Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 438
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IMMERSE
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PROPHETS
3:5-16
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all
sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat em
ployees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive
the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,”
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob
are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have
scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will
return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are
under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the
tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If
you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of
heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough
room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant,
for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall
from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,”
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained
by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Ar
mies that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will call the arrogant
blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish
them suffer no harm.’”
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord
listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was
written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought
about the honor of his name.
