From the Greek Septuagint text as was used by First Century Christians

Chapter 1

¹ It was during the thirtieth year, in the fourth month and on the fifth day of the month, as I was a captive by the ChoBar 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 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 ChoBar. 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 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, there 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 [wheel] moved on its 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 also. 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 he traveled, but there was 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, which was filled with fire round about and upwards from His loins, 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; and I heard Him speaking to me. ³ He said: ‘O son of man; To the sons of Israel I’ll send you… those who’ve rebelled against Me (and who’ve rebelled against Me down to this day), for they and their fathers haven’t [listened to Me]. ⁴ They are a harsh and hard-hearted [people], so to them I’m now sending you. You must tell them that Jehovah has said, ⁵ that they should listen in terror, for they are a house in rebellion. But they’ll know you are a Prophet in their midst.

⁶ ‘And you, O son of man, should not be afraid, or be upset by the looks on their faces, for they will get all heated up, then rise against you and surround you. Among such scorpions you’ll be living, but don’t fear the things they say to your face, 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, must pay close attention, to the One who is speaking to you! Don’t rebel like this house of rebellion! So, open your mouth very wide, and eat what I’m giving you!’

⁹ Then I looked and saw a hand that was 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 back sides 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 tell the sons of Israel about it!’

² So, He opened my mouth 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 Israel, and tell them all of My words! ⁵ You won’t have to speak to those with thick lips, or to those with tongues that are unfamiliar; for to the house of Israel you’re being sent. ⁶ You aren’t being sent to other peoples, who speak with unfamiliar words, or who have foreign, thick tongues (those who won’t know what you’re saying), for I’m sending you to those who’ll comprehend.

⁷ ‘There’s no way the house of Israel will listen, to the things that you have to say, for they’ll not agree to hear Me; since they are very hard-hearted, and all they want to do is just argue.

⁸ ‘Now look; Against their faces I’ve made your face strong, and your victory is greater than theirs… it will be stronger than rock. ⁹ So, don’t be afraid [when you go] before them, and don’t stand in terror before them, for this is a house in rebellion.’

¹⁰ And He said to me: ‘O son of man; Take the words that I’ve spoken into your heart, and listen to them with your ears! ¹¹ Then go among the captive sons of your people, and tell them that the Lord Jehovah has spoken; then surely they’ll 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, which were touching against each other, as well as the sounds of the wheels next to them, and the sound of the great quaking. ¹⁴ And the Breath lifted me and carried me away, and my spirit became 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 ChoBar River, and I stayed among them for seven days. ¹⁶ And at the end of the seven days, the word of the Lord 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 bring them My threats. ¹⁸ For, I’m saying that those who are lawless will die! And you will die too, if you fail to give them My orders.

‘Warn these lawless to turn away, from their unrighteous ways and they’ll live. But if they choose to keep 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 from their ways they don’t turn (they don’t turn from their unrighteousness ways), those lawless ones will die in their sins, but I will still rescue you.

²⁰ ‘But if the righteous should turn from their right ways, and then do what is wrong – causing Me to torment his face before death – because you failed to bring him My orders, which has led to his death, and his righteous deeds are forgotten; I will require his blood from your hands. ²¹ But if you give [My] orders to the righteous, and tell them that they should not sin, and because you gave warning, they do not sin, and this brings salvation to their lives; you will have saved 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 ChoBar – 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 said: ‘Go home and be locked up inside your house! ²⁵ {Look!} For you, O son of man, are appointed to be bound. They will then tie you up, and there’s no way you’ll get free from [the bonds]. ²⁶ For I will tie up your tongue and your throat, and you will then become mute. You’ll not be a man who can scold them, for they are a house in rebellion.

²⁷ ‘And then My voice will be speaking through you. I will open your mouth and you’ll tell them, that this is what Jehovah has said: All who choose to hear should now listen; but those who won’t 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, then set it in front of your face. Upon it, draw a map of Jerusalem, ² then surround it with a circle and fortifications. Next, draw a siege mound and camps, and draw a range of weapons around it. ³ Then go get an iron frying pan, to be an iron wall between you and the city, and prepare to set your face against it… prepare a siege and attack it! For the sons of Israel, this is their sign!

⁴ ‘Then go to sleep on your left side, and lay the sins of Israel’s house upon you… their unrighteousness you must [then bear], for the number of days that you sleep [on that side].

⁵ ‘Now, I’ve appointed two things that you must do, concerning their unrighteous deeds: You must bear the unrighteousness of Israel’s house, for three hundred and ninety [full] days. ⁶ And after you have done that, you must sleep on your right side, to carry the unrighteousness of Judah. You are to do this for forty more days… a day for a year is what I’ve established!

⁷ ‘And as for the siege of Jerusalem; prepare your face and stiffen your arm, for against it you must now prophesy.

⁸ ‘{Look!} I’ve appointed this bondage upon you… don’t turn from one side to the other, until the days of your siege are fulfilled.

⁹ ‘Take wheat, barley, and beans for yourself; as well as lentils, millet, and wild oats, and put them into an earthenware pot, then bake loaves of bread for yourself. Make enough for the number of days, that you will sleep on your side… three hundred and ninety days you will eat them. 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 you’ll drink… you may drink ten ounces from time to time.

¹² ‘Bake the barley cakes that you’ll eat, over human manure, which you will hide in 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 Israel will eat, among the nations where I’ll throw them.’

¹⁴ And I said, ‘Absolutely not, O Lord God of Israel! For, my life has never been defiled or made unclean by decaying flesh, nor have I eaten wild animals from [the day] I was born until now… nothing unclean has entered my mouth!’

¹⁵ And He said to me: ‘Then I’ll give you cow dung for that of humans, and you can bake your loaves over it.’

¹⁶ And He said to me, ‘O son of man; {Look!} I’ll break Jerusalem of its reliance on bread, for they’ll have to weigh out their bread, and ration the water they drink ‘til it’s gone. ¹⁷ For, shortages of water and bread there will be, so from his own brother each man [will steal]. And in their unrighteousness they’ll melt away.’

Chapter 5

¹ ‘And you, O son of man; Go and buy a sharp blade (a razor that’s used by a barber), and 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 to kindle 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; and cut the third quarter with the knife, then scatter it throughout [the city]; and throw the last quarter into the wind, for I’ll empty them out with the sword.

³ ‘Then take what little is 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 Israel say (as they burn): ⁵ This is Jerusalem, says Jehovah. I’ve placed her amid nations that will surround her.

⁶ ‘Then you must tell of My righteous decisions, to this nation of the lawless, and to the lawless round-about them. For My righteous decisions they’ve pushed away, and My Laws they haven’t followed.

⁷ ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘that your chance to be without law will arrive, from the nations that will have you surrounded, For, you haven’t follow My Laws, or observed My righteous decrees. Nor did you did observe the 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 such things among you, as I have not done before, nor will I do ever again, for the disgusting things that you’ve done!

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; Because of this,’ says Jehovah… ‘because you defiled My Holy Things, with things disgusting and loathsome; I will push you away… I won’t spare My eye or show mercy! ¹² So a fourth will be consumed by the plague; a fourth will be finished by famine; a fourth will be scattered to the winds; and a fourth will fall by the broadsword… they’ll be surrounded and the sword will be emptied upon them.

¹³ ‘But after My anger and rage is exhausted, I’ll [return to] offer them comfort. And you will know that this happened, because I Jehovah have spoken in My zeal, and upon you I’ve vented My rage.

¹⁴ ‘I’ll turn you and your daughters into deserts, in the presence of all who pass by. ¹⁵ You’ll be squeezed out and scoffed at by nations, when I bring My judgments and anger upon you, as well as My vengeance and rage. For, I Jehovah have spoken.

¹⁶ ‘When I send the arrows of famine upon them, and they come to be in great need, I’ll send [the nations] to finish them off… I will bring famine upon you, and break your reliance on bread. ¹⁷ I’ll send out famine against you, as well as ferocious wild beasts! With plagues you will also be punished, and blood will then flow among you; for then I’ll 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 Israel’s mountains, and against them now prophesy! ³ Say to the mountains of Israel: Hear the word of Jehovah! For, He says to the mountains, hills, valleys, and forests: {Look!} I am bringing a broadsword upon you, and it will destroy your high places. ⁴ All your altars will be broken; your [incense stands] I’ll tear down; and I’ll leave your slain in front of your idols… the bodies of Israel’s sons, I will offer to their idols, ⁵ and on their altars I’ll scatter your bones.

⁶ ‘All 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 fall in your midst, you’ll know that I am Jehovah.

⁸ ‘And those who remain that escape from the broadsword, will be dispersed 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’ve sworn [an oath] against the hearts, of those guilty of adultery against Me, and all the other things they now do: They’ll slap their own faces for the bad things, and the disgusting things that they do. 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 the disgusting that they’ve done, within Israel’s house! May they fall by the broadsword, as well as by plague and by famine!

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 each 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 Israel: To the four wings of the land, the end has finally arrived… ³ the end has arrived and I’m bringing upon you My rage. It is I who is standing against you, and I’ll punish you for all your [bad] ways; for your disgusting deeds I’ll hold you to blame, ⁴ and my eyes won’t spare nor will I show mercy. For, your disgusting things I’ll hold against you… these things that were done in your midst, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.’

⁵ ‘Jehovah said, Upon all those who are evil, {Look!} evil is now here at hand. ⁶ The end has reached its fulfillment, and your punishment has been awakened. ⁷ {Look!} The circle of the wreath has come upon you (those who live in the land), and the time has finally approached… a day of distress and tumult.

⁸ ‘Now’s the time when I’ll pour out My rage, and I’ll finish My anger against you. You will be judged for the things that you’ve done, for I’ll hold all your bad deeds against you. ⁹ My eyes will not spare nor will I show mercy; I’ll hold you to blame for your ways, and all disgusting things that were done in your midst… and then you’ll know that it’s Me (Jehovah)… I am the One who is striking you [down]!

¹⁰ ‘{Look!} The day of Jehovah has arrived, and His rod has [finally] blossomed. ¹¹ The time to do injury has come, and it’ll break the resolve of the lawless, but not with anxiety or tumult.

¹² ‘Look! The time has arrived… it’s the day! So, the one who buys should not rejoice, and those who sell should not wail, for His wrath will cover these things. ¹³And he who buys will not return, his things to the one who had sold them… they’ll just go on living their lives. So, this vision is for all – as many as there may be – and it will not be turned back; for the eyes of man will not see, [the things that are coming into] his life.

¹⁴ ‘Blow the trumpets and judge everything, for no one’s preparing for war. Yet, My wrath is upon all of 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 thereafter all die there, as in the cities [they’ll die of] famine and plagues. ¹⁶ And those who escape to get away, will sit on the mountains like pigeons and know, that because of their badness I killed 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 by stupefaction. Upon each face will be shame, and upon every head will be baldness.

¹⁹ ‘They’ll toss their silver into 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. Their lives will find no satisfaction, nor will their bellies be filled, because, the torment for their sins has arrived.

²⁰ ‘Of their beautiful jewelry they were proud, but with it they made their foul idols. For this I’ve handed them over to filth… ²¹ I’ll hand them over to strangers, who will then rip them to pieces. To the pests of the earth I will give them, and as spoils they’ll profane them.

²² ‘From them I’ll turn 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 Then they will become a befouling, for the land is filled with judgments of blood… the lawlessness of this city is filled to the brim! So, I will bring the evils of nations, and they will inherit their homes. 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 as they acted, and punish them with their own judgments… 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 Judah were sitting before me, that the hand of Jehovah came upon me. ² And I looked and saw what appeared to be a man, but from his loins down, he looked like fire; and from his loins up, he looked as bright as molten bronze. ³ Then he stretched out what appeared to be a hand, and he lifted me by the decorative fringes on my shirt. And in spirit, he lifted me between the earth and the sky and he led me to Jerusalem. In this vision from God, I was looking north toward the [city] gate, and there [I saw] a monument to [the god], The Acquirer.

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 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 Israel is doing, to stay away from My Holy Place? Yet, you will see greater lawless deeds being done.’

⁷ So, He brought me to the threshold of the [Temple] courtyard, and there {Look!} I saw an opening in the wall. ⁸ Then He said to me, ‘O son of man; Dig [a hole] in the wall!’

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, which 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 Israel – foolish and disgusting things – painted on all the walls. ¹¹ And there were seventy men among the elders of the house of Israel, along with JaAzaniJah (the son of ShaPhan) who was standing before them, each holding an incense pan in his hand with smoke from the incense arising.

¹² And He said to me, ‘O son of man; You see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing, in the darkness of hidden rooms. They’re saying that Jehovah’s left the land!’ ¹³ And He said to me, ‘Yet, you’ll see even greater lawless things.’

¹⁴ Then He brought me up to the threshold of the Gate of the [Temple] of Jehovah (the one that faces north), and there I saw women sitting and wailing for TamMuz. ¹⁵ And He said to me, ‘O son of man, you have seen all of this, but you will soon see worse things.’

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 to 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 Judah is doing, of no great concern? Why, they’ve filled the whole land with their lawlessness… they’ve turned against Me to provoke Me to rage. And look! They’re holding out branches of grapevines, as though they are sneering at Me! ¹⁸ So, in My rage I’ll deal with them… My eyes will not spare them nor will I show mercy. And if they shout loudly into My ears, I will not listen to them!’

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 to 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 Temple] and stood next to the brass Altar.

³ Then the glory of the God of Israel ascended from between the cherubs, and His glory hung there between them in the open air of the [Temple]. And He called to the man who was dressed in the full-length robe and wearing the belt of sapphires, ⁴ and Jehovah said to him: ‘Go through the midst of the city – through the midst of Jerusalem – and put a sign on the foreheads, of the men who are groaning and deeply upset, for the lawless deeds being done in its midst.’

⁵ And He said in my hearing, ‘Then go through the city behind him and strike… don’t allow your eyes to spare or show mercy! ⁶ Kill and wipe out the old men and young, as well as virgins, women, and children! But don’t approach those wearing the sign… and start at My Holy Place!’

So, they started with the elders who were there in the [Temple].

⁷ And He said to them, ‘Now, defile the [Temple], and fill its roads [with the dead]… strike down all who are [fleeing]!’

⁸ And as they started their destroying, I fell to my face and yelled out, ‘O Lord, are you going to wipe out all the remaining ones of Israel by pouring out Your rage upon Jerusalem?’

⁹ And He told me, ‘The sins of the houses of Israel and Judah, have now become just too great. For, the land has become filled with [bloodshed], and the city is filled with sin and uncleanness. For, they say that Jehovah has abandoned the land, and that He pays no attention. ¹⁰ So, My eyes will not spare and I’ll show no mercy… for their bad ways I’ll hold them to blame.’

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 what You told me to do!’

Chapter 10

¹ Then, I looked and saw that in the space over the heads of the cherubs, there 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 that under the cherubs, and fill your hands with the coals there, 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, left and entered the Temple; and the [Temple] became filled with the cloud, and the courtyard was filled with the brightness of the glory of Jehovah. ⁵ Also, the sound of the wings of cherubs was heard in the outer courtyard, which was like the sound of God speaking. ⁶ And then He told the man who was wrapped in the holy robe, ‘Go take some fire from between the wheels, and from the place between the cherubs!’

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 departed.

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 their heads looked, they traveled behind it, and the [wheels] 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 they [each] had 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. So, these were the [same] animals that I had seen by the ChoBar River.

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 [Temple] and it mounted the cherubs. ¹⁹ And thereafter, the cherubs raised their wings and flew high above the ground before me, and as they traveled, their wheels were next to them. Then [they came to rest] upon the gate in front of the [Temple] of Jehovah, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.

²⁰ It was only after I saw these animals traveling beneath the God of Israel (there by the ChoBar River) that I first realized they were cherubs. ²¹ Each one had four faces, four wings, and what looked like the hands of a man under each wing. ²² And that’s what the faces looked like that I saw under the glory of the God of Israel in a vision, there by the ChoBar River, and each one traveled in the direction he faced.

Chapter 11

¹ Then [God’s] Breath took me and led me to the gate of the [Temple] of Jehovah, the one facing east, and {Look!} there on the threshold of the gate were about twenty-five men. And among them I saw JaAzaniJah (the son of Azur) and PedaiJah (the son of BenaiJah)… those who were guiding the people. ² And He said to me, ‘O son of man; these are the men who think foolish things, and discuss evil plans for this city. ³ They’re the ones who are saying, Haven’t we just built our houses? Why, this is the kettle and we are its meat!

⁴ ‘Because of this, against them you must prophesy… O son of man, prophesy!’

⁵ Then the Breath of Jehovah came over me, and He told me to tell them that Jehovah says: ‘I know what you’re saying, O house of Israel, and I know of the things that you’ve planned in your [hearts]. ⁶ Upon this city you’ve brought many deaths, and you’ve filled up her roads with the slain. ⁷ Because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘those whom you’ve killed in her midst are the meat, and [the city of Jerusalem] is the kettle. For, I will lead you out of her midst!

⁸ ‘You are afraid of the broadsword, so I’ll bring the broadsword upon you,’ says Jehovah. ⁹ ‘And then I will lead you out of her midst; I’ll bring My judgment against you, and hand you over to strangers; ¹⁰ and there you will fall by the broadsword. To the borders of Israel I’ll judge you, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

¹¹ ‘Then [this city] will be your kettle no more, and in her you’ll not be the meat. ¹² Clear to the borders of Israel I’ll judge you, and then you will know that I am Jehovah. For, in My Commandments you would not walk, and you wouldn’t [abide] My decisions. The judgments of the nations you followed… those who now have you surrounded.’

¹³ And then my prophecies came to pass, for PedaiJah (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 Israel to be totally consumed?’

¹⁴ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁵ ‘O son of man; Your [Israelite] brothers and fellow captives, have been taken to their destination. And those in Jerusalem have said about you: Because you are far from Jehovah, we have inherited [your] land.

¹⁶ ‘So tell them that thus says Jehovah: I’ll also push you away to the nations, and scatter you to many lands. Then to you, I’ll be no safe haven, in the places where you [will be scattered].

¹⁷ ‘And because of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah: Then I’ll take Israel out of the nations… I’ll gather them from wherever I sent them, and give them [their land] once again. ¹⁸ For when they return, they’ll lift away, all their disgusting, 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 the disgusting things that they did, and the lawlessness within their hearts, that their hearts chose to follow in their own ways. So, upon their heads I brought their blame,’ 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 but they do not 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 in captivity; [then sit] there before them all through the day… before them act like a captive, who’s been taken away from his place, then carried off to some other place, 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 carry [your things] on your 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 Israel I’ve made you a sign.’

⁷ Well, I did so… everything that He told me to do. I brought out the 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 carried the things on my 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 Israel (those that are now in rebellion) did not ask you what you are doing. ¹⁰ So, say concerning the rulers (those who are giving Jerusalem its directions, as well as the people in their midst)… tell them that Jehovah has spoken. ¹¹ Explain to them that you’re acting out omens, and all that you’re doing will happen to them… and [like you] they’ll be carried away.

¹² ‘[Tell them that] he who rules in their midst, will carry his things off on his 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’ll cover himself so no eye can see him, and so he can’t see the ground. ¹³ Then around him I’ll spread out My net, and he will be caught in My wrapping. And off to Babylon I’ll lead him… into the land of Chaldea, but he’ll not be able to see it, and he will come to his end here.

¹⁴ ‘Thereafter I’ll scatter all his assistants, and all of his helpers to the [four] winds… I’ll pour out the broadsword [to chase] them. ¹⁵ Then they will know that I am Jehovah, as among the nations they are scattered… [wherever they go] they’ll be scattered.

¹⁶ ‘Yet, among their numbers I’ll leave a few, as survivors of the sword, and the famines and plagues. So they will then speak in detail, to all the nations where they’re sent, of the lawless deeds that they’ve done… and then they will know that I am Jehovah.’

¹⁷ And thereafter, the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁸ ‘O son of man; In grief you will now eat your bread, and in torment and affliction you’ll drink your water. ¹⁹ Then you will say to the people of the land, Jehovah says, that there will be shortages of bread, and that the drinking water will vanish, among those in Israel and Jerusalem. Thus, they will soon be extinct in the land… so the violence among all who live there, will have reached its conclusion. ²⁰ Then the cities that they now live in, will all become desolation, and their land will become an extinction… 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 land of Israel: The days are still far away, and all the visions have perished?

²³ ‘Because of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah: I will turn this proverb around, and the house of Israel won’t say it again. For, now you’ll be saying instead: The days have come, as have the words of the visions!

²⁴ ‘[Tell them]: False visions will no longer be, and none will be speaking of omens, to curry favor among Israel’s sons. ²⁵ For I, the Lord will speak all My words… I’ll act and not stretch out the time. Tell them that thus says Jehovah: In your days, O house in rebellion, I’ll speak the words and then act!’

²⁶ Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ²⁷ ‘O son of man; See how Israel is rebelling, for now they are saying: The visions this man sees are of some distant time, and he prophesies of things [that won’t happen for years]!

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 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 that they speak of the future])! You must speak to these prophets and tell them, that their prophecies spring from their own hearts. You must prophecy and tell them: Hear the word of Jehovah! ³ For, thus says the Lord: Woe to those who prophesy from hearts, but see nothing at all, and follow the directions of their spirits!

⁴ ‘O Israel; Your prophets are like foxes in the fields, ⁵ for firm positions they’ve not taken. To the house of Israel they’ve not gathered the flocks, nor have they moved you to prepare for war, by speaking of the Day of the Lord. ⁶ They see false visions and their omens are useless, for they say that Jehovah has spoken, and make their words sound very lofty, yet they are not sent by Jehovah.

⁷ ‘Haven’t your visions been false… haven’t the words you’ve spoken proven untrue? For you speak when I haven’t spoken, says Jehovah!

⁸ ‘Because of this, I want you to tell them, said Jehovah, that because their words are all false, and all their prophecies are foolish… it’s because of this that I am against them, says Jehovah! ⁹ So, I’ll stretch out My hand against all those prophets – those who are seeing false visions, and those who declare foolish things, when they give instructs to My people – and among Israel, their [names] will not be recorded, so they will know that I am Jehovah!

¹⁰ ‘They are misleading My people, and saying there’s peace when there’s no peace. So they re-plaster walls that will soon fall. ¹¹ They should tell all those who replaster walls, that their [walls] will soon fall and the rain will pour in. For, I’m sending rocks to be thrown upon them, and then their [walls] will just fall… [I’ll send] a mighty wind to break them!

¹² ‘{Look!} And after the walls have all fallen, will they not ask: What happened to all of the plaster, with which these [walls] had been repaired?

¹³ ‘It’s because of this, says Jehovah, that I will send out a wind, that will rip down [the walls] in My anger, and then My rage will flood in… in rage, rocks will be thrown, as I bring it all to an end! ¹⁴ For, I’ll raze the walls that you’ve plastered… I’ll lay them to the ground and show their foundations. Then you’ll be worn out by the shouting, and you will know that I am Jehovah.

¹⁵ ‘I’ll wear out My rage on those walls, and on those who are plastering them… for they all will soon fall. Yet, [the problem] is not with the walls, or with those who are plastering them, ¹⁶ it’s with those who prophesy about Jerusalem… those who see her and speak about peace, when there really won’t be any peace, says Jehovah.

¹⁷ ‘And you, O son of man; Against the daughters of your people, you must now fix your face… those who now also prophesy, according to the things their hearts… against them you must prophecy! ¹⁸ Tell them that thus says Jehovah: Woe to those who sew pillows, to be placed under elbows, and those who make veils for heads of each size, that you say are a protection for My people; for you are misleading their souls!

¹⁹ ‘Before My people they willingly profane Me, for a handful of barley or a few scraps of bread, to end lives that don’t have to die, and offer protection to lives that won’t live… they promise foolish things to the people!

²⁰ ‘It’s because of this, says Jehovah, {Look!} I am opposed to your pillows, which you use to gather their lives. So, I will rip them out of your arms, and send off the lives of those you’ve misled; for then they will be scattered. ²¹ I will also rip off your [magic] veils, and rescue My people from your hands. They’ll no longer fall into your hands, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

²² ‘You have perverted the hearts of the righteous, and strengthened the hands of the lawless… you didn’t turn them from bad so they’d live! ²³ And because of this; You will see false visions no more, and you will not see any omens. From your hands I will rescue My people, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 14

¹ Then elders from among the people of Israel came to me and sat down before me. ² And the word of the Lord came to me saying: ³ ‘Son of man; The thoughts in the hearts of these people are set, so lay the punishment for their badness before them, since I will now give them an answer. ⁴ Speak and tell them that thus says Jehovah: Any man from the house of Israel, who may start to think in his heart, that he’ll not be punished for his badness, should arrange his face and then come to the Prophet, and I Jehovah will tell him, of all the things in his mind, ⁵ so I can recapture the house of Israel’s hearts… those whose hearts that are so far from Mine.

⁶ ‘So, tell the house of Israel that thus says Jehovah: Turn from the things that you’re doing… turn your faces from your godless deeds! ⁷ For a man – any man – from the house of Israel, or from among foreigners who are converts, that may have separated himself from Me, and starts to think in his heart, that he should never be punished, for all his unrighteous deeds; he should arrange his face and then come to the Prophet… he should ask, and then I Jehovah will answer, about the things he’s concerned with. ⁸ For I’ll fix My face against such a man, and assign him to a place where he’ll be extinct… from the midst of My people I’ll lift him away, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

⁹ ‘And if a prophet [is found to] mislead, and should say it was I who misled him; against him I’ll stretch out My hand, and remove him from the midst of Israel, My people.

¹⁰ ‘Then each one who asks, will have to bear, the punishment he’s due for his unrighteous acts (each according to his offence). But the offences of the prophets will come [on their heads], ¹¹ so the house of Israel will not stay misled, and remain defiled by its errors. And then they’ll become a people to Me; and to them, I’ll be their God,’ says Jehovah.

¹² Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹³ ‘O son of man; If a land sins against Me and falls into sin, against [that land] I will stretch out My hand, and break its reliance on bread. Famine I’ll send [to that land], and remove man and beast from upon it. ¹⁴ But if men like Noah, Daniel, and Job, can be found in that land, these will be saved,’ says Jehovah. ¹⁵ ‘And if I must bring ferocious wild beasts, as My punishment on such a land, it will become an extinction (no one will pass through it thereafter), because of the faces of the beasts. ¹⁶ But, if three such men can be found there; As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘none of its sons or daughters will be saved… just [those three] will be saved, but the land will be ruined thereafter.

¹⁷ ‘Or if I bring the sword to that land – if I should say, Let the broadsword pass through it – and I cause man and beast to be lifted from there; ¹⁸ and if such three men are 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, ²⁰ and Noah, Daniel, and Job are in its midst; As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘neither its sons or daughters will be saved… for, their lives be saved by just righteous ways!’

²¹ Then Jehovah said, ‘I will bring these four punishments on Jerusalem: the broadsword, famine, ferocious wild beasts, and the plague. These will destroy both men and beasts. ²² {Look!} And any who remain left behind there – those who escape all these things – will thereafter be carried away… both the sons and the daughters. And then {Look!} they’ll be brought here to you, and you will see what they’re thinking, as well as the things that they’ve done. Then you’ll be sorry for the harm that I’ve brought, and for all that I did to Jerusalem.

²³ ‘But [your mind] will then be relieved, because you will see theirs ways and their thoughts, and you’ll know that the things which I did, were not done for no reason,’ 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 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: As I’ve assigned vines among trees in the woods, to be burned in a fire and consumed, so I’ve done to those living in Jerusalem. ⁷ For, against them I’ll set My face, and fire they’ll have to [endure], since the fire will then [come and] consume them. And after My face is set against them, they’ll know that I am Jehovah.

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; To Jerusalem now testify, about all of her lawless deeds! ³ Tell them that thus Jehovah: Your roots and your birth are in CanaAn. An Amorite man was your father, and your mother a Hittite. ⁴ And concerning your birth and the day you were born: Your naval wasn’t cut nor were you bathed; no one [cleansed] you with salt; and you weren’t wrapped tightly with [belly] bands.

⁵ ‘My eye did not feel enough sorrpw for you, to do these things or [show concern], so you were thrown out in the fields. For your life was deformed since the day you were born.

⁶ ‘Then I came and saw you defiled in your blood, and I said to you amidst all your blood: Now come to life! It was I who said to you in your blood, Now come to life… become many!

⁷ ‘I made you like [plants] that grow in a field, 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 for your rest. So, I opened and spread out My wings over you, and your indecency [and shame] I then covered. 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 oil I used to anoint you. ¹⁰ In colored clothes I then dressed you; I tied a blue cloth around you; then in linen I wrapped you, and placed a braided belt [on your hips]. ¹¹ I decked 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 honey and olive oil. So, you became exceedingly [great], and you prospered as though you’re a [queen]. ¹⁴ A among the nations, your name became famous, and this was true of your beauty, for I had made your beauty complete… it was I who ordered it for you, says Jehovah.

¹⁵ ‘And on your beauty you then relied, and you gave away [sex] because of your name… to him you poured it out on the roads. ¹⁶ You [ripped] your clothes to make strings, to tie all your idols together, and then you did immoral things with them. So, there’s no way that you may [return], nor should you ever do so.

¹⁷ ‘Then you took the things about which you boast, including the gold and the silver I gave you, and with it made idols with whom you had sex. ¹⁸ Then you dressed them in your colored clothes, and set My oil and incense before them.

¹⁹ ‘You took the bread loaves I gave you – the fine flour, olive oil, and honey that I fed you – and before their faces you set them, as a pleasing scent and aroma. Yes, thus it was so, says Jehovah.

²⁰ ‘Then you took the sons and the daughters you bore, and sacrificed these to [your gods], until [they all] were consumed, and immoral you continued to be. ²¹ Yes, to pacify [idols] you killed them… to them you gave all your children. ²² And this is even much worse, than your disgusting things and your being immoral.

‘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 upon you, says Jehovah!

²⁴ ‘For, you’ve built a whorehouse for yourself, and posted signs in the squares. ²⁵ You’ve built them on every corner, and in these you’ve wasted your beauty. Between your legs you’ve led all who would pass. Then made your immorality much worse, ²⁶ for you’ve also had sex with the sons of Egyptians… with the flesh of those who live next door! And these many ways that you’ve been immoral, were so you could lead Me into a rage.

²⁷ ‘So, {Look!} against you I’ll stretch My hand, and I’ll lift away all your Laws, and give you to those who detest you… to the daughters of the Philistines… those who turned you to your godless ways.

²⁸ ‘With Assyrias’s sons You also had sex, but this brought you no satisfaction… yes, you had sex, but it wasn’t enough. ²⁹ So, with the land of CanaAn you had sex, as well as with the Chaldeans, but with them you found no satisfaction.

³⁰ ‘O what will I do to your heart, asks Jehovah, as you are doing 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 act as the madam! ³² An adulterous wife is what you are like; one whose husband acts as her pimp!

³³ ‘Why, you pay those to whom you offer you sex… you’ve paid wages to all of your lovers, as inducements for them to stay near, and engage in all of your whoring!

³⁴ ‘Your perversions are worse than [all] other women, for in whoring you’ve had sex with other whores. Why, you paid them (they didn’t pay you), so what you have done is perversion!

³⁵ ‘Because of this, O you whore; Hear the word of Jehovah! ³⁶ [He] says: Because you paid them with your copper coins, your shame will soon be uncovered… your whoring with all of your lovers, as well as your evil thoughts… your lawless deeds and your children’s blood, which you offered to them.

³⁷ ‘Because of this; Look! I will gather your lovers against you, and mix among them all whom you’ve hated. Together I’ll bring them against you, until they have you surrounded. I’ll uncover your evils before them, and then they’ll all see your shame.

³⁸ ‘I’ll punish you with what’s due an adulteress, for I will pour out your blood. In [My] rage and zeal I’ll appoint you for blood, ³⁹ and then 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 things that you boast of, and leave you indecent and naked.

⁴⁰ ‘Against you they will lead mobs, who’ll stone you with rocks and stab you with swords. ⁴¹ Then they’ll burn your whorehouses with fire… they will wreak vengeance upon you, there before crowds of other women.

‘But I’ll turn you away from your whoring, and from the wages you paid your lovers… ⁴² I will slacken My rage against you, and remove the zeal that I once had for you… I will rest and be anxious no more.

⁴³ ‘Because you forgot the days of your youth, and caused me to fret over such things, {Look!} I’ll bring them down on your head, says Jehovah, and then you’ll no longer be godless.

⁴⁴ ‘Against you, they have said this: As is the mother, so is the daughter; ⁴⁵ and you are truly your mother’s daughter… she who’s divorced from her husband, and she who abandoned her children (all of your sisters and brothers)… those whom she pushed away, along with their husbands and children.

‘For, an Amorite was your father, and your mother a Hittite; ⁴⁶ your older sister is Samaria, whose daughters have lived to your left. Your younger sister who lives on your right (along with all of her daughters), is Sodom. ⁴⁷ In their ways you have followed, and all their lawless deeds you have done, so their ways are now better than yours!

⁴⁸ ‘As I live, says Jehovah; Has your sister Sodom (she and her daughters) acted like you and your daughters? ⁴⁹ The sin of Sodom your sister was pride. For, though she had plenty of bread (and she and her daughters had more than enough), this thing [was true] among them: They offered no aid to the needy and poor. ⁵⁰ They bragged and broke laws before Me. And as you saw, I removed them!

⁵¹ ‘Yet, Samaria didn’t sin with half of your sins, for you’re now more lawless she; and all the lawless things that you’ve done, declare your sisters more righteous.

⁵² ‘So, you must carry your torment! For, you’ve corrupted your sisters with your sins… with lawlessness that is worse than even theirs, making them look much better than you. So, be ashamed and accept your dishonor, for it’s you who made your sisters look better.

⁵³ ‘So I’ll remove from them their rejection – 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 you from their midst. ⁵⁴ For you must carry your torment and disgrace, for all you did to provoke Me to rage.

⁵⁵ ‘And your sister Sodom and her daughters, will be restored as they were at the first. And Samaria and her daughters will too be restored, as they were at the beginning. Your daughters will also be restored, as they were [long ago].

⁵⁶ ‘Wasn’t Sodom your sister a reason to boast, in the days of your pride, ⁵⁷ before your evils were uncovered, and for which you’re are now scorned, by Syria’s daughters, as well as those round about… the daughters of Philistines who live around you?

⁵⁸ ‘As for all the irreverence, and the lawless deeds that you’ve carried, says Jehovah, ⁵⁹ I’ll do among you as you’ve done… for you’ve disgraced your sacred oath, 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 remake My Agreement with you through the age. ⁶¹ Then you’ll remember the way [you should go], but for following in the ways of your sisters (both the younger and older), you will now be despised. But I’ll give them to you so you can teach them… but not of your Sacred Agreement. ⁶² For, My Sacred Agreement will just be with you, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

⁶³ ‘Then you should remember and be ashamed, and not open your mouth, because of the dishonor upon your face, since it was Me who had to atone, 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 Israel. ³ Tell them that thus says Jehovah:

‘There was a great eagle with very large wings,
And claws that were long and outstretched.
And into Lebanon he was then led,
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 with plenty of water),
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 kept stretching out.

⁷ ‘And there was another great eagle,
Who had 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 from her 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, Jehovah asks, Will it prosper?
Will her roots remain tender?
Will not her fruits become rotten?

‘Yes, her early shoots will all dry,
But not by a great mighty arm,
Nor by armies who’ll pull up 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 east winds blow she’ll dry up!’

¹¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying: ‘Ask the rebellious house what this means… yes, [go ahead and just] ask them!

¹² ‘{Look!} To Jerusalem will come Babylon’s king, and he will take her king and her rulers, then lead them to himself there in Babylon. ¹³ He will take the seed of the kingdom, and make them swear a treaty with him, and take all the governors from the land.

¹⁴ ‘The kingdom will then become weak, and be unable to lift itself up, so to survive they must keep their treaty.

¹⁵ ‘But then [the king] will revolt, and send his envoys to Egypt, to ask for horses and men. Will he succeed… 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 treaty, so in Babylon’s midst he’ll meet his end.

¹⁷ ‘This will not come by any great power, nor by the [strength] of great [armies]. For, Pharaoh will come against him in war… he’ll throw up stakes and bring many weapons, and he will take many lives. ¹⁸ For he’s disgraced the oath that he swore before Me, and broke My Sacred Agreement. {Look!} It was he who stretched out his hand, and for what he did, he will not escape.

¹⁹ ‘Tell him that thus says Jehovah: As I live; Surely he was disgraced, and he broke My Agreement, so I will lay this on his head: ²⁰ Over him I’ll spread My net, 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 his [armies] in battle array, will all fall by the broadsword. And those 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 mountain of Israel I’ll hang it… I will plant it and then it will bud, and once again put out fruit. It’ll become a great cedar of rest, for every bird and winged creature. Under the shadow of his branches they’ll rest, for the branches of his vines will then be restored.

²⁴ ‘Then all the trees in the plains, will know that I am Jehovah… He who humbles the trees in the heights, and raises high the trees that are low; He who dries up green trees, and makes [others] flourish in dryness. For, I am Jehovah… I have spoken and I will 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 land of Israel that says, When the fathers eat unripe grapes, the teeth of the children get toothaches? ³ As I live,’ said Jehovah; ‘Will this proverb be found true in Israel?

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… because, they are all Mine, and he who is sinning will die!

⁵ ‘But he who is fair, righteous and just; ⁶ who doesn’t feast in the mountains to idols; 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 does not tyrannize men; who does not require collateral [for a loan], which he then fails to return; who takes nothing by force; who gives bread to the hungry, and his clothes to the naked; ⁸ who doesn’t require interest on loans; who does not pay or charge interest; who turns his hand from injustice; who is fair when he serves as judge, between a man and his neighbor; ⁹ who follows in the ways of My orders; who guards My Laws and then does them… such a one is a man who is righteous, 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 and a tyrant to the poor and the needy; who seizes collateral by force, 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 to act as he did; ¹⁵ who doesn’t feast in the mountains to idols; 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 righteous and follows My orders… for the sins of his father he’ll live and won’t die!

¹⁸ ‘But if his father is oppressive and harmful; if he seizes by force, and is contrary among his own people, for his unrighteous ways he will 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 will not be blamed, for his father’s unrighteous ways, and the father will not be blamed, for his son’s unrighteous ways. Each one’s righteous ways will be upon him, and the lawlessness of each are on him. ²¹ But if the lawless should turn from their wicked ways, and start to keep 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)… he will live for the righteous things that he did!

²³ ‘Do I wish to see the death of the lawless,’ asks Jehovah? ‘No! I want him to turn from his bad so he’ll live!’ ²⁴ But if the righteous should turn from good ways, and commit all the sins of the lawless… if he does this, he will not live! Then all his righteous deeds are forgotten, and he’ll die for the errors that he fell into, and for the sins he committed.

²⁵ ‘But then you say: The ways of Jehovah aren’t right! Pay attention, O house of Israel! Haven’t My ways proven straight? Aren’t yours the ways that aren’t straight? ²⁶ When a righteous man turns from his righteous ways, shouldn’t he should die for the sins he commits? For, he was the one who’s to blame, so, is he not the one who should die?

²⁷ ‘And when the lawless turn from their wicked ways… when he acts fairly and becomes righteous, ²⁸ for he knows the things he was doing were godless; He should live… there’s no way that he should then die!

²⁹ ‘Yet, the house of Israel makes the claim, that the ways of Jehovah aren’t straight. O house of Israel; Is it really My ways that aren’t straight? Aren’t yours the ways that are crooked?

³⁰ ‘O house of Israel; I’ll judge each by his ways, says Jehovah. So, if you turn from irreverence, you won’t be punished for your badness! ³¹ Thus, throw away your impious ways, and your irreverence toward Me… create for yourselves new spirits and hearts! Why should you die, O house of Israel? ³² I want no one to die, says Jehovah! Return [to Me] and you’ll live!’

Chapter 19

¹ ‘I want you to speak this lamentation, against the ruler of Israel:

² ‘Your mother is a lion amidst cubs…
And 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 Egypt.

⁵ ‘Well, when she saw that he had been taken,
And she had lost her support,
She took another one 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 desolation…
For, it was filled the sounds of his roaring.

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 into a cage,
And to the king of Babylon they took him.
They put him in cage so his voice wasn’t heard,
Again in Israel’s mountains.

¹⁰ ‘Your mother was like a vine…
A pomegranate blossom planted by water,
And because there was so much water,
Soon there were both buds and fruit.

¹¹ ‘And to the lead tribe she became a strong rod,
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 to pieces;
She was cut to the ground;
And the burning winds she was dried.
Then her choicest of branches (which were the rods of her strength),
Were punished, dried, and burned in a fire.

¹³ ‘Then she was replanted in the desert…
In a waterless and thirsty land.
¹⁴ But 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, and on the tenth day of the month, that men from among the elders of the house of Israel came to ask [things] of Jehovah. So, they sat there before my face, ² and then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ³ ‘O son of man; Speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them that thus says Jehovah: Have you come to ask something of Me? As I live, I will not answer, says Jehovah! ⁴ But I will punish them, O son of man, for the lawless deeds of their fathers… yes, you tell them this!

⁵ ‘And tell them that Jehovah has said: From the day 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 by the 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 Egypt’s land, and into the land that I had prepared – a land that flows with milk and honey (honeycombs that are greater than in other lands) – ⁷ and told them to leave all their disgusting things (which they kept before all their eyes), as well as the dirty practices of Egypt… I’ve been Jehovah their God!

⁸ ‘But they revolted against Me, and they refused to listen to Me. Their disgusting things they didn’t remove (which were there before all their eyes), nor did they abandon the practices of Egypt. So, I threatened to pour out My rage upon them, and finish My anger among them in Egypt. ⁹ But I acted so My Name would not be profaned, before the nations among which they lived (those to whom I made [My] presence known), and I led them from Egypt’s land.

¹⁰ ‘Then I led them from Egypt and into the desert, ¹¹ where I gave them My orders and all of My Laws… which, if a man does them, brings 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 in the desert, the house of Israel made Me bitter, for they didn’t follow My orders, and they pushed away all My Laws – which bring life to a man if he’ll live by them – and they profaned all My Sabbaths. So, there in the desert I threatened, to pour out My rage upon them, and to completely consume them. ¹⁴ But I [held back], so My Name would not be profaned, among the nations who saw that I’d led them.

¹⁵ ‘Then in the desert I raised My hand, so as not to bring them into the land – a land that flows with milk and honey (honeycombs that are greater than in all other lands) – ⁶ for they’d pushed away all 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 continued to spare them… I did not wipe them away, nor, there in the desert, dedicate them to destruction. ¹⁸ I told their children there in the desert, not to follow their father’s laws, or to obey their [bad] rules – not to be defiled by the things of their fathers – ¹⁹ for I am Jehovah their God. [I told them to] follow My orders; to keep My Laws and then do them; ²⁰ and to keep all My Sabbaths holy, for this will serve as a sign between us, that I am Jehovah their God.

²¹ ‘But against Me they also rebelled, and their children wouldn’t follow My orders… they refused 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 rage… I threatened to pour out My rage upon them, and complete My rage upon them in the desert. ²² So against them I 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. ²³ I raised My hand against them in the desert, to scatter them among all the nations, ²⁴ because they’d refused to keep My Laws, and My orders they’d pushed away; they profaned all of My Sabbaths, and they followed the thoughts of their fathers.

²⁵ ‘So I gave them over to bad orders, and to laws that would not bring them life. ²⁶ I gave them orders to defile them, and to scatter all those who opened the womb – to completely wipe them away – so they will know that I am Jehovah.

²⁷ ‘So, because of these things; O son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them that thus says Jehovah: To this day your fathers have provoked Me to rage, by the errors they’ve committed against Me. ²⁸ For, though I brought them into the land, that I raised My hand in order to give them… when they saw its high hills and shady trees, they sacrificed to other gods there, which brought My wrath upon their gift offerings. To them they offered scents and pleasing aromas, and poured out drink offerings before them.

²⁹ ‘Then I asked them: What’s so important about these high places, that you are choosing to go there? (For they call them High Places to this day).

³⁰ ‘So, because of all of these things, tell Israel that thus says Jehovah: Do all the lawlessness of your fathers! Defile yourselves with their disgusting ways! ³¹ As the first-fruits of your gifts and 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 Israel; Will I not give a reply? As I live, says Jehovah; If I should give you an answer, would your spirit pay any attention… ³² won’t you say that you want to be like the nations, and the [other] tribes of the earth, who all serve wood and stone idols?

³³ ‘Because of this, as I live, says Jehovah; I’ll reign over you with a strong hand, and with My arm raised high in great rage!

³⁴ ‘But then I’ll lead you out from those peoples, and take you away from those places, where I had dispersed you with My strong hand, and My arm raised high in great rage! ³⁵ Then I’ll lead you into the deserts of the nations, where I’ll argue your case face to face, ³⁶ the same as I argued the case of your fathers, there in the deserts of Egypt… that’s how I will then judge you, says Jehovah.

³⁷ ‘For then I’ll lead you away with My rod, and return you [back to your homeland]. ³⁸ And I’ll pick out all those among you, who’ve proven themselves irreverent and rebellious, and remove them from those who [return]; for the land of Israel they’ll not enter. And then you will know that I am Jehovah.

³⁹ ‘And as for you, O house of Israel; Jehovah says, Get rid of all your evil ways! From now on listen to Me, and no longer profane My Holy Name, with your gifts and all your [wicked] deeds, ⁴⁰ that are being done on My Holy Mountain, and in all of Israel’s hills.

‘Jehovah says: Israel must serve Me throughout the whole land, for there I will receive them, and there I’ll keep watch on their first fruits… the first-fruits of your offerings and all your holy things. ⁴¹ And when I return you from among all the nations (from the places where I scattered you), I will accept your pleasant aromas, and I will be holy among you, before the eyes of all people. ⁴² And then you will know that I am Jehovah, when to the land of Israel I return you… the land that I gave to your fathers.

⁴³ ‘Then you will think of your ways, and of all the things that you did, in order to make yourselves dirty, and you’ll slap your own faces for your evil ways. ⁴⁴ And you’ll know that I am Jehovah, and I did this so My Name would not be profaned, by your bad 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 there in the woods, that lead off into the Negev! ⁴⁷ And in the woods of the Negev, say, Hear the word of Jehovah! For He says: {Look!} I’ll light a fire within you, which will burn both the green trees and dry trees. And after it has been lit, this fire will not be put out. All faces will then be consumed, by winds from the east and the north. ⁴⁸ Then all flesh will know that I am Jehovah, for I’ll light it on fire and not put it out.’

⁴⁹ But I said, ‘O Lord, O Lord, by no means! For, then they’ll ask: Aren’t you just telling us a parable?’

Chapter 21

¹ And the Lord replied to me saying, ² ‘Because of these things, O son of man, [now you must] prophesy this: Toward Jerusalem, now set your face, and look into its holy places, then against the land of Israel prophesy! ³ Tell Israel that thus says Jehovah:

Look, I am against you, so I’ll pull My knife from its sheath,
And destroy all the unrighteous and lawless…
⁴ out of you, I will destroy,
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’re moaning, you must say:
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 until you are shiny;
Prepare for paralysis and slay!
Treat with contempt… cut down every tree!

¹¹ ‘So, he prepared it to hold in his hand…
And the sword is now very sharp…
Ready for use by he who does stabbing.

¹² ‘Cry out and shriek, O sons of men,
For, upon My people this will come,
And upon all those who guide Israel…
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, must now prophecy…
Clap one hand against the other,
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 weaken,
As they stand at their gates.
For, they will be slaughtered by the sword.

‘Well done, O sharp one that slaughters.
Well done, O you that is shiny.
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 upon 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 Babylon may enter. For, two [armies] will come from one place; one from the right, and one from the city’s top street. So, prepare that corner of the street!

²⁰ ‘For, the broadsword [will first enter] RabBah, in the [land of] of Ammon’s sons. Then to Jerusalem will come an attack, ²¹ and on ancient roads, Babylon’s king will then stand.

‘On the corner between the two streets [he will stand], asking his oracles for divination… to stir with the rod and ask of his idols, and to look into the liver.

²² ‘An oracle will come from Jerusalem’s right, and throw up a siege mound against her. He’ll open his mouth wide and yell… to raise their voices with cries, and against her gates to place siege mounds… to throw up mounds and build many weapons.

²³ ‘And he’ll be an oracle against them, who’ll provide divination upon them. And he’ll recall to their minds, that they’re being captured because they’re unrighteous.

²⁴ ‘It’s because of this,’ said the Lord… ‘he’ll recall your unrighteous ways, so your irreverence will be uncovered, and 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 lawless and profane one… upon you who are Israel’s guide; Your unrighteous days have come to an end. ²⁶ For, Jehovah said this: Remove the turban and take off the crown, for they’ll no longer be yours. From on high you’ll be cut down, and that which is low will then be raised!

²⁷ ‘Unrighteousness I’ll appoint upon the unrighteous, and that’s all that there’ll be ‘til the time, when he arrives who is fit, and then I’ll give it to him.

²⁸ ‘Yes, prophecy, O son of man… to the sons of Ammon you must say, that Jehovah said this concerning their scorn: O sword, O broadsword, now be unsheathed! Be unsheathed for the victims of slaughter! Arise and shine to consume them!

²⁹ ‘Your visions are worthless and your oracles have lied, for they have all failed to save you. Their lawless ways are upon the necks of the slain, and their unrighteous days have concluded.

³⁰ ‘Now, return [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 the barbarians I’ll hand you over… to those contriving corruption.

³² ‘By fire you’ll be devoured, and your blood will flow through the midst of your land. Then 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, 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 brought defilement on herself; ⁴ Into the blood that you’ve shed you have fallen, and you’ve defiled yourself with your thoughts. So, the end of your days have drawn near, and you’ve brought the end of your years.

‘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 lawless ways you are famous and great.

⁶ ‘Look upon those who guide Israel; They’ve joined with all their relations, in order to spill innocent blood. ⁷ And against your own fathers and mothers, they now speak of doing what’s evil.

‘Foreigners you treat with injustice, and you tyrannize widows and orphans. ⁸ My holy things you treat with contempt, and you profane My Sabbaths among you. ⁹ The men among you are robbers, and they shed innocent blood. Up in the mountains they’re feasting to idols… unholy things they now do in your midst!

¹⁰ ‘They’ve uncovered the shame of their fathers, and debased many women among you… those sitting apart in unclean conditions. ¹¹ Each has done wrong with his neighbor’s wife; 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 require; thus you’ve brought your evil to completion, and in your tyranny, you forgot Me, says Jehovah.

¹³ ‘Now, if I clap hand against hand, against all the evils you’ve done; yes, all the bad things 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 [be strong] in the days that I do this? For, I Jehovah have spoken… yes, and now I will do it!

¹⁵ ‘So, among all the nations I will disperse you; I will scatter you to many regions, and then your uncleanness will vanish. ¹⁶ For, I’ll assign the nations to watch over you, 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 has been mixed, like brass, iron, tin, and lead with the silver. ¹⁹ And because of this, you must tell them, that thus says [Jehovah their God]: You are all mixed into one. So, into Jerusalem’s midst I will put you, ²⁰ as in the midst of a furnace. Then, just as with silver that is mixed, with brass, iron, tin, and lead, and air is blown in to refine it, so I’ll do to you in My anger… I will gather you in My rage, and throw you into a furnace. ²¹ Then 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 this: You are the land… the land without rain, for the rain won’t pour in the day of [My] rage. ²⁵ For, the leaders in your midst are like lions, which roar and seize prey by force. They dominate, destroy, and consume; they take whatever has value; and the numbers of widows now grow in your midst.

²⁶ ‘Her priests have annulled all My Laws, and My holy things they’ve profaned. They no longer can tell what is holy, from things which are profane, nor do they know the clean from unclean. ²⁷ My Sabbaths they’ve hidden from their eyes, and I’ve been profaned in their midst.²⁸ So, her prophets by whom they were anointed, will now all be cut down… those who see only vain things, and oracles that really aren’t true, but say that Jehovah has spoken, when Jehovah has not really spoken.

²⁹ ‘And even the land’s [common] people, call for what is unrighteous, and [for a share] of the prey. For, they tyrannize the poor and the needy, and foreigners are not treated 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 would not have to end her, and totally wipe her away. But I couldn’t find such [a man], ³¹ thus upon her I’ll pour out My rage… the fire of My anger in order to end it… I’ll lay all the blame on their 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, both daughters of a mother, ³ who during their youth were immoral. They [had sex] down in Egypt… there is where their breasts fell, and where they lost their virgin condition.

⁴ ‘The name of the eldest was Aholah, and her sister was named AholiBah. And to Me they both had been given, to give birth to My sons and My daughters. What are their [real] names? Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem is AholiBah.

⁵ ‘Aholah was immoral against Me, and doted upon all of her lovers… upon the Assyrians with whom she [slept]… ⁶ those clothed in blue; commanders and leaders; the choicest of all their young men, as well the cavalry riding on horses. ⁷ To them she offered her [sex]… to the choicest of Assyria’s sons… with all those whom she desired, she defiled herself with her whole [heart]. ⁸ Yet, her affair with Egypt she didn’t leave, and with her they [slept] in her youth. She lost her virginity with them, as they poured out [their semen] upon her.

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 happened, she even became more corrupt… even more immoral than her sister. ¹² For, upon the sons of Assyria she doted… those commanders and leaders who were near her, all who were elegantly clothed, and the cavalry men who ride on horses… all their 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 on walls… images of Chaldeans that were painted with a brush, ¹⁵ wearing colored belts on their hips, and deeply-dyed turbans on their heads, all giving the appearance of officials, of the sons of Babylonians… of her fatherland, the Chaldeans.

¹⁶ ‘She doted on them with her eyes, then she sent messengers to them, there in the land of Chaldea. ¹⁷ And to her came Babylon’s sons, and upon her marriage-bed they then rested… in their immorality they defiled her.

‘And as she was being defiled, she gave her life over to them… ¹⁸ her immorality and shame she uncovered… she separated My life from hers, as My life had been divided from that of her sister.

¹⁹ ‘Then she became even worse, as she remembered the days of her youth, when she [had sex] down in Egypt, ²⁰ and doted upon the Chaldeans, for they had flesh just like burros, and genitals like those of horses.

²¹ ‘You overlooked the lawlessness of your youth… the things that you did down in Egypt, and the place where you had then lodged… where the breasts of your youth had first fallen.

²² ‘Because of this, 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 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 their faces I will put judgment, and in their (type of) justice you’ll be punished.

²⁵ ‘Then against you I’ll show 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 remove all the things you were proud of.

²⁷ ‘Then your impious deeds I’ll take away, and the immorality you did down in Egypt. You’ll no longer be raising your eyes, and you’ll remember Egypt no more.’

²⁸ ‘For Jehovah says: {Look!} I’ll give you to the hands of those you detested (those to whom you’ve given your life), ²⁹ and they’ll deal with you in their hatred, and 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 were defiled by your thoughts about them. ³¹You went in the ways of your sister, so her cup I’ll now put in your hands.’

³² ‘And Jehovah said: From the cup of your sister you will drink deeply, and there’ll be enough to cause laughter… then, in complete intoxication you will sneer. ³³ From the cup of extinction you’ll be filled, and it will make you feel weak… yes, the cup of your sister Samaria. ³⁴ You will drink and then you’ll throw up; you’ll eat his shards of broken pots; and start pulling at your own breasts.

‘So I’ll pervert your holiday feasts, as well as all your New Moons… yes, I’ll pervert them, for I’ve spoken, says Jehovah.’

³⁵ ‘Then Jehovah said: Because you forgot Me and put Me behind you, you’ll get what you’re due for your whoring!’

³⁶ And the Lord said to me: ‘O son of man; Now judge Aholah and AholiBah! Speak to them of their lawless deeds… ³⁷ of the adultery and blood on their hands. Why, they’ve even been adulterous in their thoughts; and the children they bore Me they led through the fire!

³⁸ ‘And as they did all this 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 Place 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; and 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 you put bracelets, and a crown of boasting on their heads. ⁴³ Though I told you not to be an adulteress, in the ways of a whore you [had sex]. ⁴⁴ Then they entered you 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 are also just men, they will punish them both, with the punishment that’s due an adulteress. In justice they’ll then shed their blood, for the adultery and blood in their hands.’

⁴⁶ Then the Lord said: ‘Now bring the multitudes against them… bring disturbance and ravaging to them. ⁴⁷ May the multitudes stone them with rocks, and pierce them through with their broadswords! Kill all their sons and their daughters, and burn all of their houses! ⁴⁸ For, I’ll bring their godless [lovers] back to the land, in order to correct [both] these women, so there’s no way that they’ll be so godless again… ⁴⁹ I’ll lay your irreverence upon your own heads, and you’ll bear your own sins and ideas. Then you will know that I am Jehovah!’

Chapter 24

¹ It was in the ninth year, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Write for yourself the name of this day, for this is the day when Babylon’s king, will have taken Jerusalem… yes, this is that day! ³ And speak this poem to that house in rebellion. Tell them that thus says Jehovah:

‘Prepare the pot… prepare the pot and fill it with water,
⁴ Then you must put in the pieces…
All the best pieces… the shoulder and leg,
Then tear off the flesh from the bones.

⁵ ‘The choicest of cattle are gathered,
So start the fire to boil the bones…
Boil and cook her bones in her midst.

⁶ ‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
O city of blood; There’s a pot which is filled with her venom.
So, when they brought out her limbs,
[None] chose her as their portion.

⁷ ‘Upon a rock her blood was poured…
I arranged for it not to be poured on the ground,
And then to be covered by dust.

⁸ Her punishment [came down upon her] in rage…
And I poured her blood on a rock,
So [no one] could cover it over.

⁹ ‘Because of this, said Jehovah;
Woe to you, O city of blood,
For your funeral pyre will be great…
¹⁰ I’ll add much wood and kindle a fire,
To melt away all the meat,
And in order to render a broth, the bones will have to be stewed.

¹¹ ‘It’ll sit on the coals until it burns through,
And her brass utensils will melt…
Until her uncleanness [is gone], and all her venom has failed…
¹² For little of her venom remains.

¹³ ‘The venom of her filth I’ll disgrace,
Until it is all boiled away.
For, you made yourself dirty and wouldn’t be cleansed…
Thus you won’t be cleansed anymore,
Until My rage is fulfilled upon you.

¹⁴ ‘For, I Jehovah have spoken… it will come and I’ll do it!
I won’t warn or show mercy on you,
And I won’t offer you comfort.
According to your ways and your thoughts…
That is how you’ll be judged, says Jehovah.’

¹⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me saying: ¹⁶ ‘O son of man; {Look!} With a blow I will take your dearest treasure. Yet, you must not show any sorrow. ¹⁷ The moaning you do must be silent… you must Groan silently, and may they not wail at her grave. Don’t braid the hair on your head, just put your sandals on your feet. Don’t allow [your friends] to offer you comfort, and their bread do not eat.’

¹⁸ Then the next morning, I told the people what He said to me; and that evening, my wife died. So, the [next] morning I did as I was instructed. ¹⁹ And the people asked me, ‘Won’t you explain to us about all these things that you’re doing?’

²⁰ And I told them that the word of the Lord had come to me and said, ²¹ ‘Speak to the house of Israel, and tell them that thus says Jehovah: {Look!} I will profane My holy places… the neighing of your strength and desire of your eyes. And in order to save your own lives, you’ll abandon your sons and your daughters, and then they will fall by the broadsword. ²² And then you will do what I’m doing; you won’t take comfort from anyone’s mouth, or eat from the bread of mankind! ²³ Your hair will hang from your heads, and on your feet you’ll wear sandals. You will not mourn, nor will you cry; in unrighteousness you’ll just melt away, and none will comfort even his brother.

²⁴ ‘EzekiEl will serve as an omen and sign, for all that he does you will do. And after these things have all happened, you will know that I am Jehovah.

²⁵ ‘And as for you, O son of man; So it will be in that day – when I take away all their strength, and the haughtiness of their boasting; the desirable things of their eyes; their sons and their daughter (the pride of their lives) – ²⁶ that those who escape in that day, will come to you and announce it!

²⁷ ‘And your mouth will open in that day, to speak to those who’ve escaped… you’ll speak and not be mute any more… you’ll tell how you were a sign, and they will know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 25

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Against the sons of Ammon now set your face; [you must speak] this prophesy against them! ³ Tell the sons of Ammon to hear the word of the Lord, for, thus says Jehovah: Because you were [filled with] rejoicing, ⁴ when My Holy Place was profaned; and over the land of Israel, when it was being destroyed; and over the house of Judah, when they were taken as captives; ⁴ {Look!} it is for these very reasons, that to the sons of Kedem I’ll hand you, and their inheritance you will become. They’ll camp among you as [masters], and spread their tents in your midst, then eat your fruits and drink of your fatness. ⁵ The cities of Ammon I’ll give them, to serve as pastures for their sheep; and I’ll also give them your camels. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.

⁶ ‘Jehovah says: For, you clapped your hands and stamped your feet, and rejoiced over Israel in your soul. ⁷ And because of this, {Look!} I’ll stretch out My hand, and appoint you to be ravaged among the nations. I’ll destroy you out of the peoples… I’ll destroy you out of your regions, and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

⁸ ‘Jehovah says: Because Moab and Seir have [often] said, {Look!} The house of Judah’s become like the gentiles, ⁹ {Look!} for this I’ll disable the shoulder of Moab, from the cities at the edge [of his land]; the choicest land of BethJeshimOth, the city of springs by the sea. ¹⁰ To the sons of Kedem and Ammon they’re given, to be an inheritance among them, so the nations will forget Ammon’s sons. ¹¹ For in Moab I will also wreak vengeance, and then they will know that I am Jehovah.

¹² ‘And Jehovah says: Since Edom was very resentful, and sought vengeance against the house of Judah, seeking to bring punishment on them; ¹³ because of this, says Jehovah, I’ll stretch out My hand against Edom, and from man to beast, destroy all. I will make [their land] a desolation, and from Teman and Ledan those being pursued, will all then fall by the broadsword.¹⁴ Against the land of Edom I’ll bring vengeance, by the hand of Israel My people. They’ll deal with Edom according to My rage, and in the ways of My anger. Then they will know of My vengeance, says Jehovah.

¹⁵ ‘And because of this, says Jehovah; because the Philistines arose to take vengeance, and they rejoiced in their souls, to wipe [My people] away through the age; ¹⁶ because of this, says Jehovah, {Look!} against the Philistines I’ll stretch out My hand… I will destroy the Cherethim, as well as those who remain on the coast. ¹⁷ Against them I will bring vengeance, and the rebukes of My rage. Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I bring My vengeance upon them.’

Chapter 26

¹ It was in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, Well done, because she is now broken! For she had destroyed many nations, and then she turned her attention toward me. But she that was full is now desolation; ³ ‘Because of this,’ said Jehovah, ‘{Look!} I am against you, O Rock, and I’ll bring many nations against you, like the sea that ascends with her waves. ⁴ The walls of Tyre they’ll tear down, and they’ll knock down all of her towers. Then I’ll scatter her dust to the wind, leaving her like a smooth rock, ⁵ and she’ll be a place to dry [fish] nets, for I have spoken,’ says Jehovah.

‘She’ll become a place to be plundered by nations. ⁶ Then her daughters in the plains will be killed by the sword, and they will know that I am Jehovah.’ ⁷ For Jehovah says: ‘Look! I’ll bring against you, O Tyre, NebuChadNezzar the king of Babylon from the north. He [is truly] the king of all kings, with horses, chariots, and horsemen, and an army from many nations.

⁸ ‘He will destroy with the sword, this daughter of yours in the plains. Against you he’ll send advance guards; he’ll surround you and dig out a trench; he’ll close you in with a siege mound, and set it up with lances and shields. ⁹ Then he’ll demolish your walls and your towers; he will destroy [all your] weapons; ¹⁰ from the dust of his horses you’ll be covered; and from the sounds of his horsemen and chariot wheels, all your walls will be shaken. Then when he enters your gates, it’ll be like he’d entered a city in the plains.

¹¹ ‘With the hoofs of his horses they’ll trample your squares, and they’ll kill all your people with swords… they’ll bring the support of your strength to the ground. ¹² Then they will plunder your army; they’ll take all your things and tear down your walls, and demolish all your best houses. Then they’ll throw your stones and your wood, as well as your dust in the midst of the sea.

¹³ ‘He’ll rip away your many musicians, and the sounds of strings will no longer be heard. ¹⁴ I will make you like a smooth rock, and a place for the drying of dragnets. There’s no way that you’ll be rebuilt, for I Jehovah have spoken,’ said the Lord.

¹⁵ Then Jehovah asked this of Tyre: ‘When their swords are unsheathed in your midst, won’t the sounds of your downfall, and the moans of your wounded shake the islands? ¹⁶ Won’t the rulers in the seas step down from their thrones, then remove their crowns and colorful robes? They’ll be startled by this change of state, then sit in fear of their own destruction, as they moan over you. ¹⁷ They’ll [sing] this lamentation over you:

‘O how you were destroyed,
And deposed from the sea,
As well as all those who dwelled there,
By he who brought fear to all those who live there.

‘You’re a city that once was so praised;
One given strength by the sea.
¹⁸ But the islands were in fear from the day of your downfall…
The islands of the sea were disturbed when you left.’

¹⁹ Then the Lord Jehovah said this: ‘Upon your cities I’ll bring desolation, and leave them all without people; then I’ll cover you with the waters of the deep. ²⁰ I will bring you and your people, into the pit through the age. I’ll settle you into the depths of the ground, as a desolate place through the ages, with all the rest who’ve gone down to the pit, and in the land of the living you’ll no longer be. ²¹ I’ll appoint you for desolation, and you won’t exist anymore, so they’ll look for you and not find you,’ says Jehovah.

Chapter 27

¹ Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘And you, O son of man; [Write] this lamentation over Tyre. ³ You must say to the Rock (she who lives by the sea… the market of the peoples from many islands) that thus says Jehovah to Tyre:

‘You say you’ve invested in beauty; ⁴ for the heart of the sea is your border, and your sons perfected your beauty. ⁵ Cedar was [the wood] with which you were built, along with Lebanon’s cypress planks. With posts of fir your ship masts were built; ⁶ in Bashan they made all your oars; your temples are made out of ivory; and your houses are made out of wood, that came from the Island of Cyprus. ⁷ Your embroidered linen came from Egypt, with which you cover your beds, and which also brought you much glory. From the islands of My God the King, came the purple and blue that serve as your wraps.

⁸ ‘Your princes who lived in Sidon and Arvad, were those who served as your oarsmen; and your navigators were wise men, O Rock. ⁹ The elders among you were scholars and sages, who grew in their power to give you direction. And all ships of the sea and their oarsmen, came to you on their trips from the west.

¹⁰ ‘Your warriors were from Lydia and Persia; they hung their helmets and shields among you, and they brought you much glory. ¹¹ Sons of Arvad were your soldiers, and were stationed around all your walls, as Medes served as guards in your towers. They hung their quivers on your moorings, and they perfected your beauty.

¹² ‘Men from Carthage were your merchants, who brought you abundance and strength, as well as silver and gold, along with brass, iron, tin, and lead, that they brought to your markets.

¹³ ‘The Greeks and the whole world (those from far away places), traded men’s lives [in your streets], and items of brass they offered in trade. ¹⁴ From the house of TorGarmah came horses… horsemen and mules they brought to your stores.

¹⁵ ‘The sons of the Rhodes were also your merchants; from the islands they brought you much trade. And those who brought you your ivory, were paid with your earnings from men; ¹⁶ from your warehouses of balsam; from your purple cloth and your linen; from colored works out of Carthage; and things from RamOth and ChoHor, that were sent to your market.

¹⁷ ‘Judah and Israel were your merchants, in the sales of grain and perfumes, as well as the finest of honey… they brought olive oil and balm to your stores.

¹⁸ ‘Damascus was a trader in all of your works, and in the abundance of your power, bringing wine in from Helbon, and fine wool from Miletus.

¹⁹ ‘Dan, and Javan, and MoOzel, brought much iron to your market, to add many tools and wheels to your stores.

²⁰ ‘Dedan too was your merchant, providing choice chariot [horses].

²¹ ‘Arabia and the rulers of Cyprus (merchants trading camels through your hands), brought lambs and rams that they traded with you.

²² ‘Your merchants were Sheba and RamAh; yes, these were also your traders, bringing choice spices and most precious gems, as well as gold to your market.

²³ ‘Haran, CanNeh, and Edem were your merchants, as were Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad. ²⁴ These brought blue [cloth] and great treasures, in [boxes of] cypress bound in rough cords.

²⁵ ‘Your boats were also your merchants, bringing an abundance to your stores. They were filled and weighed down, in the heart of the sea, ²⁶ and your oarsmen also brought much. [They were blown] by the winds from the south, through which you broke the heart of the sea.

²⁷ ‘Your armies, your wages, and stores; your oarsmen, navigators, and counselors; your goods that come from your stores, and all the warriors among you – those who have gathered within you – will all fall in the heart of the sea, in the day of your downfall.

²⁸ ‘Your navigators will all be shaken, at the sounds of your cries, and be overcome with great fear. ²⁹ Your oarsmen will abandon their boats, and their captains and crews will flee to dry ground. ³⁰ Then they’ll loudly shout over you; yes, for you they’ll bitterly cry; upon their heads they’ll throw dirt, and spread ashes as beds for themselves. ³¹ They’ll shave their heads and wear sackcloth, and bitterly weep over you. ³² Their sons will lament over you, and they will wail for the Rock, as they ask: Who is as silent as Tyre, there in the midst of the sea?

³³ ‘How much wealth did you get from the sea? Why, nations are filled with all your abundance, and their kings were enriched by your stores. ³⁴ But now you lie broken there in the sea, and your stores are in the depths of the sea. For, all who gathered in you have now fallen, along with all of your oarsmen.

³⁵ ‘Over you, there’ll be gloom in the islands over you… their kings will be startled and amazed, then tears will burst from their faces. ³⁶ Merchants from the nations will whistle at you, for you [will soon be] destroyed… you will be no more through the age.’

Chapter 28

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘And you, O son of man; Say this to the ruler of Tyre! Tell him that thus says Jehovah: You have made your heart haughty, and you said that you are a God, for you live in the dwelling of sea gods! Yet, you are a man not a god, and you made your own heart the heart of a god.

³ ‘Are you also wiser than DaniEl… didn’t the wise correct you in wisdom? ⁴ Was it intelligence or wisdom that brought you to power… when you procured gold and silver as treasures? ⁵ Was it wisdom or trading that gave you your power… that made your heart haughty because of your strength?

⁶ ‘It’s due to this, says Jehovah; Since you’ve made your heart as that of a God; {Look!} I’ll bring strange pests from the nations upon you, ⁷ and they’ll empty their swords out against you… against the beauty of your wisdom, and they’ll spread your beauty to destruction. ⁸ They’ll cut you down and you’ll die, the death of the slain in the heart of the sea.

⁹ ‘Will you say you’re a god to those who’ll destroy you? For, you’ll be just a man not a god, in the hands of those who will stab you. ¹⁰ Among the uncircumcised you will then die… by the hands of those who are strangers. For, I have spoken, says Jehovah.’

¹¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹² ‘O son of man; Speak this lamentation to the ruler of Tyre. Tell him that thus says Jehovah:

‘Yours is the image on a seal;
Full of wisdom and a crown of great beauty.
³ You live in the luxury of the paradise of gods,
And every precious gem you have owned…
Sardinus, topaz, and emeralds;
Onyx, sapphires, and jasper;
Silver, gold, amber, and agate;
Amethysts, chrysolite, and beryl.
Your treasuries are filled with onyx and gold,
As are all your storehouses.

¹⁴ ‘From the day that you were created,
For you a cherub was prepared,
You were anointed by God,
And you stayed in [His] Tent.
I put you upon God’s Holy Mountain,
And among stones of fire you existed.

¹⁵ ‘In your days you were perfect…
Yes, from the day that you were created,
Until the time that you were found guilty.

¹⁶ ‘From the abundance of your trade your storerooms were filled,
Then you became lawless and sinned.
So, you were removed from the mountain of God (from the midst of stones of fire),
And the cherub over you was removed.

¹⁷ ‘Because of your beauty your heart became high,
And by the multitude of your sins, your beauty and wisdom were corrupted.
So I tossed you down to the earth,
And made you an example to [other] kings.

¹⁸ ‘Because of the multitude of your sins,
And the ways you have failed in your tradings,
You have profaned all your temples.

‘So, I will send fire into your midst;
I’ll devour you and turn you to ash,
Before all those who can see you.
¹⁹ Then, all the nations will be saddened by you,
For you were destroyed and are gone through the age.’

²⁰ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ²¹ ‘O son of man; Now fix your face against Sidon, and against it, now prophesy! ²² Tell them that thus says Jehovah: {Look!} I’m against you, O Sidon, and by you I’ll be glorified, for you will know that I am Jehovah, when I bring My judgments upon you, and then I’ll be holy among you.

²³ ‘Against you I will send death and blood, and you will fall in your squares. As the men among you are wounded by swords, those near you will know that I am Jehovah.

²⁴ ‘The house of Israel will be gone… a barb of bitternes and thorn of grief. And all who surround them and bring them dishonor, will know that I am Jehovah.’

²⁵ ‘Jehovah says: Then I’ll gather those of the house of Israel, from among all the nations where they were dispersed, and I will be holy among them, before all the peoples and nations. Then they will live on the land, which I gave to My servant Jacob, ²⁶ and they will dwell upon it in hope. There, they’ll plant vineyards and build houses, and they will dwell there in hope, when I bring My judgments on all who abused them – all who now live around them – and they’ll know that I’m Jehovah their God, as well as the God of their fathers.’

Chapter 29

¹ It was in the tenth year (on the first day of the tenth month) that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Firmly fix your face against Pharaoh (the king of Egypt)… prophesy against him and against Egypt! ³ Speak and tell them that thus says Jehovah: {Look!} I’m against you, O Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great dragon who waits between his rivers; he who says, The rivers are mine… they were created for me!

⁴ ‘I will put hooks in your jaws, and the fish of your rivers I’ll stick to your wings. Then I’ll lead you from the midst of your rivers, and I’ll cut the scales from the fish of your rivers. ⁵ Then I’ll throw you down along with the fish… upon the face of the plains you will fall, then you’ll be collected and not [thrown back],then fed to the beasts of the earth, and to flying creatures in the sky.

⁶ ‘Then those who are living in Egypt, will know that I am Jehovah. [This will all happen] because; To the house of Israel you have proved, to be just a reed, not a rod; ⁷ and you broke when they grabbed onto you with their hands. Then, by every hand they were beaten, because they [trusted] in you… because you broke and this broke their loins.

⁸ ‘Because of this, says Jehovah, {Look!} I will bring the broadsword upon you, to destroy you all (both men and beasts). ⁹ The land of Egypt will then be given, for destruction and desolation. And they will all know that I am Jehovah; since you said, The rivers are mine… they were created for me!

¹⁰ ‘{Look!} So, I am against both you and your rivers; and for destruction by the sword I’ll give the land of Egypt, from Migdol, to SyEne, and Ethiopia’s borders, ¹¹ and no way will man or beast then walk there… no way will any go through it; and for forty years no one will live there. ¹² I’ll appoint her land for destruction, and the land’s midst will lie baren. All the cities in her midst will lie empty… for forty years they’ll all be extinct. I’ll scatter Egypt among all the nations, and [blow] them to many places.’

¹³ ‘Then, Jehovah says, After forty years I will gather the Egyptians, from the nations where they were dispersed, ¹⁴ and I will return all the captured Egyptians, and resettle them in the land of Phathros (the land from which they were taken), and there they must humbly submit. ¹⁵ All of her reigns will have ended, and she’ll not be higher than the nations again. For, I will cause them to be very few, so they’ll not be [counted] among other nations.

¹⁶ ‘Then, to the house of Israel you’ll be no hope… they’ll be reminded that it was wrong, to ever have put trust in you. And then they will know that I am Jehovah.’

¹⁷ It was in the twenty-seventh year (on the first day of the first month) that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁸ ‘O son of man; Because of Tyre, NebuChadNezzar (Babylon’s king), has reduced his army to slaves. For, all their heads are now bald, and their shoulders are covered with loose hair, because of his army’s attack against Tyre, and the work they have done which haven’t brought wages. ¹⁹ Because of this, says Jehovah, {Look!} To Babylon’s King NebuChadNezzar, I will hand the land of Egypt. Then he will loot and plunder her spoils, and this will be his army’s wage. ²⁰ In return for his service against Tyre, the land of Egypt I’ll give him, because of the things that he’s done for Me, says Jehovah.

²¹ ‘In that day, a horn will arise, before all those of Israel’s house, and I’ll send an opened mouth in their midst, and they will know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 30

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Prophesy and tell them that thus says Jehovah: The day is near… ³ the day of Jehovah approaches; it’s a day of clouds and a time of the nations, ⁴ for swords will come against the Egyptians, and to the land of Ethiopia will come a disturbance; and those slain in Egypt will fall… they will take all her abundance, and tear her down to her foundations.

⁵ ‘Persians, Cretans, and Lydians; Libyans, Ethiopians, and mixed peoples; will all fall with My Covenant people, ⁶ says Jehovah. And the supporters of Egypt will fall… they’ll go down with the insolence of her strength. From Migdol to Syene they’ll fall by the sword. ⁷ They’ll lie desolate amid places being wiped out, and the cities in her midst will be gone. ⁸ Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I bring fire against Egypt, and all who helped her will be broken.

⁹ ‘In that day; Messengers will come in a hurry, to wipe out the hope of Ethiopia… in that day there’ll be disturbance in Egypt, and look, it has already come!’

¹⁰ ‘Jehovah says, I will destroy many Egyptians, by the hand of NebuChadNezzar, king of Babylon. ¹¹ He and all of his people, and the pestilent ones from the nations, are being sent to destroy the whole land. They’ll empty their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain. ¹² Then I’ll make their rivers desolate places, and give their land to those who are bad. I’ll obliterate their land and empty it out, and give all of its fullness to strangers. For, I am Jehovah and I have spoken!

¹³ ‘Jehovah God says, Their disgusting things I’ll destroy… to those [gods] of Memphis I’ll provide rest, and the rulers of Egypt won’t be any more.

¹⁴ ‘Upon the land of Egypt I will bring fear, and the land of Pathros I will destroy. I will bring fire upon Tanis, and punishment to DiosPolis. ¹⁵ I’ll pour out My rage upon Sin, which is the stronghold of Egypt. And the multitudes of Memphis I’ll destroy.

¹⁶ ‘Yes, I will bring fire upon Egypt, and disturbance I’ll send upon Sin. Upon DiosPolis I’ll spit, and I’ll remove all its waters. ¹⁷ The young men of HelioPolis and those of BuBastum, ¹⁸ will all fall by the sword, and their women will be taken as captives.

¹⁸ ‘In TahPanHes the days will be dark, when the chiefdoms of Egypt I break there. Then the strength of her insolence will be broken; she will be covered by clouds, and her daughters will be led off as captives.

¹⁹ ‘I will bring judgment on Egypt. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.’

²⁰ It was in the eleventh year, in the first month, and on the seventh day of the month that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ²¹ ‘O son of man; I will break the arms of Pharaoh (king of Egypt), {Look!} and for ways to heal him they’ll search. Upon his wounds they’ll wrap dressings, so he can carry his sword. ²² But, because of this, says Jehovah, {Look!} I’m against the Pharaoh (king of Egypt), so I will break his strong arms, including the one that’s been broken, and tear his sword from his hand. ²³ Then I’ll scatter Egypt among all the nations, and [blow] them among many places.

²⁴ ‘I’ll strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, and put My sword in his hand. Then he will use it on Egypt… he’ll loot her loot and spoil all her spoils. ²⁵ I’ll strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, and then the arms of Pharaoh will fall. And they will know that am Jehovah, when to Babylon’s king I give My sword, and he lifts it against the land of Egypt.

²⁶ ‘Then I’ll scatter Egypt among all the nations… to many places I’ll blow them away, and then they will know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 31

¹ It was in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Ask Pharaoh (king of Egypt) and his armies, when it comes to being haughty; Who else is quite like them?

³ ‘{Look!} The Assyrian was as a cypress in Lebanon, and he had many dense branches; he was protected and stood very tall, and amidst the clouds his top stood. ⁴ By deep waters he was then nourished, and that made him grow very tall. The river was led to the plants round-about him, and she poured her waters on the trees of the fields. ⁵ Because of this, his greatness was higher, than all the other trees of the field; he had more branches and much taller shoots, and over many waters he stretched. ⁶ Among his branches sat birds of the skies; beneath his branches bred the beasts of the plains, and under his shadow dwelt many nations.

⁷ ‘He became great in his height, because of his many tender branches, and his roots reached down to the water. ⁸ In the paradise of God there was none other like him… no pines could compare to his shoots; no firs had branches like his; and there in the paradise of God, none could be likened to his beauty.

⁹ ‘It was I who made him so good, with all of his [great] tender branches, and the trees of paradise were all jealous… the trees of paradise and the delicacies of God.

¹⁰ ‘Because of this,’ said the Lord; ‘because he became great in his greatness, and put his tops high in the clouds, and lifted his heart to the heights; ¹¹ to the hands of the rulers of the nations I gave him, and they brought about his destruction. ¹² Strangers cut him down to the ground, and pestilent ones from the nations, threw him down on the mountains. In all the ravines fell his branches, and his trunk [was splintered] ‘cross the plains.

‘His protection of all the peoples had fallen, for [to the ground] all nations had dashed him. ¹³ The place where the birds of the sky had once rested, and under whose trunk the beasts had existed, now had fallen to the ground. ¹⁴ And the trees around him lost all their greatness (those trees that had stood by the water); they no longer put their tops in the clouds; and those who were drinking the water, no longer stood tall in his height. All were given to death, and [were sent] to the depths of the earth… amid sons of men they went down to the pit.’

¹⁵ And the Lord said: ‘In that day he went down to the place of the dead, and he was mourned by the abyss. Then I took control of the river, and restrained its abundance of water. Lebanon became a shadow over him, and all the trees of the plains became weak. ¹⁶ From the sound of his downfall the nations all shook, when I brought him down to the place of the dead, along with those who go down to the pit. And there in the bowels of the earth, all trees of the earth offered him comfort… all the best trees and all chosen ones… the best ones of Lebanon who once drank the water. ¹⁷ With him they went down to the grave (those who were slain by the sword), and the seeds of whom he had offered protection, were destroyed in the midst of their lives.

¹⁸ ‘To whom can you liken such power, as well as the glory and greatness, among all the choicest of trees? Go down with the choicest of trees, into the depths of the earth! Among the uncircumcised you’ll sleep… with those who are slain by the sword. This is what will happen to Pharaoh, and to all of [his allies],’ said the Lord.

Chapter 32

¹ It was in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, and on the first day of the month that the word of Jehovah came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Take up this lamentation for Pharaoh, king of Egypt… you must say this to him:

‘You [think of yourself] as a lion among nations,
But you are the dragon of the sea.
For amidst your rivers you have gored;
You stamped your feet and you trampled,
And this disturbed all your waters.’

³ Then the Lord said:
‘So, by an assembly of many peoples,
Around you I’ll throw My net,
And then I’ll lead you with My hook.

⁴ ‘I will stretch you out on the ground,
And you will fill all the plains.
Then on you I’ll set the birds of the sky,
And use you to fill wild beasts of the ground.

⁵ ‘I’ll spread your flesh on the mountains,
And fill the ravines with your blood.
⁶ With your manure I’ll cover the land,
And from those in you, I will fill the valleys and ground.

⁷ ‘Then when you’re exhausted I’ll cover the skies;
Yes, I will darken the stars,
And cover the sun and the moon with a cloud,
And no way will your light be able to shine.

⁸ ‘All shining lights in the sky,
Will be dark over you,
And over your land I’ll bring darkness,’
Says Jehovah the Lord.

⁹ ‘To the hearts of many peoples I will bring rage,
When I lead you as a captive to the nations,
And into a land that you’ve never known.

¹⁰ ‘Many nations will be gloomy over you;
Their kings will be stunned and amazed,
When before their faces they see My broadsword,
As they await the downfall that comes after yours.’

¹¹ Then the Lord Jehovah said:
‘The broadsword of Babylon’s king,
Will thereafter come upon you.

¹² ‘With swords of giants I’ll [cut you] down,
And give your strength to pests from all nations.
They will destroy the insolence of Egypt,
And they will break all her strength.

¹³ ‘Then I’ll destroy all her cattle,
[That graze] around her great waters,
So, men’s feet will no longer disturb [Egypt],
Nor will cattle trample on it again.

¹⁴ ‘Then all their waters will be stilled,
And their rivers will pour out like oil,’ says Jehovah.
¹⁵ ‘When I bring destruction upon Egypt,
The fullness of the land will be [gone].
And when I scatter all those who live there,
They will know that I am Jehovah.

¹⁶ ‘Then [this] lamentation they will lament.
The daughters of nations will [cry] over Egypt…
Over her strength they’ll lament,’
Says Jehovah the Lord.

¹⁷ And in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me saying, ¹⁸ ‘O son of man; Lament for the multitudes of Egypt, for her daughters will be debased by the nations, and [there’ll be] death to the depths of the earth… to those going down to the pit. ¹⁹ From their beautiful waters they’ll descend, to sleep among the uncircumcised!

²⁰ ‘With him and his strength they will fall, among those slain by the broadsword. ²¹ And the giants of the earth will then say, It’s best that you’re now in the pit. So, go down among the uncircumcised, and sleep in the midst of those slain by the sword. ²² For, there is Assyria and all of his crowd… around his grave they are standing… all the slain who were felled by the sword; ²³ all with whom he now shares his grave, along the sides of the pit, and all his crowd surrounding his tomb… all the slain who were felled by the sword… those who once brought great fear, to the land of the living.

²⁴ ‘There is Elam and all of his army. [They are] surrounding his tomb, along with all the uncircumcised, who had been felled by the sword. [They went] to the depths of the earth, at the hands of those who brought fear, there in the land of the living. ²⁵ They accepted their torture with those in the pit (in the midst of those who were killed). ²⁶ There they put Mosoch and Tubal, along with all of their strength. The slain now stand there surrounding his tomb, with the uncircumcised slain; all were killed by the sword, by those who brought fear to the land of the living.

²⁷ ‘Now they sleep with the giants, who through the ages have fallen; they went to the land of the dead, with all their weapons of warfare. They placed their swords under their heads, and their lawless deeds fell on their bones; for during their lives they were just frightened giants. ²⁸ So, amidst the uncircumcised they’ve been destroyed, and they’ll sleep with those who were slain by the sword.

²⁹ ‘There is Edom and her kings, with all of Assyria’s rulers… those who gave up their strength, and then were wounded by the sword. Now they sleep with the slain, which have gone down to the pit. ³⁰ And there are the rulers of the north – all these and Assyria’s generals – those who went down with the slain, and shared in all of their fear. Because their strength had been shamed, among the uncircumcised they sleep… along with those who were slain by the sword; they carry their torture into the pit.

³¹ ‘Then there they’ll see King Pharaoh, and they’ll find comfort in this. For, Pharaoh and his armies will all be killed,’ says Jehovah, the Lord. ³² ‘To the land of the living, I brought his fear, yet among the uncircumcised he’ll sleep, along with those slain by the sword… yes, Pharaoh and all of his crowd,’ says Jehovah, the Lord.

Chapter 33

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Speak to the sons of your people and tell them: To whichever land that I bring the broadsword, the people of the land should then choose a man, and assign him to act as their watchman. ³ And, if he sees the sword coming to their land, he should blow a trumpet and warn all the people. ⁴ And if they hear the sound of the trumpet, and they should refuse to prepare, and the broadsword then overtakes them, their blood will be on their own heads. ⁵ When they hear the trumpet sound, they should prepare, or their blood will be upon them, but those who keep watch on their lives will be saved.

⁶ ‘Now, if he who watches should see the sword coming, and he should fail to blow the trumpet, so the people aren’t prepared for the coming of the sword; from among them he must be removed, because of the lawless [thing that he did], and I’ll require the watchman’s blood by their hands.

⁷ ‘And you, O son of man; You are the watchman whom I’ve appointed, to the house of Israel. So, whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you must announce it to them on My behalf. ⁸ And when I tell a sinner he’ll die, and you fail to speak and warn him from his way; for his lawless deeds he will die, but I’ll require his blood from your hands. ⁹ But if you should warn the irreverent, to turn from [his evil] ways, but he refuses to change all his ways; for his irreverence this one will die, but your life will be saved.

¹⁰ ‘Now, O son of man; Tell the house of Israel that they have been saying: We are the ones who’re to blame, for all our delusions and our lawless deeds. So, if we leave them now, will we live?

¹¹ ‘Reply to them and say this: As I live, says Jehovah; I don’t want the death of the godless. [I want them] to turn from their [lawless] ways, so that they can then live… but, you must turn from all your bad ways… why must you die, O house of Israel?

¹² ‘And you, O son of man; Tell the sons of your people: The righteousness of the just will not save them, in whichever day that that stray. And the blame of the lawlessness of the irreverent, won’t come upon them in the day, that they turn from their lawless ways. For, there’s no way that the righteous will be saved, in the day of their sins.

¹³ ‘When I tell the righteous they will live, and they come to rely upon their righteous ways, and then they [do what is] bad, their righteous ways will not be remembered… for the sins they commit they will die! ¹⁴ And if to the irreverent I should say, You’ll be killed and you’ll die, and then he turns from his sins, and starts being righteous and fair… ¹⁵ if he returns the collateral he has taken, and pays back all that he’s seized; if he travels an orderly life, and no longer [follows] wrong [paths], he will then receive life… there’s no way that he will then die! ¹⁶ All the sins he’s committed will be forgotten… for the fairness and righteousness that he observed, he will be given life!

¹⁷ ‘And if you will say to the sons of your people, The ways of Jehovah aren’t right, when it’s really their ways that aren’t right; ¹⁸ if you sway the righteous from their righteous ways, and they turn to doing what’s lawless, they will die [for their sins]. ¹⁹ But, if you turn back a sinner, and he becomes righteous and fair, he will live!

²⁰ ‘Now, you say that the ways of Jehovah aren’t straight! However, O house of Israel; I’ll judge you each by the ways that you act!’

²¹ It was in the twelfth year, in the tenth month, and on the fifth day of the month from our captivity, that someone who had escaped from Jerusalem came and told me that the city had been captured. ²² Then the hand of Jehovah came over me that evening. But, before that (in the morning), He came and opened my mouth, so my mouth couldn’t stay closed any longer. ²³ And the word of Jehovah came to me saying, ²⁴ ‘O son of man; Those who live in the places that are being destroyed, in the land of Israel are now saying, Back when Abraham was alone, he was given this land; and now that we’ve become many, we’ve been given this land as our own.

²⁵ ‘Because of this, tell them that the Lord Jehovah says this: Since you eat blood in your food, and to disgusting things lift your eyes, as well as shed [innocent] blood; what is this land that you will inherit? ²⁶ There you stand with your broadswords, doing [so many] loathsome things, and tainting the lives of your neighbors’ wives… so, will you inherit this land?

²⁷ ‘Tell them that the Lord Jehovah says this: As I live; Those living in places that are being destroyed, will all fall by the broadsword. And those who are fleeing to the plains, will be given to be eaten by wild beasts. And those hiding behind walls and within caves, I will kill with a plague.

²⁸ ‘I will turn this land into a desert, and the strength of her insolence will perish. I’ll devastate Israel’s mountains, so none will pass through them thereafter. ²⁹ Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I turn their land into desert, for the disgusting things that they do.

³⁰ ‘O son of man; The sons of your people are talking about you, along the walls and in the gatehouses, as well as inside their homes. Each is saying to his brother: We should all gather and listen, to what Jehovah has planned to do. ³¹ And when they all come before you, and they sit down before you, and hear the things that you’ll say, there’s no way that they’ll do [what you tell them]; for the lie is still in their mouths, and they follow the disgusting ways of their hearts. ³² And if you should be like the sound of a harp (a sound that is sweet and well-tuned), they’ll hear your words but not do them. ³³ But after it’s done they will say: Look, it has all come to be! And they’ll know that there’s been a Prophet among them.’

Chapter 34

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Now prophesy against Israel’s shepherds… prophesy and tell them that thus says Jehovah the Lord: O shepherds of Israel; Do shepherds graze for themselves? Don’t sheep do the grazing for the shepherds? ³ Look! You have drunk all their milk, and wrapped yourselves in their wool; you have slaughtered the best of My sheep, and [all the rest] you’ve failed to graze. ⁴ Those that are weak you don’t strengthen, and those that are ill you don’t treat; those with broken [bones] you don’t wrap, and those that have strayed aren’t returned; for those that are lost you don’t search, and for those that are strong you make trouble.

⁵ ‘As the result, My sheep are now scattered, because they have had no shepherds. ⁶ My sheep are being eaten by beasts in the fields; ⁶ My sheep have now all been scattered, upon every mountain and hill; they’re scattered across the face of the land, and no one has searched to make them turn back! ⁷ Because of this, O shepherds; Hear the word of Jehovah! ⁸ As I live, says Jehovah the Lord, Instead of My sheep being plundered, and allowed to be eaten by beasts in the plains; because there aren’t any shepherds… shepherds to search for My sheep; and because the shepherds have grazed on My sheep, while they’ve failed to provide My sheep grass; ⁹ because of this, O shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah! ¹⁰ For the Lord Jehovah says this: Look, I’m against all the shepherds, and I’ll require My sheep from their hands. I’ll take them away from tending My sheep, and the shepherds won’t graze on them anymore. For, I will rescue My sheep from their mouths, and they’ll no longer be something that’s eaten.

¹¹ ‘The Lord Jehovah says, {Look!} I will search for My sheep, and I will visit with them. ¹² As a shepherd who looks for his flocks, on cloudy days when they have strayed, so will I search for My sheep. I will drive them away from where they were [lost], on that dark cloudy day. ¹³ Then, from the nations I’ll lead them, and gather them from many regions, then bring them [back] to their land. And on Israel’s mountains I’ll graze them… in the valleys and homes of the land. ¹⁴ I will provide them good pastures; upon Israel’s high mountains I’ll graze them; and there they’ll find a safe haven; there they will sleep and find rest… in the luxury of good and plentiful pastures, on the mountains of Israel they’ll graze.

¹⁵ ‘I’ll graze My sheep and give them rest, says Jehovah the Lord. ¹⁶ I’ll search for those who are wandering and lost, and I’ll return all those that are broken; I will bind and strengthen those that are weak; I’ll guard the strong and graze them in fairness. ¹⁷ And from among you, My sheep, says Jehovah the Lord, {Look!} I’ll separate sheep from the sheep among you, and the rams from the goats.

¹⁸ ‘Weren’t the pastures you fed on enough, that you trampled on them with your feet; or enough places where you drank the water, that you muddied them with your feet? ¹⁹ For, My sheep have trampled their food with their feet, and muddied the waters they drank from. ²⁰ Because of this, says Jehovah the Lord, {Look!} I’ll separate the strong from the weak. ²¹ For, you pushed them away with your shoulders and sides, and the weak you gored with your horns… you squeezed them out and pushed them aside! ²² So, I will rescue My sheep, and no more will they serve as [your] plunder, for I will judge between ram and ram.

²³ ‘I will raise a shepherd for them, and he (David, My servant) will tend them… he’ll care and be a shepherd for them; ²⁴ I Jehovah will be their God, and My servant David will rule in their midst… for I Jehovah have spoken. ²⁵ Then I’ll make an Agreement of peace among them, and wipe the fierce beasts from their land. For, they will dwell in the deserts, and in the forests they’ll sleep.

²⁶ ‘Then around My [Holy] Mountain they will be scattered, and I’ll give them rain when it’s due… and it will be a rain of great blessings. ²⁷ The trees in the plains will then yield their fruit; the ground will yield all her strength; and in the hope of peace they’ll dwell on their land.

‘Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I break the chains of their yoke, and save them out of the hands, of those who are making them slaves. ²⁸ No more will they be the plunder of nations, or be eaten by wild beasts. In hope, they will then dwell, and no one will make them afraid anymore.

²⁹ ‘I’ll raise for them plants of peace, and they won’t hunger or starve anymore, nor will they bear the scorn of the nations. ³⁰ Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah their God, and they’ll know that I will be with them. For you are My people, O house of Israel, says Jehovah the Lord. ³¹ You men are the sheep of my pasture, and I am Jehovah your God, says the Jehovah the Lord.’

Chapter 35

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Turn your face toward [Edom’s] Mount Seir, and then prophesy against it! ³ Tell it that thus says Jehovah the Lord: Look! I’m against you, Mount Seir! So, I’ll stretch My hand out against you, and make you a waste and a desert. ⁴ All of your cities will be desolation; I’ll turn you into a desert; and then you will know that I am Jehovah.

⁵ ‘For, through the age you’ve been and opposer, and an enemy to the house of Israel… to enemies with swords you handed them over, during their unrighteous time. ⁶ Because of this, as I live; says Jehovah, ‘for the blood of these men I’ll pursue you, and the blood you detested will chase after you!

⁷ ‘Mount Seir is appoint by Me, to be desolation and desert… I’ll destroy from it both men and beasts; ⁸ I’ll fill your hills and ravines with your slain… yes, those who are killed in your fields, will fall by the broadsword among you. ⁹ I’ll assign you to be desolate through the age, and your cities will no longer be lived in; then you will know that I am Jehovah.

¹⁰ ‘Because you have said, Both [of His] nations will soon be mine… I will soon inherit [their land] (and [their God] Jehovah is there); ¹¹ because of this; As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘I will treat you just as you’ve hated. Then the things you did in your jealousy of them, I’ll make known to you when I judge you, ¹² and you will know that I am Jehovah.

‘I’ve heard the blasphemies that you spoke, when you said: The mountains in the deserts of Israel, have been given to us to be eaten. ¹³ Then you spoke great words against Me with your mouth… you shouted out loud against Me, and I have heard all your words!’

¹⁴ ‘So, Jehovah says: To the joy of the land, I’ll turn you into a desert! ¹⁵ And as you were glad to inherit, and wipe the house of Israel away; that’s what I’ll do to you, O Mount Seir; I’ll turn you into a desert, and completely destroy the house of Edom. Then you’ll know that I’m God Jehovah!’

Chapter 36

¹ ‘And now, O son of man, prophesy against the mountains of Israel. Tell the mountains of Israel, to hear the word of Jehovah! ² Tell them the Lord Jehovah has said, that because the enemy said this against you, Well done, for now these desolate places, have all become ours through the ages. ³ And for this you must prophesy and tell them, that thus says Jehovah the Lord: Since you were dishonored and detested, by those who were living round-about you (those who wished you’d be owned by the nations… those who liked to talk against you, and made you the butt of the scorn of the nations)… ⁴ because of this, O mountains of Israel; hear the word of Jehovah! For, Jehovah says to your mountains and hills, to your desolate rivers and valleys, to your cities that have been destroyed and abandoned, then looted and trampled by nations round about; ⁵ It’s because of this that thus says Jehovah: I’ve spoken against the nations that remain, in the fire of My rage. [I’ve spoken] against all of Edom, for they happilly took My land as their own… they destroyed, looted, and dishonored lives.

⁶ ‘So, over Israel you must prophecy; Tell the mountains and hills, as well as the valleys and forests, that thus says Jehovah the Lord: {Look!} In My zeal and My rage, I condemn the scorn that the nations brought on you. ⁷ And because of this, says Jehovah the Lord, I’ll raise My hand against all those nations (those that live all around you), and they will bear your dishonor. ⁸ But upon your mountains, O Israel, My people will then eat the fruit of their vines, for they live in the hope of returning. ⁹ Look; I’m for you, so I’ll watch over you, and your [ground] will again be planted and worked. ¹⁰ And among you I’ll multiply men, to the ends of Israel’s [land]; all your cities will be lived in; and your destroyed places will all be rebuilt. ¹¹ Among you, I’ll multiply both men and cattle; they will grow and increase; I’ll settle you as you were long ago, and do good to you as before. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.

¹² ‘And you who opposed My people Israel, will then give birth to many men, and [Israel] will inherit you. You’ll be to them a possession… you won’t leave them without children again.

¹³ ‘Then thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because they said, O you who once ate many men; Your nation no longer has children! ¹⁴ Yes, because of this, you’ll not be eaten by men, and your nation will never be childless, says Jehovah the Lord. ¹⁵ And never again will you hear, such dishonor of the nations against you… no more must you bear the scorning of peoples, nor again will your nation be childless, says Jehovah the Lord.’

¹⁶ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁷ ‘O son of man; The house of Israel lived in their land, but by their ways they defiled it… by their uncleanness with women (those living apart in uncleanness); this was the way that they acted before Me. ¹⁸ So, on them I poured out My rage, for the blood that they spilled in the land, and the disgusting things with which it was tainted.

¹⁹ ‘Among the nations I scattered them all; to many places I [blew] them away. I judged them each by the things that they did, and according to all of their sins. ²⁰ Then, they entered the nations where they were sent, and there they profaned My Holy Name; for those who lived there were all saying, These are the people of Jehovah, and out of His land they were sent.

²¹ ‘So, I spared them for the sake of My Name, which the house of Israel had profaned, in all those [lands] that they’d entered. ²² And because of this, tell the house of Israel that thus says Jehovah: O house of Israel; it’s not for you that I’ll act, but because of My Holy Name, which you’ve profaned among all the nations, wherever you have been sent. ²³ So, My Name I’ll make holy again, which is being profaned among nations (which you profaned in their midst). Then those nations will know that I am Jehovah, says Jehovah the Lord, when before their eyes I’m made holy among you.

²⁴ ‘Then, I’ll take you away from those nations; I’ll gather you back from their [countries]; and bring you back to your land. ²⁵ Then I’ll pour clean water upon you, and from your uncleanness you’ll be cleansed. I’ll also cleanse you of idols, ²⁶ and put a new heart within you. I’ll put in you a new spirit, and remove hearts of stone from your flesh, then give you hearts made of flesh. ²⁷ And within you I’ll put My Breath, which will cause you to follow My rules. Then you will keep all My decisions… yes, you will observe each one!

²⁸ ‘Then you’ll live on the land that I gave to your fathers… you’ll be My people and I’ll be your God. ²⁹ I’ll deliver you from your uncleanness; I’ll call for grain and multiply it; and never again appoint famine upon you. ³⁰ I will multiply the fruit of your trees, as well as the produce of your fields, so the scorn of famine you’ll not have to bear, among the nations again.

³¹ ‘Then you’ll think of your evil ways, and the things you did that were bad. You will loathe all your lawless deeds, and the disgusting things that you did.

³² ‘But not for your sakes will I do this, says Jehovah the Lord, but to make it known among you, that you should be shamed and remorseful, for all your bad ways, O house of Israel!

³³ ‘Then the Lord Jehovah said, In the day that I cleanse you from your lawless deeds, I will resettle your cities, and rebuild your desolate places. ³⁴ Then the desolate land will be worked, and the reasons for its destruction [will not be seen], by the eyes of all who pass by. ³⁵ And they’ll say that the land which once was destroyed, has become a luxurious garden. And the cities that were desolate and destroyed (those that once had been razed) will then sit as fortifications. ³⁶ And the nations around you (those that remain), will know it was I who rebuilt them (those cities that had been demolished)… I replanted the places that were once wiped away. For, I have spoken and I will act!

³⁷ ‘And the Lord Jehovah said, Then the house of Israel will seek Me, [and ask Me to] to deal with them once again. And as though they are sheep (sheep that are holy), I will multiply their men… like Jerusalem’s sheep in her holiday feasts. ³⁸ Thus will the cities (that were desolated), become filled with the sheep among men, and they will know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 37

¹ Then the hand of the Lord came upon me and it led me by the Breath of Jehovah into a field that was filled with human bones… ² He led me around them in a circuit, and look; there were huge numbers [of bones] lying there in the field. ³ And He said to me, ‘O son of man; Will these bones live once again?’

And I replied, ‘O Jehovah; O Lord! Only You know the answer to such things!’

⁴ Then He told me to prophesy over the bones and say, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah. ⁵ For, the Lord Jehovah says to these bones, Look, I’ll bring the breath of life upon you; ⁶ I will put nerves upon you, and upon you I’ll also put flesh. Over you I’ll stretch skin, and [breathe] My Breath into you… then you’ll live and you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’

⁷ So, I prophesied just as He had instructed me. And at the sound of my prophesying, {Look!} a shaking occurred that joined the bones, bone against joint. ⁸ And as I watched, I saw nerves and flesh [start to grow], and above them, the skin grew over. However, there still was no breath in them.

⁹ Then He said to me, ‘Now prophesy over the wind, ¹⁰ O son of man, and tell the wind that thus says Jehovah the Lord: From the four winds send forth breath, then blow into these dead and make them alive!’

¹⁰ So, I prophesied to the extent that He allowed me to do, and the wind entered them and they came to life… they stood up on their feet in a great gathering!

¹¹ And the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘O son of man; These bones [represent] the house of Israel, for they say these dry bones are like theirs, since their hope has been destroyed and they’ve perished. ¹² So, you must prophesy and then tell them, that thus says Jehovah the Lord: {Look!} I’ll open your tombs and lead you out, and to the land of Israel return you. ¹³ Then you will know that I am Jehovah, when I lead you out of your graves, O my people… when I lead you up from your graves! ¹⁴ Then I’ll Breathe on you and you’ll live, and I’ll bring you back to your land. And you will know that I am Jehovah… that I have spoken and acted, says Jehovah!’

¹⁵ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁶ ‘And you, O son of man; Take a stick for yourself, then you must write, Judah and the sons of Israel upon it, on behalf of those who will sit down before you. Then take a second stick for yourself, and you must write, Joseph, the rod of EphraIm upon it, for those who will sit there before you. ¹⁷ Then you must hold both sticks together, until they are bonded as one, and then carry them out in your hands. ¹⁸ And when you speak to the sons of your people, you must ask what this means to them.

¹⁹ ‘Then tell them that thus says Jehovah [their] God: {Look!} Through the hand of EphraIm I’ll take the tribe of Joseph, and the tribes of Israel that lie around to him, and appoint them to the tribe of Judah… they will become just one stick… in the hand of Judah they’ll be one.

²⁰ ‘Then, take the two sticks that you wrote on, and place them before them with your hand. ²¹ And then you must tell them that thus says Jehovah: {Look!} I’ll gather the whole house of Israel, from the midst of the nations where they had gone… I will gather them from, all those who had them surrounded, and to the land of Israel, return them. ²² For, in My land I’ll make them one nation, upon the mountains of Israel, and one ruler will be the king over all. No more will they be separate nations… no longer will they be a kingdom divided… ²³ and they’ll not be defiled by their idols, nor by their stumbling and irreverence. I’ll rescue them from their lawless ways (all those ways in which they have sinned), and I will then clean them up… they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God.

²⁴ ‘Then My servant David will rule in their midst, and there’ll be one shepherd for all. They will then follow My orders… they’ll keep My decisions and do them!

²⁵ ‘Then they will live in the land, that I gave to My servant Jacob… the place where their fathers once dwelled. Then throughout the age, they and their sons will thereafter dwell there, and be ruled through the ages by My servant David.

²⁶ ‘With them I’ll conclude an Agreement of peace… an Agreement of the ages it’ll be. I will resettle and multiply them, and put My holy things in their midst through the age.

²⁷ ‘I will bring My shelter among them… they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God. ²⁸ Then the nations will know that I am Jehovah, when, through the ages, My holy things are in their midst, and I declare them as holy.’

Chapter 38

¹ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ² ‘O son of man; Against Gog and the land of Magog (the ruler of Ros, Mosoch, and Tubal), you must now set your face, and against him prophesy this! ³ Tell him that thus says Jehovah: {Look!} O ruler of Mosoch, Tubal, and Ros; I am [truly] against you. ⁴ So I will lead you about, and into your jaws put a bridle. Then I’ll gather you and your army… all the horses and horsemen, and all those putting on chest plates; those with shields, helmets, and swords; ⁵ Persians, Ethiopians, and Libyans (all those with helmets and shields); ⁶ Gomer and all those around him; the house of Togarmah from the far north, as well as all those around him… all the many nations that are with you! ⁷ So, be prepared (get yourselves ready), you and those who’ve gathered with you, for you will serve as [their leader].

⁸ ‘After many more days you’ll be ready… at the end of the years you’ll come to the land, with swords you’ve collected from among many nations… to the land of Israel you’ll come… to a land which was once desolation. For they’ll have returned from the nations, and together be living in peace. ⁹ Then you will descend like the rain, and like clouds you will cover their land. There you will be with all those around you, for many nations will have joined [to come] with you.’

¹⁰ ‘Then the Lord Jehovah said: And it will be in that day, that [bad] things will enter your heart; you will make wicked plans and you’ll say: ¹¹ I’ll rise ‘gainst this land that was once was rejected; I’ll come upon those who are resting, and those who are living in peace… those living in a land without walls, and with no locks on their doors, ¹² in order to plunder and loot; to despoil and take many spoils; to turn my hand on this place, which once was desolation, and is now resettled by a nation, that was gathered from among many nations. For, now they have many possessions, and they dwell in the navel of the earth.

¹³ ‘And Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Carthage, and those in their towns will then say, You’ve come to plunder and loot, and to despoil all the spoils. You’ve gathered to take all the silver, and carry off all of the gold… to take all they own as your spoils.

¹⁴ ‘Because of this, O son of man, you must now prophecy… tell Gog that thus says Jehovah: In that day; Won’t you rise against Israel My people, who by then will have settled in peace? ¹⁵ Won’t you come from your place in the far north, and many nations bring with you… horsemen all riding horses… a huge gathering and a great force? ¹⁶ Against My people Israel you’ll come, like a cloud that covers the land… at the end of the days this will be. Then against My land I will lead you, and all the nations will know Me, when before them I am made holy through you.’

¹⁷ ‘The Lord Jehovah then said, You are the Gog that I spoke of long ago, by the hand of My servants the Prophets (those who prophesied in those days and years), in order to lead you to against them. ¹⁸ And it will be in that day (in whichever day that Gog will attack), says Jehovah the Lord, that I will ascend in My anger, ¹⁹ and speak in the fire of the zeal of My rage.

‘Surely it’ll be in that day; in the land of Israel there’ll be shaking, ²⁰ and before My face all will tremble… the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, all the wild beasts in the fields; all the creatures that crawl on the ground, and all the men on the face of the earth; for the mountains will rip and fall into valleys, and all walls on the earth will be falling.

²¹ ‘Then all types of fear I’ll call upon him; I’ll bring each man’s sword against his own brother. ²² Then I’ll bring judgment upon him, by plague, and blood, and flooding rain, as well as by great hailstones. Fire and sulfur I’ll rain down upon him, and upon all those who are with him, as well as upon the nations that join him.

²³ ‘Then I’ll be magnified and made holy… I’ll be known and glorified among many nations… they will all know that I am Jehovah.’

Chapter 39

¹ ‘And you, O son of man, must prophesy this against Gog… tell him that thus says Jehovah the Lord: {Look!} I’m against you O Gog, ruler of Mosoch, Tubal, and Ros! ² So, I will collect you and lead you down; I’ll haul you from the far north, and to the mountains of Israel lead you. ³ Then I’ll break the bow in your left hand, and the arrows you hold in your right hand. ⁴ On the mountains of Israel I’ll throw you down, and you and all those around you will fall. All the nations that have come with you, will be given to [great] flocks of birds… to all the winged creatures of the sky, and all wild beasts of the plains… I’ll give you to them to eat. ⁵ Upon the face of the plains you will fall, for I have spoken, says Jehovah the Lord.

⁶ ‘Next, I’ll send fire upon Magog, and the islands will then live in peace. For they will know that I am Jehovah, ⁷ and My Holy Name will then be made known, among Israel My people. ⁸ No more will My Name be profaned, for the nations will know that am Jehovah… I am the Holy One of Israel.

⁸ ‘Look, it has come… and you know it will be, says Jehovah the Lord, on this same day that I’ve spoken. ⁹ Then, those living in Israel’s cities, will come and light fires with the weapons (all the small shields and the shafts; all of your bows and arrows; all the lances and sticks in your hands), they’ll light fires with them that will last seven years. ¹⁰ They’ll no longer cut trees in the plains, nor fell trees in the woods… for their fires they’ll just use those weapons. Then they’ll loot all those who once looted them, and despoil all those who despoiled them, says Jehovah.

¹¹ ‘And it will be in that day; I’ll appoint Gog as a place of renown… a remembrance in Israel’s grave yards, for those who come there by sea. They will [use] a deep valley to bury Gog and his hordes. It will be called The Grave Yard of Gog.

¹² ‘By the house of Israel they’ll be buried… for seven months they will clean up the land. ¹³ They’ll be buried by the people of the land, and to them it’ll be a place of renown, for this was the day of My glorification, says Jehovah the Lord. ¹⁴ And to men they’ll continuously give orders, to bury those left on the face of the ground. For seven months they will search, ¹⁵ and when those who travel the land, see the bones of a man, next to it they’ll put up a sign, for those who bury to bury it, within the grave yard of Gog.¹⁶ For, Grave Yard is even the name of that city, and it will be cleansed from the land.

¹⁷ ‘And you, O son of man, said Jehovah the Lord; You must speak to all the winged creatures, and to all wild beasts of the plains, and tell them to gather and come! Gather from the places round about, [to eat] My sacrifice that I’m offering to you… a great sacrifice on Israel’s mountains… eat all the meat and drink all the blood! ¹⁸ For, the meat of giants you’ll eat, and drink the blood of the kings of the earth. Then all the rams, calves, and goats will grow fat… ¹⁹ you’ll eat fat ‘til you’re full, and you’ll drink blood ‘til you’re drunk, from this sacrifice that I’ve offered to you. ²⁰ You will be filled from My table, with all their horses and horsemen, as well as their warriors and giants, says Jehovah the Lord.

²¹ ‘Then I will put My glory among you, and all nations will then see My judgments… the things that I did with My hand, and the things that I’ve brought upon them. ²² And then the house of Israel will know, from that day on, that I am Jehovah their God. ²³ And all the nations will know, that it was because of their sins, [that I allowed] the house of Israel to be captured… because they’d annulled their Sacred Agreement with Me. So I turned My face, and gave them into their enemies’ hands, so they all fell by the sword. ²⁴ It was because of all their uncleanness, and because they had broken [My] Laws, that I turned My face and did this to them.

²⁵ ‘Because of this, says Jehovah the Lord, I’ll return the captives of Jacob, and show mercy on the house of Israel… for My Holy Name I’ll be zealous.

²⁶ ‘Then they will accept their dishonor, for the unrighteous things they had done, when in peace I bring them back to their land, and there’ll be no one to make them afraid… ²⁷ when I bring them back from the nations… when I gather them back from the nations, and then before all of those nations, I am made holy among them. ²⁸ Then they will know that I’m Jehovah their God, when among them I appear to the nations, and gather them back to their land, and not abandon them anymore. ²⁹ From them, no more will I turn My face, for on the house of Israel I’ll have [finished] My rage, says Jehovah the Lord.’

Chapter 40

¹ It was in the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, in the first month and on the tenth [day] of the month (fourteen years after the city had been captured), that the hand of Jehovah came upon me ² and I was led into the land of Israel in a vision from God. Then he put me on a very high mountain, and there a city was being built before me. ³ So He took me there, and I saw a man that looked like shining brass, and in his hand was a builder’s string and a measuring reed. Then he laid them down in front of the gate, ⁴ and the man said to me: ‘O son of man, Now look with your eyes and see; listen with your ears and hear; then prepare your heart for all that I’ll show you! For, you came here so you could see this. And all the things that you see, involve the house of Israel.’

⁵ And {Look!} there was a wall outside the [Temple] that went all the way around it. And in the hand of the man was a reed that measured six forearms by a forearm and a palm. Then he measured the area around the wall, and its width was the same as its height, [as measured] by the reed.

NOTE: We have stopped attempting to translate the rest of Chapter 40, all of Chapter 41, and Chapter 42 to verse 13, because many of the meanings of the descriptions in Alexandrian Greek have been lost. We have also examined the Hebrew text and found the same to be true, for no independent translators agree on the meanings of these texts. We assume that the descriptions of the city and Temple in these texts (although far more detailed) agree with the descriptions outlined in the Twenty-First Chapter of Revelation. However, we would rather write nothing than mislead you with a wild guess about the true words of these texts (as others have done in the past).

Chapter 42

¹³ And he said to me: ‘The inner chambers facing the north, and the inner chambers facing the south (that are in front of the spaces), are the Holy-Place rooms where the Priests are to eat, and it’s where, before Jehovah they go, with the holiest of holy things. There they must carry the holiest things – sacrifices and holy things of sin offerings, as well as the offerings for errors – for this is a most holy place.

¹⁴ ‘No one can enter except for the Priests, and they cannot leave the Holy Place, to go to the outer courtyard, so these who are leading will always be holy. Nor may anyone touch the garments they wear, for they are also most holy. So, when touching the people they must wear other clothes.’

¹⁵ Now, after he had finished measuring the inside of the [Temple], he led me outside, along the path to the gate that faces east; and he measured the layout of the [Temple]. ¹⁶ He stood facing east with his back to the gate, and measured five hundred forearms in reed lengths. ¹⁷ Then he turned toward the north and measured northward five hundred forearms in reed lengths. ¹⁸ Then he turned toward the west and measured westward five hundred forearms in reed lengths. ¹⁹ And he turned toward the south and measured southward five hundred forearms in reed lengths. ²⁰ So, he established the enclosure [around the Temple] as five hundred [forearms] toward the east, and five hundred forearms in width (as a separation between the Holy Place and the walls round about), as the arrangement of the [Temple].

Chapter 43

¹ Then he took me toward the east gate to lead me out. ² And {Look!} the glory of the God of Israel was coming along the road from the east, and around me there were the voices of many that were chanting, while the ground all around me was bright and glorious. ³ Then I had a vision that was like the vision that I saw when I had first entered the city to anoint it… I saw a chariot that was like the one that I saw at the River ChoBar. So I fell with my face [to the] ground.

⁴ Then the glory of Jehovah entered the [Temple] by way of the gate that faces east, ⁵ and [God’s] Breath picked me up and carried me, bringing me into the inner courtyard, and {Look!} the glory of Jehovah filled the [Temple].

⁶ And as I stood there watching, a voice was speaking to me from the [Temple], and then there was a man standing next to me, ⁷ who said, ‘O son of man; Now you can see the place of My throne, as well as the tracks of My feet. It’s the place where My Name will encamp, in the house of Israel through the ages.

‘No longer will Israel profane My Holy Name, as when their leaders led them into whoring, and to commit murders in their midst, against those who tried to lead them to Me; ⁸ or put their thresholds next to My threshold, and their doors next to My doors; or when they appointed My wall as the thing, that was the only binding between us; or when they profaned My Holy Name, by the lawless deeds they committed; then in carnage I wiped them away in My rage.

⁹ ‘Now, they must reject all their whoring, and the murders of those who lead them to Me! And then through the ages I’ll camp in their midst.

¹⁰ ‘And you, O son of man, must show the house of Israel this [Temple]. They must see a vision of it, and they must see its [dimensions]. ¹¹ Then they must turn from their sins, and accept their punishment [from Me], for all the things that they’ve done.

‘Then you must draw plans for this House, and show how it must be prepared. Show all its entrances and exits, and also all its foundations. Then you must speak of its orders and laws, and make known to them all its rules. You must draw out the plans there before them, and they must keep My orders and Laws… yes, they also must DO THEM!

¹² ‘Lay out the [Temple] on the top of the mount, and set the limits for the Holy of Holies. For, these are the rules for the [Temple].

¹³ ‘And these are measurements of the Altar: Its width is two forearms and a palm. Its recess is to be two forearms deep, and the molding around its lip is one forearm wide.

‘This is the height of the Altar: ¹⁴ From the bottom of its hollow to the [top of its edge], must be two forearms high, and its width is to be one forearm wide. From the small to the large is four forearms, and it must be one forearm wide.

¹⁵ ‘To the hearth of the Altar is four forearms, and from the hearth to the horns is one forearm. ¹⁶ The hearth is to be twelve forearms [square], and it must [be built with] four corners. ¹⁷ Its ledge must be fourteen by fourteen, and the molding around it half, one forearm. Its encircling base is a forearm round about, and its steps must face toward the east.’

¹⁸ And he said to me, ‘O son of man, Jehovah God now says this: These are My orders for the Altar, in the day that it’s being made, to offer whole burnt-offerings upon it, and to pour upon it the blood.

¹⁹ ‘Appoint Priests among the Levites, from those of the seed of ZaDok, and only they may approach Me, says God Jehovah. Then they must officiate before Me, with [the sacrifice] of a calf from the oxen, to serve as an offering for sins. ²⁰ Then they must take some of its blood, and place it on the Altar’s four horns, upon the four corners of its ledge, and upon its base round about, in order to cleanse it and [make it holy].

²¹ ‘They must select a calf as a sin offering, and burn it in the place set apart… the place outside of the Holy. ²² And on the next day; they must choose a perfect kid from the goats, to serve as an offering for sins. Then they must cleanse the Altar once more, as they did with the calf.

²³ ‘And after [this cleansing] is done, they must choose a perfect calf from the oxen, and a perfect ram from the sheep, ²⁴ then offer them there before Jehovah. But first they must salt them, and then sacrifice them, as [holy] burnt offerings to Jehovah.

²⁵ ‘Seven days you must offer a kid for [your] sins, and a calf from the oxen each day, plus a perfect ram of the sheep. ²⁶ Seven days they must atone for the Altar and cleanse it, and then fill their hands [with the gifts]. ²⁷ And once they’ve completed these days… from the eighth day and beyond, the Priests must then offer upon the Altar, whole-burnt-offerings and the offering for your salvation; and then I’ll receive you, says God Jehovah.’

Chapter 44

¹ Then he took me back by way of the outer gate of the Holies (the one facing east), but it was locked. ² And the Lord said to me, ‘Now that this gate has been locked, it won’t be opened and no one will enter; only Jehovah (the God of Israel) will enter, and ‘til then it must remain locked. ³ For, those taking the lead will all sit here, to eat their bread before God. They must enter by way of the columned-porch Gate, and that’s the way they must leave.’

⁴ Then he took me in the direction of the north gate, over against the [Temple], and I looked and saw that the [Temple] of Jehovah was filled with His glory, so I fell to my face. ⁵ And the Lord said to me, ‘O son of man; Now, prepare your heart to see with your eyes, and to hear with your ears, all the things that I’ll tell you, concerning the instructions for the Lord’s [Temple], as well as all of its laws. Arrange your heart [to comprehend], the [proper] way for them to enter, and to leave its Holy Place!

⁶ ‘Then you must speak to those who’ve rebelled (those of the house of Israel), and tell them that the Lord Jehovah said this: O house of Israel; Let your lawless deeds now be ended! ⁷ For, into My Holy Place, you have brought foreign sons… those uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh. You’ve profaned these places with your offerings of bread, and those of the fat and the blood. For, you’ve broken [your] Sacred Agreement with Me, by all the lawless deeds that you’ve done.

⁸ ‘You haven’t followed My Temple rules, and you’ve put others in charge. ⁹ So, because of this, says God Jehovah, foreign sons with uncircumcised hearts, as well as uncircumcised flesh, may no longer enter My Holy Places (for no foreigners will be among the house of Israel). ¹⁰ Only My faithful Levites may enter! For, Israel has strayed far from Me, and followed their own [thoughts and] ideas, so, their unrighteous ways they must bear.

¹¹ ‘The [Levites] will be among My holy ones, who serve as doorkeepers at the gates of My [Temple], and as those who are serving inside it. The whole burnt-offerings they will slaughter, and [offer up] sacrifices for the people… before the people they’ll stand and serve.

¹² ‘But, because they served the house of Israel, before the faces of their idols; for their unrighteous ways they’ll be punished… this is why I raised My hand against them, says Jehovah the Lord. ¹³ So, they must bear all their lawless deeds, and they may not approach to serve as My Priests, or [touch] the holy things in the Holies. For, they will bear their dishonor, for the delusions in which they have strayed. ¹⁴ So, I’ll order them to keep the [Temple] watches, and do all the other things they should do.

¹⁵ ‘For, the Priests of the Levites – the sons of ZaDok – were the only ones who kept watch, as Israel was straying from Me. So, only these may approach Me to serve Me, and they will stand in front of My face, to offer the blood and the fat before Me, says Jehovah the Lord.

¹⁶ ‘Only these may enter My Holy Place, to approach My table to serve Me, and to stand guard for My watches. ¹⁷ And when they enter the courtyard’s inner gates, they must wear their [official] linen garments – they may not wear wool when they enter those gates – ¹⁸ and upon their heads they’ll wear linen wraps, and beltless linen pants on their loins.

¹⁹ ‘And when they enter the People’s outer courtyard, they must remove the clothes that they served in, and leave them in the Holy’s inner chambers… for then they must wear other clothes. There’s no way that they can make people holy, while they’re wearing their own clothes.

²⁰ ‘They may not shave the hair from their heads, nor may they leave their heads bare… they must cover their heads.

²¹ ‘And there’s no way that the Priests may drink any wine, as they enter the inner courtyard. ²² They can’t marry a divorced woman or a widow… only a virgin from the house of Israel; but the widow of a Priest they can wed.

²³ ‘Then they must teach all My people, the difference between the holy and profane, and the difference between what’s clean and unclean.

²⁴ ‘They must handle the cases of judgments of blood, and attend to decide righteous matters. They must be fair when judging My judgments, as well as [when judging by] My Laws and orders. They must observe all My holiday feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.

²⁵ ‘They may not approach the soul of a dead man, so as not to become unclean. Only to his father, his mother, or his son; or to his daughter, brother, sister, or wife, may he approach and not be defiled. ²⁶ But then he must count seven days to be cleansed.

²⁷ ‘On the day that they enter the inner courtyard; in order to serve in My Holy Places, they must bring an atonement [for their sins], says Jehovah [our] God.

²⁸ ‘Their inheritance is what I will be, so they will be given no land, as their possession among the Israel’s sons… for I am to be their possession! ²⁹ And sacrifices are what they’ll given to eat… the offerings for sins and for errors, and all offerings of separation are theirs. ³⁰ Theirs will be also the first-fruits, as well as the first-born of all. The set-aside portions from all of your first-fruits, to the Priests must be given. And all your first produce will be given to the Priests, to bring a blessing to your homes.

³¹ ‘The Priests may not eat flesh that’s decayed, or cattle that was taken by wild beasts or birds.’

Chapter 45

¹ ‘And as you’re measuring the land they’ll inherit, you must set aside a place in the land, as the first-fruits to Jehovah. Twenty-five thousand long it should be, as well as ten thousand wide; and the area around it will be holy. ² The four-corners of the Holy Place must be inside it, which measures five hundred by five hundred, and a space of fifty forearms round about it. ³ And from this measure you must measure, twenty-five thousand plus a width of ten thousand, between it and the Holy of Holies. ⁴ And since this land will be holy, a portion will be assigned to the Priests, who will serve within the Holy Place, and for those who approach to serve Jehovah. This will be the place for their homes, for they must be separate and holy.

⁵ ‘[Then set aside one other portion], that’s twenty-five thousand in length, and twenty thousand in width, for the Levites who’ll serve in the [Temple], to be their possession and city to live in. ⁶ And, for this city that they’ll own, you must set aside twenty-five thousand, plus a width of five thousand, on behalf of the house of Israel, and this will serve in the same way, as the first-fruits of the Holy Place.

⁷ ‘And a portion of this must be set aside, as a [home for the Chief Priest]. [It runs] to the Holy Place of first-fruits, and it’ll be his possession in the city, there before the the Holy Place of first-fruits, and in front of the portions of the city, that run from the east to the west. And its length will be as long as the city; it will run from the east to the west in the land. ⁸ And in Israel this will be his possession. For, no longer will I then treat harshly, those who are leading My people; but the house of Israel will inherit the land, according to each of their tribes.’

⁹ ‘Then Jehovah God said: Let this be enough, O you who are Israel’s guides! Let all misery and unrighteousness be removed… start being righteous and fair! Lift your tyranny off of My people, says Jehovah your God! ¹⁰ Use proper scales and right measures… let these serve as your measures! ¹¹ For, if one should receive a tenth measure, he must get a tenth measure; and if one is to get a tenth weight, he should receive his tenth weight; ¹² and if he’s owed the weight of twenty-five coins, the full weight of the coins should be given!

‘Fifteen silver coins should be the weight of your [bread]. ¹³ And the first-fruits that you set aside, must be a sixth of ten bushels, or a sixth of sixty-two bushels for wheat, or forty quarts for the barley. ¹⁴ Olive oil is a cup from ten cups, for ten cups equals a homer. ¹⁵ And one sheep must be set aside, out of two hundred sheep, among all the families of Israel, as whole burnt-offering sacrifices, and [another] as an offering to cover [your sins], and in order to save you, says Jehovah.

¹⁶ ‘All the people must offer these first-fruits, to the one who is Israel’s guide. ¹⁷ And through this one who is guiding, their whole-burnt offerings must be brought, as well as drink offerings and other sacrifices. They must all then be brought, on holidays, New Moons, and Sabbaths. For, on each of the house of Israel’s holidays, he must offer sacrifices for sins, as well as whole burnt-offerings, and offerings for salvation of the house of Israel.

¹⁸ ‘Then Jehovah God said: In the first month, and on the first day of each month, you must select a perfect calf from the oxen, in order to atone for the Holy Place. ¹⁹ The Priest must take some of its blood, and put it upon the [Temple] doorposts, on the four corners of the Temple, as well as upon the Altar, and on the posts of the inner courtyard gate.

²⁰ ‘And in the seventh month you must do the same thing – you must atone for the [Temple], on behalf of the senseless and simple – on the first day of each month.

²¹ ‘And the fourteenth day of the first month, will [start] your Passover holiday… you must eat yeast-free bread for seven days. ²² And on that day, the one who’s your guide, must offer a calf for himself, and as a sin offering for the people. ²³ And during that seven-day holiday, he must offer as whole burnt-offerings to Jehovah, seven calves and seven perfect rams on each day. And for a sin offering he must also sacrifice, a kid of the goats on each day. ²⁴ And he must prepare a cake for each calf and each ram, and a quart of olive oil with each cake.

²⁵ ‘And from the seventh to the fifteenth day of that month, he must offer the same things on each of those days… the sacrifices for sins and the whole burnt-offerings, as well as gift offerings and olive oil.’

Chapter 46

¹ ‘Then God Jehovah said this: The gate to the inner courtyard (the one that faces the east), must stay locked six days each [week]. But on the Sabbaths it’s to be opened, and it must be opened on every New Moon. ² And he who is guiding will enter, through the gate leading to the columned porch. Then he will stand at its threshold, and whole burnt-offerings will be offered by the Priests, as well as his offering and the things of salvation. Then he’ll bow at the threshold of the gate as he leaves, and the gate won’t be locked until evening.

³ ‘Then the people of the land must come and bow to Jehovah, on the Sabbaths and New Moons, at the threshold of that gate. ⁴ And on the day of the Sabbath, whole burnt-offerings will be offered by he who’s the guide, of six perfect lambs and one perfect ram, ⁵ as well as a gift of cakes for the ram, and the sacrifice of a gift for each lamb by his hand, and a quart of olive oil for each offering of cake.

⁶ ‘On the days of New Moons [he must offer], one perfect calf, six lambs and a ram – all of which must be perfect – ⁷ plus an offering of cake for the ram, an offering of cake for the calf, and a gift offering for the lambs (whatever is supplied by his hand), and a quart of olive oil for each cake.

⁸ ‘And whenever the one who is guiding should enter, it must be through the columned-porch gate, and that’s the way he must leave. ⁹ And when, on holidays, the people of the land, come [to bow] to Jehovah, they should enter by way of the north gate. Then they must bow and leave through the south gate. But those who enter through the south gate, must leave by way of the north gate. They may not return through the gate that they enter, and they must leave straight away.

¹⁰ ‘And the one who is guiding in their midst, must enter as they enter and leave when they’ve left.

¹¹ ‘And during the festivals and holidays, a gift offering of cake will be offered for the calf, as well as an offering of cake for the ram, and whatever his hand should furnish for the lambs, plus, a quart of olive oil for each cake.

¹² ‘And if he who is guiding should offer, a whole burnt-offering of salvation to Jehovah, the gate facing east must be opened for him. So his whole burnt-offering must be offered, along with the things for his salvation, in the same way he does on the Sabbaths. And after he leaves, they must lock the doors as he exits.

¹³ ‘He must offer a perfect yearling lamb, as a whole burnt-offering to Jehovah… he must prepare it each day in the morning. ¹⁴ And each morning he must prepare a gift offering, of a sixth of a measure of olive oil, mixed with a third measure of fine flour, as a continuous gift offering to Jehovah. ¹⁵ The lamb, the gift offering, and olive oil, must be prepared and offered each dawn, continuously, as whole burnt-offerings.

¹⁶ ‘Then Jehovah God said: If the one who is guiding should choose to leave, his inheritance as a gift to his sons, it will become the possession of his sons. ¹⁷ And if he should give a gift to his servant, then it will be his ‘til the year of release, and then it must be returned, to he who is [Israel’s] guide… but the inheritance of his sons will be theirs.

¹⁸ ‘There’s no way that the one who is guiding, may claim an inheritance of the people, in order to tyrannize them. Just from the things that he owns, may be given as inheritance to his sons, so the possessions of My people won’t ever be scattered.’

¹⁹ Then he took me by way of the back gate to the inner chamber of the Priests in the Holy Place (the one that faces the north), and {Look!} inside it was a place off to the side. ²⁰ And he said to me, ‘This is where the Priests must then boil, the offerings for all their errors, and the sacrifices for all their sins. And here’s where they’ll bake the gift offerings, so to the outer courtyard they’ll carry nothing, as [they prepare the offerings] to make the people holy.’

²¹ Then he took me to the outer courtyard, and led me around its four quarters. And {Look!}, on each side of each courtyard was a courtyard. ²² Then, on each of the four sides the courtyards were even smaller courtyards that measured forty forearms long, and thirty forearms wide. ²³ And there were inner chambers around the four courtyards, and cooking pits beneath the chambers round about.

²⁴ And he said to me, ‘These are houses of the cooks. It’s where the sacrifices will be boiled, which the people will bring as their offerings, for those who serve at the [Temple].’

Chapter 47

¹ Then he brought me to the threshold of the [Temple] and {Look!} there was water pouring from an open space beneath its east side (because its front faced the east). And the water poured down to the right side of the [Temple] toward the south, and then south, past the Altar.

² So he led me by way of the gate that faces north and took me outside to the courtyard gate (the one facing east), and {Look!} the water was flowing down along the right side.

³ And there was a man who had exited just across from that place, and he was carrying a ruler in his hand. So, he went to the source of the water and measured out a thousand [forearms]. ⁴ Then he walked into the water and measured out a thousand… and it came up to his knees. Next, he measured another thousand, and the water came up to his hips. ⁵ So, he measured another thousand, and he wasn’t able to walk through it anymore, for the water was flooding with such force that it became a [river] that couldn’t be crossed.

⁶ And he said to me, ‘O son of man; Do you see this?’

⁷ Then he led me over to the edge of the river, and when I turned around, {Look!} on the banks of the river there were huge numbers of trees growing on each side. ⁸ And he said to me, ‘This water flows east into Galilee, and then to Arabia and into the sea. And where it exits, all the waters will be healed; ⁹ it will bring life to all herds, for all that come to this river will live. And huge numbers of fish will also be there, for all will come to this water, and it will heal and enliven all things… all things that come to this river will live!

¹⁰ ‘Then fishermen will come here and stand, from EnGedi to EnEglaim to dry their nets. There’ll be no other place like it, for there will be so many fish… it’ll be like the fish in the Great Sea. ¹¹ But, where it turns and overflows, there’s no way it will heal [anymore], for [those areas] have been given to the salt.

¹² ‘And on both sides of the banks of the river, will grow trees bearing fruit that will never grow old, nor will they ever fail to bear fruit. From the beginning they will start doing this; for, from the Holy Place these waters will flow. And as these waters flow past them, they’ll produce fruit [to be eaten], and their leaves will all bring [good] health.

¹³ ‘Then Jehovah God said: These are the borders of the land; the inheritance of the the sons of Israel’s twelve tribes; for they’ll each be given a piece of measured land. ¹⁴ You will each inherit it as brothers, in the same way that I lifted My hand, to divide it among your ancestors, and as an inheritance this land will then be passed on.

¹⁵ ‘The northern borders of the land, will run from the Great Sea by HethLon… from the gates of ¹⁶ HaMath, BerOthah, and SibraIm, and on to the limits of Damascus; then to the limits of HaMath, and to the courtyards of HatTicon (which are at the limits of Haran). ¹⁷ These are the borders from the sea in the north… from the courtyards of Enan to the limits of Damascus, and all places north to the borders of HaMath. ¹⁸ Between Damascus and Haran they run eastward, to Gilead through Israel to the Jordan, where [the Jordan] flows east to the sea, and to the palm groves in the east.

¹⁹ ‘And these are the borders to the south and southwest: They run from Teman and the palm groves, to the waters of MaribOth Kadesh, and from there they flow to the Great Sea… these are the borders to the south and southwest.

²⁰ ‘The Great Sea is the border from the gates of HaMath, and it is the border to the west.

²¹ ‘Among the tribes of Israel, this land must then be divided; ²² you must throw lots for yourselves, and for the foreigners who live among you… those who bear sons among you. For, they will be yours as native-born sons, among all the sons of Israel; and along with you they will eat, and receive an inheritance among your tribes. ²³ They’ll live among the tribes that made them converts, along with others who’ve been converted, and an inheritance they must be given, says Jehovah your God.

Chapter 48

¹ ‘And these are the names of the tribes:

‘Starting at the top in the north, to where it splits at the gates of HaMath, and to the courtyard of Enan, to the borders of Damascus to the north, along part of the borders of HaMath, and from there to the east and the west, is the portion belonging to Dan.

² ‘And from the borders of Dan (from the east to the west), is the portion of Asher.

³ ‘And from the borders of Asher (from the east to the west); this is NaphTali’s portion.

⁴ ‘And from NaphTali’s borders (from the east to the west), is the portion of ManasSeh.

⁵ ‘And from the borders of ManasSeh (from the east to the west), is EphraIm’s portion.

⁶ ‘And from the borders of EphraIm (from the east to the west), is the portion of Reuben.

⁷ ‘And from the borders of Reuben (from the east to the west), is the portion of Judah.

⁸ ‘And from the borders of Judah in the east, will be the offering of the first-fruits, whose width is twenty-five thousand, and length is one measured portion, from the eastern border to the west, and the Holy Place will be in its midst. ⁹ The First-Fruit must be set aside for Jehovah. It’s twenty thousand wide and ten thousand long. ¹⁰ Within it will go all the first-fruits, of the holy things of the Priests, which will run toward the north for twenty-five thousand; toward the west for ten thousand; toward the east for ten thousand; and toward the south for twenty-five thousand… and the Holy Mountain and Holy Place will be in its midst. ¹¹ It’s set aside for the Priests…the sons of ZaDok who’ve been made holy… those who’ve kept their [Temple] watches, and not strayed in the sons of Israel’s delusions, nor wandered in the ways of the Levites. ¹² This will be given to them as their first-fruits, from out of the first-fruits of the land… a Holy of Holies from the borders of the Levites.

¹³ ‘And the Levites will be given their parts, next to the borders of the Priests. It’s twenty-five thousand long, and ten thousand wide. The whole length will be twenty-five thousand, and ten thousand will be its width. ¹⁴ No part [of this land] may be sold, or measured out to be sold; nor may its first fruits be removed from the land, for it is all holy to Jehovah.

¹⁵ ‘But concerning the extra five thousand wide; amid that twenty-five thousand, there’ll be a place around the city wall, which will serve as their dwellings, and the city will be in its midst. ¹⁶ And this is how it must be measured: From the borders toward the north, will be four thousand five hundred; from the borders toward the south, will be four thousand five hundred; from the borders toward the east, will be four thousand five hundred; and from the borders toward the west, will be four thousand five hundred.

¹⁷ ‘And, toward the north of the city there’ll be a space, that will measure two hundred and fifty; toward the south, two hundred and fifty; toward the east, two hundred and fifty; and toward the west, two hundred and fifty. ¹⁸ And there’ll be an additional length, next to the Holy Place’s first-fruits, that will be ten thousand toward the east, and ten thousand toward the west. These are for the Holy Place’s first-fruits, where the bread will be [baked], for those who work in the city. ¹⁹ And those who work in the city, will come from all of Israel’s tribes.

²⁰ ‘The whole First-Fruit will be twenty-five thousand, by twenty-five thousand in a square; and you must set it aside from the city, for the Holy Place’s first-fruits.

²¹ ‘And extra must also be set aside, on behalf of he who’s the guide. It must run from this side to that side, between the Holy Place’s first-fruits, and the possession of the city… twenty-five thousand long it must be, from the eastern borders toward the west, and twenty-five thousand along the western border, next to the portions of he who’s the guide. This is for the Holy Place’s first-fruits, and the Holy of Holies will be in its midst.

²² ‘And by the borders of the Levites (from the mist of the possession of the city), will be the place for he who’s the guide; it will be between Judah and BenJamin’s borders. This will be given to he who is guide.

²³ ‘And what’s left of that which belongs to the tribes, from the eastern borders toward the west, will be given as BenJamin’s portion.

²⁴ ‘And from BenJamin’s borders (from the east to the west), are Simeon’s portion.

²⁵ ‘And from Simeon’s borders (from the east to the west), are IsSachar’s portion.

²⁶ ‘And from the IsSachar’s borders (from the east to the west), are ZebuLun’s portion.

²⁷ ‘And from the ZebuLun’s borders (from the east to the west), are the portion of Gad.

²⁸ ‘And from the borders of Gad, the borders southwest will be his, from Teman and the waters of MaribOth Kadesh, and from there on to the Great Sea… this is what he’ll inherit.

²⁹ ‘This is the land for which you’ll throw lots, for all of Israel’s tribes; and these are to be their divisions, says Jehovah your God.

³⁰ ‘The northern accesses to the city, must be four thousand five hundred; ³¹ and the gates of the city must carry the names, of Israel’s twelve tribes. The three gates toward the north will include: the Gates of Reuben, Judah, and Levi. ³² The three gates toward the east (each four thousand five hundred), are the Gates of Joseph, BenJamin, and Dan. ³³ Those three gates toward the south (each four thousand five hundred), are the Gates of Simeon, IsSachar, and ZebuLun. ³⁴ And those toward the west (each four thousand five hundred), are the Gates of Asher, NaphTali, and Gad.

³⁵ ‘The circumference must be eighteen thousand, and whatever the city is named, will be its name from that day.’

Notes

Soul or?

The Greek word psyche (as in psychology) has been translated many ways, including soul, life, etc. However, psyche actually means something that breathes. It is used in the Bible to describe both breathing animals and breathing humans. So by definition, a soul cannot leave the body, because a soul is what the living body (whether human or animal) is (see Genesis 2:7).

In ancient Greece, philosophers eventually added another meaning to psyche: The inner person (as opposed to the person that others see and come to know). And with time, the pagan religion of Greece started to teach that this inner person is its own entity and can never die (is immortal). Over the centuries, this pagan Greek doctrine crept into the Christian religions. Please see the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul for more history of the word.

However, such Greek philosophical thought never influenced Jesus and his Apostles. So, they consistently used psyche to indicate a living person or animal. The teaching that the soul is immortal stands in direct conflict with Jesus’ promise of a resurrection, because, if a person is immortal (can never die) he/she can never be resurrected (brought back to life).

In addition, the teaching of the immortality of the human soul is totally without support from the Bible. The word immortal(ity) (Gr: athanasia or undying) is only mentioned in the Bible in two places, and it isn’t used with or applied to the word soul in either case. Both of these scriptures show that immortality is only given by God as a reward for righteousness. And as Ezekiel 18:4 says, ‘The person (gr. psyche or ‘soul’) that is sinning will die (gr. apothaneitai).’

Of course, there are places in the Bible where the word soul means more than just a living, fleshly body. For example, God is recorded to have spoken of ‘My Soul’ in several places. Obviously, God is much more than just a ‘soul’ as most people think of that term, and He surely wasn’t talking about His having a human body. So we must conclude that what He was referring to is His life.

Then there are Jesus’ words found at Matthew 10:28, which read, ‘Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the person (psyche). Rather, be afraid of him who can destroy both the person and the body in the garbage dump.’ Here, Jesus is using the word psyche (soul) to refer to the value of life that remains with God until the resurrection. And he obviously isn’t referring the soul as immortal here, because he says God will destroy (gr. apolesai) the [unrighteous] soul or person.

Unfortunately, no single word can be used to translate psyche in every possible Bible application, so various terms are used herein, depending on the circumstances, but always in an attempt to harmonize with the meaning.

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The Heavens or Sky, the Earth or the Land?

In both the Ancient Scriptures of Israel and the Christian Era Scriptures, we find all the realm of creation divided into three entities; the heavens (or sky), the earth (the land or ground), and the seas (the waters). Now, in contemporary English, we understand that there is a difference between the heavens and the sky, the earth and the land (or ground), and the seas and waters. However, in both Hebrew and Greek, these fine distinctions that we accept because of our modern technology, can’t be found. So, Genesis 1:1 could literally be translated as, ‘In the beginning God created the sky and the ground.’

This is accurate, because this was the view of man from the earth. There was the land that he stood on, the sky above, and the water over there. There was no technical understanding of the earth as a planet, because men didn’t view the earth as we do today, as a ball in space… it just wasn’t necessary at the time. However, because of these distinctions that we understand so well today, translators must choose the proper words to provide the right nuances in English, so readers can grasp the proper meaning of each text.

This is why you’ll find the Greek word ourano translated as both heaven(s) and sky herein, depending on the context. You’ll also find the Greek words ge and ges translated as earth, ground, or land, depending on the context. So, the symbolic words at 2 Peter 3:5, 6, for example, are translated herein as, ‘The thing that they don’t want to understand is this: That the ancient earth and sky were out of the water, but (in obedience to God’s instructions) they stood together between the waters.’ (For an example of the problems created by the wrong use of the words ge and ges, see the linked document Isaiah 24 - Is It Speaking of Armageddon?).

Notice that the ‘earth and sky’ were located ‘between the water.’ So, although other Bibles translated this verse as speaking of the ‘heavens and earth,’ the reference is to that portion of the heavens which is close to the earth… to the sky. Likewise, at Matthew 5:5, where Jesus spoke of the ‘meek’ as inheriting the earth; since he was talking about people receiving an ‘allotment’ on the earth, we have chosen to translate ges as earth, not land or ground.

And finally, when it comes to the seas (gr. thalassa), there are already distinctions as to different types of waters in the Greek text. For instance, seas are called thalassa and rivers are called potamos (or ‘flowing’). However, notice (in Revelation 20: 13) how the resurrection of the dead is divided between those who died on land and those who were lost in the water, ‘The sea gave up its dead, death and the grave gave up those dead in them, and they were all judged by the things that they did.’

We again find all three of these realms of creation brought together symbolically at Revelation 21:1, where it says, ‘Then I saw a new earth and sky, because the previous earth and sky had disappeared, as did the sea.’

In the case of where EliJah was taken in a celestial chariot, most people think he was taken to (as their Bibles put it) ‘heaven,’ where he went to live with God. This isn’t true, because King JehoRam later received a letter from Elijah (see 2 Chronicles 21:12). So God had apparently used the celestial chariot to take him into the sky (the proper translation here), where he was then taken to another place here on the earth. For more information on this, see the linked document, The Hereafter.

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Hades: Hell or the Grave?

The Greek word Hades (they pronounced it hah-des) has been translated both as Hell (which is thought of as a place of torture) and as the Grave in other Bible versions (such as the King James). Since one word can’t mean two very different things, which translation is correct?

Hades (like the English word Hell) actually means the place of the dead. However, as pagan Greek philosophy started to develop and creep into Christianity, the later-day Greek view of Hades (a place of torture) was applied to it. Was this a correct application?

An insight into how the ancient Hebrews and the early Christians understood the word can be gained by looking at how it was applied in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Ancient Scriptures of Israel (the ‘Old Testament’ Bible of Jesus’ day). There, the Hebrew word Sheol is translated into Greek as Hades in every instance, yet in each case, these are obvious references to the grave (the place of the dead), not to a place of conscious torture (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10).

Another revealing application of the word Hades is found at Revelation the 20:13. It says there, ‘The sea (gr. he thalassa) gave up its dead, death and the grave (gr. thanatos kai ho hades) gave up those dead in them, and they were all judged by the things they did.’

Notice that those who die at sea are differentiated from those who are buried in graves (Hades) and in other places (thanatos). So Hades is better translated as grave.

In the book of Job, another word that is used once in the Christian-era Scriptures and often translated as Hell, is found in two places. That Greek word is Tartarus, which refers to the place where evil gods or angels are sent. For more information, see the linked document; Is There a Burning Hell?

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Blest or Happy?

There is quite a debate as to whether the Greek word makarios found in many places throughout the Bible should be translated blessed or happy.

Notice that we have chosen to translate it as blest, which is an older spelling of the word blessed, to get rid the affected pronunciation that was likely introduced by early preachers (bless-ed).

According to Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary, the word should never translated happy, because happy is derived from the words happen, happening, or happenstance (luck). His reasoning (which we agree with) is that, when someone suffers for the sake of righteous principles, his/her reward isn’t just happiness (which can come from any source of good luck or fortune), but rather, it is a joy that comes from gaining a better relationship with God.

In other words, there is no exact word in English to use here, but blest seems to be a closer alternative than happy.

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Zeal

At Psalm 37:8 we read, ‘Stop being angry and abandon your rage. Don’t allow zeal to make you act wicked’ (yes we know, the word should be wickedly, but this is poetic license). However, those words could also be translated as, ‘Do not allow jealously to cause you to act wickedly,’ because the Greek word zelos can be translated zealous or jealous, depending on the circumstances, for both words mean the same thing. Yet, the two words imply different things in English.

Zeal is usually thought of as something good… something all Christians should have, as in zeal for God and righteousness. And jealously is thought of as something bad… as wanting something another has. Yet, God may be spoken of as being jealous over His Name and His position as God, so jealously isn’t always a bad thing. We can have zeal (a burning desire to own) for things that are ours and we are proud of, and be jealous of things that belong to others. So, one may be translated as zeal and the other as jealously, depending on the setting.

Then, is it proper for a man to be jealous of his wife or a wife to be jealous of her husband? No, we should never be jealous of each other, but for each other. We shouldn’t want what the other has, but we should have a burning zeal for each other. Yet we often hear of the bad acts or a jealous husband or wife, which may or may not be zeal or jealously. For if one has good reason to worry about losing the love of the other that is zeal. However, if such concern is baseless, that is wicked suspicion, not jealously.

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Age, Eternal, Perpetual, Everlasting, Immortal, or Forever?

Two words imply infinite states in the Bible; one is the Greek word athanasia (undying), which is only found in two places, 1 Corinthians 15:53, where it mentions resurrected ones as clothing themselves with immortality, and at 1 Timothy 6:16, where Paul speaks of Jesus as having received it. The other Greek word is aidios, which is used at Romans 1:20 to describe God’s Power and Might as eternal, and at Jude 6 when speaking of the perpetual state of gloomy darkness that rebellious angels have been confined to.

However, the Greek word aionos (pronounced ai-on-oss), which is used throughout the Bible and is often translated as forever and everlasting, is what the English word eon is derived from. It means an indefinite period, and there is no exact English word to translate it. The best equivalents are age(s) or era(s). Where the plural form of the word (ages) is used, it refers to a long time… at least multiple generations. However, where the singular form is used (age or era), this appears to mean a much shorter period, such as a lifetime, generation, or era. And where the term ages of ages is used (such as at Ephesians 3:21), which is usually said in reference to The God, we would assume that this truly means forever.

It is noteworthy that aionos is the word that is used in the Greek Septuagint in place of the Hebrew word ohlam, which is also translated as forever and time indefinite in popular versions of the Ancient Scriptures of Israel. So this one word (aionos) is translated as forever, everlasting, eternal, system of things, time indefinite, [end of] the world, long ago, from of old, etc. Obviously, something is very wrong here, because the word can’t mean a period having a definite end in one place and infinity in another.

Take for example, the unique way that aionos is used in the question that Jesus’ Apostles asked him, which is found at Matthew 24:3, ‘What will be the signs when you are near and this age will come to its conclusion?’ You can see that the word aionos obviously doesn’t mean forever, everlasting, or eternal in this case, nor did it mean world or system of things. It simply meant the age or, the time before the end would come. And for them, that meant the age when God’s Temple at Jerusalem would be destroyed, because that’s what Jesus had just told them.

The word aionos (which we have translated as age here) is also translated as world (KJ) and as system of things (NW) in other Bibles. However, if the Apostles had meant any of those words, they would have used the Greek word cosmos, not aionos, for world or system of things.

The ancient Hebrews viewed everything (and rightly so) as having a beginning and an end. For that reason, you will only find three places in the Bible where words are used that imply no end and none that imply no beginning. An interesting possible insight on the reason for this can be found at Hebrews 1:10-12, which says: ‘Long ago, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and your hands made the heavens. They will destroy themselves, but you will remain. They will grow old just like clothes do. Then, as [you would do to] a robe, you will wrap them up and repair them like clothes. Yes, you are the one, and your years will never expire.’

The problem with most Bible translations is that when they encounter the word aionos in all its different tenses, they interpret it according to accepted doctrine, not according to the way that Jesus and his disciples used it. So the common renderings forever, eternal, and everlasting are used even when the word is in its singular forms (aioni, aiona, aionos, aionion, aionian, aionios, aioniou), and this totally distorts the meaning of the text.

Take for example, the scripture at John 5:24, where Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; the one who hears what I say and believes in the One that sent me will have life in this age. He won’t have to be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.’

Most Bibles translate Jesus as saying that those who believe in the One who sent him will have everlasting life (or the equivalent). However, the words that Jesus used there were, zoe aionos (life age – singular), not zoe aionion (life ages – plural).

Notice how Jesus explained the meaning of these words with his next statement, ‘He won’t have to be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.’

So what Jesus was saying here, wasn’t that they would have everlasting life, but that they in their current life would be considered among the living, not among the dead (see Revelation 20:12).

This doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t live forever… it’s just that Jesus wasn’t really saying that. What we find (from consideration of the evidence found in the bulk of Jesus’ words about life) is that he never taught the hope of ‘life eternal,’ ‘everlasting life,’ or ‘immortality,’ in those specific words. However, the concept is still there. What he taught was that righteous people will receive ‘life in the age,’ or be considered worthy of (possibly everlasting) life by God during their current lifetimes… that their names would be written in ‘the scroll of life,’ and that they would not have to be judged, but will have already ‘crossed over from death to life,’ as Jesus said at John 5:24.

Yes, we know that this is a difficult concept to understand, but it’s what Jesus actually said.

For more information, select the linked documents, The Hereafter and Does the Bible Promise Everlasting Life?

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Breath

The Greek word pneuma (as in pneumonia, a breathing disease) means breath or wind – the movement of air. In other Bible translations, this word is often translated as spirit or ghost, as in Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. However, spirit is just a shortened form of the Latin word spiritu, which just means breath in Latin. And ghost conveys another meaning altogether.

The most common use of the word pneuma in the Bible is to imply an unseen force (such as breath or wind). And the problem with translating it as spirit or ghost is that many people have started believing that the unseen force that is called [God’s] Holy Breath herein, is another God-like person and part of a Divine ‘Trinity.’ This can’t be true, because the only scripture that can be used to support this theory (that is, where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Breath’ are spoken of together) is found at Matthew 28:19, which appears to be spurious (See the Note in Matthew). All other scriptures that are used to prove the Trinity theory fail to mention the Holy Breath as part of that group. And the King James wording of 1 John 5:7 (which was used for years to attempt to prove the Trinity) is also spurious (something that was added to the Bible). So, then there are no actual Bible references that mention God’s Holy Breath along with the Father and the Son.

So to prevent confusion, the Greek word pneuma is frequently translated as breath herein. However, there are exceptions, as in instances where the Bible refers to demons as ‘spirits.’ Translating pneuma as breath in these cases, although correct, might just be confusing. There are also places where we have left pneuma translated as spirit, when the word implies a person's tendency (or spirit). And, since the nuance implied by the word Spirit in the English language (an unseen power) is correct, we recently changed back to translating pneuma as Spirit in several places, when referring to God’s Holy Spirit. However, recognize that pneuma is often best defined by calling it [God’s] Holy Breath. For an example, see the Note Worshiping God In Spirit and Truth.

Another important use of the word pneuma is in the phrase, ‘Breath of Life.’ This phrase means more than just breathing; it refers to the entire mechanics of life itself. It’s the unseen force of life for all creatures… it’s what makes each cell alive. However, nowhere does the Bible describe the ‘pneuma’ as immortal, nor is it the same as the soul (a breathing thing), so it can (figuratively) ‘return to God’ at death,’ because all hope of future life depends on God and His promise of a resurrection.

Note in particular how the term Breath is used at Job 27:3, where Job spoke of God’s Breath or Spirit. For there he asked, ‘Does the Breath of the Divine One remain in my nose?’ As you can see from his application of this word, pneuma obviously referred to God’s Breath in this case, not to a person or to an unseen force. He was talking about that which comes from God and caused him (Job) to breathe… the Breath of Life.

It is interesting that at Genesis 6:3 God says, ‘I won’t allow My Breath to stay with these men through the the age, for they are fleshly.’ In Greek that reads, ‘Ou me katameine to pneuma mou en tois anthropois toutoiseis ton aiona, dia ai einai autous sarka,’ or, ‘Not not should stay the Breath Mine with these men the age through, their being flesh.’

While the words Breath Mine (pneuma mou) here can refer to God’s Holy Breath, it seems more likely that He is referring to the breath of life that He gave Adam. So it appears as though what God was saying here is that the breath of life (of the people of that age) would be removed prematurely. However, since God referred to it as ‘My Breath,’ there may be a link implied between God’s Holy Breath and the breath of life.
For more information, see the attached link ‘The Powers of God’s Holy Spirit.’

However, when Jesus died (as the words recorded at John 19:30 say), ‘he hung his head and gave up the breath’ (gr. kai klinas ten kephalen paredoken to pneuma, or, and inclined his head giving/up the breath). In this case, the obvious reference is to ‘the breath of life,’ or that force which gave him life as a human.

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Why the Name Changes?

You have likely noticed that we are putting some of the letters in Bible names in capital letters. For example, we’ve started spelling such names as Jonathan as JoNathan, Isaiah as IsaiJah, and Eliezer as EliEzer. Why? Well, partly to help with the correct pronunciations of the names, and partly to show some translating consistency.

We all know that the common English pronunciation of Jonathan (for example) is Jon-uh-thun. But did you know that the first part of the name (Io in Greek, Ieho in Hebrew) refers to the name Jehovah, and the second part of the Name (Nathan) means Gift? So the name was originally pronounced Ye-hoh-nuh-thahn.

In the case of names that end with an iah, as in Isaiah, the last part of the name often includes the name of God. Isaiah, for example, means Salvation [of] Jehovah, and it was originally pronounced Ee-sai-Yah. So, why have we substituted a capital ‘J’ for the letters ‘ie’ in both of the above cases? Well, we recognize that there is an inconsistency here, because there was no letter ‘J’ in Hebrew or Greek alphabets. However, we have the choice of changing all names that start with ‘J’ (such as Jesus, John, Jonah, Joshua, Jeremiah, etc.) to start with the letters ‘Ie’, or for consistency, we can change all the ‘Ies’ into ‘Js’, which is what we have done. Realize that several other Hebrew consenants are commonly mispronounced in English, which no one objects to, so this minor deviation should not be objectionable to the thinking.

Does this mean then that we are setting out a new rule for name spelling? Absolutely not, for centuries ago a Bible translator first established this rule when he spelled the name Eliou (Greek spelling, pronounced ay-lee-ou) and wrote it as EliJah, because this name is regarded as meaning ‘My God is Jehovah.’

Also notice that where a name ends with an iah, as in Jeremiah (Jehovah exalts), we have often spelled it as iJah, because the i would typically be pronounced as a long e followed by a Y in Hebrew, and writing it without the i (as in JeremJah) misses this nuance. So we have rendered it JeremiJah, which is similar to the way it is often pronounced by modern-day Hebrew-speaking Jews, YeremiYah.

Another important word in names that we usually capitalize is ‘El’ (from the Hebrew Elohe, or God). So EliEzer (which people commonly pronounce Eelai-eezer and means God [has] Helped) should actually be pronounced El-ee-eh- zer. The same is true for the letters Ai, especially in the names of cities, because Ai in Hebrew refers to the word city. So AiLam probably meant the City of Lam.

Similar words, such as Bel (as in BelShazzar), Baal, and Beel, refer to ‘the Lord’ or ‘the God.’ Also, the letters ‘Ben’ and ‘Bar’ mean ‘the son of.’ ‘Beth’ means ‘the house of,’ ‘Beer’ refers to a ‘well,’ ‘Is’ or ‘Ish’ means ‘Man,’ etc.

Does this mean that we have put all the capitals in the right places? No, for we make no claim to Hebrew scholarship (all our translating here has been from Greek). So, what we are trying to do is provide a better understanding to how these names were pronounced by First-Century Christians.

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Sor or Tyre?

In the Septuagint, Ezekiel’s prophesy found in Chapters 26 and 27 concerning the city of Tyre, speaks of it as Sor, not Tyre. This is because Tyre was built on a rocky land, and Sor means rocks. As the result, for clarification, we have rendered Sor as both Tyre and as Rock, depending on its use in the text.

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Dragon

That the Bible speaks about what is translated as dragons (gr. drakonta) several times, raises some interesting questions. The dragon (although supposedly a mythical animal) is one of the world’s most widely recognized creatures. It is highly regarded in the Buddhist religion and is seen in ancient religious carvings from around the world. This testifies that people have believed in the existence of dragons for as far back as human records go. Why?

Note that dragons are thought of as animals with the bodies of snakes (gr. orphis), but they also have feet and legs.

What was the dragon? Revelation 12:9 tells us, when it says, ‘So, the huge dragon was thrown out. He is the first snake, the one who is called the Slanderer and Opposer, who is misleading the whole earth.’

So, from the above, we see that the vision identifies the dragon as ‘the Opposer’ and ‘the Slanderer,’ and it says that he was the first snake, the one who seduced Eve in the ‘Paradise of Delights’ (see Genesis 3:2).

The fact that the dragon is viewed as a snake with legs in religious legends throughout the world, testifies to the fact that people everywhere once believed in the Bible account in Genesis, and they also believed that when God cursed the snake to ‘travel on its chest and belly,’ it lost its legs.

It is interesting that dragons are also part of the folklore of Europe, for who hasn’t heard the story of St. George and the dragon. Yet, if you read that story, you’ll see that it is actually an allegory about man’s fight against sin and the Slanderer. So in that case, it refers to the original dragon, or the first creature of terror.

Notice that Job 7:12 asks, ‘Am I the sea or the dragon that guards it?’ This view that a dragon guarded the edges of the seas was common throughout Europe until after the Sixteenth Century, for dragons were usually drawn at the edges of maps of seas during that time. Yet, as we can see, the actual reference may have been to animals and fish that men feared and didn’t understand, not snakes with legs.

However, notice how vividly Job described the Slanderer as the dragon at Job 26:12, 13, where we read, ‘By His strength He has settled the sea in its bed, and in His wisdom He’s filled it with whales. The bolts from the skies stand in awe of Him, and He’s ordered the death of the dragon that rebelled.’

We find a whole Chapter in Job (Chapter 41) that is obviously a description of the evil one, but has gone mistranslated for centuries, simply because its meaning has been misunderstood. Other Bibles speak of a leviathan or a behemoth here, and some of a crocodile. And in the Septuagint, we find no name at all or any explanation, leaving us to guess what is being described.

It is unusual that some translators have thought that this creature was a crocodile, for crocodile is a Greek word that is easily recognized, since it is spelled almost the same as in English. There is one place where that word is found in the Law of Moses, at Leviticus 11:25, when listing animals that shouldn’t be eaten, and in that place most Bibles also translate the word crocodile wrong.

If you read the text of Job 41, you’ll see an obvious reference to a fire-breathing dragon. For notice how verses 18-21 describe it: ‘His sneezing brings about brightness, and his eyes are like the morning star. From out of his mouth comes burning lamps, like the scattered grates of a fire. From out of his nostrils comes the smoke of a furnace, burning with the fire from coals. His life is much like live coals, and flames shoot from his mouth. ’

At this point, critics could say the Bible was talking about a mythical dragon, and others would say that God is describing a wild ox. Yet, notice the further description in verses 31, 32: ‘He breaks from the abyss as though a brass cauldron; he thinks of the sea as his own ointment jar, and the abyss of Tartarus as his captive. For, to him the abyss just a promenade.’

If you examine these verses, you’ll see that God is using cryptic text to explain to Job just who is to blame for his problems. Yet, the use of the words Tartarus (the place where evil gods are sent) isn’t found again in the Bible until the reference at 2 Peter 2:4, and the only mention of his coming out of his prison (pit or abyss) is found at Revelation 20:7.

Clearly, this second-to-the-last Chapter in Job, as in any good writing, brings back into play all the characters that the book started with.

Then, why did Jewish scribes and translators have so much trouble understanding this Chapter that there are obvious deletions? There are four likely reasons:

· They didn’t believe in fire-breathing dragons

· They didn’t know that the Slanderer was the dragon

· They didn’t know of the Slanderer’s position in Tartarus or the pit

· A correct understanding would have linked the Book of Job to the Scriptures of the Christian era.

It is interesting that we again find mention of a dragon at Isaiah 27:1, where we read: ‘In that day, God will bring His great, holy, and strong sword against the dragon – the crooked and fleeing snake – and He will do away with the dragon, the one in the sea.’ This is an obvious reference to the destruction of the same dragon mentioned at Revelation 12:9 above, but it goes unnoticed in Hebrew texts, where the word leviathan is once more misunderstood. Of course, the word dragon is of Greek origin, so it came after the Hebrew text was written; and regardless of popular (mis)conceptions, leviathan is probably its Hebrew equivalent.

What is particularly interesting about this scripture, is that it speaks of the dragon from the sea in the same words as found at Ezekiel 32:2, where the reference is obviously to the land of Egypt and to its destruction. And you will also find references to the land of Egypt in the song of Isaiah 26, 27. However, this song seems to speak of some future time when God’s people (Israel) are released from a symbolic Egypt at Armageddon , for notice the words of the prophecy found at Isaiah 26:18-21, which say:

‘We won’t fall, though all others who live on earth will fall, but the dead will be raised from their tombs. Then all on the earth will be joyful, for, as dew You’ll send them a cure, while the land of the godless will fall. Proceed, O my people, to enter your bedrooms! Go inside, lock your doors, and hide a little while! For, this will happen, then that, and the rage of Jehovah will pass. {Look!} From His Holy Place Jehovah sends His rage, upon all those living on earth. He’ll unveil all the blood on the earth… and He won’t cover up those He destroys anymore.’

So, Egypt seems to be used here as a symbol of the godless nations that are destroyed in the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) and the dragon that represents them, appears to be the Opposer.

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ChoBar River

Just where was the Prophet Ezekiel when he received his many visions and words from God? He says that he was along the ChoBar (pronounced kuh-bar) River, in the land of Babylon, and many assume that he was living in Babylon along its Grand Canal (which could well be true). However, note that living in the land of Babylon isn’t necessarily the same as living in the City of Babylon, for the land of Babylon covered a vast empire. And although the kings of Babylon did deport and resettle nations that they captured, it is likely that only the royalty were taken to their capital city. So the Jews may have been deported to some other location in that land, which would explain why Ezekiel speaks in awe of faithful Daniel, but provides no record of speaking or dealing with him directly, which you would expect if they lived nearby. However, even Daniel doesn’t appear to have lived in Babylon after it was destroyed, but in Persian Susa, where he was likely taken by King Darius, shortly before his death; for what is thought to be Daniel’s tomb is found there (see the link Susa).

A likely location for their resettlement is west of Babylon, and directly north of Palestine, on the eastern side of the land of Syria. For, there we find a river with a name that is similar to ChoBar, the Khabour, and many Bible scholars now accept this as the site of that relocation, and as the place where Ezekiel did his writing.

This location seems far more likely, for Ezekiel’s prophecies were primarily against Judah and Jerusalem, and it was there that they were to be written or heard. Yet, this would be difficult if Ezekiel did his prophesying and writing in Babylon, which was a three-month journey away.

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Hebrew Songs and Poetry

While these translators claim no knowledge of the Hebrew language or its poetry, blessings, or songs (this is a GREEK Bible translation), we do find translating them interesting and beautiful, and we wish that we knew what was really said (or sung) better. For, rather than putting the words together in a rime (where ending words sound alike), they assembled sentences where the thoughts fit together and followed each other, so that they could be easily remembered and sung. And although the words may not have always been the same, the thought was, and whereas our poetry and songs don’t translate in the same beauty, they do in ancient Hebrew.

You’ll notice that each song seemed to have four verses, for the verses followed in a logical order. However, in our translation we sometimes find only three verses… or sometimes two or six. And this may be due to our misunderstanding of their methods, or due to problems with translation (both ancient and ours).

However, as you go along in the Bible, you will also find entire books written in poetry (such as Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.), and most prophecies (such as those of Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.) were spoken and written in a form that is similar to songs, especially where God and His messengers are speaking. It was probably done this way to be remembered and repeated… perhaps even as songs, for that was an ancient Hebrew means of mass communication.

Why, many of Jesus’ parables were spoken and recorded as poetry, such as what are called the beatitudes.

You will notice that where we find the rhythm of verse, we have tried to restore the cadence. This requires some rearranging of words and the addition or removal of extraneous words, while attempting to maintain the true meaning of the text. Why is this necessary? Well, not only does it provide pleasant reading, but in places where the lyrics can’t be resolved, it is a clear indication that something has been lost through the years. Proverbs 25 and 26, for example, by their lack of cadence and harmony, indicate questionable inspiration or a corruption of the original text. Also, God must consider the beauty of the text important, because that was the way He inspired it to be written.

You might notice the two verses of a song that the Israelite women were singing when Saul and David returned from a battle (at 1 Samuel 18:7). These were just a few words of a much longer victory song, but those particular words offended Saul, for he felt that David was being considered more important than he was. Yet, if you understand Hebrew poetry, you would see that the words were part of a natural progression of words and they weren’t actually chosen to elevate David or to offend Saul. Rather, Saul was being a bit petty.

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Separating the Sheep and the Goats

At Matthew 25:31-33 Jesus said, ‘When the Son of Man arrives in his glory along with all the messengers, he will sit down on his glorious throne, and all nations will be led before him. Then he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he’ll put the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left.’

A common misconception about the separating of the sheep and the goats mentioned in these verses, is that it is speaking of Jesus separating the righteous from the unrighteous for what Revelation 16:16 refers to as the Battle of Armageddon. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case here, for no battle is mentioned. And according to Revelation 16:13, 14, that great battle is fought against the kings and armies of this world (for more information, see the document, Armageddon – When?).

Rather, you may notice that these words of Jesus seem to be part of a quotation from the prophecy of Ezekiel 34:17 (LXX), which says: ‘And from among you, My sheep;’ says Jehovah the Lord, ‘{Look!} I’ll separate sheep from the sheep among you, and the rams from the goats.’

Then the Prophecy goes on to say (in verses 20-23): ‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah the Lord, ‘{Look!} I’ll separate the strong from the weak. For you pushed them away with your shoulders and sides, and the weak you gored with your horns… you squeezed them out and pushed them aside! So, I will rescue My sheep, and no more will they serve as [your] plunder, for I will judge between ram and ram. I will raise a shepherd for them, and he (My servant David) will tend them… he’ll care for them and be their shepherd.’

So, this prophecy clearly seems to be speaking of the time when Jesus (My servant David) does this separating work, which Jesus spoke of at Matthew 25:31-33. Then what are some of the other features of this prophecy? Well, notice God’s words that precede the description of the separating work in Ezekiel 34; for in verse 13 we read: ‘Then I will lead them out of the nations, and gather them from many regions, then bring them [back] to their land. And upon the mountains of Israel I’ll graze them… in the ravines and homes of the land.’

So, the separating of the sheep from the goats doesn’t appear to be a separating of worldly nations, but of those within the lost sheep of Israel… and one could conclude that this is a separating of those calling themselves Christians (for more information on who are considered Judah and Israel, see the linked document Jerusalem and ‘the Israel of God’)

Notice that the reward for those who are found to be sheep is that they would ‘Inherit the Kingdom that has been prepared for [them] from the founding of the world’ (for more information about the possible meaning of these words, see the linked document God’s Promise of an Inheritance). And the outcome for those found to be ‘goats’ is to be ‘cursed into the fire of the ages that was prepared for the Opposer and his messengers’ (for more information, see the linked document Is there a Burning Hell?).

What is the basis of the judgment that determines who the ‘sheep’ are and who the ‘goats’ are? As Jesus said, it all depends on how they treat his ‘brothers.’ And just who are Jesus’ brothers? He said (at Matthew 12:49): ‘Whoever does all that my Father in heaven wishes is my brother, sister, and mother.’

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390 Days/Years

In Ezekiel the Fourth Chapter, the Prophet was told to lie on his left side for 390 days to show the number of years (a day per year) from the time that the 10-tribe nation of Israel had been in rebellion, until Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Babylonians. However, using popular estimates of the dates of Israel’s establishment, its destruction, and Jerusalem’s destruction, most critics say that 390 years just doesn't match date of the nation’s formation. Pardon us if we trust the prophecies of God more so than their calculations.

Our Bible-based calculations (below) do appear to show the popular dates of Israel’s establishment and destruction to be wrong, and the prophecy of Ezekiel to be within just seven years of the 390-year period. This minor deviation could be caused by several factors, including the rounding of the numbers of each ruler’s tenure. So, we’ll defer to the words of the prophecy.

But, doesn’t moving the date of Israel’s establishment back several years throw off other critical dates (such as the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon)? Not necessarily, for the Septuagint shows the period between the Exodus and Solomon's laying the Temple foundation may be some 40-years shorter than Hebrew manuscripts indicate, leaving less length for the period of the Judges. Here are our calculations using the secular historical date for the destruction of Jerusalem (which may be wrong. See the document The Problem with Setting Bible Historical Dates).

KINGS OF ISRAEL:
JeroBoam 970-948 22-yrs (1 Kings 14:20)
Nadab 948-946 2-yrs (1 Kings 15:25)
BaAsha 946-922 24-yrs (1 Kings 15:33)
ElAh 922-920 2-yrs (1 Kings 16:8)
Zimri 920 7 days (1 Kings 16:15)
Tibni 920
Omri 920-908 12-yrs (1 Kings 16:23)
Ahab 908-886 22-yrs (1 Kings 16:29)
AhaziJah 2-yrs (1 Kings 22:52)
JehoRam 884-872 12-yrs (2 Kings 3:1)
Jehu 872-844 28-yrs (2 Kings 10:36)
JehoAhaz 844-827 17-yrs (2 Kings 13:1)
JehoAsh 827-811 16-yrs (2 Kings 13:10)
JeroBoam II 811-770 41-yrs (2 Kings 14:23)
ZechariJah 770 .5-yrs (2 Kings 15:8)
ShalLum 770 .12-yrs (2 Kings 15:13)
Menahem 770-760 10-yrs (2 Kings 15:17)
PekahJah 760-758 2-yrs (2 Kings 15:23)
Pekah 758-738 20-yrs (2 Kings 15:27)
HosheA 738-729 9-yrs (2 Kings 17:1)

KINGS OF JUDAH:
Ahaz 753-734 16-yrs. Hoshea starts rule in 12th year (in 741) (2 Kings 17:1) and rules 9 years until Israel’s destruction (741-12=729)
HezekiJah 734-705 29-yrs (2 Kings 18:2)
ManasSeh 705-650 55-yrs (2 Kings 21:1)
Amon 650-648 2-yrs (2 Kings 21:19)
JosiJah 648-617 31-yrs (2 Kings 22:1)
JehoAhaz 617 3 months (2 Kings 23:31)
JehoiAkim 617-606 11-yrs (2 Kings 23:36)
JehoiAchin 606-598 8-yrs (2 Kings 24:12)
ZedekiJah 598-587 11-yrs (2 Kings 24:18)

However, notice that there are differences between the lengths of rule in the Septuagint and the Masoretic texts, and neither of the texts reflects the 40-years of prophecied judgment on Jerusalem. So, at least the dates of the reigns of the kings of Judah are suspect, for we trust the prophecy and would therefore expect the 40-years to run from either the rule of wicked ManasSeh (23 years too long) or of righteous JosiJah (10 years too short).

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