I am not angry.\par But if there is war and someone builds\par a wall of thorn bushes, {\cf2\super [249]} \par then I will march to it and burn it.\par
If a person touches them,
it hurts like a spear
made of wood and iron.
{Yes, those people are like thorns.}
They will be thrown in the fire,
and they will be completely burned!
Evil is like a small fire. First, the fire burns weeds and thorns. Next, the fire burns the larger bushes in the forest. And finally, it becomes a great fire—and everything goes up in smoke.
I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.
Then you will walk on those evil people—they will be like ashes under your feet. I will make those things happen at that time of judgment.” The Lord All-Powerful said these things!
He will come ready to clean the grain. {\cf2\super [43]} He will separate the good grain from the straw. He will put the good part of the grain into his barn. And he will burn the part that is not good. He will burn it with a fire that cannot be stopped.”
But if that land grows thorns and weeds, it is worthless. That land is in danger that it will be cursed by God. And that land will be destroyed by fire.
\{Yes, God did all these things.\} So the Lord \{God\} will always save the people who serve him. He will save them when troubles come. And the Lord will hold evil people and punish them while waiting for the day of judgment.