Definition: Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 65:7. It's a pretty poetic and significant passage about God’s plan for humanity. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is saying that we – all of us – are responsible for the sins of our ancestors, and even the sins of those who came before us. He's essentially saying we've been messing with things (incense, worship) and causing problems, and now he’ll take care of it. Let's unpack the parts: “Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together…” – This is the big one. God is saying that everyone has been contributing to our sins. It's not just a few people; it’s the entire lineage of humanity. It’s about everyone who has ever done something wrong or disobeyed Him. “… saith the LORD…” – This means God is speaking directly to us, as if He were talking to us personally. "...which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills:” - This paints a picture of people making offerings (incense) and worshipping in ways that are disrespectful or even offensive to God. They’ve been speaking evil against Him – they’ve been blasphemy. "...therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.” – This is the most important part. God says He will take care of it. He’ll "measure" (or "gather") their sins, not in a way that condemns them, but to eliminate them. He'll put them back into the past, like they are becoming part of God's plan. Think of it like this: Imagine a huge pile of trash. You’ve been throwing things into it – maybe you’ve been disrespectful, selfish, or made mistakes. Now, God is saying that He will clean up that pile, not by punishing you, but by letting the trash (your sins) become part of what He has created and will ultimately bring about. What does this mean for us? It’s a message of hope because it suggests that even though we are sinners, God's plan is to cleanse us and make us right. It emphasizes forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s a reminder that our actions have consequences, but God has the power to restore things and move forward. Important Note: This verse speaks about the past – it doesn’t mean we’re doomed or that we can’t be forgiven. It’s a promise of ultimate restoration and reconciliation with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give some examples of how this verse applies to our lives today? Discuss the theological significance of this passage?