And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Master of hosts.
And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Master of hosts.
Your words have been strong and hard against Me, says the Master. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You?
You have said, It is useless to serve God, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Master of hosts?
Hum! I live a blessed life, but! I take for granted when the money runs out. What do I then do? Resent the ones that have money but do not give me any of it. Isn’t that something. Of course, I do not express such thoughts. That would not make me look ‘good’ in the sight of man.
And now we consider the proud and arrogant to be happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test God, they escape [unpunished].
Ah! But that sneaky thought—‘you gone get it!
Then those who feared the Master talked often one to another; and the Master listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Master and who thought on His name.
And they shall be Mine, says the Master of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.
Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him.
