hills hear what you have to say."

Listen, mountains, to ADONAI's case; also you enduring rocks that support the earth! ADONAI has a case against his people; he wants to argue it out with Isra'el:

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!

I brought you up from the land of Egypt. I redeemed you from a life of slavery. I sent Moshe, Aharon and Miryam to lead you.

My people, just remember what Balak the king of Mo'av had planned, what Bil'am the son of B'or answered him, [and what happened] between Sheetim and Gilgal - so that you will understand the saving deeds of ADONAI."

"With what can I come before ADONAI to bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings? with calves in their first year?

Would ADONAI take delight in thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Could I give my firstborn to pay for my crimes, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"

Human being, you have already been told what is good, what ADONAI demands of you - no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God.

The voice of ADONAI! He calls to the city - and it is wisdom to fear your name - "Listen to the rod and to him who commissioned it.

Are there still ill-gotten gains in the house of the wicked? still the detestable short eifah-measure?

Should I declare innocent wicked scales and a bag of fraudulent weights?

The rich men there are full of violence, the inhabitants tell lies, with tongues of deceit in their mouths.

"Therefore, I am starting to strike you down, to destroy you because of your sins.

You will eat but not be satisfied, with hunger gnawing inside you. You will conceive but not give birth; if you do give birth, I will give him to the sword.

You will sow but will not reap, you will press olives but not rub yourself with oil, likewise you will press grapes but not drink the wine.