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Selected Verse: Zephaniah 1:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Zep 1:12	Strong Concordance	And it shall come to pass at that time [06256], that I will search [02664] Jerusalem [03389] with candles [05216], and punish [06485] the men [0582] that are settled [07087] on their lees [08105]: that say [0559] in their heart [03824], The LORD [03068] will not do good [03190], neither will he do evil [07489].
	King James	And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
search . . . with candles--or lamps; so as to leave no dark corner in it wherein sin can escape the punishment, of which the Chaldeans are My instruments (compare Zep 1:13; Luk 15:8). settled on their lees--"hardened" or crusted; image from the crust formed at the bottom of wines long left undisturbed (Jer 48:11). The effect of wealthy undisturbed ease ("lees") on the ungodly is hardening: they become stupidly secure (compare Psa 55:19; Amo 6:1). Lord will not do good . . . evil--They deny that God regards human affairs, or renders good to the good; or evil to the evil, but that all things go haphazard (Psa 10:4; Mal 2:17).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

search . . . with candles--or lamps; so as to leave no dark corner in it wherein sin can escape the punishment, of which the Chaldeans are My instruments (compare Zep 1:13; Luk 15:8).

settled on their lees--"hardened" or crusted; image from the crust formed at the bottom of wines long left undisturbed (Jer 48:11). The effect of wealthy undisturbed ease ("lees") on the ungodly is hardening: they become stupidly secure (compare Psa 55:19; Amo 6:1).

Lord will not do good . . . evil--They deny that God regards human affairs, or renders good to the good; or evil to the evil, but that all things go haphazard (Psa 10:4; Mal 2:17).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I will search - (Literally, "diligently"). The word is always used of a minute diligent search, whereby places, persons, things, are searched and sifted one by one in every corner, until it be found whether a thing be there or no . Hence, also of the searching out of every thought of the heart, either by God Pro 20:27, or in repentance by the light of God Lam 3:40. Jerusalem with candles - so that there should be no corner, no lurking-place so dark, but that the guilty should be brought to light. The same diligence, which Eternal Wisdom used, to "seek and to save that which was lost Luk 15:8, lighting a candle and searching diligently," until it find each lost piece of silver, the same shall Almighty God use that no hardened sinner shall escape. Cyril: "What the enemy would do, using unmingled phrensy against the conquered, that God fitteth to His own Person, not as being Himself the Doer of things so foreign, but rather permitting that what comes from anger should proceed in judgment against the ungodly." It was an image of this, when, at the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans, they "dragged out of common sewers and holes and caves and tombs, princes and great men and priests, who for fear of death had hid themselves." How much more in that Day when "the secrets of all hearts shalt be revealed" by Him who "searcheth the hearts and reins, and to Whose Eyes" Psa 7:9; Psa 26:2; Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10; Jer 20:12; Rev 2:23, "which are like flashing Fire, all things are naked and open!" Rev 1:14. The candles wherewith God searcheth the heart, are men's own consciences Pro 20:27, His Own revealed word Psa 119:104; Pro 6:23; Pe2 1:19, the lives of true Christians Phi 2:15. Those, through the Holy Spirit in each, may enlighten the heart of man, or, if he takes not heed, will rise in judgment against him, and show the falsehood of all vain excuses. : "One way of escape only there is. If we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. I will "search out my" own "ways" and my desires, that He who "shall search out Jerusalem with candles," may find nothing in me, unsought and unsifted. For He will not twice judge the same thing. Would that I might so follow and track out all my offences, that in none I need fear His piercing Eyes, in none be ashamed at the light of His candles! Now I am seen, but I see not. At hand is that Eye, to whom all things are open, although Itself is not open. Once "I shall know, even as I am known" Co1 13:12. Now "I know in part," but I am not known in part, but wholly." The men that are settled on their lees - Stiffened and contracted . The image is from wine which becomes harsh, if allowed to remain upon the lees, unremoved. It is drawn out by Jeremiah, "Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed" Jer 48:11. So they upon whom "no changes come, fear not God (see Psa 55:19). The lees are the refuse of the wine, yet stored up (so the word means) with it, and the wine rests, as it were, upon them. So do men of ease rest in things defiled and defiling, their riches or their pleasure, which they hoard up, on which they are bent, so that they, Dionysius: "lift not their mind to things above, but, darkened with foulest desires, are hardened and stiffened in sin." That say in their heart - Not openly scoffing, perhaps thinking that they believe; but people "do" believe as they love. Their most inward belief, the belief of their heart and affections, what they wish, and the hidden spring of their actions, is, "The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." They act as believing so, and by acting inure themselves to believe it. They think of God as far away, "Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, How doth God know? Can He judge through the dark cloud? Thick goads are a covering to Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the circuit of heaven" Job 22:12-14, "The ungodly in the pride of his heart" (thinketh); "He will not inquire; all his devices" (speak), "There is no God. Strong are his ways at all times; on high are Thy judgments out of his sight" Psa 10:4-5. "They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless, and they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it" Psa 94:5-6. "Such things they did imagine and were deceived, for their own wickedness blinded them. As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not" (Wisd. 2:21-22). "Faith without works is dead" Jam 2:20. Faith which acts not dies out, and there comes in its stead this other persuasion, that God will not repay. There are more Atheists than believe themselves to be such. These act as if there were no Judge of their deeds, and at last come, themselves to believe that God will not punish Isa 5:19; Mal 2:17. What else is the thought of all worldlings, of all who make idols to themselves of any pleasure or gain or ambition, but "God will not punish?" "God cannot punish the (wrongful, selfish,) indulgence of the nature which He has made." "God will not be so precise." "God will not punish with everlasting severance from Him, the sins of this short life." And they see not that they ascribe to God, what He attributes to idols that is, not-gods. "Do good or do evil, that we may be dismayed and behold it together" . "Be not afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good" Jer 10:5. These think not that God does good, for they ascribe their success to their own diligence, wisdom, strength, and thank not God for it. They think not that He sends them evil. For they defy Him and His laws, and think that they shall go unpunished. What remains but that He should be as dumb an idol as those of the pagan?

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

I will search - (Literally, "diligently"). The word is always used of a minute diligent search, whereby places, persons, things, are searched and sifted one by one in every corner, until it be found whether a thing be there or no . Hence, also of the searching out of every thought of the heart, either by God Pro 20:27, or in repentance by the light of God Lam 3:40.

Jerusalem with candles - so that there should be no corner, no lurking-place so dark, but that the guilty should be brought to light. The same diligence, which Eternal Wisdom used, to "seek and to save that which was lost Luk 15:8, lighting a candle and searching diligently," until it find each lost piece of silver, the same shall Almighty God use that no hardened sinner shall escape. Cyril: "What the enemy would do, using unmingled phrensy against the conquered, that God fitteth to His own Person, not as being Himself the Doer of things so foreign, but rather permitting that what comes from anger should proceed in judgment against the ungodly." It was an image of this, when, at the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans, they "dragged out of common sewers and holes and caves and tombs, princes and great men and priests, who for fear of death had hid themselves."

How much more in that Day when "the secrets of all hearts shalt be revealed" by Him who "searcheth the hearts and reins, and to Whose Eyes" Psa 7:9; Psa 26:2; Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10; Jer 20:12; Rev 2:23, "which are like flashing Fire, all things are naked and open!" Rev 1:14. The candles wherewith God searcheth the heart, are men's own consciences Pro 20:27, His Own revealed word Psa 119:104; Pro 6:23; Pe2 1:19, the lives of true Christians Phi 2:15. Those, through the Holy Spirit in each, may enlighten the heart of man, or, if he takes not heed, will rise in judgment against him, and show the falsehood of all vain excuses. : "One way of escape only there is. If we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. I will "search out my" own "ways" and my desires, that He who "shall search out Jerusalem with candles," may find nothing in me, unsought and unsifted. For He will not twice judge the same thing. Would that I might so follow and track out all my offences, that in none I need fear His piercing Eyes, in none be ashamed at the light of His candles! Now I am seen, but I see not. At hand is that Eye, to whom all things are open, although Itself is not open. Once "I shall know, even as I am known" Co1 13:12. Now "I know in part," but I am not known in part, but wholly."

The men that are settled on their lees - Stiffened and contracted . The image is from wine which becomes harsh, if allowed to remain upon the lees, unremoved. It is drawn out by Jeremiah, "Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed" Jer 48:11. So they upon whom "no changes come, fear not God (see Psa 55:19). The lees are the refuse of the wine, yet stored up (so the word means) with it, and the wine rests, as it were, upon them. So do men of ease rest in things defiled and defiling, their riches or their pleasure, which they hoard up, on which they are bent, so that they, Dionysius: "lift not their mind to things above, but, darkened with foulest desires, are hardened and stiffened in sin."

That say in their heart - Not openly scoffing, perhaps thinking that they believe; but people "do" believe as they love. Their most inward belief, the belief of their heart and affections, what they wish, and the hidden spring of their actions, is, "The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." They act as believing so, and by acting inure themselves to believe it. They think of God as far away, "Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, How doth God know? Can He judge through the dark cloud? Thick goads are a covering to Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the circuit of heaven" Job 22:12-14, "The ungodly in the pride of his heart" (thinketh); "He will not inquire; all his devices" (speak), "There is no God. Strong are his ways at all times; on high are Thy judgments out of his sight" Psa 10:4-5. "They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless, and they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it" Psa 94:5-6.

"Such things they did imagine and were deceived, for their own wickedness blinded them. As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not" (Wisd. 2:21-22). "Faith without works is dead" Jam 2:20. Faith which acts not dies out, and there comes in its stead this other persuasion, that God will not repay. There are more Atheists than believe themselves to be such. These act as if there were no Judge of their deeds, and at last come, themselves to believe that God will not punish Isa 5:19; Mal 2:17. What else is the thought of all worldlings, of all who make idols to themselves of any pleasure or gain or ambition, but "God will not punish?" "God cannot punish the (wrongful, selfish,) indulgence of the nature which He has made." "God will not be so precise." "God will not punish with everlasting severance from Him, the sins of this short life." And they see not that they ascribe to God, what He attributes to idols that is, not-gods. "Do good or do evil, that we may be dismayed and behold it together" . "Be not afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good" Jer 10:5. These think not that God does good, for they ascribe their success to their own diligence, wisdom, strength, and thank not God for it. They think not that He sends them evil. For they defy Him and His laws, and think that they shall go unpunished. What remains but that He should be as dumb an idol as those of the pagan?

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The debauchees and rioters generally will also not remain free from punishment. Zep 1:12. "And at that time it will come to pass, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and visit the men who lie upon their lees, who say in their heart, Jehovah does no good, and no evil. Zep 1:13. Their goods will become plunder, and their houses desolation: they will build houses, and not dwell (therein), and plant vineyards, and not drink their wine." God will search Jerusalem with candles, to bring out the irreligious debauchees out of their hiding-places in their houses, and punish them. The visitation is effected by the enemies who conquer Jerusalem. Jerome observes on this passage: "Nothing will be allowed to escape unpunished. If we read the history of Josephus, we shall find it written there, that princes and priests, and mighty men, were dragged even out of the sewers, and caves, and pits, and tombs, in which they had hidden themselves from fear of death." Now, although what is stated here refers to the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus, there can be no doubt that similar things occurred at the Chaldaean conquest. The expression to search with candles (cf. Luk 15:8) is a figure denoting the most minute search of the dwellings and hiding-places of the despisers of God. These are described as men who sit drawn together upon their lees (קפא, lit., to draw one's self together, to coagulate). The figure is borrowed from old wine, which has been left upon its lees and not drawn off, and which, when poured into other vessels, retains its flavour, and does not alter its odour (Jer 48:11), and denotes perseverance or confirmation in moral and religious indifference, "both external quiet, and carelessness, idleness, and spiritual insensibility in the enjoyment not only of the power and possessions bestowed upon them, but also of the pleasures of sin and the worst kinds of lust" (Marck). Good wine, when it remains for a long time upon its lees, becomes stronger; but bad wine becomes harsher and thicker. Shemârı̄m, lees, do not denote "sins in which the ungodly are almost stupefied" (Jerome), or "splendour which so deprives a man of his senses that there is nothing left either pure or sincere" (Calvin), but "the impurity of sins, which were associated in the case of these men with external good" (Marck). In the carnal repose of their earthly prosperity, they said in their heart, i.e., they thought within themselves, there is no God who rules and judges the world; everything takes place by chance, or according to dead natural laws. They did not deny the existence of God, but in their character and conduct they denied the working of the living God in the world, placing Jehovah on the level of the dead idols, who did neither good nor harm (Isa 41:23; Jer 10:5), whereby they really denied the being of God. (Note: "For neither the majesty of God, nor His government or glory, consists in any imaginary splendour, but in those attributes which so meet together in Him that they cannot be severed from His essense. It is the property of God to govern the world, to take care of the human race, to distinguish between good and evil, to relieve the wretched, to punish all crimes, to restrain unjust violence. And if any one would deprive God of these, he would leave nothing but an idol." - Calvin.) To these God will show Himself as the ruler and judge of the world, by giving up their goods (chēlâm, opes eorum) to plunder, so that they will experience the truth of the punishments denounced in His word against the despisers of His name (compare Lev 26:32-33; Deu 28:30, Deu 28:39, and the similar threats in Amo 5:11; Mic 6:15).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The debauchees and rioters generally will also not remain free from punishment. Zep 1:12. "And at that time it will come to pass, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and visit the men who lie upon their lees, who say in their heart, Jehovah does no good, and no evil. Zep 1:13. Their goods will become plunder, and their houses desolation: they will build houses, and not dwell (therein), and plant vineyards, and not drink their wine." God will search Jerusalem with candles, to bring out the irreligious debauchees out of their hiding-places in their houses, and punish them. The visitation is effected by the enemies who conquer Jerusalem. Jerome observes on this passage: "Nothing will be allowed to escape unpunished. If we read the history of Josephus, we shall find it written there, that princes and priests, and mighty men, were dragged even out of the sewers, and caves, and pits, and tombs, in which they had hidden themselves from fear of death." Now, although what is stated here refers to the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus, there can be no doubt that similar things occurred at the Chaldaean conquest. The expression to search with candles (cf. Luk 15:8) is a figure denoting the most minute search of the dwellings and hiding-places of the despisers of God. These are described as men who sit drawn together upon their lees (קפא, lit., to draw one's self together, to coagulate). The figure is borrowed from old wine, which has been left upon its lees and not drawn off, and which, when poured into other vessels, retains its flavour, and does not alter its odour (Jer 48:11), and denotes perseverance or confirmation in moral and religious indifference, "both external quiet, and carelessness, idleness, and spiritual insensibility in the enjoyment not only of the power and possessions bestowed upon them, but also of the pleasures of sin and the worst kinds of lust" (Marck). Good wine, when it remains for a long time upon its lees, becomes stronger; but bad wine becomes harsher and thicker. Shemârı̄m, lees, do not denote "sins in which the ungodly are almost stupefied" (Jerome), or "splendour which so deprives a man of his senses that there is nothing left either pure or sincere" (Calvin), but "the impurity of sins, which were associated in the case of these men with external good" (Marck). In the carnal repose of their earthly prosperity, they said in their heart, i.e., they thought within themselves, there is no God who rules and judges the world; everything takes place by chance, or according to dead natural laws. They did not deny the existence of God, but in their character and conduct they denied the working of the living God in the world, placing Jehovah on the level of the dead idols, who did neither good nor harm (Isa 41:23; Jer 10:5), whereby they really denied the being of God.

(Note: "For neither the majesty of God, nor His government or glory, consists in any imaginary splendour, but in those attributes which so meet together in Him that they cannot be severed from His essense. It is the property of God to govern the world, to take care of the human race, to distinguish between good and evil, to relieve the wretched, to punish all crimes, to restrain unjust violence. And if any one would deprive God of these, he would leave nothing but an idol." - Calvin.)

To these God will show Himself as the ruler and judge of the world, by giving up their goods (chēlâm, opes eorum) to plunder, so that they will experience the truth of the punishments denounced in His word against the despisers of His name (compare Lev 26:32-33; Deu 28:30, Deu 28:39, and the similar threats in Amo 5:11; Mic 6:15).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I will search - God speaks after the manner of men, who searches dark places with candles. He will fully discover and punish. Their lees - In allusion to liquors, which not being poured out from vessel to vessel to refine them, grow thick and foul.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I will search Jerusalem with candles - I will make a universal and thorough search. That are settled on their lees - Those who are careless, satisfied with the goods of this life; who trust in their riches, and are completely irreligious; who, while they acknowledge that there is a God, think, like the Aristotelians, that he is so supremely happy in the contemplation of his own excellences, that he feels it beneath his dignity to concern himself with the affairs of mortals.

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¹⁷ Ye have wearied [03021] the LORD [03068] with your words [01697]. Yet ye say [0559], Wherein have we wearied [03021] him? When ye say [0559], Every one that doeth [06213] evil [07451] is good [02896] in the sight [05869] of the LORD [03068], and he delighteth [02654] in them; or, Where is the God [0430] of judgment [04941]?

⁴ The wicked [07563], through the pride [01363] of his countenance [0639], will not seek [01875] after God: God [0430] is not in all his thoughts [04209].

¹ Woe [01945] to them that are at ease [07600] in Zion [06726], and trust [0982] in the mountain [02022] of Samaria [08111], which are named [05344] chief [07225] of the nations [01471], to whom the house [01004] of Israel [03478] came [0935] !

¹⁹ God [0410] shall hear [08085], and afflict [06030] them, even he that abideth [03427] of old [06924]. Selah [05542]. Because they have no changes [02487], therefore they fear [03372] not God [0430].

¹¹ Moab [04124] hath been at ease [07599] from his youth [05271], and he hath settled [08252] on his lees [08105], and hath not been emptied [07324] from vessel [03627] to vessel [03627], neither hath he gone [01980] into captivity [01473]: therefore his taste [02940] remained [05975] in him, and his scent [07381] is not changed [04171].

⁸ Either [2228] what [5101] woman [1135] having [2192] ten [1176] pieces of silver [1406], if [1437] she lose [622] one [3391] piece [1406], doth not [3780] light [681] a candle [3088], and [2532] sweep [4563] the house [3614], and [2532] seek [2212] diligently [1960] till [2193] [3755] she find [2147] it?

¹³ Therefore their goods [02428] shall become a booty [04933], and their houses [01004] a desolation [08077]: they shall also build [01129] houses [01004], but not inhabit [03427] them; and they shall plant [05193] vineyards [03754], but not drink [08354] the wine [03196] thereof.

⁵ They are upright [04749] as the palm tree [08560], but speak [01696] not: they must needs [05375] be borne [05375], because they cannot go [06805]. Be not afraid [03372] of them; for they cannot do evil [07489], neither also is it in them to do good [03190].

¹⁹ That say [0559], Let him make speed [04116], and hasten [02363] his work [04639], that we may see [07200] it: and let the counsel [06098] of the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478] draw nigh [07126] and come [0935], that we may know [03045] it!

²⁰ But [1161] wilt [2309] thou know [1097], O [5599] vain [2756] man [444], that [3754] faith [4102] without [5565] works [2041] is [2076] dead [3498]?

⁵ They break in pieces [01792] thy people [05971], O LORD [03068], and afflict [06031] thine heritage [05159].
⁶ They slay [02026] the widow [0490] and the stranger [01616], and murder [07523] the fatherless [03490].

⁴ The wicked [07563], through the pride [01363] of his countenance [0639], will not seek [01875] after God: God [0430] is not in all his thoughts [04209].
⁵ His ways [01870] are always [06256] grievous [02342]; thy judgments [04941] are far above [04791] out of his sight: as for all his enemies [06887], he puffeth [06315] at them.

¹² Is not God [0433] in the height [01363] of heaven [08064]? and behold [07200] the height [07218] of the stars [03556], how high [07311] they are!
¹³ And thou sayest [0559], How doth God [0410] know [03045]? can he judge [08199] through the dark cloud [06205]?
¹⁴ Thick clouds [05645] are a covering [05643] to him, that he seeth [07200] not; and he walketh [01980] in the circuit [02329] of heaven [08064].

¹² For [1063] now [737] we see [991] through [1223] a glass [2072], darkly [1722] [135]; but [1161] then [5119] face [4383] to [4314] face [4383]: now [737] I know [1097] in [1537] part [3313]; but [1161] then [5119] shall I know [1921] even as [2531] also [2532] I am known [1921].

¹⁵ That [2443] ye may be [1096] blameless [273] and [2532] harmless [185], the sons [5043] of God [2316], without rebuke [298], in [1722] the midst [3319] of a crooked [4646] and [2532] perverse [1294] nation [1074], among [1722] whom [3739] ye shine [5316] as [5613] lights [5458] in [1722] the world [2889];

¹⁹ We have [2192] also [2532] a more sure [949] word [3056] of prophecy [4397]; whereunto [3739] ye do [4160] well [2573] that ye take heed [4337], as [5613] unto a light [3088] that shineth [5316] in [1722] a dark [850] place [5117], until [2193] [3739] the day [2250] dawn [1306], and [2532] the day star [5459] arise [393] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588]:

²³ For the commandment [04687] is a lamp [05216]; and the law [08451] is light [0216]; and reproofs [08433] of instruction [04148] are the way [01870] of life [02416]:

¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts [06490] I get understanding [0995]: therefore I hate [08130] every false [08267] way [0734].

²⁷ The spirit [05397] of man [0120] is the candle [05216] of the LORD [03068], searching [02664] all the inward parts [02315] of the belly [0990].

¹⁴ [1161] His [846] head [2776] and [2532] his hairs [2359] were white [3022] like [5616] wool [2053], as white [3022] as [5613] snow [5510]; and [2532] his [846] eyes [3788] were as [5613] a flame [5395] of fire [4442];

²³ And [2532] I will kill [615] her [846] children [5043] with [1722] death [2288]; and [2532] all [3956] the churches [1577] shall know [1097] that [3754] I [1473] am [1510] he which [3588] searcheth [2045] the reins [3510] and [2532] hearts [2588]: and [2532] I will give [1325] unto every one [1538] of you [5213] according to [2596] your [5216] works [2041].

¹² But, O LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], that triest [0974] the righteous [06662], and seest [07200] the reins [03629] and the heart [03820], let me see [07200] thy vengeance [05360] on them: for unto thee have I opened [01540] my cause [07379].

¹⁰ I the LORD [03068] search [02713] the heart [03820], I try [0974] the reins [03629], even to give [05414] every man [0376] according to his ways [01870], and according to the fruit [06529] of his doings [04611].

²⁰ But, O LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], that judgest [08199] righteously [06664], that triest [0974] the reins [03629] and the heart [03820], let me see [07200] thy vengeance [05360] on them: for unto thee have I revealed [01540] my cause [07379].

² Examine [0974] me, O LORD [03068], and prove [05254] me; try [06884] my reins [03629] and my heart [03820].

⁹ Oh let the wickedness [07451] of the wicked [07563] come to an end [01584]; but establish [03559] the just [06662]: for the righteous [06662] God [0430] trieth [0974] the hearts [03826] and reins [03629].

⁴⁰ Let us search [02664] and try [02713] our ways [01870], and turn again [07725] to the LORD [03068].

²⁷ The spirit [05397] of man [0120] is the candle [05216] of the LORD [03068], searching [02664] all the inward parts [02315] of the belly [0990].

¹⁵ Thou shalt sow [02232], but thou shalt not reap [07114]; thou shalt tread [01869] the olives [02132], but thou shalt not anoint [05480] thee with oil [08081]; and sweet wine [08492], but shalt not drink [08354] wine [03196].

¹¹ Forasmuch [03282] therefore as your treading [01318] is upon the poor [01800], and ye take [03947] from him burdens [04864] of wheat [01250]: ye have built [01129] houses [01004] of hewn stone [01496], but ye shall not dwell [03427] in them; ye have planted [05193] pleasant [02531] vineyards [03754], but ye shall not drink [08354] wine [03196] of them.

³⁹ Thou shalt plant [05193] vineyards [03754], and dress [05647] them, but shalt neither drink [08354] of the wine [03196], nor gather [0103] the grapes; for the worms [08438] shall eat [0398] them.

³⁰ Thou shalt betroth [0781] a wife [0802], and another [0312] man [0376] shall lie [07901] [07693] with her: thou shalt build [01129] an house [01004], and thou shalt not dwell [03427] therein: thou shalt plant [05193] a vineyard [03754], and shalt not gather the grapes [02490] thereof.

³² And I will bring [08074] the land [0776] into desolation [08074]: and your enemies [0341] which dwell [03427] therein shall be astonished [08074] at it.
³³ And I will scatter [02219] you among the heathen [01471], and will draw out [07324] a sword [02719] after [0310] you: and your land [0776] shall be desolate [08077], and your cities [05892] waste [02723].

²³ Shew [05046] the things that are to come [0857] hereafter [0268], that we may know [03045] that ye are gods [0430]: yea, do good [03190], or do evil [07489], that we may be dismayed [08159], and behold [07200] it together [03162].

¹² And it shall come to pass at that time [06256], that I will search [02664] Jerusalem [03389] with candles [05216], and punish [06485] the men [0582] that are settled [07087] on their lees [08105]: that say [0559] in their heart [03824], The LORD [03068] will not do good [03190], neither will he do evil [07489].