Idols, Suffering, and God's Comfort

1. Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel! 2. Yahweh says, “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3. For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax. 4. They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it can’t move. 5. They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” 6. There is no one like you, Yahweh. You are great, and your name is great in might. 7. Who shouldn’t fear you, King of the nations? For it belongs to you. Because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is no one like you. 8. But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood. 9. There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of the hands of the goldsmith. Their clothing is blue and purple. They are all the work of skillful men. 10. But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren’t able to withstand his indignation. 11. “You shall say this to them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.’” 12. God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens. 13. When he utters his voice, the waters in the heavens roar, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries. 14. Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 15. They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish. 16. The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the maker of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Yahweh of Armies is his name. 17. Gather up your wares out of the land, you who live under siege. 18. For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.” 19. Woe is me because of my injury! My wound is serious; but I said, “Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it.” 20. My tent has been destroyed, and all my cords are broken. My children have gone away from me, and they are no more. There is no one to spread my tent any more, to set up my curtains. 21. For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered. 22. The voice of news, behold, it comes, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals. 23. Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. 24. Yahweh, correct me, but gently; not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing. 25. Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, and on the families that don’t call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob. Yes, they have devoured him, consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation. 1. The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2. “Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3. and say to them, Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant, 4. which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace,’ saying, ‘Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you; so you shall be my people, and I will be your God; 5. that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey,’ as it is today.” Then answered I, and said, “Amen, Yahweh.” 6. Yahweh said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant, and do them. 7. For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, “Obey my voice.” 8. Yet they didn’t obey, nor turn their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of their evil heart. Therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn’t do them.’” 9. Yahweh said to me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. 11. Therefore Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they will not be able to escape; and they will cry to me, but I will not listen to them. 12. Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. 13. For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.’ 14. “Therefore don’t pray for this people. Don’t lift up cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me because of their trouble. 15. What has my beloved to do in my house, since she has behaved lewdly with many, and the holy flesh has passed from you? When you do evil, then you rejoice.” 16. Yahweh called your name, “A green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit.” With the noise of a great roar he has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken. 17. For Yahweh of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done to themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal. 18. Yahweh gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it. Then you showed me their doings. 19. But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter. I didn’t know that they had devised plans against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.” 20. But, Yahweh of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause. 21. “Therefore Yahweh says concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy in Yahweh’s name, that you not die by our hand;’ 22. therefore Yahweh of Armies says, ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine. 23. There will be no remnant to them, for I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.’” 1. You are righteous, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet I would like to reason the cause with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously? 2. You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart. 3. But you, Yahweh, know me. You see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4. How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals and birds are consumed; because they said, “He won’t see our latter end.” 5. “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? Though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan? 6. For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you! Even they have cried aloud after you! Don’t believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you. 7. “I have forsaken my house. I have cast off my heritage. I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8. My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. She has uttered her voice against me. Therefore I have hated her. 9. Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field. Bring them to devour. 10. Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11. They have made it a desolation. It mourns to me, being desolate. The whole land is made desolate, because no one cares. 12. Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land. No flesh has peace. 13. They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have exhausted themselves, and profit nothing. You will be ashamed of your fruits, because of Yahweh’s fierce anger.” 14. Yahweh says, “Concerning all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15. It will happen, that after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 16. It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As Yahweh lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then will they be built up in the middle of my people. 17. But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it,” says Yahweh.

1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4. who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. 6. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. 7. Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort. 8. For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. 9. Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10. who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; 11. you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf. 12. For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. 13. For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end; 14. as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. 15. In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit; 16. and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea. 17. When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?” 18. But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.” 19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes and no,” but in him is “Yes.” 20. For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us. 21. Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; 22. who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts. 23. But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you. 24. Not that we control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith. 1. But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow. 2. For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me? 3. And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you. 5. But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all. 6. This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one; 7. so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow. 8. Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him. 9. For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things. 10. Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11. that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 12. Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, 13. I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia. 14. Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. 15. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; 16. to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17. For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ. 1. Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2. You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3. being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. 4. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God; 5. not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6. who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7. But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away; 8. won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9. For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10. For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11. For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. 12. Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13. and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. 14. But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. 15. But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16. But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18. But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. 2. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3. Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying; 4. in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. 5. For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake; 6. seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7. But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. 8. We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9. pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10. always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12. So then death works in us, but life in you. 13. But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore also we speak; 14. knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16. Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18. while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 1. For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2. For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven; 3. if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked. 4. For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5. Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit. 6. Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 7. for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8. We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. 9. Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10. For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences. 12. For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart. 13. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you. 14. For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. 15. He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16. Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 18. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1. Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain, 2. for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. 3. We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed, 4. but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5. in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6. in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, 7. in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8. by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9. as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed; 10. as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 11. Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged. 12. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13. Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also open your hearts. 14. Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15. What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? 16. What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17. Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. 18. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 1. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2. Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one. 3. I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together. 4. Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction. 5. For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside. 6. Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7. and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more. 8. For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while. 9. I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10. For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death. 11. For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter. 12. So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God. 13. Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14. For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. 15. His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16. I rejoice that in everything I am confident concerning you.

1. Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 2. for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. 3. Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4. by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 5. A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 6. for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors. 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. 8. One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 9. The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 10. If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 11. Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 12. If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? 13. My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 14. so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. 15. Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place: 16. for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17. Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18. lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19. Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked: 20. for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 21. My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious: 22. for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows? 23. These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him— 25. but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. 26. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 27. Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. 28. Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips. 29. Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” 30. I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 33. a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; 34. so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.