They will not labour without success or bear children destined for disaster, for they will be a people blessed by the Lord along with their descendants.
Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their posterity among the peoples. All who see them will recognise that they are a people the Lord has blessed.
Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.
But I myself said: I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; yet my vindication is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God.
Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.’
I will confirm my covenant that is between me and you and your future offspring throughout their generations. It is a permanent covenant to be your God and the God of your offspring after you.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants #– #not only to the one who is of the law but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all.
Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,’ says the Lord of Armies. ‘See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.
You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to be happy. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.’
I will send wild animals against you that will deprive you of your children, ravage your livestock, and reduce your numbers until your roads are deserted.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring.
‘For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will remain before me’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘so your offspring and your name will remain.