A manwho hardens[his] neckafter much reproofWill suddenlybe brokenbeyondremedy.
Now Elijahthe Tishbite,who was of the settlersof Gilead,saidto Ahab,"As the LORD,the Godof Israellives,beforewhomI stand,surelythere shall be neitherdewnor raintheseyears,exceptby my word."
He said,"I have not troubledIsrael,but you and your father'shouse[have], because you have forsakenthe commandmentsof the LORDand you have followedthe Baals.
He saidto him, "Thussaysthe LORD,'Becauseyou have letgoout of [your] handthe manwhom I had devotedto destruction,therefore your lifeshall gofor his life,and your peoplefor his people.'"
Micaiahsaid,"Ifyou indeedreturnsafelythe LORDhas not spokenby me." And he said,"Listen,allyou people."
As he was talkingwith him, the king saidto him, "Have we appointedyou a royalcounselor?Stop!Whyshould you be struckdown?"Then the prophetstoppedand said,"I knowthat Godhas plannedto destroyyou, becauseyou have donethisand have not listenedto my counsel."
The LORDspoketo Manassehand his people,but they paidnoattention.
He alsorebelledagainst KingNebuchadnezzarwhohad made him swear[allegiance] by God.But he stiffenedhis neckand hardenedhis heartagainstturningto the LORDGodof Israel.
And admonishedthem in order to turnthem backto Your law.Yet they actedarrogantlyand did not listento Your commandmentsbut sinnedagainst Your ordinances,By whichif a manobservesthem he shall live.And they turneda stubbornshoulderand stiffenedtheir neck,and would not listen.
"Wisein heartand mightyin strength,Whohas defiedHim withoutharm?
Pharaohsent,and behold,there was not evenoneof the livestockof Israeldead.But the heartof Pharaohwas hardened,and he did not letthe peoplego.
How blessedis the manwho fearsalways,But he who hardenshis heartwill fallinto calamity.
He who walksblamelesslywill be delivered,But he who is crookedwill fallallat once.
When the wickedrise,menhidethemselves; But when they perish,the righteousincrease.
Thereforehis calamitywill comesuddenly;Instantlyhe will be brokenand therewill be nohealing.
And nowdo not carryon as scoffers,Oryour fetterswill be madestronger;For I have heardfrom the LordGODof hostsOf decisivedestructionon allthe earth.
"BecauseI knowthat you are obstinate,And your neckis an ironsinewAnd your foreheadbronze,
Have You completelyrejectedJudah?Orhave You loathedZion?Whyhave You strickenus so that we are beyondhealing?[We] waitedfor peace,but nothinggood[came]; And for a timeof healing,but behold,terror!
"Yet they did not listenor inclinetheir ears,but stiffenedtheir necksin order not to listenor takecorrection.
"I will also punishhim and his descendantsand his servantsfor their iniquity,and I will bringon them and the inhabitantsof Jerusalemand the menof Judahallthe calamitythat I have declaredto them-- but they did not listen."'"
"Will not your creditorsriseup suddenly,And those who collectfrom you awaken?Indeed, you will becomeplunderfor them.
"I do not speakof allof you. I knowthe onesI have chosen;but [it is] that the Scripturemay be fulfilled,HE WHO EATSMY BREADHAS LIFTEDUP HIS HEELAGAINSTME.'
Jesusthenanswered,"That is the one for whomI shall dipthe morseland giveit to him." Sowhen He had dippedthe morsel,He tookand gaveit to Judas,[the son] of SimonIscariot.
(Nowthis manacquireda fieldwith the priceof his wickedness,and fallingheadlong,he burst openin the middleand allhis intestinesgushedout.
to occupythisministryand apostleshipfrom whichJudasturned asideto goto his ownplace."
Whilethey are saying,"Peaceand safety!"thendestructionwill comeupon them suddenlylikelabor painsupon a woman with child,and they will not escape.
"Ifone mansinsagainst another,Godwill mediatefor him; but ifa mansinsagainst the LORD,whocan intercedefor him?" But they would not listento the voiceof their father,for the LORDdesiredto putthem to death.
Thiswill be the signto you whichwill comeconcerningyour twosons,Hophniand Phinehas:on the samedaybothof them will die.
