The greatest lie the devil ever told, was that he does not exist. May God bless me and show me truth.
The following are facts as stated in the Bible, our source for the truth, and the facts that “coincide” with history. You can judge it. If you believe, tell whoever will listen. I believe the time for the anti-Christ is in our lifetime.
The Bible tells us of the end of time. Where the antiChrist will be unleashed free on Earth. The Warnings are there for us to read and put together. We must be watchful. I believe islam is the religion of satan (allah), and muhammed was the antichrist foretold in the Bible. Here is why…
The above is the symbol of allah (god) of islam. Look at the image and see that it is a snake, facing right, sneaking up behind a figure of a man. The snake has a crown. It is the symbol of Satan and his desire to be king and the deception of man.
The above is the symbol of islam. Isaiah 14:12 How you are fallen from HEAVAN, O light of the Crescent Moon, son of the Morning Star. [referring to Satan].
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Mark 13: 5[Matthew 24:5] Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many…”
Matthew 24:24 for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and they shall give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. He that has understanding let him count the number of the beast: for it is a man’s number; and its number [is] six hundred [and three score and six] sixty-six.
The antichirst is a man. The number is a year, 6 hundred, 3 score [a score is 20 years] and six. That is the original translation of 666. Many things will lead you to the same result, Islam and Muhammad.
Islam holds that the Qur’an was repeatedly revealed from Allah to Muhammad orally [Muhammad could not read] through the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) over a period of approximately twenty-three years, beginning in 610 A.D., when he was forty, and concluding in632 A.D., the year of his death. The Quran was codified and completed in 632 A.D. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur’an
The historical age known as A.D. Anno Domini is translated “year of our Lord.” The year designated the beginning of our current time from the year of the death of Christ. Christ died on the Cross when He was 33, therefore in His 34th year of life. If the Calendar were actually set at the time of the Birth of Christ rather than the death, we would add 34 years to our current Calendar. THEREFORE, THE QURAN WAS CODIFIED 666 YEARS AFTER THE BIRTH OF CHRIST!!!! FACT. There is no disputing that fact!
The symbol [mark of the beast] in the original texts were SYMBOLS. The later translation confuse the 666 as a date and are mis-translated and thereafter misinterpreted.
The first (on left) is an image of the Original SYMBOLS as they appeared in the Codex Vaticanus (one of the Original texts of the Bible). [in arabic, lines are read right to left]
Bismi; allah; islam. The first symbol, on the right is the word for “IN THE NAME OF”(Squiggly ”E” looking letter), the next is “ALLAH”(Middle looking snake symbol), the last is the two swords, the symbol for “ISLAM” also the ISLAMIC SYMBOL FOR WARRING IN THE NAME OF ALLAH. Therefore, the symbol and mark (shield) of the beast shall be IN THE NAME OF ALLAH ISLAM. OR IN THE NAME OF ALLAH WAR.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand[arm], or on their foreheads.
This is what they shall wear on their arms and foreheads in the apocalyptic war. 
Like badges or head bands. [They already wear these badges] It will be the symbols for their war that they will wage on the rest of the world, not content until the islamic law {Sharia} rules and they will force everyone to abide or be beheaded.
Revelation 20:3-5 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. NOTICE HOW THE ORIGINAL TEXT READS THEY WERE BEHEADED, not shot, not stabbed, not hung, BEHEADED. Which religion/cult practices that in modern times? Hmmm, ISLAM does. It specifically tells its followers to do this to NON BELIEVERS. The above verse says those who did not worship him were beheaded. This is not a coincidence.
Islam was created as the religion to deny the truth. The greatest lie has truth in it. Therefore, you have references to the Bible in the quran with the deception and lies that lead people away from the truth. The quran states that Jesus was born pure and holy, yet they never claim that of Muhammad, but Muhammad is the purest man that ever lived in the quran. It contradicts itself. It tells a truth followed by a lie.
According to the Quran, Islam was codified by Muhammad who received a message from Gabriel the Angel to create a new religion that was meant to correct the errors of Christianity. “They regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islamic tradition holds that previous messages and revelations have been changed and distorted over time.[5] Islamic tradition holds that during one of his visits to Mount Hira, the angel Gabriel appeared to him in the year 610 and commanded Muhammad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad. But if you read Islamic history, Muhammad doesnt even believe its Gabriel at first. The “Angel” NEVER SAID IT WAS GABRIEL! Muhammad’s wife tells him it must be Gabriel, because Gabriel is the one who appeared to Mary and and was the messenger of God. Yet, at first Muhhamad runs away from “Gabriel” and tells his wife, an evil spirit appeared to me and wants to kill me.
They even refer to them as Angels of Hell and Allah who commands them! ”Allaah says concerning the angels of Hell: O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern and severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.” [al-Tahreem 66:6" http://islamqa.com/en/ref/843/gabriel%20wings Notice the chapter and verse...666.
[NOTE: All references to the Quran are narrations. Muhammad could not read or write and therefore only repeated what "Gabriel" told him.]
The Archangel Gabriel came to Muhammad in the cave and commanded him to “Read.” Muhammad replied, “I cannot read.” …He then released him and said again, “Read.” ”I cannot,” replied Muhammad, at which the Archangel embraced him again. (Qur’an 96:1-5).http://www.muslimgateway.com/community/teens/articles/f_lib_article_la_archangel.html
BTW, Arabic translations read that Gabriel did not “embrace” him, he chocked Muhammad.
Why would God tell Gabriel to tell Muhammad to read? God knows all, therefore knew that Muhammad could not read. And he never learned!
Muhammad states that he was instructed by Gabriel to create this religion, and read the description of Gabriel. “The greatest of all the angels is Jibreel (Gabriel), upon whom be peace, who was described in the following report: From ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood, who said: the Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) saw Jibreel in his true form. He had six hundred wings, each of which covered the horizon. There fell from his wings jewels, pearls and rubies, only Allah knows about them.” It was reported by Ahmad in al-Musnad, and Ibn Katheer said in al-Bidaayah 1/47 that its isnaad is jayyid. http://islamqa.com/en/ref/843/gabriel%20wings
Now read the description of Lucifer (Satan) the Angel, as Ezekial describes seeing him in a vision of the Apocalypse. Ezekial 28 11 The word of the LORD came to me: 12 ”Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, [b]turquoise and beryl. [c] Sounds like the same Angel. It was Satan who instructed Muhammad, not Gabriel.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (RA). Allah’s Apostle said, “the most awful name in Allah’s sight on the Day of Resurrection will be that of a man calling himself Malik Al-Amlaak. (king of kings)”. Sahih Bukhari 8:224. SO on the day of Resurrection (a.k.a Judgment Day) the name Allah will hate most will be that of the man calling himself the King of Kings. In all of history, only Jesus was called the King of Kings. So it would stand to reason that on the Day of Judgment Allah (a.k.a Satan) will hate Jesus’ name. And that will be because Jesus will cast him out and defeat him!
In one exchange Muhammad speaks with Gabriel and Gabriel tells him as long as his followers pray only to Allah they can get into heaven, seemingly despite whatever they do in their lives. “ Narrated Abu Dhar: The Prophet said, “Gabriel said to me, ‘Whoever amongst your followers die without having worshipped others besides Allah, will enter Paradise (or will not enter the (Hell) Fire).” The Prophet asked. “Even if he has committed illegal sexual intercourse or theft?” He replied, “Even then.”http://islamqa.com/en/ref/843/gabriel%20wings What a question to come to mind?! This is supposedly the heart of the Prophet and the holiest man to ever live.
In Mecca, followers of islam go to worship the “black rock” which they claim was thrown down from heaven. According to Islamic tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve. Many geologists and historians[who?] believe it to be a tektite or a meteorite.[1] It is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient sacred stone building towards which Muslims pray, in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone
The black stone is described in the quran as a stone thrown down from heaven. According to the Bible, there is only one thing that was thrown down from heaven…Satan. Ezekiel 28:14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, …You were on the holy mount of God;… 15 …till wickedness was found in you….16 …you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub… 17 …So I threw you to the earth…”
Another fact, Mecca is 666 nautical miles from Jerusalem. Quite a coincidence.
1 John 2:22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
“In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ the son of Mary.” Quran 5:17.
Quran 4:119 “I will mislead them, I will entice them, I will command them to (forbid the eating of certain meats by) marking the ears of livestock, and I will command them to distort the creation of GOD.” Anyone who accepts the devil as a lord, instead of GOD, has incurred a profound loss. Notice that both are statements. Neither contradicts the other.
| Qur’an 4:171. “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. ” |
quran 9.030. The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. God’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!
Matthew 24:24-25…24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
Revelation 11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.”
The first beast was the original empire of islam, the Ottoman Empire that attempted world domination in the name of allah. But it did not succeed and faded. It seemed to have died but never did. Its revival is at hand and is spreading quickly. ”Whose fatal wound had been healed.” The death of islam never happened, it lived and seemed fatal but is now healed and spreading quickly to every region of the world.
Revelation 12″The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28rAX_fBn4M
The Guiding Helper Foundation, Al Qaeda, as well as many other organization are calling for the return of the Caliphate, the leader of Islam (like a Pope), who would be assisted by a 10 person council. They would hand over power to one ruler of islam, the caliphate. http://www.crono911.net/docs/caliphateberger.pdfhttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/world/americas/11iht-letter.html?_r=1 http://www.caliphate.eu/
NOW COMPARE THE APOCALYPSE IN THE BIBLE AND THE QURAN:
The Bible tells us the that in the end of days the AntiChrist will rise and will sign a 7 year peace treaty [with Israel]. Then 3 and a half years into the treaty he would break it and start the war [the Apocalypse].
Daniel 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. [There exists a mosque at the site of the Original Temple of Solomon].
The quran says their Mahdi (Messiah) will sign ["confirm" not create] a peace treaty [with Israel] and then 3 and a half years into the treaty he would break the treaty and call all Muslims to war for Islam against Israel and all non-believers.
‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amr said, “I went to the Prophet (S) one day whilst he was performing Wudu’ (ablution) slowly and carefully. He raised his head, looked at me and said, ‘Six things will happen to this Ummah: the death of your Prophet – ‘and when I heard that I was aghast,’ – this is the first. The second is that your wealth will increase so much that if a man were given ten thousand, he would still not be content with it. The third is that tribulation will enter the house of every one of you. The fourth is that sudden death will be widespread. The fifth is a peace-treaty between you and the Romans[Christians]; they will gather troops against you for nine months – like a woman’s period of childbearing then they will be the first to break the treaty. The sixth is the conquest of a city.’ I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which city?’ He said, ‘Constantinople.’” (Ahmad, Muslim, Ibn Kathir Page No: 34)
Muhammad, son of Al Hanaffia, said:”The Black Banners will come out for the children of Al Abbas. The other black banners will come from Khurasan. Their turbans will be black and their clothes white. At their front will be a man named Shuayb, the son of Salih, from Tamim. They will defeat the companions of The Sufyaani until he comes to the House of Jerusalem where he will establish his power for the Mahdi, and he will be supplied with three hundred (men) from Syria after his arrival and the matter will be settled for the Mahdi in seventy-two months (six years).”
Ezekiel 28 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 ”Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ” ‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2028&version=NIV (Tyre is the modern Lebanon. Originally part of Assyria, controlled by modern day Syria).
Daniel 11:31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Mark 13:14″When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’[a]standing where it[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.17How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. 20If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ[c]!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24″But in those days, following that distress, ” ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;”
The last sentence above talks about TWO ECLIPSES. Now read islams version of the same timeline, foretelling the coming of the Mahdi.
Two Eclipses:There are two signs for the Mahdi… The first one is the lunar eclipse in the first night of Ramadan, and the second is the solar eclipse in the middle of this month. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 47)
He will conquer Jerusalem and establish islamic rule, and set up an abomination….The abomination is the house of worship of the Devil on the place of the Holy Temple of God in Israel.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (?):”…He (the ‘Ali said that the Prophet said, “The birth-place of the Mahdi will be in Medina. He is from the family of the House of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him,and his migration is to the House of Jerusalem. His beard is thick, his eyes naturally masquerade, his teeth are radiant and upon his face is a mole and upon his shoulder is the Sign of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him. And he will come out under the Banner of the Prophet made from a marked woolen black square that will not have been unfolded since the Messenger, praise and peace be upon him, and it will not be unfolded until the Mahdi comes. Allah will support him with 3,000 angels who will beat the faces and buttocks of those that oppose him. He will be sent between the age of 30 and 40.”(Nu’aym ibn Hammad, Kitab al-Fitan, No. 73)Mahdi fights the whole world and both the ones who have gone astray (Christians) and the ones who have earned Allah’s anger (Jews) join against him with the hypocrites in the land of Isra and Miraj at Mount Megiddo. And there comes out against him the Queen of the world and deception, an adulteress called (America), who incites the world to deviation and infidelity…and the Jews of the world at that time would have the upper hand , ruling Quds and the holy city. And all nations come to fight by sea and air except those in the land of extreme cold and the land of extreme heat. And the Mahdi sees that all the world does plot against him, but he also sees that Allah’s plan is stronger than all, and he sees that the World belongs to Allah and to Him it will return, and that the World is but a tree that Allah wills him to rule from its roots to its branches…….and Allah throws down on them (unbelievers) with a disastrous punishment, burning their lands and seas and skies. And the sky rains down a harmful shower, with the people of the Earth cursing the infidels, and Allah wills the defeat of the unbelievers.”(Asmal Masalik Lieyyam Mahdiyy Maliki Li Kull-id Dunya Biemrillah-il Malik, Qalda bin Zayd, p. 216)
Ezekiel 28 1And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:2`Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre [modern day Lebanon]: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thy heart hath been high, And thou dost say: A god I [am], The habitation of God I have inhabited, In the heart of the seas, And thou [art] man, and not God, And thou givest out thy heart as the heart of God,3Lo, thou [art] wiser than Daniel, No hidden thing have they concealed from thee.4By thy wisdom and by thine understanding Thou hast made for thee wealth, And makest gold and silver in thy treasuries.5By the abundance of thy wisdom, Through thy merchandise, Thou hast multiplied thy wealth, And high is thy heart through thy wealth. 6Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy giving out thy heart as the heart of God, 7Therefore, lo, I am bringing in against thee strangers, The terrible of the nations, And they have drawn out their swords Against the beauty of thy wisdom, And they have pierced thy brightness. 8To destruction they bring thee down, Thou diest by the deaths of the wounded, in the heart of the seas.9Dost thou really say, `I [am] God,’ Before him who is slaying thee? And thou [art] man, and not God, In the hand of him who is piercing thee.10The deaths of the uncircumcised thou diest, By the hand of strangers, for I have spoken, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.’
If you read above, the quote makes reference to Satan and his anti-Christ saying “Thou hast made for thee wealth, And makest gold and silver in thy treasuries.” Also Daniel 11:38 38″But instead he will honor a god of fortresses [war], a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.” In islam, it is required that the believers pay homage to allah by payment of Gold and Silver. One of the five main obligatory pillars of islam is for the payment of a “zakat” by giving one fifth of their income by gold and silver to honor and advance the cause of allah. quran 9:60.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (?):”…He (the ‘Ali said that the Prophet said, “The birth-place of the Mahdi will be in Medina. He is from the family of the House of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and his migration is to the House of Jerusalem.
Daniel 9:27 ”He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ [a] In the middle of the ‘seven’ [b] [referring to breaking the peace treaty] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. [he will end daily mass or communion]. And on a wing of the temple [the holy temple of Solomon] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
At the site of the original Temple, lies a mosque, supposedly commemorating the spot where mohammed was raised to heaven.http://www.atlastours.net/holyland/al_aqsa_mosque.html
The Madhi for muslims, and the anti-Christ for Christians, will hunt Jews and Christians and wage war on them.
Mark 13:12″Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mahdi’s Wars: [a] War with Arabs [b] War with Jews & Christians
When comes the Help of Allah and Victory, And thou dost see the People enter Allah’s Religion in droves, Celebrate the Praises of thy Lord, and pray for his forgiveness; For he is Oft-Returning (In forgiveness). (Surah 110(An-Nasr))
Al Hasan Al Basri said:”A man of medium stature will come from Ar-Ray (a far-eastern town). He will be dark and from the children of Tamim — a Wasaj, named Shuayb son of Salih with four thousand men. Their clothes will be white and Banners black, and at his front is the Mahdi. He meets no one that he does not defeat and scatter.”
Revelation 20:4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands.
“A small group of Muslims will rise and conquer the White House.” (Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad) Maybe this already happened. Barack Hussein Obama. If anyone believes he is not muslim, stop reading this. There is no use convincing you of anything.
You can read all this on your own and find sources. One of mine washttp://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/islamic-articles-all-kinds/the-mahdi-t4924.html. They publish this openly. But they lie on television and in broadcasts about what it really means or says. It seems very plain to me.
God’s will be done.
MORE TO COME CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES. PLEASE COMMENT OR LEAVE QUESTIONS.
for now…Further Reading….Bible Quotes about the return of Christ and the anti-Christ
Isaiah 14:12
How you are fallen from HEAVAN, O light of the Crescent Moon, son of the Morning Star.
Look again at the symbol of islam, the crescent moon and the star.
The Coming of Christ
Isaiah 19
1 An oracle concerning Egypt:See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them. 2 “I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian—brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. 3 The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists. 4 I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them,”declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty. 5 The waters of the Nile river will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and dry. 6 The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up. The reeds and rushes will wither, 7 also the plants along the Nile, at the mouth of the river. Every sown field along the Nile will become parched, will blow away and be no more. 8 The fishermen will groan and lament, all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who throw nets on the water will pine away. 9 Those who work with combed flax will despair, the weavers of fine linen will lose hope. 10 The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the wage earners will be sick at heart. 11 The officials of Zoan (Modern day Tanis, Egypt) are nothing but fools; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh,”I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings”? 12 Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what the LORD Almighty has planned against Egypt. 13 The officials of Zoan have become fools, the leaders of Memphis [a] are deceived; the cornerstones of her peoples have led Egypt astray. 14 The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit. 15 There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm branch or reed. 16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the LORD Almighty raises against them. 17 And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the LORD Almighty is planning against them. 18 In that day five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD Almighty. One of them will be called the City of Destruction. [b] 19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22 The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”
Isaiah 63
1`Who [is] this coming from Edom? With dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is honourable in his clothing, Travelling in the abundance of his power?’ — `I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.’ [Referring to the Second Coming of Christ]
2`Wherefore [is] thy clothing red? And thy garments as treading in a wine fat?’ [Covered in the blood from the Crucifixion]
3– `A wine-press I have trodden by myself, And of the peoples there is no one with me, And I tread them in mine anger, And I trample them in my fury, Sprinkled is their strength on my garments, And all my clothing I have polluted. [The blood of Christ]
4For the day of vengeance [is] in my heart, And the year of my redeemed hath come.
5And I look attentively, and there is none helping, And I am astonished that there is none supporting, And give salvation to me doth mine own arm. And my wrath — it hath supported me.
6And I tread down peoples in mine anger, And I make them drunk in my fury, And I bring down to earth their strength.
7The kind acts of Jehovah I make mention of, The praises of Jehovah, According to all that Jehovah hath done for us, And the abundance of the goodness to the house of Israel, That He hath done for them, According to His mercies, And according to the abundance of His kind acts.
8And He saith, Only My people they [are], Sons — they lie not, and He is to them for a saviour.
9In all their distress [He is] no adversary, And the messenger of His presence saved them, In His love and in His pity He redeemed them, And He doth lift them up, And beareth them all the days of old.
10And they have rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit, And He turneth to them for an enemy, He Himself hath fought against them.
11And He remembereth the days of old, Moses — his people. Where [is] He who is bringing them up from the sea, The shepherd of his flock? Where [is] He who is putting in its midst His Holy Spirit?
12Leading by the right hand of Moses, the arm of His glory, Cleaving waters from before them, To make to Himself a name age-during.
13Leading them through the depths, As a horse in a plain they stumble not.
14As a beast into a valley goeth down, The Spirit of Jehovah causeth him to rest, So hast Thou led Thy people, To make to Thyself a glorious name.
15Look attentively from the heavens, And see from Thy holy and beauteous habitation, Where [is] Thy zeal and Thy might? The multitude of Thy bowels and Thy mercies Towards me have refrained themselves.
16For Thou [art] our Father, For Abraham hath not known us, And Israel doth not acknowledge us, Thou, O Jehovah, [art] our Father, Our redeemer from the age, [is] Thy name.
17Why causest Thou us to wander, O Jehovah, from Thy ways? Thou hardenest our heart from Thy fear, Turn back for Thy servants’ sake, The tribes of Thine inheritance.
18For a little while did Thy holy people possess, Our adversaries have trodden down Thy sanctuary.
19We have been from of old, Thou hast not ruled over them, Not called is Thy name upon them!
Isaiah 21 1 An oracle concerning the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror. 2 A dire vision has been shown to me: The betrayer betrays, and the destroyer destroys [satan and the anti-Christ]. Elam (Iran), attack! Media (Iran), lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused. 3 At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see. 4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me. 5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields! 6 This is what the Lord says to me: ”Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. 7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.” 8 And the lookout [a] shouted, ”Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post. 9 Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: ’Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!’ “ 10 O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.
A Prophecy Against Edom (Assyria)
11 An oracle concerning Dumah [b] : (ancient City named after the 6th son of Ishmael. Arab Clan)
Someone calls to me from Seir, (Mountain range south of Red Sea)
“Watchman, what is left of the night?
Watchman, what is left of the night?”
12 The watchman replies,
“Morning is coming, but also the night.
If you would ask, then ask;
and come back yet again.”
A Prophecy Against Arabia
13 An oracle concerning Arabia:
You caravans of Dedanites,
who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
14 bring water for the thirsty;
you who live in Tema, (City in Ghana, Africa)
bring food for the fugitives.
15 They flee from the sword,
from the drawn sword,
from the bent bow
and from the heat of battle.
16 This is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar (Town East of Jerusalem) will come to an end. 17 The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
Isaiah 24
Judgment on the Earth
1Behold, the LORD (A)lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.
2And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the(B)creditor like the debtor.
3The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the LORD has spoken this word.
4The (C)earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the (D)exalted of the people of the earth fade away.
5The earth is also (E)polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, (F)broke the everlasting covenant.
6Therefore, a (G)curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty Therefore, the (H)inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
7The (I)new wine mourns,
The vine decays,
All the merry-hearted sigh.
8The (J)gaiety of tambourines ceases,
The noise of revelers stops,
The gaiety of the harp ceases.
9They do not drink wine with song;
(K)Strong drink is (L)bitter to those who drink it.
10The (M)city of chaos is broken down;
(N)Every house is shut up so that none may enter.
11There is an (O)outcry in the streets concerning the wine;
(P)All joy turns to gloom.
The gaiety of the earth is banished.
12Desolation is left in the city
And the (Q)gate is battered to ruins.
13For (R)thus it will be in the midst of the earth among the peoples,
As the shaking of an olive tree,
As the gleanings when the grape harvest is over.
14(S)They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the LORD.
15Therefore (T)glorify the LORD in the east,
The (U)name of the LORD, the God of Israel,
In the (V)coastlands of the sea.
16From the (W)ends of the earth we hear songs, “(X)Glory to the Righteous One,”
But I say, “(Y)Woe to me! Woe to me! Alas for me!
The (Z)treacherous deal treacherously,
And the treacherous deal very treacherously.”
17(AA)Terror and pit and snare
Confront you, O inhabitant of the earth.
18Then it will be that he who flees the report of disaster will fall into the pit,
And he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare;
For the (AB)windows above are opened, and the (AC)foundations of the earth shake.
19(AD)The earth is broken asunder,
The earth is (AE)split through,
The earth is shaken violently.
20The earth (AF)reels to and fro like a drunkard
And it totters like a shack,
For its (AG)transgression is heavy upon it,
And it will fall, (AH)never to rise again.
21So it will happen in that day,
That the LORD will (AI)punish the host of heaven on high,
And the (AJ)kings of the earth on earth.
22They will be gathered together
Like (AK)prisoners in the dungeon,
And will be confined in prison;
And after many days they will (AL)be punished.
23Then the (AM)moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed,
For the (AN)LORD of hosts will reign on (AO)Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
And His glory will be before His elders.
Daniel 11
1`And I, in the first year of Darius the Mede, my standing [is] for a strengthener, and for a stronghold to him;
2and, now, truth I declare to thee, Lo, yet three kings are standing for Persia, and the fourth doth become far richer than all, and according to his strength by his riches he stirreth up the whole, with the kingdom of Javan. (Eastern Greece)
3And a mighty king hath stood, and he hath ruled a great dominion, and hath done according to his will;
4and according to his standing is his kingdom broken, and divided to the four winds of the heavens, and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion that he ruled, for his kingdom is plucked up — and for others apart from these.
5`And a king of the south — even of his princes — doth become strong, and doth prevail against him, and hath ruled; a great dominion [is] his dominion.
6`And at the end of years they do join themselves together, and a daughter of the king of the south doth come in unto the king of the north to do upright things; and she doth not retain the power of the arm; and he doth not stand, nor his arm; and she is given up, she, and those bringing her in, and her child, and he who is strengthening her in [these] times.
7`And [one] hath stood up from a branch of her roots, [in] his station, and he cometh in unto the bulwark, yea, he cometh into a stronghold of the king of the south, and hath wrought against them, and hath done mightily;
8and also their gods, with their princes, with their desirable vessels of silver and gold, into captivity he bringeth [into] Egypt; and he doth stand more years than the king of the north.
9`And the king of the south hath come into the kingdom, and turned back unto his own land;
10and his sons stir themselves up, and have gathered a multitude of great forces, and he hath certainly come in, and overflowed, and passed through, and he turneth back, and they stir themselves up unto his stronghold.
11And the king of the south doth become embittered, and hath gone forth and fought with him, with the king of the north, and hath caused a great multitude to stand, and the multitude hath been given into his hand,
12and he hath carried away the multitude, his heart is high, and he hath caused myriads to fall, and he doth not become strong.
13`And the king of the north hath turned back, and hath caused a multitude to stand, greater than the first, and at the end of the times a second time he doth certainly come in with a great force, and with much substance;
14and in those times many do stand up against the king of the south, and sons of the destroyers of thy people do lift themselves up to establish the vision — and they have stumbled.
15`And the king of the north cometh in, and poureth out a mount, and hath captured fenced cities; and the arms of the south do not stand, nor the people of his choice, yea, there is no power to stand.
16And he who is coming unto him doth according to his will, and there is none standing before him; and he standeth in the desirable land, and [it is] wholly in his hand.
17And he setteth his face to go in with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; and he hath wrought, and the daughter of women he giveth to him, to corrupt her; and she doth not stand, nor is for him.
18`And he turneth back his face to the isles, and hath captured many; and a prince hath caused his reproach of himself to cease; without his reproach he turneth [it] back to him.
19And he turneth back his face to the strongholds of his land, and hath stumbled and fallen, and is not found.
20`And stood up on his station hath [one] causing an exactor to pass over the honour of the kingdom, and in a few days he is destroyed, and not in anger, nor in battle.
21`And stood up on his station hath a despicable one, and they have not given unto him the honour of the kingdom, and he hath come in quietly, and hath strengthened the kingdom by flatteries.
22And the arms of the flood are overflowed from before him, and are broken; and also the leader of the covenant.
23And after they join themselves unto him, he worketh deceit, and hath increased, and hath been strong by a few of the nation.
24Peaceably even into the fertile places of the province He cometh, and he hath done that which his fathers did not, nor his fathers’ fathers; prey, and spoil, and substance, to them he scattereth, and against fenced places he deviseth his devices, even for a time.
25`And he stirreth up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great force, and the king of the south stirreth himself up to battle with a very great and mighty force, and standeth not, for they devise devices against him,
26and those eating his portion of food destroy him, and his force overfloweth, and fallen have many wounded.
27`And both of the kings’ hearts [are] to do evil, and at one table they speak lies, and it doth not prosper, for yet the end [is] at a time appointed.
28And he turneth back [to] his land with great substance, and his heart [is] against the holy covenant, and he hath wrought, and turned back to his land.
29At the appointed time he turneth back, and hath come against the south, and it is not as the former, and as the latter.
30And ships of Chittim (Lands of Westerners) have come in against him, and he hath been pained, and hath turned back, and hath been insolent toward the holy covenant, and hath wrought, and turned back, and he understandeth concerning those forsaking the holy covenant.
31And strong ones out of him stand up, and have polluted the sanctuary, the stronghold, and have turned aside the continual [sacrifice], and appointed the desolating abomination.
32And those acting wickedly [against] the covenant, he defileth by flatteries; and the people knowing their God are strong, and have wrought.
33And the teachers of the people give understanding to many; and they have stumbled by sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil — days.
34And in their stumbling, they are helped — a little help, and joined to them have been many with flatteries.
35And some of the teachers do stumble for refining by them, and for purifying, and for making white — till the end of the time, for [it is] yet for a time appointed.
36`And the king hath done according to his will, and exalteth himself, and magnifieth himself against every god, and against the God of gods he speaketh wonderful things, and hath prospered till the indignation hath been completed, for that which is determined hath been done.
37And unto the God of his fathers he doth not attend, nor to the desire of women, yea, to any god he doth not attend, for against all he magnifieth himself.
38And to the god of strongholds, on his station, he giveth honour; yea, to a god whom his fathers knew not he giveth honour, with gold, and with silver, and with precious stone, and with desirable things.
39And he hath dealt in the fortresses of the strongholds with a strange god whom he hath acknowledged; he multiplieth honour, and hath caused them to rule over many, and the ground he apportioneth at a price.
40`And at the time of the end, push himself forward with him doth a king of the south, and storm against him doth a king of the north, with chariot, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he hath come in to the lands, and hath overflowed, and passed over,
41and hath come into the desirable land, and many do stumble, and these escape from his hand: Edom (Southern Dead Sea, next to Jordan), and Moab (Mountains in Jordan), and the chief of the sons of Ammon.
42`And he sendeth forth his hand upon the lands, and the land of Egypt is not for an escape;
43and he hath ruled over treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the desirable things of Egypt, and Lubim (Lybia) and Cushim (Hebrew term for Dark skinned Muslims) [are] at his steps.
44`And reports trouble him out of the east and out of the north, and he hath gone forth in great fury to destroy, and to devote many to destruction;
45and he planteth the tents of his palace between the seas and the holy desirable mountain, and hath come unto his end, and there is no helper to him.
Habakkuk 3
1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet concerning erring ones:
2O Jehovah, I heard thy report, I have been afraid, O Jehovah, Thy work! in midst of years revive it, In the midst of years Thou makest known In anger Thou dost remember mercy.
3God from Teman (Yemen) doth come, The Holy One from Mount Paran (Eastern Babylon). Pause! Covered the heavens hath His majesty, And His praise hath filled the earth.
4And the brightness is as the light, He hath rays out of His hand, And there — the hiding of His strength.
5Before Him goeth pestilence, And a burning flame goeth forth at His feet.
6He hath stood, and He measureth earth, He hath seen, and He shaketh off nations, And scatter themselves do mountains of antiquity, Bowed have the hills of old, The ways of old [are] His.
7Under sorrow I have seen tents of Cushan, Tremble do curtains of the land of Midian.
8Against rivers hath Jehovah been wroth? Against rivers [is] Thine anger? Against the sea [is] Thy wrath? For Thou dost ride on Thy horses — Thy chariots of salvation?
9Utterly naked Thou dost make Thy bow, Sworn are the tribes — saying, `Pause!’ [With] rivers Thou dost cleave the earth.
10Seen thee — pained are mountains, An inundation of waters hath passed over, Given forth hath the deep its voice, High its hands it hath lifted up.
11Sun — moon — hath stood — a habitation, At the light thine arrows go on, At the brightness, the glittering of thy spear.
12In indignation Thou dost tread earth, In anger Thou dost thresh nations.
13Thou hast gone forth for the salvation of Thy people, For salvation with Thine anointed, Thou hast smitten the head of the house of the wicked, Laying bare the foundation unto the neck. Pause!
14Thou hast pierced with his staves the head of his leaders, They are tempestuous to scatter me, Their exultation [is] as to consume the poor in secret.
15Thou hast proceeded through the sea with Thy horses — the clay of many waters.
16I have heard, and my belly trembleth, At the noise have my lips quivered, Rottenness doth come into my bones, And in my place I do tremble, That I rest for a day of distress, At the coming up of the people, he overcometh it.
17Though the fig-tree doth not flourish, And there is no produce among vines, Failed hath the work of the olive, And fields have not yielded food, Cut off from the fold hath been the flock, And there is no herd in the stalls.
18Yet I, in Jehovah I exult, I do joy in the God of my salvation.
19Jehovah the Lord [is] my strength, And He doth make my feet like hinds, And on my high-places causeth me to tread. To the overseer with my stringed instruments!
Joel 3
1For lo, in those days, and in that time, When I turn back [to] the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2Then I have gathered all the nations, And caused them to go down unto the valley of Jehoshaphat, And I have been judged with them there, Concerning My people and Mine inheritance — Israel, Whom they scattered among nations, And My land they have apportioned.
3And for My people they do cast a lot, And they give the young man for an harlot, And the young woman have sold for wine, That they may drink.
4And also, what [are] ye to Me, O Tyre and Zidon, And all circuits of Philistia? Recompence are ye rendering unto Me? And if ye are giving recompence to Me, Swiftly, hastily, I turn back your recompence on your head.
5In that My silver and My gold ye took, And My desirable things that are good, Ye have brought in to your temples.
6And sons of Judah, and sons of Jerusalem, Ye have sold to the sons of Javan, To put them far off from their border.
7Lo, I am stirring them up out of the place Whither ye have sold them, And I have turned back your recompence on your head,
8And have sold your sons and your daughters Into the hand of the sons of Judah, And they have sold them to Shabeans, Unto a nation far off, for Jehovah hath spoken.
9Proclaim ye this among nations, Sanctify a war, stir up the mighty ones, Come nigh, come up, let all the men of war.
10Beat your ploughshares to swords, And your pruning-hooks to javelins, Let the weak say, `I [am] mighty.’
11Haste, and come in, all ye nations round, And be gathered together, Thither cause to come down, O Jehovah, Thy mighty ones.
12Wake and come up let the nations unto the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I sit to judge all the nations around.
13Send ye forth a sickle, For ripened hath harvest, Come in, come down, for filled hath been the press, Overflowed hath wine-presses, For great [is] their wickedness.
14Multitudes, multitudes [are] in the valley of decision, For near [is] the day of Jehovah in the valley of decision.
15Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
16And Jehovah from Zion doth roar, And from Jerusalem giveth forth His voice, And shaken have the heavens and earth, And Jehovah [is] a refuge to his people, And a stronghold to sons of Israel.
17And ye have known that I [am] Jehovah your God, Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, And Jerusalem hath been holy, And strangers do not pass over into it again.
18And it hath come to pass, in that day, Drop down do the mountains juice, And the hills do flow [with] milk, And all streams of Judah do go [with] water, And a fountain from the house of Jehovah goeth forth, And hath watered the valley of Shittim.
19Egypt a desolation becometh, And Edom a desolation, a wilderness, becometh, For violence [to] sons of Judah, Whose innocent blood they shed in their land.
20And Judah to the age doth dwell, And Jerusalem to generation and generation.
21And I have declared their blood innocent, [That] I did not declare innocent, And Jehovah is dwelling in Zion!
zekiel 28 (Young’s Literal Translation)
Ezekiel 28
1And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
2`Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thy heart hath been high, And thou dost say: A god I [am], The habitation of God I have inhabited, In the heart of the seas, And thou [art] man, and not God, And thou givest out thy heart as the heart of God,
3Lo, thou [art] wiser than Daniel, No hidden thing have they concealed from thee.
4By thy wisdom and by thine understanding Thou hast made for thee wealth, And makest gold and silver in thy treasuries.
5By the abundance of thy wisdom, Through thy merchandise, Thou hast multiplied thy wealth, And high is thy heart through thy wealth.
6Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy giving out thy heart as the heart of God,
7Therefore, lo, I am bringing in against thee strangers, The terrible of the nations, And they have drawn out their swords Against the beauty of thy wisdom, And they have pierced thy brightness.
8To destruction they bring thee down, Thou diest by the deaths of the wounded, in the heart of the seas.
9Dost thou really say, `I [am] God,’ Before him who is slaying thee? And thou [art] man, and not God, In the hand of him who is piercing thee.
10The deaths of the uncircumcised thou diest, By the hand of strangers, for I have spoken, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.’
11And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
12`Son of man, lift up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, And thou hast said to him: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Thou art sealing up a measurement, Full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13In Eden, the garden of God, thou hast been, Every precious stone thy covering, Ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle, and gold, The workmanship of thy tabrets, and of thy pipes, In thee in the day of thy being produced, have been prepared.
14Thou [art] an anointed cherub who is covering, And I have set thee in the holy mount, God thou hast been, In the midst of stones of fire thou hast walked up and down.
15Perfect [art] thou in thy ways, From the day of thy being produced, Till perversity hath been found in thee.
16By the abundance of thy merchandise They have filled thy midst with violence, And thou dost sin, And I thrust thee from the mount of God, And I destroy thee, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.
17High hath been thy heart, because of thy beauty, Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom because of thy brightness, On the earth I have cast thee, Before kings I have set thee, to look on thee,
18From the abundance of thy iniquity, By the perversity of thy traffic, Thou hast polluted thy sanctuaries, And I bring forth fire from thy midst, It hath devoured thee, And I make thee become ashes on the earth, Before the eyes of all beholding thee.
19All knowing thee among the peoples Have been astonished at thee, Wastes thou hast been, and thou art not — to the age.’
20And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,
21`Son of man, set thy face unto Zidon, and prophesy concerning it;
22and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I [am] against thee, O Zidon, And I have been honoured in thy midst, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My doing in her judgments, And I have been sanctified in her.
23And I have sent into her pestilence, And blood into her out-places, The wounded hath been judged in her midst, By the sword upon her round about, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah.
24And there is no more to the house of Israel A pricking brier, and paining thorn, Of all round about them — despising them, And they have known that I [am] the Lord Jehovah.
25Thus said the Lord Jehovah: In My gathering the house of Israel, Out of the peoples among whom they were scattered, I have been sanctified in them, Before the eyes of the nations, And they have dwelt on their ground, That I gave to My servant, to Jacob,
26And they have dwelt on it confidently, And builded houses, and planted vineyards, And dwelt confidently — in My doing judgments, On all those despising them round about, And they have known that I, Jehovah, [am] their God!’
Micah 5
Birth of the King in Bethlehem
1“Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops;
They have laid siege against us;
With a rod they will (A)smite the judge of Israel on the cheek.
2“But as for (B)you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From (C)you One will go forth for Me to be (D)ruler in Israel
His goings forth are (E)from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
3Therefore He will (F)give them up until the time
When she (G)who is in labor has borne a child
Then the (H)remainder of His brethren
Will return to the sons of Israel.
4And He will arise and (I)shepherd His flock
In the strength of the LORD,
In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the (J)ends of the earth.
5This One (K)will be our peace
When the (L)Assyrian invades our land,
When he tramples on our citadels,
Then we will raise against him
Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men.
6They will (M)shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,
The land of (N)Nimrod at its entrances;
And He will (O)deliver us from the Assyrian
When he attacks our land
And when he tramples our territory.
7Then the (P)remnant of Jacob
Will be among many peoples
Like (Q)dew from the LORD,
Like (R)showers on vegetation
Which do not wait for man
Or delay for the sons of men.
8The remnant of Jacob
Will be among the nations,
Among many peoples
(S)Like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
Which, if he passes through,
(T)Tramples down and (U)tears,
And there is (V)none to rescue.
9Your hand will be (W)lifted up against your adversaries,
And all your enemies will be cut off.
10“It will be in that day,” declares the LORD,
“(X)That I will cut off your (Y)horses from among you
And destroy your chariots.
11“I will also cut off the (Z)cities of your land
And tear down all your (AA)fortifications.
12“I will cut off (AB)sorceries from your hand,
And you will have fortune-tellers no more.
13“(AC)I will cut off your carved images
And your sacred pillars from among you,
So that you will no longer bow down
To the work of your hands.
14“I will root out your (AD)Asherim from among you
And destroy your cities.
15“And I will (AE)execute vengeance in anger and wrath
On the nations which have not obeyed.”
Ezekiel 28
1And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
2`Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thy heart hath been high, And thou dost say: A god I [am], The habitation of God I have inhabited, In the heart of the seas, And thou [art] man, and not God, And thou givest out thy heart as the heart of God,
3Lo, thou [art] wiser than Daniel, No hidden thing have they concealed from thee.
4By thy wisdom and by thine understanding Thou hast made for thee wealth, And makest gold and silver in thy treasuries.
5By the abundance of thy wisdom, Through thy merchandise, Thou hast multiplied thy wealth, And high is thy heart through thy wealth.
6Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy giving out thy heart as the heart of God,
7Therefore, lo, I am bringing in against thee strangers, The terrible of the nations, And they have drawn out their swords Against the beauty of thy wisdom, And they have pierced thy brightness.
8To destruction they bring thee down, Thou diest by the deaths of the wounded, in the heart of the seas.
9Dost thou really say, `I [am] God,’ Before him who is slaying thee? And thou [art] man, and not God, In the hand of him who is piercing thee.
10The deaths of the uncircumcised thou diest, By the hand of strangers, for I have spoken, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.’
11And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
12`Son of man, lift up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, And thou hast said to him: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Thou art sealing up a measurement, Full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13In Eden, the garden of God, thou hast been, Every precious stone thy covering, Ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle, and gold, The workmanship of thy tabrets, and of thy pipes, In thee in the day of thy being produced, have been prepared.
14Thou [art] an anointed cherub who is covering, And I have set thee in the holy mount, God thou hast been, In the midst of stones of fire thou hast walked up and down.
15Perfect [art] thou in thy ways, From the day of thy being produced, Till perversity hath been found in thee.
16By the abundance of thy merchandise They have filled thy midst with violence, And thou dost sin, And I thrust thee from the mount of God, And I destroy thee, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.
17High hath been thy heart, because of thy beauty, Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom because of thy brightness, On the earth I have cast thee, Before kings I have set thee, to look on thee,
18From the abundance of thy iniquity, By the perversity of thy traffic, Thou hast polluted thy sanctuaries, And I bring forth fire from thy midst, It hath devoured thee, And I make thee become ashes on the earth, Before the eyes of all beholding thee.
19All knowing thee among the peoples Have been astonished at thee, Wastes thou hast been, and thou art not — to the age.’
20And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,
21`Son of man, set thy face unto Zidon, and prophesy concerning it;
22and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I [am] against thee, O Zidon, And I have been honoured in thy midst, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My doing in her judgments, And I have been sanctified in her.
23And I have sent into her pestilence, And blood into her out-places, The wounded hath been judged in her midst, By the sword upon her round about, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah.
24And there is no more to the house of Israel A pricking brier, and paining thorn, Of all round about them — despising them, And they have known that I [am] the Lord Jehovah.
25Thus said the Lord Jehovah: In My gathering the house of Israel, Out of the peoples among whom they were scattered, I have been sanctified in them, Before the eyes of the nations, And they have dwelt on their ground, That I gave to My servant, to Jacob,
26And they have dwelt on it confidently, And builded houses, and planted vineyards, And dwelt confidently — in My doing judgments, On all those despising them round about, And they have known that I, Jehovah, [am] their God!’
Ezekiel 29
1In the tenth year, in the tenth [month], in the twelfth of the month, hath a word of Jehovah been unto me, saying,
2`Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy concerning him, and concerning Egypt — all of it.
3Speak, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt! The great dragon that is crouching in the midst of his floods, Who hath said, My flood [is] my own, And I — I have made it [for] myself.
4And I have put hooks in thy jaws, And I have caused the fish of thy floods to cleave to thy scales, And I have caused thee to come up from the midst of thy floods, And every fish of thy floods to thy scales doth cleave.
5And I have left thee in the wilderness, Thou and every fish of thy floods, On the face of the field thou dost fall, Thou art not gathered nor assembled, To the beast of the earth and to the fowl of the heavens I have given thee for food.
6And known have all inhabitants of Egypt That I [am] Jehovah, Because of their being a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
7In their taking hold of thee by thy hand, — thou art crushed, And hast rent to them all the shoulder, And in their leaning on thee thou art broken, And hast caused all their thighs to stand.
8Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am bringing in against thee a sword, And have cut off from thee man and beast.
9And the land of Egypt hath been for a desolation and a waste, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah. Because he said: The flood [is] mine, and I made [it].
10Therefore, lo, I [am] against thee, and against thy floods, And have given the land of Egypt for wastes, A waste, a desolation, from Migdol to Syene, And unto the border of Cush.
11Not pass over into it doth a foot of man, Yea, the foot of beast doth not pass into it, Nor is it inhabited forty years.
12And I have made the land of Egypt a desolation, In the midst of desolate lands, And its cities, in the midst of waste cities, Are a desolation forty years, And I have scattered the Egyptians among nations, And I have dispersed them through lands.
13But thus said the Lord Jehovah: At the end of forty years I gather the Egyptians Out of the peoples whither they have been scattered,
14And I have turned back [to] the captivity of Egypt, And I have brought them back [To] the land of Pathros, to the land of their birth, And they have been there a low kingdom.
15Of the kingdoms it is lowest, And it lifteth not up itself any more above the nations, And I have made them few, So as not to rule among nations.
16And it is no more to the house of Israel for a confidence, Bringing iniquity to remembrance, By their turning after them, And they have known that I [am] the Lord Jehovah.’
17And it cometh to pass, in the twenty and seventh year, in the first [month], in the first of the month, hath a word of Jehovah been unto me, saying:
18`Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, Hath caused his force to serve a great service against Tyre, Every head [is] bald — every shoulder peeled, And reward he had none, nor his force, out of Tyre, For the service that he served against it.
19Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah, Lo, I am giving to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon the land of Egypt, And he hath taken away its store, And hath taken its spoil, and taken its prey, And it hath been a reward to his force.
20His wage for which he laboured I have given to him, The land of Egypt — in that they wrought for Me, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.
21In that day I cause to shoot up a horn to the house of Israel, And to thee I give an opening of the mouth in their midst, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah
Ezekiel 30
1And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
2`Son of man, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Howl ye, ha! for the day!
3For near [is] a day, near [is] a day to Jehovah! A day of clouds, the time of nations it is.
4And come in hath a sword to Egypt, And there hath been great pain in Cush, In the falling of the wounded in Egypt, And they have taken its store, And broken down have been its foundations.
5Cush, and Phut, and Lud, and all the mixture, and Chub, And the sons of the land of the covenant with them by sword do fall,
6Thus said Jehovah: And — fallen have supporters of Egypt, And come down hath the arrogance of her strength, From Migdol to Syene, by sword they fall in her, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.
7And they have been desolated in the midst of desolate lands, And its cities are in the midst of wasted cities.
8And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My giving fire against Egypt, And broken have been all her helpers.
9In that day go forth do messengers from before Me in ships, To trouble confident Cush, And there hath been great pain among them, As the day of Egypt, for lo, it hath come.
10Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I have caused the multitude of Egypt to cease, By the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon,
11He and his people with him — the terrible of nations, Are brought in to destroy the land, And they have drawn their swords against Egypt, And have filled the land [with] the wounded.
12And I have made floods a dry place, And I have sold the land into the hand of evil doers, And I have made desolate the land, And its fulness, by the hand of strangers, I, Jehovah, have spoken.
13Thus said the Lord Jehovah: And — I have destroyed idols, And caused vain things to cease from Noph, And a prince of the land of Egypt there is no more, And I give fear in the land of Egypt.
14And I have made Pathros desolate, And I have given fire against Zoan, And I have done judgments in No,
15And I have poured out My fury on Sin, the stronghold of Egypt, And I have cut off the multitude of No.
16And I have given fire against Egypt, Greatly pained is Sin, and No is to be rent, And Noph hath daily distresses.
17The youths of Aven and Pi-Beseth by sword do fall, And these into captivity do go.
18And in Tehaphnehes hath the day been dark, In My breaking there the yokes of Egypt, And ceased in her hath the excellency of her strength, She — a cloud doth cover her, And her daughters into captivity do go.
19And I have done judgments in Egypt, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah.’
20And it cometh to pass, in the eleventh year, in the first [month], in the seventh of the month, hath a word of Jehovah been unto me, saying: `Son of man,
21The arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, I have broken, And lo, it hath not been bound up to give healing, To put a bandage to bind it, To strengthen it — to lay hold on the sword.
22Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I [am] against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, And I have broken his arms, The strong one and the broken one, And have caused the sword to fall out of his hand,
23And scattered the Egyptians among nations, And I have spread them through lands,
24And strengthened the arms of the king of Babylon, And I have given My sword into his hand, And I have broken the arms of Pharaoh, And he hath groaned the groans of a pierced one — before him.
25And I have strengthened the arms of the king of Babylon, And the arms of Pharaoh do fall down, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My giving My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, And he hath stretched it out toward the land of Egypt.
26And I have scattered the Egyptians among nations, And I have spread them through lands, And they have known that I [am] Jehovah!’
Isaiah 43
1And now, thus said Jehovah, Thy Creator, O Jacob, and thy Fashioner, O Israel, Be not afraid, for I have redeemed thee, I have called on thy name — thou [art] Mine.
2When thou passest into waters, I [am] with thee, And into floods, they do not overflow thee, When thou goest into fire, thou art not burnt, And a flame doth not burn against thee.
3For I — Jehovah thy God, The Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour, I have appointed Egypt thine atonement, Cush and Seba in thy stead.
4Since thou wast precious in Mine eyes, Thou wast honoured, and I have loved thee, And I appoint men in thy stead, And peoples instead of thy life.
5Be not afraid, for I [am] with thee, From the east I bring in thy seed, And from the west I gather thee.
6I am saying to the north, `Give up,’ And to the south, `Restrain not.’ Bring in My sons from afar, And My daughters from the end of the earth.
7Every one who is called by My name, Even for My honour I have created him, I have formed him, yea, I have made him.
8He brought out a blind people who have eyes, And deaf ones who have ears.
9All the nations have been gathered together, And the peoples are assembled, Who among them declareth this, And former things causeth us to hear? They give their witnesses, And they are declared righteous, And they hear and say, `Truth.’
10Ye [are] My witnesses, an affirmation of Jehovah, And My servant whom I have chosen, So that ye know and give credence to Me, And understand that I [am] He, Before Me there was no God formed, And after Me there is none.
11I — I [am] Jehovah, And besides Me there is no saviour.
12I — I declared, and saved, and proclaimed, And there is no stranger with you, And ye [are] My witnesses, an affirmation of Jehovah, And I [am] God.
13Even from the day I [am] He, And there is no deliverer from My hand, I work, and who doth turn it back?
14Thus said Jehovah, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: `For your sake I have sent to Babylon, And caused bars to descend — all of them, And the Chaldeans, whose song [is] in the ships.
15I [am] Jehovah, your Holy One, Creator of Israel, your King.’
16Thus said Jehovah, Who is giving in the sea a way, And in the strong waters a path.
17Who is bringing forth chariot and horse, A force, even a strong one: `Together they lie down — they rise not, They have been extinguished, As flax they have been quenched.’
18Remember not former things, And ancient things consider not.
19Lo, I am doing a new thing, now it springeth up, Do ye not know it? Yea, I put in a wilderness a way, In a desolate place — floods.
20Honour me doth the beast of the field, Dragons and daughters of an ostrich, For I have given in a wilderness waters, Floods in a desolate place, To give drink to My people — My chosen.
21This people I have formed for Myself, My praise they recount.
22And Me thou hast not called, O Jacob, For thou hast been wearied of me, O Israel,
23Thou hast not brought in to Me, The lamb of thy burnt-offerings, And [with] thy sacrifices thou hast not honoured Me, I have not caused thee to serve with a present, Nor wearied thee with frankincense.
24Thou hast not bought for Me with money sweet cane, And [with] the fat of thy sacrifices hast not filled Me, Only — thou hast caused Me to serve with thy sins, Thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities.
25I — I [am] He who is blotting out Thy transgressions for Mine own sake, And thy sins I do not remember.
26Cause me to remember — we are judged together, Declare thou that thou mayest be justified.
27Thy first father sinned, And thine interpreters transgressed against me,
28And I pollute princes of the sanctuary, And I give Jacob to destruction, and Israel to revilings!
Isaiah 44
1And now, hear, O Jacob, My servant, And Israel, whom I have fixed on:
2Thus said Jehovah, thy Maker, and thy Former, From the womb He doth help thee; Fear not, my servant Jacob, And Jeshurun, whom I have fixed on.
3For I pour waters on a thirsty one, And floods on a dry land, I pour My Spirit on thy seed, And My blessing on thine offspring.
4And they have sprung up as among grass, As willows by streams of water.
5This [one] saith, For Jehovah I [am], And this calleth [himself] by the name of Jacob, And this [one] writeth [with] his hand, `For Jehovah,’ and by the name of Israel surnameth himself.
6Thus said Jehovah, king of Israel, And his Redeemer, Jehovah of Hosts: `I [am] the first, and I the last, And besides Me there is no God.
7And who as I, doth call and declare it, And arrange it for Me, Since My placing the people of antiquity, And things that are coming, And those that do come, declare they to them?
8Fear not, nor be afraid, Have I not from that time caused thee to hear, and declared? And ye [are] My witnesses, Is there a God besides Me? yea, there is none, A Rock I have not known.
9Framers of a graven image [are] all of them emptiness, And their desirable things do not profit, And their own witnesses they [are], They see not, nor know, that they may be ashamed.
10Who hath formed a god, And a molten image poured out — not profitable?
11Lo, all his companions are ashamed, As to artizans — they [are] of men, All of them gather together, they stand up, They fear, they are ashamed together.
12He hath wrought iron [with] an axe, And hath wrought with coals, And with hammers doth form it, And doth work it by his powerful arm, Yea, he is hungry, and there is no power, He doth not drink water, and he is wearied.
13He hath wrought [with] wood, He hath stretched out a rule, He doth mark it out with a line, He maketh it with carving tools, And with a compass he marketh it out, And maketh it according to the form of a man, According to the beauty of a man, To remain in the house.
14Cutting down to himself cedars, He taketh also a cypress, and an oak, And he strengtheneth [it] for himself Among the trees of a forest, He hath planted an ash, and the shower doth nourish [it].
15And it hath been for man to burn, And he taketh of them, and becometh warm, Yea, he kindleth [it], and hath baked bread, Yea, he maketh a god, and boweth himself, He hath made it a graven image, And he falleth down to it.
16Half of it he hath burnt in the fire, By [this] half of it he eateth flesh, He roasteth a roasting, and is satisfied, Yea, he is warm, and saith: `Aha, I have become warm, I have enjoyed the light.
17And its remnant for a god he hath made — For his graven image, He falleth down to it, and worshippeth, And prayeth unto it, and he saith, `Deliver me, for my god thou [art].’
18They have not known, nor do they understand, For He hath daubed their eyes from seeing, Their heart from acting wisely.
19And none doth turn [it] back unto his heart, Nor hath knowledge nor understanding to say, `Half of it I have burned in the fire, Yea, also, I have baked bread over its coals, I roast flesh and I eat, And its remnant for an abomination I make, To the stock of a tree I fall down.’
20Feeding on ashes, the heart is deceived, It hath turned him aside, And he delivereth not his soul, nor saith: `Is there not a lie in my right hand?’
21Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, For My servant thou [art], I formed thee, a servant to Me thou [art], O Israel, thou dost not forget Me.
22I have blotted out, as [by] a thick cloud, Thy transgressions, And as [by] a cloud thy sins, Return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee.
23Sing, O heavens, for Jehovah hath wrought, Shout, O lower parts of earth, Break forth, O mountains, with singing, Forest, and every tree in it, For Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, And in Israel He doth beautify Himself.
24Thus said Jehovah, thy redeemer, And thy framer from the womb: `I [am] Jehovah, doing all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, Spreading out the earth — who [is] with Me?
25Making void the tokens of devisers, And diviners it maketh mad, Turning the wise backward, And their knowledge it maketh foolish.
26Confirming the word of His servant, The counsel of His messengers it perfecteth, Who is saying of Jerusalem, She is inhabited, And of cities of Judah, They shall be built, and her wastes I raise up,
27Who is saying to the deep, Be dry, and thy rivers I cause to dry up,
28Who is saying of Cyrus, My shepherd, And all my delight He doth perfect, So as to say of Jerusalem, Thou art built, And of the temple, Thou art founded.
Isaiah 45
1Thus said Jehovah, To His anointed, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have laid hold on, To subdue nations before him, Yea, loins of kings I loose, To open before him two-leaved doors, Yea, gates are not shut:
2`I go before thee, and crooked places make straight, Two-leaved doors of brass I shiver, And bars of iron I cut asunder,
3And have given to thee treasures of darkness, Even treasures of secret places, So that thou knowest that I, Jehovah, Who am calling on thy name — [am] the God of Israel.
4For the sake of my servant Jacob, And of Israel My chosen, I call also thee by thy name, I surname thee, And thou hast not known Me.
5I [am] Jehovah, and there is none else, Except Me there is no God, I gird thee, and thou hast not known Me.
6So that they know from the rising of the sun, And from the west, that there is none besides Me, I [am] Jehovah, and there is none else,
7Forming light, and preparing darkness, Making peace, and preparing evil, I [am] Jehovah, doing all these things.’
8Drop, ye heavens, from above, And clouds do cause righteousness to flow, Earth openeth, and they are fruitful, Salvation and righteousness spring up together, I, Jehovah, have prepared it.
9Wo [to] him who is striving with his Former, (A potsherd with potsherds of the ground!) Doth clay say to its Framer, `What dost thou?’ And thy work, `He hath no hands?’
10Wo [to] him who is saying to a father, `What dost thou beget?’ Or to a wife, `What dost thou bring forth?
11Thus said Jehovah, The Holy One of Israel, and his Former: Ask Me of the things coming concerning My sons, Yea, concerning the work of My hands, ye command Me.’
12I made earth, and man on it prepared, I — My hands stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.
13I have stirred him up in righteousness, And all his ways I make straight, He doth build My city, and My captivity doth send out, Not for price, nor for bribe, said Jehovah of Hosts.
14Thus said Jehovah, `The labour of Egypt, And the merchandise of Cush, And of the Sebaim — men of measure, Unto thee pass over, and thine they are, After thee they go, in fetters they pass over, And unto thee they bow themselves, Unto thee they pray: Only in thee [is] God, And there is none else, no [other] God.
15Surely Thou [art] a God hiding Thyself, God of Israel — Saviour!
16They have been ashamed, And they have even blushed — all of them, Together gone in confusion have those carving images.
17Israel hath been saved in Jehovah, A salvation age-during! Ye are not ashamed nor confounded Unto the ages of eternity!
18For thus said Jehovah, Creator of heaven, He is God, Former of earth, and its Maker, He established it — not empty He prepared it, For inhabiting He formed it: `I [am] Jehovah, and there is none else.
19Not in secret have I spoken, in a dark place of the earth, I have not said to the seed of Jacob, In vain seek ye Me, I [am] Jehovah, speaking righteousness, Declaring uprightness.
20Be gathered, and come in, Come nigh together, ye escaped of the nations, They have not known, Who are lifting up the wood of their graven image, And praying unto a god [that] saveth not.
21Declare ye, and bring near, Yea, they take counsel together, Who hath proclaimed this from of old? From that time hath declared it? Is it not I — Jehovah? And there is no other god besides Me, A God righteous and saving, there is none save Me.
22Turn to Me, and be saved, all ends of the earth, For I [am] God, and there is none else.
23By Myself I have sworn, Gone out from my mouth in righteousness hath a word, And it turneth not back, That to Me, bow doth every knee, every tongue swear.
24Only in Jehovah, said hath one, Have I righteousness and strength, Unto Him he cometh in, And ashamed are all those displeased with Him.
25In Jehovah are all the seed of Israel justified, And they boast themselves.’
Isaiah 46
1Bowed down hath Bel, stooping is Nebo, Their idols have been for the beast and for cattle, Your burdens are loaded, a burden to the weary.
2They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And themselves into captivity have gone.
3Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of Israel, Who are borne from the belly, Who are carried from the womb,
4Even to old age I [am] He, and to grey hairs I carry, I made, and I bear, yea, I carry and deliver.
5To whom do ye liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?
6– They are pouring out gold from a bag, And silver on the beam they weigh, They hire a refiner, and he maketh it a god, They fall down, yea, they bow themselves.
7They lift him up on the shoulder, They carry him, and cause him to rest in his place, And he standeth, from his place he moveth not, Yea, one crieth unto him, and he answereth not, From his adversity he saveth him not.
8Remember this, and shew yourselves men, Turn [it] back, O transgressors, to the heart.
9Remember former things of old, For I [am] Mighty, and there is none else, God — and there is none like Me.
10Declaring from the beginning the latter end, And from of old that which hath not been done, Saying, `My counsel doth stand, And all My delight I do.’
11Calling from the east a ravenous bird, From a far land the man of My counsel, Yea, I have spoken, yea, I bring it in, I have formed [it], yea, I do it.
12Hearken unto Me, ye mighty in heart, Who are far from righteousness.
13I have brought near My righteousness, It is not far off, And My salvation — it doth not tarry, And I have given in Zion salvation, To Israel My glory!
Isaiah 47
1Come down, and sit on the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, Sit on the earth, there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans, For no more do they cry to thee, `O tender and delicate one.’
2Take millstones, and grind flour, Remove thy veil, draw up the skirt, Uncover the leg, pass over the floods.
3Revealed is thy nakedness, yea, seen is thy reproach, Vengeance I take, and I meet not a man.
4Our redeemer [is] Jehovah of Hosts, His name [is] the Holy One of Israel.
5Sit silent, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans, For no more do they cry to thee, `Mistress of kingdoms.’
6I have been wroth against My people, I have polluted Mine inheritance And I give them into thy hand, Thou hast not appointed for them mercies, On the aged thou hast made thy yoke very heavy,
7And thou sayest, `To the age I am mistress,’ While thou hast not laid these things to thy heart, Thou hast not remembered the latter end of it.
8And now, hear this, O luxurious one, Who is sitting confidently — Who is saying in her heart, `I [am], and none else, I sit not a widow, nor know bereavement.’
9And come in to thee do these two things, In a moment, in one day, childlessness and widowhood, According to their perfection they have come upon thee, In the multitude of thy sorceries, In the exceeding might of thy charms.
10And thou art confident in thy wickedness, Thou hast said, `There is none seeing me,’ Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, It is turning thee back, And thou sayest in thy heart, `I [am], and none else.’
11And come in on thee hath evil, Thou knowest not its rising, And fall on thee doth mischief, Thou art not able to pacify it, And come on thee suddenly doth desolation, Thou knowest not.
12Stand, I pray thee, in thy charms, And in the multitude of thy sorceries, In which thou hast laboured from thy youth, It may be thou art able to profit, It may be thou dost terrify!
13Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy counsels, Stand up, I pray thee, and save thee, Let the charmers of the heavens, Those looking on the stars, Those teaching concerning the months, From those things that come on thee!
14Lo, they have been as stubble! Fire hath burned them, They deliver not themselves from the power of the flame, There is not a coal to warm them, a light to sit before it.
15So have they been to thee with whom thou hast laboured, Thy merchants from thy youth, Each to his passage they have wandered, Thy saviour is not!
Isaiah 48
1Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, Who are called by the name of Israel, And from the waters of Judah came out, Who are swearing by the name of Jehovah, And of the God of Israel make mention, Not in truth nor in righteousness.
2For from the Holy City they have been called, And on the God of Israel been supported, Jehovah of Hosts [is] His name.
3The former things from that time I declared, And from my mouth they have gone forth, And I proclaim them, Suddenly I have done, and it cometh.
4From my knowing that thou art obstinate, And a sinew of iron thy neck, And thy forehead brass,
5And I declare to thee from that time, Before it cometh I have caused thee to hear, Lest thou say, `Mine idol hath done them, And my graven image, And my molten image did command them.
6Thou hast heard, see the whole of it, And ye, do ye not declare? I have caused thee to hear new things from this time, And things reserved that ye knew not.
7Now they have been produced and not from that time, Yea, before the day, and thou hast not heard them, Lest thou say, `Lo, I have known them.’
8Yea, thou hast not heard, Yea, thou hast not known, Yea, from that time not opened hath thine ear, For I have known thou dealest treacherously, And `Transgressor from the belly,’ One is crying to thee.
9For My name’s sake I defer Mine anger, And My praise I restrain for thee, So as not to cut thee off.
10Lo, I have refined thee, and not with silver, I have chosen thee in a furnace of affliction.
11For My sake, for Mine own sake, I do [it], For how is it polluted? And Mine honour to another I give not.
12Hearken to me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called one, I [am] He, I [am] first, and I [am] last;
13Also, My hand hath founded earth, And My right hand stretched out the heavens, I am calling unto them, they stand together.
14Be gathered all of you, and hear, Who among them did declare these things? Jehovah hath loved him, He doth His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm [is on] the Chaldeans.
15I — I have spoken, yea, I have called him, I have brought him in, And he hath made prosperous his way.
16Come ye near unto me, hear this, Not from the beginning in secret spake I, From the time of its being, there [am] I, And now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and His Spirit.
17Thus said Jehovah, thy redeemer, The Holy One of Israel, `I [am] Jehovah thy God, teaching thee to profit, Causing thee to tread in the way thou goest.
18O that thou hadst attended to My commands, Then as a river is thy peace, And thy righteousness as billows of the sea,
19And as sand is thy seed, And the offspring of thy bowels as its gravel, Not cut off nor destroyed his name before Me.
20Go out from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans, With a voice of singing declare, Cause ye this to be heard, Bring it forth unto the end of the earth, Say, Redeemed hath Jehovah His servant Jacob.
21And they have not thirsted in waste places, He hath caused them to go on, Waters from a rock he hath caused to flow to them, Yea, he cleaveth a rock, and flow do waters.
22There is no peace, said Jehovah, to the wicked!
Isaiah 49
1Hearken, O isles, unto me, And attend, O peoples, from afar, Jehovah from the womb hath called me, From the bowels of my mother He hath made mention of my name.
2And he maketh my mouth as a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He hath hid me, And He maketh me for a clear arrow, In His quiver He hath hid me.
3And He saith to me, `My servant Thou art, O Israel, In whom I beautify Myself.’
4And I said, `For a vain thing I laboured, For emptiness and vanity my power I consumed, But my judgment [is] with Jehovah, And my wage with my God.
5And now, said Jehovah, who is forming me from the belly for a servant to Him, To bring back Jacob unto Him, (Though Israel is not gathered, Yet I am honoured in the eyes of Jehovah, And my God hath been my strength.)
6And He saith, `It hath been a light thing That thou art to Me for a servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And the preserved of Israel to bring back, And I have given thee for a light of nations, To be My salvation unto the end of the earth.’
7Thus said Jehovah, Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One, To the despised in soul, To the abominated of a nation, To the servant of rulers: `Kings see, and have risen, princes, and worship, For the sake of Jehovah, who is faithful, The Holy of Israel, and He chooseth thee.’
8Thus said Jehovah: `In a time of good pleasure I answered thee, And in a day of salvation I helped thee, And I keep thee, and give thee, For a covenant of the people, To establish the earth, To cause to inherit desolate inheritances.
9To say to the bound, Go out, To those in darkness, Be uncovered. On the ways they feed, And in all high places is their pasture.
10They do not hunger, nor thirst, Nor smite them doth mirage and sun, For He who is pitying them doth lead them, And by fountains of waters doth tend them.
11And I have made all My mountains for a way, And My highways are lifted up.
12Lo, these from afar come in, And lo, these from the north, and from the sea, And these from the land of Sinim.
13Sing, O heavens, and joy, O earth, And break forth, O mountains, with singing, For comforted hath Jehovah His people, And His afflicted ones He doth pity.
14And Zion saith, `Jehovah hath forsaken me, And my Lord hath forgotten me.’
15Forget doth a woman her suckling, The loved one — the son of her womb? Yea, these forget — but I — I forget not thee.
16Lo, on the palms of the hand I have graven thee, Thy walls [are] before Me continually.
17Hastened have those building thee, Those destroying thee, and laying thee waste, go out from thee.
18Lift up round about thine eyes and see, All of them have been gathered, They have come to thee. I live, an affirmation of Jehovah! Surely all of them as an ornament thou puttest on, And thou bindest them on like a bride.
19Because thy wastes, and thy desolate places, And the land of thy ruins, Surely now are straitened because of inhabitants, And far off have been those consuming thee.
20Again do the sons of thy bereavement say in thine ears: `The place is too strait for me, Come nigh to me — and I dwell.’
21And thou hast said in thy heart: `Who hath begotten for me — these? And I bereaved and gloomy, A captive, and turned aside, And these — who hath nourished? Lo, I — I was left by myself, these — whence [are] they?
22Thus said the Lord Jehovah: `Lo, I lift up unto nations My hand, And unto peoples I raise up Mine ensign, And they have brought thy sons in the bosom, And thy daughters on the shoulder are carried.
23And kings have been thy nursing fathers, And their princesses thy nursing mothers; Face to the earth — they bow down to thee, And the dust of thy feet they lick up, And thou hast known that I [am] Jehovah, That those expecting Me are not ashamed.
24Is prey taken from the mighty? And the captive of the righteous delivered?
25For thus said Jehovah: Even the captive of the mighty is taken, And the prey of the terrible is delivered, And with thy striver I strive, and thy sons I save.
26And I have caused thine oppressors to eat their own flesh, And as new wine they drink their own blood, And known have all flesh that I, Jehovah, Thy saviour, and thy redeemer, [Am] the Mighty One of Jacob!’
Isaiah 50
1Thus said Jehovah: `Where [is] this — the bill of your mother’s divorce, Whom I sent away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Lo, for your iniquities ye have been sold, And for your transgressions Hath your mother been sent away.
2Wherefore have I come, and there is no one? I called, and there is none answering, Hath My hand been at all short of redemption? And is there not in me power to deliver? Lo, by My rebuke I dry up a sea, I make rivers a wilderness, Their fish stinketh, for there is no water, And dieth with thirst.
3I clothe the heavens [with] blackness, And sackcloth I make their covering.
4The Lord Jehovah hath given to me The tongue of taught ones, To know to aid the weary [by] a word, He waketh morning by morning, He waketh for me an ear to hear as taught ones.
5The Lord Jehovah opened for me the ear, And I rebelled not — backward I moved not.
6My back I have given to those smiting, And my cheeks to those plucking out, My face I hid not from shame and spitting.
7And the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Therefore I have not been ashamed, Therefore I have set my face as a flint, And I know that I am not ashamed.
8Near [is] He who is justifying me, Who doth contend with me? We stand together, who [is] mine opponent? Let him come nigh unto me.
9Lo, the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Who [is] he that declareth me wicked? Lo, all of them as a garment wear out, A moth doth eat them.
10Who [is] among you, fearing Jehovah, Hearkening to the voice of His servant, That hath walked in dark places, And there is no brightness for him? Let him trust in the name of Jehovah, And lean upon his God.
11Lo, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this been to you, In grief ye lie down!
Isaiah 51
1Hearken unto Me, ye pursuing righteousness, Seeking Jehovah, Look attentively unto the rock — ye have been hewn, And unto the hole of the pit — ye have been digged.
2Look attentively unto Abraham your father, And unto Sarah — she bringeth you forth, For — one — I have called him, And I bless him, and multiply him.
3For Jehovah hath comforted Zion, He hath comforted all her wastes, And He setteth her wilderness as Eden, And her desert as a garden of Jehovah, Joy, yea, gladness is found in her, Confession, and the voice of song.
4Attend unto Me, O My people, And, O My nation, unto Me give ear. For a law from Me goeth out, And My judgment to the light, Peoples I do cause to rest.
5Near [is] My righteousness, Gone out hath My salvation and Mine arms, Peoples they judge, on Me isles do wait, Yea, on Mine arm they do wait with hope.
6Lift ye up to the heavens your eyes, And look attentively unto the earth beneath, For the heavens as smoke have vanished, And the earth as a garment weareth out, And its inhabitants as gnats do die, And My salvation is to the age, And My righteousness is not broken.
7Hearken unto Me, ye who know righteousness, A people, in whose heart [is] My law, Fear ye not the reproach of men, And for their reviling be not affrighted,
8For as a garment eat them doth a moth, And as wool eat them doth a worm, And My righteousness is to the age, And My salvation to all generations.
9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah, Awake, as [in] days of old, generations of the ages, Art not Thou it that is hewing down Rahab, Piercing a dragon!
10Art not Thou it that is drying up a sea, Waters of a great deep? That hath made deep places of a sea A way for the passing of the redeemed?
11And the ransomed of Jehovah turn back, And they have come to Zion with singing, And joy age-during [is] on their head, Gladness and joy they attain, Fled away have sorrow and sighing,
12I — I [am] He — your comforter, Who [art] thou — and thou art afraid of man? he dieth! And of the son of man — grass he is made!
13And thou dost forget Jehovah thy maker, Who is stretching out the heavens, and founding earth, And thou dost fear continually all the day, Because of the fury of the oppressor, As he hath prepared to destroy. And where [is] the fury of the oppressor?
14Hastened hath a wanderer to be loosed, And he doth not die at the pit, And his bread is not lacking.
15And I [am] Jehovah thy God, Quieting the sea, when its billows roar, Jehovah of Hosts [is] His name.
16And I put My words in thy mouth, And with the shadow of My hand have covered thee, To plant the heavens, and to found earth, And to say to Zion, `My people [art] thou.’
17Stir thyself, stir thyself, rise, Jerusalem, Who hast drunk from the hand of Jehovah The cup of His fury, The goblet, the cup of trembling, thou hast drunk, Thou hast wrung out.
18There is not a leader to her Out of all the sons she hath borne, And there is none laying hold on her hand Out of all the sons she hath nourished.
19These two are meeting thee, who is moved for thee? Spoiling and destruction — Famine and sword, who — I comfort thee?
20Thy sons have been wrapt up, they have lain down, At the head of all out places, as a wild ox [in] a net, They are full of the fury of Jehovah, The rebuke of Thy God.
21Therefore, hear, I pray thee, this, O afflicted and drunken one, and not with wine,
22Thus said thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God, He pleadeth [for] his people: `Lo, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling, The goblet, the cup of My fury, Thou dost not add to drink it any more.
23And I have put it into the hand of those afflicting thee, Who have said to thy soul, Bow down, and we pass over, And thou makest as the earth thy body, And as the street to those passing by!’
Revelation 17
1ONE OF the seven angels who had the seven bowls then came and spoke to me, saying, Come with me! I will show you the doom (sentence, judgment) of the great harlot (idolatress) who is seated on many waters,(A)
2[She] with whom the rulers of the earth have joined in prostitution (idolatry) and with the wine of whose immorality (idolatry) the inhabitants of the earth have become intoxicated.(B)
3And [the angel] bore me away [rapt] in the Spirit into a desert (wilderness), and I saw a woman seated on a scarlet beast that was all covered with blasphemous titles (names), and he had seven heads and ten horns.
4The woman was robed in purple and scarlet and bedecked with gold, precious stones, and pearls, [and she was] holding in her hand a golden cup full of the accursed offenses and the filth of her lewdness and vice.(C)
5And on her forehead there was inscribed a name of mystery [with a secret symbolic meaning]: Babylon the great, the mother of prostitutes (idolatresses) and of the filth and atrocities and abominations of the earth.
6I also saw that the woman was drunk, [drunk] with the blood of the saints (God’s people) and the blood of the martyrs [who witnessed] for Jesus. And when I saw her, I was utterly amazed and wondered greatly.
7But the angel said to me, Why do you wonder? I will explain to you the [secret symbolic meaning of the] mystery of the woman, as well as of the beast having the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
8The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.(D)
9This calls for a mind [to consider that is packed] with wisdom and intelligence [it is something for a particular mode of thinking and judging of thoughts, feelings, and purposes]. The seven heads are seven hills upon which the woman is sitting;
10And they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one still exists [and is reigning]; the other [the seventh] has not yet appeared, and when he does arrive, he must stay [but] a brief time.
11And as for the beast that [once] was, but now is no more, he [himself] is an eighth ruler (king, head), but he is of the seven and belongs to them, and he goes to perdition.
12Also the ten horns that you observed are ten rulers (kings) who have as yet received no royal dominion, but together they are to receive power and authority as rulers for a single hour, along with the beast.(E)
13These have one common policy (opinion, purpose), and they deliver their power and authority to the beast.
14They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them; for He is Lord of lords and King of kings–and those with Him and on His side are chosen and called [elected] and loyal and faithful followers.(F)
15And [the angel further] said to me, The waters that you observed, where the harlot is seated, are races and multitudes and nations and dialects (languages).
16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will [be the very ones to] hate the harlot (the idolatrous woman); they will make her cheerless (bereaved, desolate), and they will strip her and eat up her flesh and utterly consume her with fire.
17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words (intentions and promises) of God shall be fulfilled.
18And the woman that you saw is herself the great city which dominates and controls the rulers and the leaders of the earth.
Revelation 18
1THEN I saw another angel descending from heaven, possessing great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his radiance and splendor.
2And he shouted with a mighty voice, She is fallen! Mighty Babylon is fallen! She has become a resort and dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every loathsome spirit, an abode for every filthy and detestable bird.
3For all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unchastity, and the rulers and leaders of the earth have joined with her in committing fornication (idolatry), and the businessmen of the earth have become rich with the wealth of her excessive luxury and wantonness.(G)
4I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.(H)
5For her iniquities (her crimes and transgressions) are piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and [her] crimes [and calls them up for settlement].(I)
6Repay to her what she herself has paid [to others] and double [her doom] in accordance with what she has done. Mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed [for others].(J)
7To the degree that she glorified herself and reveled in her wantonness [living deliciously and luxuriously], to that measure impose on her torment and anguish and tears and mourning. Since in her heart she boasts, I am not a widow; as a queen [on a throne] I sit, and I shall never see suffering or experience sorrow–(K)
8So shall her plagues (afflictions, calamities) come thick upon her in a single day, pestilence and anguish and sorrow and famine; and she shall be utterly consumed (burned up with fire), for mighty is the Lord God Who judges her.
9And the rulers and leaders of the earth who joined her in her immorality (idolatry) and luxuriated with her will weep and beat their breasts and lament over her when they see the smoke of her conflagration.(L)
10They will stand a long way off, in terror of her torment, and they will cry, Woe and alas, the great city, the mighty city, Babylon! In one single hour how your doom (judgment) has overtaken you!
11And earth’s businessmen will weep and grieve over her because no one buys their freight (cargo) any more.(M)
12Their merchandise is of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet [stuffs]; all kinds of scented wood, all sorts of articles of ivory, all varieties of objects of costly woods, bronze, iron, and marble;(N)
13Of cinnamon, spices, incense, ointment and perfume, and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, fine flour and wheat; of cattle and sheep, horses and conveyances; and of slaves (the bodies) and souls of men!
14The ripe fruits and delicacies for which your soul longed have gone from you, and all your luxuries and dainties, your elegance and splendor are lost to you, never again to be recovered or experienced!
15The dealers who handled these articles, who grew wealthy through their business with her, will stand a long way off, in terror of her doom and torment, weeping and grieving aloud, and saying,
16Alas, alas for the great city that was robed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, bedecked and glittering with gold, with precious stones, and with pearls!(O)
17Because in one [single] hour all the vast wealth has been destroyed (wiped out). And all ship captains and pilots, navigators and all who live by seafaring, the crews and all who ply their trade on the sea, stood a long way off,(P)
18And exclaimed as they watched the smoke of her burning, What city could be compared to the great city!
19And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and grieved, exclaiming, Woe and alas, for the great city, where all who had ships on the sea grew rich [through her extravagance] from her great wealth! In one single hour she has been destroyed and has become a desert!(Q)
20Rejoice (celebrate) over her, O heaven! O saints (people of God) and apostles and prophets, because God has executed vengeance for you upon her!(R)
21Then a single powerful angel took up a boulder like a great millstone and flung it into the sea, crying, With such violence shall Babylon the great city be hurled down to destruction and shall never again be found.(S)
22And the sound of harpists and minstrels and flute players and trumpeters shall never again be heard in you, and no skilled artisan of any craft shall ever again be found in you, and the sound of the millstone shall never again be heard in you.(T)
23And never again shall the light of a lamp shine in you, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall never be heard in you again; for your businessmen were the great and prominent men of the earth, and by your magic spells and poisonous charm all nations were led astray (seduced and deluded).
24And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all those who have been slain (slaughtered) on earth.(U)
Revelation 19
1AFTER THIS I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! Salvation and glory (splendor and majesty) and power (dominion and authority) [belong] to our God!
2Because His judgments (His condemnation and punishment, His sentences of doom) are true and sound and just and upright. He has judged (convicted, pronounced sentence, and doomed) the great and notorious harlot (idolatress) who corrupted and demoralized and poisoned the earth with her lewdness and adultery (idolatry). And He has avenged (visited on her the penalty for) the blood of His servants at her hand.(V)
3And again they shouted, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! The smoke of her [burning] shall continue to ascend forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).(W)
4Then the twenty-four elders [of [a]the heavenly Sanhedrin] and the four living creatures fell prostrate and worshiped [paying divine honors to] God, Who sits on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah (praise the Lord)!
5Then from the throne there came a voice, saying, Praise our God, all you servants of His, you who reverence Him, both small and great!(X)
6After that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) reigns!
7Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.(Y)
8She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white–for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people).
9Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, [b]to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.
10Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].
11After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness).(Z)
12His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand.(AA)
13He is dressed in a robe dyed by [c]dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God.
14And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent).(AB)
16And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.(AC)
17Then I saw a single angel stationed in the sun’s [d]light, and with a mighty voice he shouted to all the birds that fly across the sky, Come, gather yourselves together for the great supper of God,(AD)
18That you may feast on the flesh of rulers, the flesh of generals and captains, the flesh of powerful and mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all humanity, both free and slave, both small and great!
19Then I saw the beast and the rulers and leaders of the earth with their troops mustered to go into battle and make war against Him Who is mounted on the horse and against His troops.
20And the beast was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who in his presence had worked wonders and performed miracles by which he led astray those who had accepted or permitted to be placed upon them the stamp (mark) of the beast and those who paid homage and gave divine honors to his statue. Both of them were hurled alive into the fiery lake that burns and blazes with brimstone.
21And the rest were killed with the sword that issues from the mouth of Him Who is mounted on the horse, and all the birds fed ravenously and glutted themselves with their flesh.
Joel 3
1For lo, in those days, and in that time, When I turn back [to] the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2Then I have gathered all the nations, And caused them to go down unto the valley of Jehoshaphat, And I have been judged with them there, Concerning My people and Mine inheritance — Israel, Whom they scattered among nations, And My land they have apportioned.
3And for My people they do cast a lot, And they give the young man for an harlot, And the young woman have sold for wine, That they may drink.
4And also, what [are] ye to Me, O Tyre and Zidon, And all circuits of Philistia? Recompence are ye rendering unto Me? And if ye are giving recompence to Me, Swiftly, hastily, I turn back your recompence on your head.
5In that My silver and My gold ye took, And My desirable things that are good, Ye have brought in to your temples.
6And sons of Judah, and sons of Jerusalem, Ye have sold to the sons of Javan, To put them far off from their border.
7Lo, I am stirring them up out of the place Whither ye have sold them, And I have turned back your recompence on your head,
8And have sold your sons and your daughters Into the hand of the sons of Judah, And they have sold them to Shabeans, Unto a nation far off, for Jehovah hath spoken.
9Proclaim ye this among nations, Sanctify a war, stir up the mighty ones, Come nigh, come up, let all the men of war.
10Beat your ploughshares to swords, And your pruning-hooks to javelins, Let the weak say, `I [am] mighty.’
11Haste, and come in, all ye nations round, And be gathered together, Thither cause to come down, O Jehovah, Thy mighty ones.
12Wake and come up let the nations unto the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I sit to judge all the nations around.
13Send ye forth a sickle, For ripened hath harvest, Come in, come down, for filled hath been the press, Overflowed hath wine-presses, For great [is] their wickedness.
14Multitudes, multitudes [are] in the valley of decision, For near [is] the day of Jehovah in the valley of decision.
15Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
16And Jehovah from Zion doth roar, And from Jerusalem giveth forth His voice, And shaken have the heavens and earth, And Jehovah [is] a refuge to his people, And a stronghold to sons of Israel.
17And ye have known that I [am] Jehovah your God, Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, And Jerusalem hath been holy, And strangers do not pass over into it again.
18And it hath come to pass, in that day, Drop down do the mountains juice, And the hills do flow [with] milk, And all streams of Judah do go [with] water, And a fountain from the house of Jehovah goeth forth, And hath watered the valley of Shittim.
19Egypt a desolation becometh, And Edom a desolation, a wilderness, becometh, For violence [to] sons of Judah, Whose innocent blood they shed in their land.
20And Judah to the age doth dwell, And Jerusalem to generation and generation.
21And I have declared their blood innocent, [That] I did not declare innocent, And Jehovah is dwelling in Zion!
