Chapter 1
1 It was during the thirtieth year, in the fourth month and on the fifth day of the month, as I was in the midst of the captivity by the Chebar River, that the heavens opened up and I beheld visions [from] God. 2 This was five years and five months after King JehoiAkim was taken as captive.
3 So, the word of the Lord came to EzekiEl (the son of Buzi) the Priest in the land of the Chaldeans, there at the River Chebar. This came upon me from the hand of Jehovah. 4 For, I looked and I saw a wind that could lift iron coming from the north, along with a huge cloud with bright light all around it and flashes of lightning. And in the midst of it, I had a vision of a bright bronze casting in the middle of a fire. 5 And there in its midst was something that looked like four animals. But in this vision, they also looked like men. 6 Each had four faces, and each had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, there were feathers on their feet, there were sparks like flashes of brass, and they had very fine wings.
8 Beneath each of their four wings was a man’s hand, and their wings were on each of their four parts. The faces and the wings of the four [animals] were next to each other, side by side. 9 Their wings didn’t turn as they moved, and they each traveled opposite to [the direction] they were facing.
10 One of the faces was like that of a man. Then on the right, each of the four had the face of a lion. On the left, there was the face of a calf, and then there was also the face of an eagle on each of the four.
11 [Two of] their wings stretched out high above the four, and each pair was yoked together, but two [of the wings] were used to cover their bodies. 12 And each followed the one in front of him. Wherever [God’s] Breath led them they went, and they didn’t turn aside.
13 Also among the animals I had a vision of burning coals that looked like lamps, which were spinning in the midst of the animals. The flames were very bright, and lightning shot from the flames. 14 Also, the animals were moving up and back like lightning.
15 Then I looked and saw a wheel on the ground next to each of the four animals, 16 and the wheels [sparkled] like peridots. There were what appeared to be four wheels within each one, and they worked as though there were wheels within wheels. 17 Each moved on their four parts and they didn’t turn as they moved. 18 Also, their backs and their tops faced them. Then I looked and I [realized] that their backs were full of eyes all around each of the four.
19 As the animals moved, the wheels moved next to them. And when the animals lifted up from the ground, the wheels were lifted up too. 20 The cloud went wherever [God’s] Breath led it, 21 and the animals and the wheels moved up along with it, because the breath of life was in the wheels. 21 When they traveled, the wheels went along, and when they stood still, the wheels stood still. Then when they rose above the ground, the wheels went up with them, because the breath of life was in the wheels.
22 Above the heads of the animals was what looked like a solid block of ice that was stretched out over the tops of their wings. 23 And under this block, their wings were stretched out and they flapped side by side, with two [wings] covering their bodies.
24 And the sound that I heard from the movement of their wings as they traveled, was like the sound of much rushing water. It was the sound of one who is worthy when it traveled, and as the sound of [many] words being spoken in a camp when they stood still and rested their wings.
25 Then {Look!} there was a sound that came from far above the block]. 26 And in the vision [that I had] of the One who was above their heads, there was what looked like a sapphire stone, and upon it was a throne, and sitting on it was what looked like a man from above. 27 I saw what appeared to be molten bronze filled with fire round about and upwards from His loin, and beneath that I just saw fire and brightness all around.
28 He was like a bow that forms in the clouds on a rainy day, with brightness all around Him. This was a vision of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw this I fell upon my face. Then I heard a voice speaking [to me].
Chapter 2
1 He said to me, ‘O son of man, stand on your feet, and then I’ll speak to you!’
2 Then His Breath came over me… it picked me up and lifted me, and stood me up on my feet. Then I heard Him speaking to me. 3 And He said: ‘O son of man; to the sons of Israel I’ll send you; those who’ve rebelled against Me (and who are still rebelling against Me), for down to this day, they and their fathers have [not listened to Me]. 4 They are harsh and hard-hearted [people], so to them I will send you. You must tell them that Jehovah says this: 5 They should listen in terror, for they are a house in rebellion. But they’ll know you’re a Prophet in their midst.
6 ‘And you, O son of man, should not be afraid , or be startled by the looks on their faces, for they will get heated up, then rise against you and surround you. Among such scorpions you’ll be living, but don’t fear the things they will say to your face (don’t be startled), for they are a house in rebellion. 7 You must speak My words so they’ll hear them and fear, for they are a house in rebellion.
8 ‘Now you, O son of man, pay attention, to the One who is speaking to you! Don’t be rebellious like this house of rebellion! So open your mouth wide and eat what I’ll give you!’
9 Then I looked and saw a hand stretched out toward me, and in it was a rolled up scroll. 10 Then He unrolled it there before me, and written on both the front and the back was a lamentation and a song of woe.
Chapter 3
1 Then He said to me, ‘O son of man, eat what you’ve found…
first eat this scroll, then go speak to the sons of
2 So, He opened my mouth wide and fed me the scroll. 3 And He said to me, ‘O son of man; as you eat this scroll with your mouth, your belly will be filled with this thing that I gave you.’
So, I ate it and found it to be as sweet as honey in my mouth.
4 Then He said to me, ‘O son of man; now go to the
house of
7 ‘There’s no way that the house of Israel will listen, to the things that you have to say, because they don’t agree to listening to Me; for the whole house of Israel is hard-hearted, and they all like to argue.
8 ‘Now look; I’ve made your face mighty against their faces, and your victory will be greater than theirs… it will always be stronger than a rock. 9 So, don’t be afraid [when you go] before them, and don’t stand in terror before their faces, for this is a house in rebellion.’
10 And He said to me; ‘O son of man, take all the words that I’ve spoken to your heart, and pay attention to them with your ears! 11 Then go among the captive sons of your people and say… tell them that the Lord Jehovah has spoken, and surely they will listen and yield.’
12 Then [His] Breath lifted me up, and from behind me I heard the sound of a great quaking (that was saying), ‘Praise the glory of Jehovah that is coming from His place.’
13 Then I heard the sound of the flapping of the wings of the animals touching against each other, the sounds of the wheels next to them, and the sound of a great quaking. 14 And the Breath lifted me and carried me away, and my spirit was lifted and motivated by the hand of Jehovah, which came over me and made me very strong.
15 Then in this elevated [condition] I went among the captives… I traveled among those who live next to the Chebar River, and I stayed among them for seven days. 16 And at the end of the seven days, the word of Jehovah came to me saying, 17 ‘O son of man; to the house of Israel I’ve appointed you the watchman, so you will hear the words from My mouth, and then you must threaten them for Me. 18 For, I’m saying that those who are lawless will die! And you also will die, if you fail to give them My orders. Warn these lawless ones to turn away, from their unrighteous ways and they’ll live. But if they choose to continue being lawless, they will then die in their sins, and I won’t require their blood from your hands. 19 For, if you give orders to those who are lawless, and they do not turn from their lawless ways, or from their unrighteousness turn away, those lawless ones will die in their sins, but I will still rescue you.
20 ‘But if a righteous man should turn from righteous ways, and he should do what is wrong, causing Me to bring torment his face and he dies; because you failed to bring him My orders, which leads to his death so all his righteous deeds are forgotten, I will require his blood from your hands. 21 However; if you give [My] orders to a righteous man, and tell him that he should not sin, and he doesn’t sin because you warned him, this has brought salvation to his life, and you will have rescued your own life.’
22 Then the hand of the Lord came upon me, and He told me, ‘Get up and go out to the plains, and there I will tell you more about this!’
23 So, I got up and went out to the plains, and {Look!} there was the glory of Jehovah – the glory that I had seen by the River Chebar – and then I fell to my face. 24 But [God’s] Breath came upon me and stood me up on my feet… it spoke to me and it said, ‘Go home and be locked up inside your house! 25 For {Look!} you, O son of man, are appointed to be bound. They will then tie you up, and there’s no way that you’ll come from the midst [of the bondage]. 26 For I will tie up your tongue and your throat, and you will then become mute. You will not be a man who scolds them, for they are a house in rebellion.
27 ‘For then My voice will be speaking through you. I will open your mouth and you’ll tell them, that this is what Lord Jehovah has said: All who choose to hear should now listen; but those who don’t wish to be persuaded, may continue to resist the persuasion, for this is a house in rebellion!’
Chapter 4
1 ‘And you, O son of man, take a brick for
yourself, and then set it in front of your face. Draw a map
of the city of
4 ‘Then go to sleep on your left side, and
the sins of the house of
5 ‘Now, I’ve appointed two things you must do, concerning all of their unrighteousness:
- The unrighteousness of the house of
- 6 And
after you have done that, you’re to then sleep on your right side, to carry
the unrighteousness of
7 ‘And as for the siege of
8 ‘{Look!} I’ve appointed bondage for you! You may not turn from one side to the other, until the number of the days of your siege are completed.
9 ‘Take for yourself wheat, barley, and beans; and lentils, and millet, and wild oats. Then put them into an earthenware pot, and bake loaves of bread for yourself. Make enough for the number of days, that you will sleep on your side, for you’ll eat them three hundred and ninety days. 10 And the weight of the food you will eat, is just ten ounces a day, which you may eat from time to time. 11 And you are to measure the water that you’ll drink. Ten ounces you may drink from time to time. 12 Bake the barley cakes that you’ll eat, over human manure, which you will hide among the coals, there before [everyone’s] eyes.’
13 And Jehovah the God of Israel said:
‘For, this is the type of uncleanness, that the sons
of
14 And I said, ‘Absolutely not, O
Lord God of
15 And He said to me: ‘Then I’ll give you dung of cows instead of that of humans, and you can bake your loaves over them.’
16 And He said to me, ‘O son of man; {Look!} I’ll break
Chapter 5
1 ‘And you, O son of man, go and buy a sharp blade (a barber’s razor), and then shave your head and your beard. Then [put the hair on] a scale, and divide it up by its weight. 2 A fourth must be used as kindling for a fire, which you must burn in the midst of the city, [to show] the full number of days of its siege. Then take the second quarter and throw it in the fire. Cut up the third quarter with the knife, and scatter them all around [the city], then throw the last quarter into the wind, for I will empty them out with the sword.
3 ‘Then [pick up] what little may be left, and put it into a
bag, 4 and from these take more [of the hairs], and toss them in the fire and
burn them. And to the house of
6 ‘Then you must tell of My righteous decisions, to the nations concerning these lawless. Tell of My laws [that I gave to] these lawless, to those who have her surrounded, for My righteous decisions they’ve pushed away, and My Laws did not want to follow.
7 ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘that your opportunity for lawlessness is coming, from the nations that have you surrounded; for you didn’t follow My Laws, or observe My righteous decrees. Nor did you did observe the righteous decrees, that I gave to the nations round about you! 8 So, because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘{Look!} I am now standing against you, and I’ll bring My judgments upon you, there before [all] the nations! 9 I will do things among you that I’ve not done before, nor will I ever do again, for the disgusting things that you’re doing!
10 ‘It’s because of this that the fathers, will eat their children in your midst, and children will eat their own fathers! I will bring My righteous decisions against you, and all who are left will be scattered to the winds!
11 ‘As I live; it’s because of this,’ says Jehovah… ‘It’s because you defiled My Holy Things, with things that are loathsome and disgusting, that I will push you away. I won’t spare My eye or show mercy! 12 So by plague a fourth will be consumed; a fourth will be finished by famine; a fourth will be scattered to the winds; and a fourth will fall by the broadsword. They will be surrounded and upon them I’ll empty the sword.
13 ‘And when My rage and anger is exhausted, I will [return and] offer them comfort. But you will know that this has all happened, because I Jehovah have spoken in My zeal, and I vented My rage out upon them. 14 I’ll turn you and your daughters into a desert, in the presence of all who pass by. 15 You’ll be squeezed out and scoffed at by the nations, when I bring upon you My judgments and anger, as well as My vengeance, and rage. For, I Jehovah have spoken.
16 ‘When I send the arrows of famine upon them, and in dire need they become, I will send [the nations] to finish them off. I will bring famine upon you, and break your reliance on bread. 17 I will send out famine against you, as well as ferocious wild beasts! With plague you will also be punished, and blood then will flow among you; for I will bring upon you the sword. Yes, I Jehovah have spoken!’
Chapter 6
1 And the word of the Lord came to me
saying, 2 ‘O son of man; turn your face toward the mountains of
6 ‘All the houses in your cities will be empty, and all your high places will be wiped away. Your altars will all be destroyed, and all your idols will be gone; your incense stands will be lifted away, and your works will all be erased. 7 Then, as the slain are falling in your midst, you will know that I am Jehovah.
8 ‘And those who remain that escape from the broadsword, will be dispersed to places among all the nations. 9 And those who escape from the nations, where they will be taken as captives, will once again think about Me.
‘I have sworn [an oath] against the hearts, of those guilty of adultery against Me, and in all the things they are doing: They will slap their own faces for the bad things, and the disgusting things they are doing. 10 For then they will know that I am Jehovah, and that it wasn’t for nothing that I spoke, of doing such bad things against them.’
11 The Lord said; ‘Clap your hands… yes stamp your feet and then
say, This is what they deserve, for all the disgusting
that they’ve done, within the house of
12 ‘Those far away will end with the plague; those who are near will fall by the sword; and those who remain in the siege, will be finished off by the famine, as I wear out My anger against them. 13 And you will know that I am Jehovah, when you see your slain among all your idols… around your altars upon the high hills, and under every shade tree and bush, where they offered incense to their idols.
14 ‘For, against them I’ll stretch out My hand, and make their land and their homes all extinct… I will make them a ruin [like] the deserts of Diblath. And then you will know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 7
1 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘And to you, O son of man, Jehovah
says this about
5 ‘Jehovah said, Upon all those who are evil, {Look!} evil is now here at hand. 6 The end has now reached its conclusion, and your punishment has been awakened. 7 {Look!} The circle of the wreath has now come upon you (those who live in the land), and the time has finally approached… a day of tumult and distress.
8 ‘Now’s the time when I’ll pour out My rage, and I’ll finish My anger against you. I will judge you for the things that you’ve done, and hold all your bad things against you. 9 My eyes will not spare nor will I show mercy. I’ll hold you responsible for your ways, and all the disgusting things that were done in your midst… and then you’ll realize that it’s Me (Jehovah)… I am the One who is striking you [down].
10 ‘{Look!} The day of Jehovah has come, and His rod has [finally] blossomed. 11 The time to do injury has arrived, and it’ll break the resolve of the lawless, but not with tumult or anxiety.
12 ‘{Look!} The time has arrived… it’s the day! So, the one who acquires should not rejoice, and the one who is selling should not wail, because the wrath [of God] will cover these things. 13 For, he who acquires will not return, his things to the one who is selling… they’ll just go on living their lives. But the vision is for all – as many as there ever may be – and it will not be turned back; for the eyes of man will not see, [the things that are coming in] his life.
14 ‘Blow the trumpets and judge everything, for no one’s preparing for war. Yet My wrath is upon all her crowds. 15 And while the broadsword will come from the outside, there’ll be famine and plague on the inside. Those carrying their swords to the fields will there die, while in the cities [they’ll die of] famine and plague. 16 And those who escape and get away, will sit on the mountains like pigeons and think. For, because of their badness I will kill them all.
17 ‘All their hands will be weak, and all their thighs will be tainted with wetness. 18 Around themselves they’ll wrap sack cloths, and they’ll be covered in stupefaction. Upon each face will be shame, and upon every head will be baldness.
19 ‘Their silver they’ll toss in the squares, and no one will value their gold; for their silver and gold will not save them, in the day of the wrath of Jehovah. No satisfaction will they find in their lives, nor will their bellies ever be filled, because the torment for their sins has arrived.
20 ‘In pride they made themselves jewels, and from them they made their foul images. For this I’ve handed them over to filth… 21 I’ll hand them over to strangers, who will then tear them to pieces. I’ll give them to the pests of the earth, who as spoils [of war] will profane them.
22 ‘From them I’ll turn away My face, and those I’ve watched over will then be despoiled. They’ll come against them when they’re unaware, and thereafter they will profane them. 23 They will produce a befouling, for the land is filled with judgments of blood… the lawlessness of the city is filled to the brim. So, I will bring the evils of nations, and they will inherit their houses. 24 I will turn away the neighing of their strength, and their holy things will then be defiled.
25 ‘The time to repay will arrive, and those who seek peace will not find it. 26 There will come woe upon woe, and there will come message after message. From their prophets they’ll search for a vision, but the law of their Priests will be lost, and the counsel of the elders of the king will be mourned.
27 ‘Then the rulers will end in extinction, and the hands of the people of the land will go limp. I will do to them according to their ways, and punish them with their own judgments… and then they will know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 8
1 It was during the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the
fifth day of the month, while I was sitting in my house and all the elders of
4 And in this vision, {Look!} there in the plains I saw the glory of Jehovah the God of Israel. 5 And He said to me ‘O son of man, raise your eyes and look up toward the north.’
So, I raised my eyes toward the north and saw that to the
north of the gate, on the east side of the Altar, there was the idol of
jealousy standing at the entrance. 6 And He said to me, ‘O son of man, do you
see what they are doing… the great lawless deeds that the house of
7 So, He brought me to the threshold of the [
So, I dug [a hole] in the wall, and there {Look!} I found a door. 9 And He said to me, ‘Enter and see the evil lawless deeds, that are going on here!’
10 So, I entered and {Look!} I saw depictions of all sorts
of crawling things and [unclean] animals, and all the idols of the house of
12 And He said to me, ‘O son of man, you have seen what the
elders of the house of
14 Then He brought me up to the threshold of the Gate of the
[
16 So, He brought me into the inner courtyard of the [Temple] of Jehovah, up to the thresholds of the House of the Lord, and there between the columned porch and the Altar were about twenty-five men with their backsides to the Temple of Jehovah and with their faces looking toward the east… and there they were bowing to the sun in the east!
17 Then He asked me, ‘Are these lawless deeds that the house
of
Chapter 9
1 Then He shouted into my ears with a great voice, saying, ‘The punishment on the city has arrived!’
[Then men appeared] who were each carrying implements of
destruction in their hands. 2 {Look!} There were six men coming along the road
of the upper gate, the one that faces north, and each was carrying a
demolishing axe in his hand. And there was a man in the midst of them who was
wrapped in a robe that reached to his feet, and he was wearing a belt of
sapphires around his waist. Then they went inside [the
3 Then the glory of the God of Israel ascended from between
the cherubs, and the glory hung there between them in the open air of the [
5 And He said in my hearing, ‘Then you go through the city behind him and strike! Don’t allow your eyes to spare or show mercy. 6 Kill and wipe out old men and young men, as well as virgins, women, and children! But don’t go near those wearing the sign… and start at My Holy Places!’
So, they started with the elders who were there in the [
7 And He said to them, ‘Now, defile the [
8 And as they started their destroying, I fell on my face
and yelled out, ‘O Lord, are you going to wipe out all the remaining ones of
9 And He told me, ‘The sins of the house of
11 Then {Look!} the man who was wrapped in the full-length robe and wearing the belt around his waist answered and said, ‘I’ve done [all that] You told me to do!’
Chapter 10
1 Then I looked and saw that in the space over the heads of the cherubs was a sapphire stone that looked like a throne sitting above them. 2 And He said to the man who was wearing the robe, ‘Now, go between the wheels beneath the cherubs, and fill your hands full with the coals between them, and then scatter them over the city!’
So, he went in [between the wheels] before me.
3 Now, the cherubs stood to the right of where the man had
entered, and a cloud
filled the inner courtyard. 4 Then the glory of Jehovah that was hanging in the
open air between the cherubs on the left side of the [
So, he [again] went inside and stood next to the wheels, 7 and a cherub stuck his hands into the midst of the fire between the cherubs, and he took some [fire] and placed it into the hands of the man who was wearing the holy robe, who then took it and left.
8 Then I saw the cherubs who had what looked like the hands of men between their wings, 9 and {Look!} I saw four wheels standing beside each cherub (one wheel for each cherub). These wheels looked like peridots, 10 and there appeared to be wheels within each of the four wheels, 11 but their four parts didn’t move as they traveled. For, whichever way the heads looked, they traveled behind it, and they didn’t turn as they went. 12 And all their flesh, their hands, their wings, and their four wheels were full of eyes. 13 Then I heard that these wheels were called ‘the wheel works.’
14 And [then I saw] that there were four faces. One was the
face of a cherub, the second was a face of a man, the third was a face of a
lion, and the fourth was a face of an eagle. 15 And then the cherubs left. This
was the [same] animal that I had seen by the
16 And wherever the cherubs went, the wheels traveled alongside them. But, when the cherubs flew high above the ground with their wings, the wheels next to them didn’t turn. 17 Then when they stood still, the wheels stood still. And when they [flew] high, the wheels went up high with them, because the breath of life was in [the wheels].
18 Then the glory of Jehovah departed from the open air
inside the [
20 It was when I saw these animals traveling beneath the God
of Israel, there by the
Chapter 11
1 Then [God’s] Breath took me and led
me to the Gate of the [
4 ‘Because of this, prophesy against them… prophesy O son of man!’
5 Then the Breath of Jehovah came upon me, and He told me to
tell them that Jehovah says, ‘I know what you’re saying, O house of
8 ‘You are afraid of the broadsword, so I’ll bring the
broadsword upon you,’ says Jehovah. 9 ‘And then I will lead you from her midst;
I’ll bring My judgment against you, and hand you over
to strangers, 10 where you will then fall by the broadsword. To the borders of
11 ‘Then she won’t serve as a kettle to you, and in her
you’ll not be the meat. 12 Clear to the borders of
13 And then my prophecies came to pass, for PetaliJah (the son of BenaiJah) died. So, I fell upon my face and yelled out in a
loud voice, saying, ‘Alas, O Jehovah; have You appointed
the remaining ones of
14 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 15 ‘O son of man; your brothers and fellow captives of Israel, have reached their [final] destination… those about whom those in Jerusalem said, Now you’re far from Jehovah, so [your] land has become our inheritance.
16 Because of this, you must tell them that thus says Jehovah: I will push them away to the nations, and scatter them throughout many lands. And then I will be no safe haven to them, in the places where they [will be scattered].
17 ‘And because of this, tell them that Jehovah says: I ’ll then take them out of the nations, and gather them from the places where I scattered them, and give them the land of Israel once more. 18 Then when they return they’ll lift away, all her disgusting things and lawless deeds. 19 And I’ll give them each a new spirit and heart… I will remove their stone hearts, and give them hearts made of flesh, 20 so then they’ll follow My orders… they’ll guard My Laws and they’ll do them. They’ll be My people and I’ll be their God.
21 ‘It’s because of their disgusting things, and the lawlessness inside their hearts, that their hearts went in their own ways. So, I’ve brought this blame upon their own heads,’ says Jehovah.
22 Then the cherubs raised their wings, as the wheels were alongside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. 23 And the glory of Jehovah ascended from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain in front of the city. 24 And then the Breath [of God] picked me up and took me back to the land of the Chaldeans, back to the land of our captivity, in the vision from the Breath of God. And after I ascended out of the vision that I saw, 25 I told [my fellow] captives all the words that the Lord had spoken to me.
Chapter 12
1 And then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘O son of man, you live in the midst of the unrighteousness, of those who have eyes but don’t see. They also have ears to hear but don’t listen; for they are a house in rebellion. 3 So you, O son of man; gather for yourself the items of a captive, and act like someone who’s been captured, [and sit] there before them all day. Before them act as though you’re a captive, who’s been taken away from his place, then carried off to somewhere else, so they can see what a house in rebellion they’ve been. 4 You must bring out your items of a captive, before their eyes during the day, and walk as a captive before them each night.
5 ‘Dig a hole in the wall to crawl into, 6 and have
[someone] to carry you on his shoulders before them. Act as though you are trying
to hide, and cover your face so you can’t see the ground; because, to the house
of
7 Well, I did so… everything that He told me to do. I brought out items of captivity that day, and that evening I dug a hole through the wall for myself by hand, and crawled into it as though I was in hiding. Then I was carried on shoulders before them all.
8 And the word of the Lord came to me the next morning,
saying, 9 ‘O son of man, the houses of
12 ‘[Tell them that] the ruler in their midst, will be
carried off upon shoulders, and that he will hide and dig a hole for himself… inside a wall to crawl into, which he will dig with this hands.
He will cover
himself so no eyes can see him, and so he can’t see the ground. 13 Then around
him I’ll spread
My net, and he
will be caught in My wrapping. Then to Babylon I’ll lead him… into the
14 ‘Thereafter I’ll scatter all his assistants, and all his helpers to the winds… I’ll pour out the broadsword [to chase] them. 15 Then they will know that I am Jehovah… I am scattering them among the nations! And [wherever they go] they’ll be scattered.
16 ‘Yet, I’ll leave a few men among their numbers, as survivors of the sword, the famines, and plagues, so they’ll speak in detail to the nations where they’re sent, about the lawless deeds that they’ve done… and then they will know that I am Jehovah.’
17 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 18 ‘O son of
man; in grief you will now eat your bread, and drink your water in torment
and affliction. 19 Then you will say to the people of the land, Jehovah says
there’ll be shortages of bread, and that the drinking water will
vanish, for those who live in
20 ‘Then the cities that they live be desolate, and the land will become that of extinction… and then they will know that I am Jehovah.’
21 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 22 ‘O son of
man; why are the people saying this proverb about the
23 ‘Because of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah: I will
turn this proverb around, and the house of
24 ‘[Tell them] there won’t be any more false visions, nor anyone speaking of omens, to curry favor among
26 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 27 ‘O son of
man; see how
28 ‘Because of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah: I’ll no longer stretch out the words that I speak, for now I’ll speak the words and then act!’
Chapter 13
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘Son of man; now prophesy against Israel’s prophets (those who [say they are telling the future])! You must speak to these prophets and tell them, that their prophecies are just things that come from their hearts. You must prophecy to them and tell them: Hear the word of Jehovah! 3 For, thus says the Lord; Woe to those who are prophesying from their hearts… those who see nothing but follow the directions of their spirits!
4 ‘O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the fields, 5
for firm positions they haven’t taken; to the house
of
7 ‘Haven’t you had false visions? Aren’t the words that you’ve spoken proven untrue? Yet, you speak when I haven’t spoken!’ says Jehovah.
8 ‘It’s because of this that I want you to tell them,’ said
Jehovah, ‘that because your words are all false, and all your prophecies are foolish… it’s
because of this that I am against you,’ says Jehovah. 9 ‘So, I’ll stretch out My hand against the prophets – those who are seeing false visions,
and who declare things that are foolish, when they give instructs to My people –
and their [names] won’t be recorded among
10 ‘It’s because they’re misleading My people, and say that there’s peace when there’s no peace, so they’re rebuilding the walls using plaster, which thereafter will fall. 11 They should tell all those who are plastering the walls, that they will fall and the rain will pour in. For, I’m sending rocks to be thrown upon them, and then they will all fall… [I’ll send] a mighty wind to break them in pieces.
12 ‘{Look!} And after the walls have all fallen, won’t they ask about all the plaster, with which they had been repaired?
13 ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘that I will send out a wind, that will rip them down in My anger, and then My rage will flood in… in rage the rocks will be thrown, as I bring it all to an end! 14 For, I’ll raze the walls that you plastered (and they’ll fall)… I’ll lay it to the ground and show its foundations. Then they’ll wear you out with all the shouting, and then you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
15 ‘I will wear out My rage against the wall, and upon those who are plastering… so then it will soon fall. Yet, [the problem] isn’t the wall, or those who put plaster upon it, 16 it’s those prophets who prophesy about Jerusalem… those who see her and speak about peace, when there won’t be any peace,’ says Jehovah.
17 ‘And you, O son of man; fix your face against the daughters of your people… those who prophesy according to their hearts. Yes, you must prophecy also against them! 18 Tell them that thus says Jehovah: Woe to those who sew pillows, to be put under elbows; those who make coverings for heads of each size, that you say are a protection for My people; for you are misleading their lives!
19 ‘Before My people they are willing to profane Me, for a handful of barley or a few scraps of bread, to bring an end to lives that don’t have to die, and offer protection to lives that won’t live. You promise things that are foolish to the people!
20 ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘{Look!} I am opposed to your pillows, which you use to gather lives. So, I will tear them from your arms, and send off the lives of those you’ve misled, and then their lives will be scattered. 21 I will rip apart your [head] coverings, and rescue My people from your hands. They’ll no longer be gathered to your hands, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.
22 ‘Why, you have perverted the hearts of the righteous, and strengthened the hands of the lawless… you didn’t turn them from bad ways so they’d live! 23 And because of this; you will no longer see your false visions, nor will you continue to see omens. I will rescue My people from out of your hands, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 14
1 Then elders from among the people of
6 ‘So, tell the house of
9 ‘And if a prophet [is
found to] mislead, and should say it was I who misled him, I
will stretch out My hand against him, and remove him from the midst of My
people
10 ‘Then each one who asks will have to
bear, the punishment he’s due for his unrighteous
acts (according to the offence).
But the offences of the prophets will come [upon their heads], 11 so the house
of
12 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 13 ‘O son of man, if a land should sin against Me and fall into sin, I will stretch out My hand against [that land], and break its reliance on bread. Famine I will send [to that land], and remove man and beast from upon it. 14 But if [the righteousness] of Noah, Daniel, and Job, can be found in that land, such ones will be saved,’ says Jehovah. 15 ‘If I must bring ferocious wild beasts, as My punishment upon such a land, it will be extinct (no one will travel through it), because of the faces of the beasts. 16 But, if [the righteousness] of the three men can be found there, as I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘none of its sons or daughters will be saved… only [those three people] will be saved, but the land will thereafter be ruined.
17 ‘Or if I should bring the sword against that land; if I should say, Let the broadsword go through it, and I cause man and beast to be lifted from that land; 18 and if [the righteousness] of those three men is there in its midst, as I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘[the land’s] sons and daughters won’t be saved, but they alone will be rescued.
19 ‘Or if I should next send a plague to that land, and pour out My rage upon it in blood, destroying both man and beast from upon it, 20 and Noah, Daniel, and Job are in its midst, as I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘neither its sons or daughters will be saved… for only by righteousness will they save their own lives!’
21 Then Jehovah said, ‘I will send these four punishments
upon
23 ‘Then they will offer comfort to you, because you will see theirs ways and their thoughts, and you’ll know the things that I did, were not in vain, says Jehovah.’
Chapter 15
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying: 2 ‘[Let Me ask] you, O son of man… What happens to the wood from all the vines, that live among the branches of the [trees] in the woods? 3 Do they find some use for this wood? Does [someone] cut pieces to hang up their things? 4 {Look!} Each year they’re just thrown in the fire, as part of the [annual] cleanup, and the wood disappears in the end; so no use for it is ever found! 5 And even whole pieces aren’t useful, for after they’re consumed in the fire, to what use can they then be put?’
6 ‘So, Jehovah says, The same as I’ve assigned vines among
the trees in the forest, to be burned in a fire and consumed, that’s what I’ve
done to those who live in
8 ‘I’ll also appoint [their] land to extinction, because they fell into error, says Jehovah.’
Chapter 16
1 And the word of the Lord came to me
saying, 2 ‘O son of man, testify to
5 ‘My eye did not feel sorry for you, to do these things and [to show concern], so you were thrown out in the fields… since the day you were born your life was deformed.
6 ‘Then I came and saw you defiled in your blood, and I said to you amidst all your blood, Now live! It was I who said to you in your blood, Now come to life… become many!
7 ‘As [plants] that grow in a field I’ve made you. Then you became many and great, and you entered the city of cities. Thereafter your breasts and your hair both grew full, but you were still naked and indecent.
8 ‘And then I came and beheld you, and look… it was your time, a time to be resting. So, I opened and spread out My wings over you, and I covered your indecency [and shame]. Then I swore to you with an oath, and entered a Sacred Agreement with you, says Jehovah, and that’s when you became Mine.
9 ‘Then I bathed you in water and washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. 10 In colored clothes I then dressed you; I tied a blue cloth around you, then I wrapped you in linen and placed a braided belt [on your hips]. 11 I adorned you with ornamentation; I put bracelets around [both] your [wrists], and a necklace I put ‘round your neck. 12 I gave you a ring for your nose, as well as disks for your ears, and a crown of boasting for your head.
13 ‘You were adorned in silver and gold; your wraps were the finest of linen, as were your braids and colored clothes. You ate the finest of flour, as well as olive oil and honey. So, you became exceedingly [healthy], and prospered as though you’re a king. 14 Your name became famous among all the nations, and this was true of your beauty, because I made your beauty complete… It was I who ordered it for you, says Jehovah.
15 ‘Then on your beauty you relied, and you gave away [sex] because of your name… to him you poured out your [sex] on the roads. 16 You [ripped] your clothes to make strings, to tie all your idols together, and then you were immoral with them. So, there’s no way that may [come home], nor should it ever be so.
17 ‘Then you took the things about which you boast, including the gold and the silver I gave you, and made with it idols with whom you had sex. 18 Then took your colored clothes and dressed them, and set My oil and incense before them.
19 ‘You took My bread loaves that I gave you – the fine flour, olive oil, and honey that I fed you – and set them there before their faces, as a pleasing scent and aroma. Yes, it became so, says Jehovah.
20 ‘Then you took your sons and the daughters you bore, and sacrificed these before them, until they were consumed by your immoral sex. 21 To pacify them you killed them… to them you gave all your children. 22 And this is even worse that your other disgusting things, as well as your immorality.
‘You forgot the days of your youth, when you were indecent and naked, and you lived befouled in your blood. 23 And now that you’ve done all your evil, woe, woe to you, says Jehovah.
24 ‘For, you’ve built a whorehouse for
yourself, and posted public notices in the squares. 25
Whorehouses you’ve built on every corner, and in these
you’ve wasted your beauty. Between your legs you’ve led all who would pass, and
you’ve made your immorality even greater, 26 for you’ve had sex with the sons
of
27 ‘So, {Look!} I’ll stretch out My hand against you, and I’ll lift away all of your laws, and give you to the souls who detest you… to the daughters of Philistines… those who turned you to your godless ways.
28 ‘You had sex with the sons of
30 ‘O what will I do to your heart, asks Jehovah, as you do all these bad things… the works of a woman who’s known as a whore? Why, you’ve even had sex with your daughters!
31 ‘In every square you’ve built your whorehouses, but you don’t even act as a madam! 32 An adulterous wife is what you are like; one whose husband acts as her pimp!
33 ‘You pay all those who offer you sex… you’ve paid wages to all of your lovers, as inducement to for them to stay round about, and engage in all of your whoring.
34 ‘Your perversions go beyond other women, for in whoring you’ve had sex with whores. You paid them (they didn’t pay you back), so what you have done is perversion.
35 ‘Because of all of this, O whore, hear the word of Jehovah! 36 [He] says: Because you’ve paid with your copper coins, your shame will soon be uncovered… your whoring with all of your lovers, and all of your evil thoughts… your lawless deeds and the blood of your children, which you offered to them.
37 ‘Because of this, {Look!} I will gather, all of your lovers against you, and mix among the lovers all you’ve detested. I will bring them together against you, until they have you surrounded. Then I’ll uncover your evils to them, and then they’ll all see your shame.
38 ‘I will punish you with what is due an adulteress, for I will pour out your blood. I’ll appoint you for blood in [My] rage and [My] zeal, 39 and to them I’ll then hand you over… and they’ll cut your whorehouses to the ground. They’ll demolish your base and rip off your clothes… they’ll take all the items of your boasting, and leave you naked and indecent.
40 ‘They will lead mobs up against you, who’ll stone you with rocks and butcher you with swords. 41 Then they’ll burn your whorehouses with fire… they’ll wreak their vengeance upon you, before great crowds of other women.
‘But I’ll turn you away from from your whoring and wages, for there’s no way that I’ll give you up. 42 I will slacken My rage against you, and remove the jealousy that I had over you. I will rest and be anxious no longer.
43 ‘Because you forgot the days of your youth, and caused me to fret over these things, {Look!} all these things I’ll bring on your head, says Jehovah, and then you’ll no longer be godless.
44 ‘They’ve spoken this saying against you: As is the mother so is the daughter. 45 You are the daughter of your mother, she who’s divorced from her husband, and she who abandoned her children (your sisters and brothers), the ones who she pushed away, along with their husbands and children.
‘For a Hittite was your mother, and your father was an Amorite. 46
Your older sister is
48 ‘As I live, says Jehovah, has
your sister
51 ‘Yet,
52 ‘So, you must carry your torment! For, you have corrupted your sisters with your sins; with lawlessness that is worse than even theirs, making them look better than you. So, you be ashamed and accept your dishonor, for you made your sisters look better.
53 ‘Then I’ll remove their rejection from them – the rejection of Sodom and her daughters – and I’ll remove the rejection of Samaria, as well as that of her daughters, and I’ll remove your rejection from their midst. 54 But you must carry your torment and disgrace, for all you did by provoking Me to rage.
55 ‘And your sister
56 ‘Wasn’t Sodom your sister a reason for boasting, in the days of your pride, 57 before your evils were uncovered, for which you’re the scorn of Syria’s daughters, as well as those round about… the daughters of the Philistines who are living around you?
58 ‘As for the irreverence and lawless deeds that you’ve carried, says Jehovah, 59 I will do among you as you’ve also done… for your sacred oath you have disgraced, by breaking My Sacred Agreement.
60 ‘But, I will remember My Sacred Agreement (the one that I made in the days of your youth), and I’ll remake the Agreement with you through the age. 61 Then you will remember your way, but for following your sisters you’ll be despised… both those who are older and those who are younger. And I’ll give them to you to teach them, but not as part of your Sacred Agreement. 62 My Sacred Agreement will just be with you, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.
63 ‘Then you should remember (and should be ashamed), and you should not open your mouth, because of the dishonor of your face, and My atoning for all the bad things you did, says Jehovah.’
Chapter 17
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘O son of
man, tell this story and speak this ode
to the house of
‘There was a great eagle
with very large wings,
And claws that were long and outstretched.
And into
Where he selected the choicest of cedars.
4 ‘The most tender tips he plucked off,
And into the land of Canaan he took them,
Then he put them in a city with walls.
5 ‘Next, he took some seed from the land,
And planted it in ground fit for sowing;
A place where water was plenty,
And he arranged for it to be tended.
6 ‘Then it grew and became a small vine,
That proved it was soon to be great.
Above it grew branches of vines,
As the roots [grew strong] underneath it.
It became a vine with layers of vines,
And its tendrils stretched out.
7 ‘And there was another great eagle,
Having large wings and [long] claws.
And {Look!} the grapevine then twisted toward him,
As did its roots and its branches.
‘She reached out to him to get water,
Pulling her away from her place of planting in the sun,
8 Though she was planted in ground that was good,
And where there was very much water.
‘So, she grew fat and was putting out buds,
To bear much fruit as a vine that was great.
9 ‘Now, tell them Jehovah asks Will it prosper?
Will her roots remain tender?
Will not her fruits become rotten?
‘Yes, her early shoots will all dry up,
But not by a great mighty arm,
Nor by armies who’ll pull out her roots.
10 ‘{Look!} Since she was fat will she prosper?
Won’t she be touched by hot winds,
And then be dried up by drought?
Yes… when the east wind blows she’ll dry up!’
11 And the word of the Lord came to me saying: ‘Ask this
rebellious house what all this means… speak to them! 12 {Look!} Here comes the
king of
14 ‘The kingdom will then become weak, and be unable to lift itself up. To remain they must keep their Agreement.
15 ‘But, [the king] will revolt, and to Egypt he will send messengers, asking for many horses and people. Will he prosper? Will the one who disobeys be preserved? Will he who breaks My Agreement be saved?
16 ‘As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘surely here in the place of the king, he’ll disgrace the One who gave him his reign, and violate the oath of his Agreement, so in the midst of Babylon he’ll come to an end.
17 ‘This will not come by any great power, nor by the [strength] of great [armies]. For, Pharaoh will come against him in a war. He’ll throw up stakes and bring many weapons, and he will take many lives.
18 ‘He has disgraced the swearing of My oath… by violating My Sacred Agreement. {Look!} It was he who stretched out his hand, and for the things he did he will not escape.
19 ‘As the result, tell him that Jehovah says this: As I live; surely he was disgraced by breaking My Agreement, so I will lay this on his head… 20 I’ll spread My net over him, and he’ll be wrapped up and captured. Then off to Babylon I’ll lead him, where I’ll judge him for his sins against Me.
21 ‘Then all his [armies] in battle array, by the broadsword will fall. And all who remain will be scattered to the wind, then they’ll know that I Jehovah have spoken.’
22 Then the Lord said, ‘From the choicest of cedars, I’ll pluck off the heads from
the tops… out of her heart I will pluck it, and plant it upon a high mountain.
23 On a high
24 ‘Then all the trees in the plains, will know that I am Jehovah; the One who humbles the trees in the heights, and raises high the trees that are low; He who dries up green trees, and makes them flourish in dryness. For, I am Jehovah… I have spoken and I’ll act.’
Chapter 18
1 And the word of the Lord came to me
saying: 2 ‘O son of man; how does the proverb apply, to the
4 ‘All their lives belong to Me. It’s the same for the life of the father, as it is for the life of the son… they’re all Mine, and the person who is sinning will die!
5 ‘But the man who’s fair, just, and righteous; 6 who doesn’t feast to the idols in the mountains; whose eyes are not [filled up with pride]; whose thoughts are of the house of Israel; who doesn’t defile the wife of his neighbor, nor does he defile his own wife, by going near her during her menstruation; 7 who doesn’t tyrannize men; who does not require collateral [for a loan], which he then doesn’t return; who doesn’t take anything by force; who gives bread to the hungry and clothes to the naked; 8 who doesn’t require interest when he lends things; who neither pays or charges interest; who turns his hand from injustice; who is fair when judging between a man and his neighbor; 9 who follows in the ways of My orders; who guards My Laws and then does them… this is a righteous man, and he will then [receive] life,’ says Jehovah.
10 ‘And if he should father a bad son; one who sheds blood and commits sins; 11 who won’t follow the righteous ways of his father, but goes to the mountains to eat before idols; who is willing to defile the wife of his neighbor; 12 to the poor and needy is a tyrant; who seizes collateral by force, that’s taken for a loan and then does not return it; who turns his eyes toward the idols; who practices all that is lawless; 13 who lends his things out for interest… he will not receive life. For all his lawless deeds he will die, and his blood will be upon his [own head].
14 ‘Then if he should father a son, who fears all the sins of his father, and refuses act as he did; 15 who doesn’t feast to idols in the mountains; whose thoughts are of the house of Israel; who doesn’t defile the wife of his neighbor; 16 who doesn’t act like a tyrant; who takes no collateral as security, nor does he take things by force; who gives bread to the hungry and clothes to the naked; 17 who doesn’t turn his hand toward injustice; who doesn’t charge interest for things that he lends; who is is righteous and follows My orders; for the sins of his father he won’t die, he’ll live!
18 ‘But if his father is oppressive and harmful; if he seizes by force, and is contrary in the midst of his people, in his unrighteousness he will then die.
19 ‘But you will ask: Why won’t the son bear the sins of his father? Because: the son is merciful, righteous, and fair! He has kept My Laws and obeyed them, and as the result he will live! 20 But the person who is sinning will die.
‘So, the son won’t be blamed for the unrighteousness of the father, and the father won’t be blamed for the unrighteousness of the son. The righteousness of each will be upon him, and the lawlessness of the lawless will be upon him. 21 But if the lawless should turn from lawless deeds, and then start keeping My Commandments, and become righteous, merciful, and just, he will be granted life… he will live and not die. 22 For all his sins will then be forgotten (as many as he might have done)… for the righteous things that he did he will live!
23 ‘Do I wish to see the death of the lawless,’ asks Jehovah? No! I want him to turn from his evil so he’ll live! 24 But if the righteous should turn from righteous ways, and commit all the sins of the lawless… if he does this, he will not live! Then all his righteous deeds will be forgotten, and he will die for the errors, in which he fell and the sins that he did.
25 ‘But then you say, The
ways of Jehovah aren’t right! Pay attention, O house of
27 ‘And when a lawless man turns from lawlessness ways… when he acts fairly and now becomes righteous, 28 for he knew the things he was doing were godless; he should live… there’s no way that he should then die!
29 ‘Yet, the house of
30 ‘ O house of
Chapter 19
1 ‘I want you to speak this lamentation, against the ruler of
‘Why has your mother become a lion amidst cubs…
For in the midst of lions she’s had many cubs.
3 Then one of her cubs made the leap to a lion,
And he learned to attack and eat men.
4 ‘But the nations soon heard about him,
And in their corruption they caught him,
And carried him in a cage into
5 ‘Well, when she saw that he had been taken,
And she had lost her support,
She took another of her cubs,
And ordered him to now be a lion.
6 ‘So, he walked amidst lions and soon he became one;
He learned to capture prey and eat men.
7 He fed boldly in their cities until the whole land,
Became quite desolate and barren…
For it was filled the sounds of his roars.
8 ‘Then the nations came from their places,
And they surrounded and attacked him.
In their corruption they threw nets and caught him.
9 ‘Then they put him inside a cage;
To the king of
They put him in cage so his voice wasn’t heard,
Again in the mountains of
10 ‘Your mother was like a vine…
A pomegranate blossom that was planted by water,
And because there was so much water,
Soon there were both buds and fruit.
11 ‘And to the leading tribe she became a rod of strength,
And in her greatness she was held high,
Amid the great trunks [of the trees],
And she saw that from her branches came her greatness.
12 ‘But in rage she was broken in pieces,
And she was thrown to the ground,
Where by the burning wind she was dried up.
Then her most choicest of branches (which were the rods of her strength),
Were also punished and dried out, and then they were burned in a fire.
13 ‘Thereafter, she was replanted in the desert…
In a land that was waterless and thirsty.
14 Then the flames of her choicest of branches,
Came to her and consumed her,
So she no longer had the rod of her strength…
She became to her tribe a song of lamentation…
And she will surely be lamented.’
Chapter 20
1 It was in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the
tenth day of the month that men from among the elders of the house of
5 ‘And tell them that Jehovah has said: From the day that I accepted the house of Israel, to make [Myself] known to Jacob’s seed, and I became known down in Egypt, when I first took them in My hand, and told them that I am Jehovah their God… 6 since that day when I took them by My hand, to lead them from the land of Egypt, into the land that I had prepared… a land that flows with milk and honey (the honeycomb that is greater than all other lands), 7 and I told them to get rid of their disgusting things, that they kept before their eyes, as well as the dirty practices of Egypt, I’ve been Jehovah their God.
8 ‘But then they revolted against Me,
and they refused to listen to Me. They didn’t get rid of their disgusting things, that were there before their eyes, nor did they
abandon the practices of
10 ‘So I led them from Egypt and into the desert, 11 where I gave them My orders and all My Laws, which if a man does them bring life. 12 And I gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, for them to know that I am Jehovah, the One who is making them holy.
13 ‘But the house of Israel made Me bitter in the desert, for they didn’t follow My orders, and pushed away all My Laws, which will bring life to a man, if by them he will live, and they profaned My Sabbaths. So, I threatened to pour out My rage in the desert, and to completely consume them. 14 But I acted so My Name would not be profaned, among the nations before whose eyes I had led them away.
15 ‘So, I raised My hand against them there in the desert, so as to not bring them into the land that I gave them; a land that flows with milk and honey… a honeycomb that’s greater than in all other lands. 16 For they had pushed away My Laws, and they wouldn’t follow My orders; they had profaned all My Sabbaths, and they followed the desires of their hearts.
17 ‘Yet, My eyes spared them… I did not wipe them away, nor dedicate them to destruction in the desert. 18 I told their children there in the desert, not to follow the laws of their fathers, or to obey their [bad] rules… not to defile themselves with the things, that their fathers were doing… 19 for I am Jehovah their God. [I told them to] follow My orders; to keep My Laws and then do them; 20 to keep all My Sabbaths holy, for this will serve as a sign between us, that I am Jehovah your God.
21 ‘But against Me they also rebelled, and their children wouldn’t follow My orders… they didn’t guard My Laws and then do them – those that bring life to all who obey them – and they profaned all My Sabbaths. So to them I spoke in My rage… I threatened to pour out My rage upon them, and complete My rage against them in the desert. 22 So against them I then turned My hand, and I acted because of Myself, so My Name would not be thoroughly profaned, before the nations from whom I had led them, before their eyes out [of Egypt]. 23 I raised My hand against them in the desert, to scatter them among all the nations, 24 because My Laws they would not keep, and My orders they’d pushed away; they profaned all of My Sabbaths; and they followed the thoughts of their fathers (those who they could then see).
25 ‘So I gave them over to bad orders, and to laws that would not bring them life. 26 I gave orders to defile them, and to scatter all who open the womb – to wipe them away completely – so they will know that I am Jehovah.
27 ‘Because of all this, speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and tell them that Jehovah says, To this day your fathers have provoked Me to anger, by all their errors that they’ve committed against Me. 28 For, I brought them into the land that I raised My hand to give them, and when they saw its high hills and shade trees, they sacrificed to other gods there, and they brought wrath upon their gift offerings. There they offered their scents and pleasing aromas, and they poured out drinks as their drink offerings.
29 ‘Then I asked them, What’s so important about these high places, that you choose to go there? (For they call its name The High Place to this day).
30 ‘Because of all this, say to Israel that thus says Jehovah: Do all the lawlessness of your fathers! Defile yourselves and [follow] in their disgusting ways! 31 As the first-fruits of your gifts and in your offerings, pass your children through the fire! Defile yourselves in all of your thoughts, as you have done down to this day!
‘So, O house of
33 ‘Because of this, as I live, says Jehovah, I will reign over you with a strong hand; with My arm lifted high and in rage! 34 Then I’ll lead you out from among the peoples, and take you away from those places, where I dispersed you with My strong hand… with My arm raised high and in rage! 35 Then I’ll lead you to the deserts of the nations, where I’ll argue your case face to face, 36 in the same way I argued the case of your fathers, there in the deserts of Egypt… that’s how I will then judge you,’ says Jehovah.
37 ‘Then I’ll lead you away with My
rod, and return you [back home to your land]. 38 And I’ll pick out all those among you,
who’ve proven to be irreverent
and rebellious, and remove them from among all those who [return], for the
39 And as for you, O house of
Jehovah says: ‘Throughout the whole earth, there is where
43 ‘Then you’ll think of your ways and and all that you did, in order to make yourselves dirty, and you’ll slap your own faces for all of your evils. 44 And you’ll know that I am Jehovah, and that I’ve done this so My Name would not be profaned, by your evil practices and ways, O house of Israel,’ says Jehovah.
45 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 46 ‘O son of
man; now turn your face toward Teman,
and you must look toward DaRor,
then prophesy against them in the woods, that lead off into the Negev! 47 Say
there in the woods of the
49 But I said, ‘O Lord, O Lord, by no means! For, then they will ask me: Isn’t this just a parable you are saying?’
Chapter 21
1 And the Lord replied to me saying,
2 ‘Because of these things, O son of man, [now you must] prophesy this: Firmly set your face toward
{Look!} I’m against you, so I’ll pull My knife from its
sheath,
And destroy all your lawless and unrighteous…
4 I will destroy out of you,
All the unrighteous and lawless.
‘I’ll pull My knife from its
sheath,
Against all flesh from the east to the north.
5 And when I pull My knife from its sheath,
I will not put it away,
And all flesh will know that I am Jehovah.
6 ‘And you, O son of man; groan as though you have broken your
hips…
Before their eyes you must moan in your grief.
7 And if they ask why you are moaning, you must say:
For the message that comes will break every
heart.
‘All hands will be made very weak.
All flesh and every spirit will expire,
And all [bottoms] will be tainted by wetness.
8 Look… it comes and will be, Says Jehovah [our] God.’
9 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘O son of man, now prophesy! You must tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘O broadsword, O broadsword, be sharpened and mad,
10 Then slay the victims for slaughter.
Be sharpened so you become shiny;
Prepare for paralysis and slay!
Treat with contempt… cut down every tree!
11 ‘So, he made it ready to hold in his hand…
For the sword is now very sharp,
And ready for use by he who does piercing.
12 ‘Cry out and shriek, O son of man,
For, upon all of My people this will come…
It will come on those who guide
The sword [will fall upon them].
13 ‘This will happen to My people,
And because of this, clap your hands,
For, this is all justice that’s due.’
‘But, what if the tribe’s thrown away?’ I then asked.
‘It will not happen,’ said the Lord.
14 ‘And you, O son of man,
Prophesy… clap hand against hand!
To bring back the broadsword again,
For the third is a sword of great slaughter.
‘It’s one that will truly amaze them,
15 So hearts will be broken and many will be weak,
As they stand at their gates.
For, they will be victims of slaughter by the sword.
‘Well done, O sharp one that slaughters.
Well done, O you that is shining.
Now, like the lightning go forth!
16 Sharpen both sides, the right and the left…
Toward wherever your face will be roused.
17 ‘I’ll also clap hand against hand,
And then I’ll slacken My rage,
For, I Jehovah have spoken.’
18 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying: 19 ‘And you, O son of man, prepare two different ways for
the sword, so the king of
20 ‘For, the broadsword [will first
enter] RabBah, in the [land
of] of Ammon’s sons. Then on
‘On the corner between two streets [he will stand], asking his oracles for their divination… to stir with the the rod and ask of his idols, and to look in the liver.
22 ‘An oracle against Jerusalem will come from his right, to throw up a siege mound against her, and to open their mouths wide and to yell… to raise high the voices with cries, and against her gates to place siege mounds… to throw up a mound and build many weapons.
23 ‘And he’ll be an oracle against them, who’ll provide divination upon them. And to them he’ll recall to their minds, that they’re being captured because they’re unrighteous.
24 ‘It’s because of this,’ said the Lord… ‘it’s because He called your unrighteousness to mind, that your irreverence was uncovered to show all your sins, as well as the laws that you’ve broken… it’s because they’re remembered that you will be captured.’
25 ‘And you, O profane one and lawless… upon you who is
27 ‘Unrighteousness I’ll appoint upon the unrighteous, and that’s all that will be ‘til the time, when he arrives who is fit, and then I’ll give it to him.
28 ‘And you must prophecy, O son of man! To the sons of Ammon you must say, that Jehovah said this concerning their scorn… You must say: O sword, O broadsword, now be unsheathed; be unsheathed for the victims of slaughter! Arise and shine to consume them!
29 ‘Your visions are in vain and your oracles have lied, for they have all failed to save you. Their lawlessness is upon the necks of the slain, and their days of unrighteousness have come to an end.
30 ‘Now, go back in [O sword] to your sheath! For, in this place where you were once born, I’ll judge you in this land that’s your own, 31 and I’ll pour all My rage out upon you. The fire of My rage I’ll breathe against you, and to barbarians I will then hand you over… to those contriving corruption.
32 ‘By fire you will then be devoured… your blood will flow through the midst of your land. There’ll be no memory of you, for I Jehovah have spoken.’
Chapter 22
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘And you, O son of man, you must judge the city for its blood! Make an example of her, for all of her lawless deeds!
3 ‘You must say that the Lord Jehovah said this: O city of so much shed blood; she who upon herself brought defilement; 4 into the blood that you shed you’ve now fallen, and you’ve defiled yourself with your own thoughts. So, the end of your days have drawn near, and you’ve brought the end of your years.
‘So, I’ve given you to be scorned by the nations, and for every region to mock you… 5 by those who are near and those far away. O you unclean one they’ll [mock] you; for in lawlessness you’ve become famous and great.
6 ‘See those who guide the house of
7 ‘You speak evil against your fathers and mothers; foreigners you treat with injustice, and to widows and orphans you are tyrants. 8 My holy things you treat with contempt… you profane My Sabbaths among you.
9 ‘The men among you are all robbers, so innocent blood they now shed. And up in the mountains they’re eating to idols… unholy things they now do in your midst.
10 ‘They’ve uncovered the shame of their fathers, and among you they’ve debased many women… those sitting apart in unclean conditions. 11 Each has done wrong with the wife of his neighbor; each has defiled his own daughter-in-law; each has been godless with his sister… the daughters of their fathers they’ve debased.
12 ‘Among you they take bribes to shed blood. Interest and rent they reqire, thus you’ve brought your evil to completion, for in your tyranny you forgot Me, says Jehovah.
13 ‘Now, if I clap hand against hand, against all the evils you’ve committed; all the bad things that you’ve done; and all the blood that was shed in your midst, 14 will your heart be able to stand it? Will your hands [still be strong] in the days that I do this? For, I Jehovah have spoken… and now I’ll do it!
15 ‘So, I will disperse you among all the nations; I will scatter you among many regions, and then your uncleanness will finally vanish. 16 And I’ll assign you to watch over nations, and you will know that I am Jehovah.
17 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 18 ‘O son of
man; {Look!} before Me the house of Israel is now mixed up, like brass and
iron, and tin with lead, in the midst of a furnace with silver. 19 And
because of this you must tell them, that thus says [Jehovah their God]: You are all mixed into one, so I’ll take you from
21 I’ll blow on you with the fire of My rage, and you’ll be refined in its midst. 22 As silver is cast in a furnace, in the midst of the furnace you’ll be thrown. And you will know that I am Jehovah, when I pour all My rage out upon you.’
23 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 24 ‘O son of man , tell her: You are the land… the land without rain, for the rain won’t pour in the day of [My] rage. 25 Why, those leaders in her midst are like lions, that roar and seize prey by force. They dominate and destroy by consuming. They take all the things that have any value, as the numbers of widows grow in your midst.
26 ‘Her priests have annulled all My Laws, and all My holy things they’ve profaned. Between what is holy and what is profane, they can no longer distinguish, nor do they know the clean from unclean. 27 They’ve hidden My Sabbaths from their eyes, and I’ve been profaned in their midst.
28 ‘So, all her prophets who anointed them will fall… those who see only vain things, and oracles that really aren’t true, and then they say that Jehovah has spoken, when Jehovah has not really spoken.
29 ‘And even the people of the land, call for unrighteousness and tearing of prey. For, they tyrannize the poor and the needy, and foreigners they refuse to treat fairly.
30 ‘So, I searched among them for a man who acts right… one who’ll stand firm in My time of rage, so I’d not have to end her and wipe her away. But I couldn’t find such [a man]. 31 Thus upon her I poured out My rage… the fire of My anger in order to end it… I laid all the blame on their own heads, said Jehovah.’
Chapter 23
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘O son of
man, there were two women who were daughters of one mother, 3 who during their
youth were immoral. They [had sex] down in
4 ‘The name of the eldest was Aholah, and her sister was
named Aholibah. And to Me they were given, to give birth
to both sons and daughters. What are their names?
5 ‘Aholah was immoral against Me, and doted upon all her lovers… upon the Assyrians with whom she [slept]… 6 those clothed in blue, commanders and leaders, the choicest of all the young men, as well the cavalry riding on horses.
7 ‘To them she offered her [sex];
to the choicest of the sons of
9 ‘So, I gave her to the hands of her lovers; to the sons of the Assyrians whom she wanted. 10 And they uncovered her shame, then they took her sons and her daughters, and killed them all with the broadsword. So, she was made the gossip of women, when they brought this vengeance upon her.
11 ‘And when Aholibah saw what had happened, she even became more corrupt… even more immoral than her sister. 12 For, upon the sons of Assyria she still doted; those commanders and leaders who were all near her, all of them elegantly clothed, and cavalry who ride upon horses; all the choicest young men.
13 ‘So, I saw how they both were defiled, and there was one way for them both.
14 ‘Then to her immorality she added, as she looked upon men who were painted walls… images of Chaldeans that were painted with a brush, 15 wearing colored belts on their hips; deeply dyed turbans on their heads; all giving the appearance of officials, of the sons of those living in Babylon… of her fatherland, the Chaldeans.
16 ‘She doted on them with the vision of her eyes, then sent out messengers to them, into the
‘And as she was being defiled, she gave her life up to them. 18 Her immorality and shame she uncovered, and separated My life from hers, as My life had been divided from that of her sister.
19 ‘Then you became even worse, as you remembered the
days of your youth, when you [had sex] down in
21 ‘You overlooked the lawlessness of your youth… the things
you did down in
22 ‘Because of this, O Aholibah, says Jehovah, {Look!} I’ve awakened your lovers against you… those to whom you gave your life. I’ll bring them against you and they will surround you… 23 the sons of Babylon and all the Chaldeans – Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa – as well as the sons of Assyria, and all their choicest young men; the governors, commanders, and tribunes; the famous ones riding on horses. 24 From the north they’ll all come against you, with weapons, and chariots, and wheels… many peoples wearing chest plates, helmets, and shields. They’ll surround you and put up a siege mound, then upon all of their faces I’ll put judgment, and in their (type of) justice you’ll be punished.
25 ‘Then I will show against you My zeal, and they’ll deal with you in the anger of [My] rage. They’ll cut off your nose and your ears, and cut down what’s left with the broadsword. They’ll take your sons and your daughters, and all who remain will be burned in a fire. 26 Then they’ll strip off all of you clothes, and take all the things you were proud of.
27 ‘Then your impious deeds I’ll remove, and the
immorality you did down in
28 ‘For Jehovah says: {Look!} I’ll deliver you into the hands, of those whom you have detested; those from whom you’ve separated your life. 29 Then they’ll deal with you in their hatred, and they’ll take all the things you’ve worked hard for, leaving you naked and disgraced. Your immoral shame will then be uncovered, including your irreverence and whoring.
30 ‘They’ll do all these things because of your whoring, for you defiled yourself in their thoughts. 31You went in the way of your sister, so her cup I’ll now put in your hands.’
32 ‘And Jehovah said, Then, from the cup of your sister you’ll have to drink deeply. There will be enough to cause laughter, and sneering
will abound to complete intoxication. 33 With feebleness you’ll be filled from
a cup of extinction… the cup of your sister
34 ‘You will drink and then you’ll throw up; you’ll then eat with shards of broken pots; and your breasts you’ll then pull apart. I’ll pervert your holiday feasts and New Moons… I’ll pervert them for I have spoken,’ says Jehovah.
35 ‘Then Jehovah said, Because you forgot Me and put Me behind you, you’ll get what your deserve for irreverence and whoring!’
36 ‘And Jehovah said to me: O son of man; now judge Aholah and Aholibah! Speak to them of all their lawless deeds… 37 of the adultery and blood on their hands. Why they’ve even committed adultery in their thoughts; and the children they bore Me they led through the fire!
38 ‘And as they did all this [badness] against Me, they defiled My holy things in that day, and My Sabbaths they also profaned. 39 They [offered] their children to their idols, and entered My Holy Places to profane it… {Look!} it was done in the midst of My House!
40 ‘Then to men from far away lands, you sent messengers and asked them to come. And as they were coming you bathed; you decked yourself out and [painted] your eyes. 41 Then you sat on a bed, and spread a table before it. Before them you set My incense and oil, in which they took much delight. 42 Then the sound of harmony and music, was played before men who were drunk… many men who had come from the desert.
‘Upon both their hands they put bracelets, and a crown of boasting on their heads. 43 Though I told you not to be adulterous with them, in the ways of a whore you [had sex]. 44 Then they entered inside her in the same way, as a man would enter a whore… they entered Aholah and Aholibah… two lawless women who did lawless deeds.
45 ‘But because they a