Seek God

1-2 So get yourselves together. Shape up!
    You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants.
Do it before you’re blown away
    like leaves in a windstorm,
Before God’s Judgment-anger
    sweeps down on you,
Before God’s Judgment Day wrath
    descends with full force.

* * *

Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people
    who live by God’s justice.
Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life.
    Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger.

All Earth-Made Gods Will Blow Away

4-5 Gaza is scheduled for demolition,
    Ashdod will be cleaned out by high noon,
    Ekron pulled out by the roots.
Doom to the seaside people,
    the seafaring people from Crete!
The Word of God is bad news for you
    who settled Canaan, the Philistine country:
“You’re slated for destruction—
    no survivors!”

* * *

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before the decree takes effect
    and that day passes like windblown chaff,(A)
before the Lord’s fierce anger(B)
    comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s wrath(C)
    comes upon you.
Seek(D) the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness,(E) seek humility;(F)
    perhaps you will be sheltered(G)
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Philistia

Gaza(H) will be abandoned
    and Ashkelon(I) left in ruins.
At midday Ashdod will be emptied
    and Ekron uprooted.

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