Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Cursed be the day I was born!  . . . For He (God) did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave . . .  Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? Jeremiah 20:13-18 One minute the prophet Jeremiah was extolling the praises of God. The ne...  Read More

You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed.I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.But if I say, "I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.I...  Read More

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.  . . . For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner living among you, giving them food and clothing.  . . . He is the one you prai...  Read More

After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my  righteousness."  No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity . . . but on account of the wickedness of these nations.  ....  Read More

Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall -- Anakites.   . . .But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; He will subdue them before you. And you will drive them ...  Read More

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands . . .  Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down . . . then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the la...  Read More