From the Greek Septuagint text as used
by First Century Christians.
Written by EzekiEl over a period starting
from around 619-BCE to 14 years after the destruction of JeruSalem.
Is it poetry or isn’t it poetry?
Something that only a Bible translator would notice is that whenever God or His
spokesperson are quoted, the words were in the form of Hebrew poetry,
since
there is a definite cadence that can be noted in the original language.
Therefore, since this is the chosen style of God, we have rendered it as it
should be, in poetic verse.
Why did God and His spokesperson communicate through poetry?
Because poetic words provide memory aids that can be easily recalled to mind,
so that the messages could be spread throughout the population via the most
common medium of communication at the time, song.
The curious case of the changing personal pronouns:
Another thing that all translators notice when translating the words of the
Prophets is the constant changing of the personal pronouns from the first to
the third person in many of the pronouncements.
And what we have come to
realize is that God didn’t personally speak to the Prophets. Rather, He sent
His messages through a mediator, who appears to have been referred to as ‘The Word’ throughout the text.
Who Was Actually Talking?
You will notice herein that the text often changes to a quotation and then even to italics. WHY?
Understand that there are actually THREE voices being represented here, one of the Prophet,
one of the angel that is bring the message from God, and one of the words of God, and this is
often overlooked in other Bibles.
How can we tell the difference?
From the TENSES in which each verse is written.
If it is EzekiEl speaking, he is talking about
what was happing or what will be happening to his people.
If it is the angel (the Word) speaking,
he is speaking of God in the third person.
And if it is God speaking, He is talking in the first person
about what He will do.
Did we get it all right? Probably not, but it has been an honest attempt at doing so.
Chapter 1
1 It was during the thirtieth year, in the fourth month and on the fifth day of the month, as I was amidst the captivity 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 JehoiAchin had been carried off as a captive.
3 The Word of Jehovah came to me (EzekiEl the son of Buzi, a Priest) near the Chobar river in the land of the Chaldeans. And this is what I received from the hand of the Lord. 4 For I looked up and I saw a wind that could lift iron coming from the north, along with a huge cloud that had bright lights all around it and flashes of lightning. I also had a vision of a bright bronze casting in the middle of a fire. 5 Then 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 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 they had wings on each of their four parts. So, they each had four faces and four wings, 9 and they traveled opposite to [the direction] they were facing. Also, their wings didn’t turn as they moved.
10 Each of the faces [in the front] were like those of a man, the faces on the right looked like lions, the faces on the left looked like calves, and there was the face of an eagle on [the back side of] each of the four.
11 [Two of] their wings stretched out high above the other [two] wings and they were yoked to each other, while their lower two wings were just used to cover their bodies. 12 They followed each other [in a line], one in front of the other, and wherever [God’s] Breath led them they went, not turning aside.
13 Also, there among the animals, I had a vision of burning coals that looked like lamps that were spinning in their midst. 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 I saw wheels on the ground that were next to each of the four animals, 16 and the wheels [sparkled] like peridots. There also appeared to be four wheels within each wheel, and they worked as though there were wheels within wheels. 17 Each [wheel] moved in the direction that [the animals] faced, and they [moved together] 18 (the rims were tall and awesome). Then I looked again and I noticed that their back sides were full of eyes that went all around each of the four wheels.
19 As the animals moved, the wheels moved next to them. And when the animals lifted up from the ground, the wheels went up also, 20 along with a cloud that went wherever [God’s] Breath led it. 21 The animals and the wheels moved up along with [the cloud], because the breath of life was in the wheels. 21 Wherever [the animals] traveled, the wheels went along. For when they stood still, the wheels stood still, but 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 an expanse of ice that was stretched out over the tops of their wings. 23 And under this expanse, their wings were stretched out and flapping side by side, as the other two [wings] covered their bodies.
24 The sound that I heard from the movement of their wings as they traveled was like the sound of a lot of rushing water and the sound of someone very important whenever they moved. However, it was like the sound of [many] words being spoken in a camp whenever the animals stood still and rested their wings.
25 {Look!} There was also a sound that came from far above. 26 In the vision [that I had]; above their heads there was what looked like a huge sapphire stone, and sitting above it was a throne upon which, what appeared to be a man from the heavens, was sitting. 27 I saw what looked like molten bronze that was filled with fire around and above His loins; and beneath that, I just saw fire and brightness all around Him. 28 He was like a rainbow that forms in the clouds on a rainy day, and there was just brightness all around Him. This was in fact a vision of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah! And when I saw this, I fell to my face.
Then I heard a voice that started speaking [to me].
Chapter 2
1 He said to
me:
‘Son of man; you must stand on your feet,
And thereafter, I will address you!’
2 And at
that, His Spirit came over me… it picked me up and
lifted me up on my feet. Then I heard Him speaking to me. 3 He said:
‘O son of man;
To the sons of IsraEl, I’ll send you…
To those who’re rebelling against Me.
For against Me, they and their fathers
Have been in rebellion down to this day.
4 ‘They’re a
harsh and hard-hearted people,
And these are the ones to whom you’ll be sent.
So, tell them that thus says Jehovah:
5 You should listen in
terror,
For you are a house in rebellion.
And [after you do this], they’ll know
That you’ve served as a Prophet among them.
6 ‘And you,
O son of man, should not be afraid
Or be upset by their faces.
For they will get all heated up,
Then they will rise up against you,
And they will have you surrounded.
‘So, among these scorpions, you’ll have to live…
But don’t fear the things that they’ll say to your face,
For they are a house in rebellion.
7 ‘You must
then tell them My words,
So that they will 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’ll be speaking to you…
Don’t rebel, like that house in rebellion!
‘Now, open your mouth very wide
And eat this thing that I’m handing to you!’
9 So at that, I looked and I saw a hand that was reaching out toward me with a rolled up scroll. 10 But then He unrolled it before me… and written on both the front and backsides was a lamentation and a dirge.
Chapter 3
1 Then He
said to me:
‘O son of man, you must eat this…
And after you eat it,
You must tell the sons of IsraEl [what it says]!’
2 So He
opened my mouth in order to feed me the scroll. 3 Then He said to me:
‘O son of man;
After I put this scroll in your mouth,
Your belly will get filled with this thing
That I am feeding to 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 that I have to say!
5 ‘You won’t
have to speak to those with thick lips
Or to those that speak foreign tongues…
For to the house of IsraEl, you’re being sent.
6 ‘I will not
send you to other nations …
To those who speak words that you won’t understand
Or to those that have foreign, thick tongues
(Those that won’t know what you’re saying),
But to those that will understand you.
7 ‘Yet, the
house of IsraEl will not listen
To the things that I’ll tell you to say…
They’ll not agree to listen to Me,
Since they are a hard-hearted people
And all they do is talk back.
8 ‘{Look!}
Now, against their faces, I’ve made your face strong,
So your face will be firmer than theirs…
Yes, it will be harder than rock.
9 ‘So, don’t
be afraid [when you go] before them,
And you should not be afraid,
For they are a house in rebellion.’
10 And he
said to me:
‘O son of man;
Now, take My words into your heart,
And listen to them with your ears.
11 Then, tell the captive sons
of your people
That The Lord Jehovah has spoken,
And surely they’ll listen and yield.’
12 Well
after that, [His] Spirit stood me erect, and from
behind me I heard a rumbling sound that spoke to
me and said:
‘Praise the glory of Jehovah
That has come [to you] from His realm!’
13 Then I heard the sound of the flapping of the wings of the animals (because [the wings] were touching each other), as well as the sounds of the wheels that were moving next to them with a great rumbling.
14 And thereafter, [God’s] Breath lifted me up and carried me away… so my spirit was being lifted and motivated by the hand of Jehovah that had come over me, and this made me extremely powerful!
15 Then, while I was in this elevated [condition], I traveled among the rest of captives that live next to the Chobar River, and I stayed there for seven days. 16 And at the end of the seven days, the Word of Jehovah came to me and said this:
17 ‘O son of
man;
Over the house of IsraEl,
I have made you the watchman.
So you must listen to the words from my mouth,
And then, you must bring them my warnings.
18 ‘For I’m
saying that the lawless will die!
And you will also die with them
If you fail to give them my orders.
‘Give these warnings to those lawless people
And tell them that they will only survive
If they’ll turn from their unrighteous ways!
But, if they should choose to stay lawless,
They will die for their sins,
And I won’t require their blood from your hands.
19 ‘If you
give my word to the lawless,
And they refuse to turn from their ways;
They will die in their sins,
But I will still rescue you.
20 ‘For, if
a righteous man should turn from right ways
And start doing things that are evil;
I’ll torment his face ‘til he dies.
But, if you’ve failed to bring him my word,
And this is what caused him to die,
So his righteous deeds are forgotten;
I’ll require his blood from your hands.
21 ‘But, if
you will give [my] word to the righteous,
And you warn them that they must not sin…
And they choose not to sin because they’ve been warned,
And this results in their being saved;
You will have saved your own life.’
22 And after
that, the hand of the Lord came upon me and said:
‘Now arise and go out to the plains;
For there, I will tell you much more!’
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 Chobar River – and I fell to my face. 24 Then [God’s] Breath came over me and
stood me up on my feet… and it spoke to me and said:
‘Go home and lock yourself inside your house;
25 {Look!} For you, O son of
man, are appointed to be bound…
Yes, they will come here and then tie you up,
And no way will you set yourself free.
26 ‘They’ll
also wrap your tongue in your throat,
So you’ll be unable to speak,
And you won’t be able to scold them;
For, they are a house in rebellion.
27 ‘But
then, my voice will start speaking through you…
I will open your mouth, and you’ll tell them
That this was said by Jehovah:
‘All that wish to hear, should now listen!
But, those that don’t wish to make any change
Can continue to resist My persuasion;
For you are a house in rebellion!’
Chapter 4
1 ‘And you,
O son of man;
Must go find a brick,
Then set it in front of your face.
‘Draw a map of JeruSalem upon it,
2 Then surround it with a
circle of forts.
Also draw a siege mound and camps,
And encircle the city with weapons.
3 ‘Then, go
find an iron frying pan,
And set it as a wall between you and the city,
Then prepare your face to oppose it…
Prepare for a siege, then attack it…
And to the sons of IsraEl, this will serve as a sign!
4 ‘Then, go
to sleep on your left side,
And lay the sins of the house of IsraEl upon you…
You must bear their unrighteous ways
For the number of days that you’ll sleep [on that side].
5 ‘For I’ve
appointed two things that you must do
Because of their unrighteous deeds:
* ‘The unrighteous ways of the house of
IsraEl
Must be born upon you,
For three hundred and ninety [full] days.
* 6 ‘Then,
after that, you must sleep on your right
For the house of Judah’s unrighteous ways.
You must do this for forty more days…
A day for each year, is what I’ve established!
7 ‘And as
for the siege on JeruSalem;
Prepare your face and stiffen your arm;
For against [that city], you must then prophesy.
8 ‘{Look!}
Because I’ve appointed their bondage on 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 wild oats, lentils, and millet,
And put them into an earthenware pot;
Then, use them to bake loaves of bread.
‘Make enough for the number of days
(All the three hundred and ninety)
That you must sleep on your side.
10 And the weight of the food
that you can consume
Will be just ten ounces a day,
Which you may eat at various times.
11 ‘You must
also measure the water you’ll drink…
You may drink just ten ounces from time to time.
12 ‘And bake
the barley cakes that you’ll eat
Over human manure,
Which you must hide in the coals
Before the eyes [of the people].’
13 ‘For
this was said by Jehovah, the God of IsraEl:
This is the type of uncleanness
That the sons of IsraEl will eat
Among the nations where they will be thrown.’
14 But I
said:
‘Absolutely not, O Lord God of IsraEl! For my soul
has never been defiled or made unclean by decaying flesh, nor have I eaten wild
animals from [the day] that I was born until now… nothing unclean has ever
entered my mouth!’
15 So [the Lord]
said to me:
‘Then, rather than using human manure,
I’ll allow you to use cattle dung…
You may bake your loaves over that.’
16 And he
said to me:
‘O son of man;
{Look!} I’ll break JeruSalem’s trust in its bread;
For they’ll have to ration it out,
And they’ll ration the water they drink ‘til it’s gone.
17 ‘Since
there won’t be enough water or bread,
Each man [will steal] from his brother,
And because of their unrighteous deeds,
They will then 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 in portions by weight.
2 A fourth must be used to
kindle a fire,
Which you must burn in the midst of the city,
[To show] the number of days of its siege…
Then toss the second quarter into the fire.
‘And use a knife to cut the third quarter;
Then scatter it throughout [the city].
And toss the last quarter into the wind;
For I’ll empty them out with the sword.
3
‘Thereafter, you must take what little remains,
And put it into a bag…
4 Then, take out some [of the
hairs],
And toss them into the fire.
And as they’re burning, tell the house of IsraEl
That this was said by Jehovah:
5 ‘This
is what I’ll do to JeruSalem…
I’ll place her amid many nations,
And they will have her surrounded.
6 ‘Then,
speak of My righteous decisions…
Yes, speak to that lawless nation,
And to those lawless that are living around them.
For they’ve pushed away My righteous decrees,
And they haven’t followed My Laws.
7 ‘Yes, you must
[give them this warning]:
It’s because of this, says Jehovah,
That lawless ways will now come to you
From the nations that have you surrounded.
‘For, you haven’t followed My Laws,
Nor have you observed My righteous decrees…
You’ve not even raised to the standards
Of the nations that are living around you!
8 ‘So
because of this, says Jehovah;
{Look!} I am now standing against you,
And I’ll bring My judgments upon you,
There in front of the gentiles!
9 ‘I will
bring [many bad] things upon you
That have never happened before,
Nor will they be done in the future,
For the disgusting things that you’re doing!
10 ‘For,
fathers then eat their own children,
Or children will be eating their fathers;
And the rest will be scattered to the [four] winds…
For My righteous decisions will be poured upon you!
11 ‘As I
live, says Jehovah…
Because you’ve dirtied My Holy Things
With all that’s disgusting and loathsome,
I will push you away…
My eyes won’t spare 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 [four] winds;
And a fourth will fall by the broadsword…
Yes, you will all be surrounded,
And the sword will be emptied upon you.
13 ‘But,
after I’ve brought My anger and rage,
I’ll return and offer you comfort.
For then, you’ll know that this happened
Because I (Jehovah) had warned you,
And in My zeal, I showed you My rage.
14 ‘I’ll
turn you and your daughters into waterless lands
In the presence of all that pass by.
15 For the nations will
squeeze you and scoff
When I bring My anger and judgments on you,
Along with My vengeance and rage.
For, I (Jehovah) have spoken.
16 ‘I’ll
shoot the arrows of famine at you,
And after you come to be in great need,
I’ll send [the nations] to finish you off.
Yes, I’m sending a famine among you,
To break your reliance on bread.
17 ‘I’ll
not only bring a famine to you,
But I’ll also send ferocious wild beasts!
And with plagues, you will also be punished,
Before your blood will be spilled;
For upon you, I’m bringing the sword.
Yes, I (Jehovah) have spoken!’
Chapter 6
1 Thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to
me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Now, turn your face toward IsraEl’s hills,
And against them, you must now prophesy!
3 ‘Speak to
those in IsraEl’s mountains
And tell them to hear the Word of Jehovah!
Yes, hear what [God] has decreed
To the mountains, hills, valleys, and forests:
‘{Look!} Against you, I’m bringing the broadsword
And it will destroy your high places.
4 I will also break all
your altars;
Your [incense stands], I’ll tear down;
And before their idols, I’ll leave all your slain.
‘The bodies of IsraEl’s sons
Will be offered in front of their idols;
5 And then, on their
altars, I’ll scatter their bones.
6 ‘All
the homes in your towns will be empty;
All your high places will be wiped away;
All your altars will be destroyed;
Your idols will no longer be,
And your incense stands will be lifted away…
Your works will all be erased.
7
Then, as the slain are falling among you,
You will know that I am Jehovah.
8 ‘Then,
those that escape from the broadsword
Will be scattered among all the nations.
9 And those that escape
from the nations
Where they will be taken as captives,
Will start thinking of Me once again.
‘I vow this against the hearts of all those
Who’ve committed adultery against Me
And done so many bad things…
They will slap their own faces
Over the vile acts they’ve performed.
10 Then they’ll know
that I am Jehovah,
And that this is why I sent them the warning
That I’d bring such evil upon them.’
11 ‘And thereafter,
Jehovah said:
Clap your hands… yes, stamp your feet and then say,
This is what they deserve
For the disgusting things that IsraEl's done.
Yes, may they fall by the broadsword,
As well as by famine and plague!
12 ‘Then,
those far away will die by the plague;
Those that are near will fall by the sword;
And those that remain after the siege
Will be finished off by the famine,
As I wear out My anger against them.
13 ‘And
you’ll know that I am Jehovah,
When among your idols, you’ll see all your slain…
The idols that you’ve placed on all the high hills
And under each shade tree and bush,
Before which, you have burned incense.
14 ‘For,
against such ones, I’ll stretch out My hand,
And I’ll bring an end to their homes and their lands…
I’ll dry them out like figs in the desert,
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 7
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me again and said, 2 ‘And to you, O son of man; Jehovah says this about IsraEl:
‘To the four wings of the land,
The end has finally come…
3 Yes, the end has arrived;
For upon them, I’m bringing My rage.
‘I’m the one that is standing against them
And I’ll punish them for the things that they’ve done…
I’ll hold them to blame for their evil,
4 And my eyes won’t
spare or show mercy!
‘Because they have been so disgusting,
I’ll no longer forgive all the badness
That’s being done in their midst…
Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah!
5 ‘Jehovah
said:
{Look!} Upon the evil, evil will come…
6 For their end has
reached its fulfillment,
And their punishment has been awakened.
7
‘{Look!} The circle of the wreath has fallen on them
(All those that live in the land),
And the time has finally arrived…
The day of tumult and distress.
8 ‘For
now, I’ll pour out My rage
And finish My anger against them.
They’ll be judged for the bad things they’ve done,
And I’ll hold them to blame for their evil.
9 ‘My
eyes won’t spare or show mercy,
For I’ll make them pay for their ways
And the disgusting things that they’ve done.
Then, they will know that it’s Me…
I’m the One that is knocking them down!
10 ‘Look!
The day of the Lord has arrived,
And his rod has [finally] blossomed.
11 The time to injure
has come,
Which will break the resolve of the lawless.
Then, nothing at all will remain…
No wealth and nothing of value.
12 ‘Look!
The time has arrived…
Today is truly the day!
So, those that buy shouldn’t rejoice,
And those that sell shouldn’t wail;
For [God’s] wrath will cover such things.
13 ‘Now
the one that buys will not return
What he bought to the person that sold it,
Because neither one will survive.
‘This vision is for all of you
(As many as live in this place),
And it will not be turned back.
‘Yet, the eyes of these people won’t see
[The things that are coming into] their lives.
14 So, though they
should be [preparing themselves]
And knowing what is coming upon them,
No one’s getting ready for war
As My wrath is approaching her crowds!
15 ‘For
when the sword arrives on the outside,
There’ll be famine and plagues on the inside.
And those that carry their swords to the fields
Will thereafter die [in those fields],
While there’s famine and plague in their cities.
16 ‘Then,
those that try to escape
Will sit on the mountains like pigeons and know
That destruction has come because they’re so bad.
17 ‘So,
all their hands will be weak
And all their loins will be wet,
18 As around themselves,
they’ll wrap sack cloth.
For, they’ll be covered by shock;
Upon every face will be shame;
And every head will be bald.
19 ‘Then
they’ll toss their silver into the squares,
And their gold won’t have any value;
For their silver and gold will not save them
In the day of the wrath of the Lord.
‘Then their lives will not find
satisfaction,
Nor will their bellies be filled,
Since the torment for their sins will then have arrived.
20 ‘Of
their [silver and gold], they are now so proud,
So they used it to create their foul idols…
And for this, I’ve handed them over to filth.
21 ‘Yes,
I’ll hand them to strangers
Who will then rip them to pieces.
To the pests of the earth, I will give them,
And as their spoils, they’ll profane them.
22 ‘For
from them, I’ve now turned My face;
And to those over whom I kept watch,
Sudden destruction will come.
The attack will arrive when it isn’t expected…
And then, they will all be profaned.
23 ‘Yes,
a great befouling will come
To a land that is filled with judgments of blood.
For with all of their lawless ways,
This city is now filled to the brim!
‘So upon them, I will then bring
The evil ways of the nations,
And [the gentiles] will take all their homes.
24 ‘So I’ll
turn away all their neighing
About how great they’ve become,
And the things they hold holy will then be defiled.
25 ‘Yes
the time to repay has arrived,
And those that seek peace will not find it.
26 For there will come
woe upon woe,
As message after message arrives.
‘Then, from their prophets, they’ll search for a vision;
But the law of their Priests will be gone,
As will the counsel of the king’s elders.
27 ‘Then,
after their rulers are gone,
The peoples’ hands will go limp,
And I’ll do to them the same as they’ve done…
I’ll punish them with their own judgments,
So they’ll 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 over me. 2 For I looked and I 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 clothes. With the wind, he lifted me up between the ground and the sky and he blew me back to JeruSalem. Then in this vision from God, I found myself looking north toward the [city] gate, and there [I saw] a monument to [the god], The Consumer.
4 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; Now raise your eyes and look toward the north!’
So I raised my eyes toward the north and I saw that just
north of the gate (on the east side of the Altar) there was the idol of
Jealousy that was standing at the entrance [to the city]. 6 And He said to me:
‘O son of man;
Do you see these things that they’re doing…
These lawless deeds of the house of IsraEl
To push Me away from My Holy Place?
Yet, you’ll see even greater and worse lawless deeds!’
7 So then He
carried 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 this wall!’
So I dug [a hole] in the wall, and there {Look!} I found a
door. 9 And He said to me:
‘Now, enter and see all the evil…
All the lawless things being done there!’
10 So I went inside and {Look!} I saw depictions of all sorts of crawling things, [unclean] animals, and all the idols of the house of IsraEl… foolish and disgusting things that had been painted on the walls.
11 Then I saw seventy men among the elders of the house of IsraEl, with JaAzaniAh (the son of ShaPhan) standing in front of them, and each man was holding a smoking incense pan in his hands.
12 And He
said to me:
‘O son of man;
See what IsraEl’s elders are doing
In the darkness of these hidden rooms…
They’re saying that Jehovah is gone from the land!’
13 And then
He said:
‘But [I’ll show you] even greater lawless things.’
14 So He
carried 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;
Now, after you’ve seen all of this,
You’ll see even worse being done here.’
16 So He carried me into the inner courtyard of the [Temple] of Jehovah, up to the threshold of the House of the Lord; and there between the columned porch and the Altar I saw about twenty-five men that were facing east with their backsides to the Temple of Jehovah… they were bowing to the sun in the east!
17 Then He
asked me:
‘Should I not be concerned
About all of these lawless deeds
That the house of Judah is doing?
They’ve filled the land with their lawless ways…
They’ve turned from Me and provoked Me to rage!
‘And look!
They’re holding out branches of grapevines
As though they are sneering at Me!
18 ‘So I’ll
deal with them in My rage,
And My eyes will no longer spare them
Nor will I show mercy upon them.
So, no matter how loud they shout in My ears…
I won’t listen to the things that they’re saying!’
Chapter 9
1 Then He
shouted into my ears with a great voice and said:
‘The punishment on this city
has arrived!’
[And at that, some men appeared], and each one was carrying implements of destruction in their hands. 2 {Look!} There were six men coming along the road that leads to the upper gate (the one that faces north), and they were each carrying battle axes in their hands. There was also a man in their midst that was wrapped in a robe that reached to his feet and he had a belt [covered with] sapphires wrapped around his waist. Then they entered [the Temple area] and stood next to the brass Altar. 3 And at that, the glory of the God of IsraEl ascended from between the cherubs and hung there between them in the open air of the [Temple].
Then He called out to the man that was dressed in the full-length robe and who wore the belt of sapphires, 4 and said to him:
‘Now, go through the midst of the city
– Through the midst of JeruSalem –
And put a sign on the foreheads
Of the men that are groaning and deeply upset
For the lawless deeds being done here!’
5 And He
said [to those that were carrying the axes] in my hearing:
‘Now, go through the city behind him and strike…
Don’t let your eyes spare or show mercy!
6 Kill and wipe out the old and
the young,
Including the women, children, and virgins…
And start here at My Most Holy Place…
But don’t approach those that are marked with the sign!’
So they started [by destroying] the elders that were there
inside the [Most Holy]. 7 For
He said to [those that were carrying the axes]:
‘Now, go and start defiling My [Temple]…
Fill its courtyards [with those whom you’ll slay],
And strike down all that are [fleeing]!’
8 Then 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 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 with [bloodshed], the land’s become filled,
And the city is full of uncleanness and sin.
‘For they’re saying that Jehovah’s abandoned the land,
And that He’s no longer paying attention.
10 So My eyes won’t spare or
show mercy,
And I’ll hold them to blame for their evil.’
11 Then
{Look!} the man that was wrapped in the full-length robe and wearing the belt
around his waist returned to Him and said:
‘All that You’ve told me to do has now been accomplished!’
Chapter 10
1 Well at
that, I looked up and I saw a sapphire stone shaped like a throne that was in
the space over the heads of the cherubs. 2
And [the One that was sitting on the throne] said to the man that was dressed in
the robe:
‘Go between the wheels that are under the cherubs
And fill your hands with the coals that you’ll find,
Then scatter them over the city!’
So he went in [between the wheels] there in front of me 3 (as the cherubs were standing to the right of the place where the man had entered), and a mist started to fill the inner courtyard. 4 Then the glory of Jehovah (which had been hanging in the open air between the cherubs) entered the Temple, and [the inner courtyard] became filled with the cloud, as well as with the brightness of the glory of Jehovah.
5 Meanwhile,
I could hear the sounds of the wings of the cherubs coming from the outer
courtyard, which was like the voice of God when He speaks. 6 And they said this to the man that was
wrapped in the holy robe:
‘Go between the wheels that are under the cherubs
And carry out some of the fire!’
So he entered and stood next to the wheels. 7 Then a cherub stuck his hands into the midst of the fire that was under the cherubs and he grabbed some of the [fire] and placed it into the hands of the man that was wearing the holy robe… who then took it and left.
8 Well, as I was looking at the cherubs, I noticed that they had what appeared to be the hands of men between their wings. 9 And {Look!} I noticed the four wheels that were standing beside each of the cherubs (there was 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. Then, whichever way the [cherub’s] heads looked, the [wheels] would travel in that direction… but the [wheels] didn’t turn as they moved.
12 I also noticed that there were eyes all over the flesh [of the cherub’s] hands and wings, as well as on the four wheels… 13 and it was then that I heard that these wheels were called ‘The Chariots.’ 14 [I also noticed] that [each of the cherubs] had four faces. One face was that of a cherub, the second was the face of a man, the third was the face of a lion, and the fourth was the face of an eagle.
15 Well thereafter, the cherubs started moving upward; and it was then that I started to realize that these were the [same] living creatures that I had seen by the Chobar River.
16 Well, wherever the cherubs went, the wheels traveled alongside them. Yet when the cherubs flew high above the ground with their wings, the wheels next to them didn’t turn. 17 And whenever they stood still, the wheels stood still; but when they flew upward, the wheels flew upward with them, because the breath of life was in [the wheels].
18 Then the glory of Jehovah that was mounted on the cherubs left the open air inside the [Temple]. 19 For the cherubs raised their wings and flew high above the ground in front of me (with their wheels alongside them), and [they settled] on top of the gate that is in front of the [Temple] of Jehovah, with the glory of the God of IsraEl above them.
20 Well, it was after I had first seen these animals traveling beneath the God of IsraEl back at the Chobar River that I came to realize that they were in fact cherubs. 21 Each one had four faces, four wings, and what looked like the hands of a man under each wing… 22 and these [cherubs] had the same faces that I saw under the glory of the God of IsraEl in the vision by the Chobar River, and they also traveled in whichever direction that they faced.
Chapter 11
1 Well at that, the wind lifted me up and led me to the East Gate of the [Temple] of Jehovah. And {Look!} there on the threshold of the gate, I saw about twenty-five men. Among them I could see JaAzaniAh (the son of Azur) and PedaiAh (the son of BenaiAh)… the ones that were supposed to be guiding the people. 2 And He said to me:
‘O son of man;
These are the men that think foolish things
And discuss evil plans for this city.
3 They are also the ones that
are saying,
Since we have just built homes for ourselves,
This [city] is our kettle and we are its meat!
4 ‘For this,
you must say this against them…
Yes, O son of man; you must now prophesy!’
5 Then the Breath of Jehovah came over me and He told me to tell them that Jehovah said this:
‘O you of the house of IsraEl;
I know the things that you’re saying,
And I know what you’ve planned in your [hearts].
6 To this city, you’ve brought
many deaths,
And you’ve filled her roads with the murdered.
7 ‘Because
of this,’ says Jehovah;
‘Those whom you’ve killed are the meat in her midst,
And [JeruSalem] is their kettle…
For I’ll drive you out of her midst!
8 ‘Since
you’re so afraid of the broadsword,
I’ll be bringing the broadsword against you,’ said Jehovah,
9 ‘I will lead you out of her
midst,
And bring My judgments against you,
For I’ll hand you over to strangers;
10 And at their hands, you will
fall by the sword.
‘To the borders of IsraEl, I’ll judge you,
And you’ll 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 ‘To the
borders of IsraEl, I’ll judge you…
And then you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
For you chose to overlook My Commandments,
And you didn’t [respect] My decisions.
Then you walked in the ways of the gentiles…
Those that now have you surrounded.’
13 It was
then that the prophecy came to pass, for PedaiAh (the son of BenaiAh) dropped
dead. So I fell to my face and yelled out in a loud voice, saying,
‘Alas, O
Jehovah; Have You appointed those that are left in IsraEl to be totally
consumed?’
14 And the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
15 ‘O son of man;
Your brothers and your fellow captives
Have arrived at the place where I sent them.
But, those that are still in JeruSalem
Are saying these things about them:
Because they are far from Jehovah,
We will inherit their land!
16 ‘So, tell
them that thus says Jehovah:
I’ll push you away to the nations
And scatter you to many lands.
Then I’ll not be someone to whom you can turn
In the places where you will be taken.
17 ‘And tell
them that thus says Jehovah:
Yet, I’ll gather you back from the nations
(I’ll bring you back from those places),
And I will give back [your land].
18 For by that time, you
will have rejected
The disgusting lawless things that you’ve followed.
19 ‘A new
spirit and heart, I’ll then give you…
I’ll remove your hearts made of stone
And exchange them for hearts made of flesh.
20 So you will then
follow My orders…
You’ll guard My Laws and obey them…
You’ll be My people and I’ll be your God!
21 ‘It’s
because of the disgusting things that you’ve done
And the lawless ways of your hearts,
That your hearts have chosen to do such [bad] things,
And caused Me to pour your guilt on your heads, says Jehovah.
22 Then the cherubs lifted their wings [and started flying], as the wheels moved alongside them and the glory of the God of IsraEl was above them.
23 So thereafter, the glory of Jehovah arose from the midst of the city and settled on the mountain that sits in front of it. 24 And at that, the wind picked me up and blew me back to the land of the Chaldeans (back to the land of our captivity) in this vision that came from the Breath of God.
Well, after I came out of this vision that I was seeing, 25 I told [my fellow] captives every word that the Lord had spoken to me.
Chapter 12
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to
me again and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
You live in the midst of unrighteous [men]…
Those that have eyes that can’t see
And those that have ears that can’t hear;
For, they are a house in rebellion.
3 ‘So you, O
son of man,
Must go and gather the things of a captive,
Then act like someone in prison…
[You must sit] there before them throughout the whole day.
And before them, you must act like a captive…
Someone that was carried away
And taken to some other place,
So that they will be able to see
What a house in rebellion they’ve been.
4 ‘You must
set your things of a captive
In front of their eyes, throughout the whole day,
And walk as a captive before them each night.
5 ‘Dig a
hole in the wall and crawl in it,
6 And carry [your things] on
your shoulders…
Act as though you are trying to hide,
Then cover your face so you can’t see the ground.
For, to the house of IsraEl, I’ve made you a sign.’
7 Well, I did that… 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 I crawled into it as though I was hiding. And thereafter, I carried my things on my shoulders before them.
8 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me the next morning, and said:
9 ‘O son of man;
The house of IsraEl (those that are now in rebellion)
Didn’t ask you what you were doing.
10 So, tell them this
concerning their rulers…
Those that are giving direction
To JeruSalem and its people.
‘Say that Jehovah has spoken.
11 Then explain to them that
you’re acting out signs
Of the things that will happen to them.
For, [in the same way as you’re acting],
They will be carried away.
12 ‘Say that
the one that rules in their midst
Will bear his things on his shoulders.
Then he’ll dig a hole in a wall with his hands,
Which he will crawl into and hide.
‘He’ll cover himself, so he can’t be seen
In a place where he can’t see the ground.
13 Then around him, I’ll spread
out My net,
And he will be caught in its wraps.
‘So, off to Babylon, I’ll lead him…
Yes, into the land of Chaldea…
But he won’t be able to see it,
And there, he will come to his end.
14
‘Thereafter, I’ll scatter his helpers
And those who’ve been his assistants
To the [four] winds [of the earth]…
I’ll send the broadsword [to chase] them away.
15 ‘And
they’ll know that I am Jehovah,
When they’re scattered among many nations…
[For, wherever they go], they’ll be scattered.
16 ‘Yet,
among their numbers, I’ll still leave a few
As survivors of the sword, famine, and plague
To speak of these things in great detail
To all the nations where they will be sent.
They’ll also tell how lawless they’ve been…
And they all will know that I am Jehovah.’
17
Thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
18 ‘O son of man;
In grief, you will now eat your bread,
And in torment and affliction, you will drink water.
19 Then speak to the men of
this land,
And tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘Very soon, there will be no bread,
And the drinking water will vanish
Both in IsraEl and in JeruSalem.
Then, you will become extinct in the land,
And the violence among those that live there
Will have finally come to an end.
20 ‘Then the
cities where you dwell will be [empty]
As extinction comes to your land,
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
21
Well thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
22 ‘O son of man;
Why are all
the people saying this proverb about IsraEl?
The days [that he speaks of] are still far away,
And all the visions have perished.
23 ‘Because
of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah:
I will turn their proverb around
And the house of IsraEl will say this no more.
Instead, they will say that the days have arrived,
As have the words of the visions!
24 ‘And [you
must also say this]:
False visions will come to an end,
And there’ll be no more speaking of omens
To curry the favor of IsraEl’s sons.
25 For, after I tell
them what I will do,
I’ll act and not stretch out the time.
‘Yes, tell them that thus says Jehovah:
In your days, O you house in rebellion,
I’ll just say the words and then act!’
26 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me again and said:
27 ‘O son of man;
See how IsraEl is rebelling,
For this is what they are saying:
The visions he sees are of some distant time,
And he prophesies 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 do it!’
Chapter 13
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Against IsraEl’s prophets, you must now testify
(Those that [say they can tell what will come])!
You must speak to these prophets and tell them
That their prophecies all come from their hearts.
‘So, you must prophesy and tell them
To hear the Word of Jehovah;
3 For, these are the words that
He spoke:
‘Woe to those that speak prophecies
From ideas that come from their hearts
While they have seen nothing at all…
Those following the direction of their spirits!
4 ‘O
IsraEl;
Your prophets are like foxes that live in the fields,
5 For they do not take
firm positions.
To the house of IsraEl, they don’t gather flocks,
Nor are they getting them ready for war
By warning them about the Day of the Lord.
6 ‘The
visions that they see are all false,
And all of their omens are useless;
For they say that Jehovah has spoken,
And they make their words sound important;
Yet, they were not sent by Jehovah.
7
‘Haven’t your visions all proven false…
Aren’t the words that you’ve spoken untrue?
For you speak when I haven’t spoken, says Jehovah!
8 ‘Because of
this, you must tell them, said Jehovah,
That since their words are all false
And they prophesy things that are foolish…
Yes, because of this, I’m against them!
9 ‘So,
toward those prophets, I’ll stretch out My hand
(Toward those that are seeing false visions
And those that declare foolish things
When they give instructions to My people);
Then, among [the faithful of] IsraEl,
Their [names] will never be written,
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah!
10 ‘For,
they are misleading My people
By saying there’s peace, when there’s really no peace…
So the people are plastering walls that will fall.
11 ‘Rather, they
should say to those that are plastering walls:
Your [walls] will soon fall and the rain will pour in.
For I’m sending rocks to be hurled against them,
And then your [walls] will just drop…
[Yes, I’ll send] a mighty wind to destroy them!
12
‘{Look!} And after the walls have all fallen,
They will then come here and ask:
What happened to all of the plaster
That we used to make repairs on these [walls]?
13 ‘It’s
because of this, says Jehovah,
That I will send out a wind,
Which will rip down [their walls] in My anger;
And then, My rage will flood in.
‘In My rage, I’ll cause rocks to be thrown
As I bring it all to an end!
14 For I’ll raze the
walls that they’ve plastered…
I’ll lay them out on the ground,
And then, I’ll expose their foundations.
‘And [you who’ve foretold better things]
Will then be worn out by their shouting…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
15 ‘Yes,
against those walls I’ll wear out My rage,
And on those that are plastering them;
For, all their walls will soon fall.
‘Yet [the problem] is not with the walls
Or with those applying the plaster;
16 It’s with those that
fortell a good future…
Those that say there’ll be peace,
When there really won’t be any peace, says Jehovah.
17 ‘And you,
O son of man, must now fix your face
Against the daughters of your people…
Against those that now prophesy
According to the things in their hearts.
Against them, you must prophesy this…
18 Tell them that thus says
Jehovah:
‘Woe to those that sew pillows
That are made to be placed under elbows,
And those that create all sizes of veils
That they say will serve as protection…
Those misleading the lives of My people!
19 ‘You
profane Me in front of My people
For a handful of barley or a few scraps of bread.
You’re ending lives that don’t have to die,
And offer protection to souls that won’t live…
You promise foolish things to My people!
20 ‘And
because of this, says Jehovah,
I am opposed to your pillows,
Which you’re using to gather their souls.
So from your arms, I’ll rip them away,
And lead off those that you’ve misled…
For soon, they all will be scattered.
21 ‘I
will also rip off your veils
To save My people from your [wicked] hands.
No, into your hands, they’ll not fall again…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
22
‘You’ve perverted the hearts of the righteous
And strengthened the hands of the lawless…
Yes you’ve failed to turn them from bad, so they’d live!
23 ‘And
because of this;
You will not see false visions again,
And you won’t see any more omens.
For, from your hands, I’ll rescue My people…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 14
1 Well after that, elders from among the people of IsraEl came to me and they all sat down in front of me. 2 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
3 ‘Son of
man;
The thoughts in the hearts of these people are set;
So, lay out 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 his thoughts
5 So I can change the
hearts of the house of IsraEl…
Those whose hearts are so far from Me.
6 ‘So, speak
to the house of IsraEl
And tell them 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 foreign converts
That no longer chooses to [walk in My ways]
And starts to think in his heart
That he should never be punished
For all the bad things that he’s doing,
Must arrange his face and come to the Prophet,
Then ask, and I will reply
About the things over which he’s concerned.
8 ‘For
I’ll fix My face against such a man
And assign him to a place in extinction…
From the midst of My people, I’ll lift him away…
And he’ll know that I am Jehovah.
9 ‘And if
a prophet should say that he’s been misled,
And he says I’m the One that misled him;
Against him, I’ll stretch out My hand
And remove him from IsraEl’s midst.
10 ‘So
each one that [comes before Me] and asks
Must bear the punishment he’s due
For all of his unrighteous acts…
According to the things that he’s done.
‘Then the sins of the prophets will come upon them,
11 So the house of
IsraEl will not stay misled
And remain defiled by its errors.
Then they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God, says Jehovah.’
12 Well after
that, the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
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 men and beasts from upon it.
14 ‘But,
should such good men be found in that land
As Noah, DaniEl, and Job;
I will save such a man, says Jehovah.
15 ‘And
if I must bring ferocious wild beasts
As a punishment upon such a land;
It will become an extinction…
None will pass through it again
Because of the faces of the wild beasts I’ll send.
16 ‘But
if three such good men can be found there;
As I live, says Jehovah;
Though its sons and daughters will not be saved…
[Those three men] will be saved,
And the land will thereafter be ruined.
17 ‘Or if
I should bring the sword to that land
– If I say, Let the broadsword pass through it –
And I cause men and beasts to be lifted from there…
18 If three such men can
be found in its midst;
As I live, says Jehovah,
Though its sons and daughters will not be saved,
Those [three men] will be rescued.
19 ‘Or,
if I should send a plague to that land
And pour My rage upon it in blood,
Destroying both men and wild beasts…
20 And among them, three
such men can be found
As Noah, DaniEl, and Job;
As I live, says Jehovah,
Its sons and daughters will not be saved…
For the only thing that can save them
Is becoming as righteous [as those three men]!
21 ‘Then
Jehovah said:
To JeruSalem, I’ll be sending four things:
The sword, famine, and plague,
As well as ferocious wild beasts…
They’ll destroy all the men and their cattle.
22
‘{Look!} And any of those that remain
(Those that escape all these things)
Will then be carried away,
Along with their sons and their daughters.
‘Then {Look!} they will be brought here to you,
And you’ll know of the things that they thought,
As well as of the things they have done.
‘And though you’ll be saddened by the harm that I’ll
bring
(All that I’ll do to JeruSalem),
23 [Your mind] will then
be relieved,
Because you will see their ways and their thoughts,
And you’ll know all the things that I did
Weren’t done without a good reason, says Jehovah.’
Chapter 15
1 And the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘[Let Me ask] you this, O son
of man:
What happens to the wood from all of the vines
That live among trees in the forests?
3 Do they find some use for
this wood…
Do they use their pieces as hangers? 4
No!
‘{Look!} Each year, they’re thrown into the fire,
As [people] are cleaning [their yards].
So, the wood disappears in the end,
Since no use for it can be found!
5 ‘And even whole pieces aren’t
useful;
For, after they’re burned in the flames,
They no longer have any value.
6 ‘So
Jehovah said this:
As I’ve put the vines among trees
To be burned in fires and consumed…
That’s what I’ve done to those in JeruSalem.
7 ‘For
against them, I’ve now set My face,
And fire, they’ll have to [endure]…
For fire will [come and] consume them.
And [when they see that] it’s My face against them,
They’ll know that I am Jehovah.
8 ‘I’ll
appoint [their] land to extinction,
Because they fell into sin, said Jehovah.’
Chapter 16
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to
me and said,
2 ‘O son of man;
To JeruSalem, you must now testify
About all of her lawless deeds!
3 So tell them that thus says
Jehovah:
‘Your roots and your birth are in CanaAn,
Where an Amorite man was your father,
And a Hittite [woman], your mother.
4 ‘And
concerning your birth and the day you were born;
Your naval wasn’t cut, nor were you washed,
No one [cleansed] you with salt,
And you weren’t wrapped up in a blanket.
5 ‘For
their eyes didn’t feel enough pity for you
To do such things on your behalf;
They just threw you into the fields,
Since your soul had been deformed since your birth.
6 ‘Then I
came and saw you defiled in your blood,
And I said to you, Come to life!
Yes, I said this to you in your blood:
Come to life… become many!
7 ‘I made
you like crops that grow in the fields,
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 indecent and naked.
8 ‘It was
then that I came and beheld you,
And I saw that it was your time…
A time for you to find rest.
‘So I opened and spread out My wings over you
And covered your indecent condition.
Over you, I then swore an oath,
And concluded a Sacred Agreement, says
Jehovah.
So, that’s when you became Mine.
9 ‘I
bathed you in water and washed off your blood,
And then, I rubbed you with oil.
10 I dressed you in [the
best] colored clothes…
In blue and linen, I wrapped you,
And I placed a braided belt [on your hips].
11 ‘I
decked you with ornamentation…
I put bracelets on [both] of your [wrists],
And around your neck, put a necklace.
12 ‘I
gave you a ring for your nose,
As well as disks for your ears,
And to boast, a garland [to wear on] your head.
13 ‘So,
you were adorned in silver and gold;
Your wraps were the finest of linen;
You had braided hair and colored clothes,
And you ate the finest of flour,
As well as the best honey and oil.
‘So, you became exceedingly [great],
And you prospered as one who’s a [queen].
14 Among the nations,
your name became known,
And this was true of your beauty;
For I’d made your beauty complete…
I’m the One that ordered it for you, says Jehovah.
15 ‘Then,
on your beauty, you came to rely,
And you gave away [sex], because of your fame…
You poured it out on the roads.
16 ‘Then
you [ripped] your clothes, so that you could make strings
To tie all your idols together,
And you used them to do what’s immoral.
So now, there’s no way that you can return…
No way may you come back to Me!
17 ‘Then
you took the things of which you could boast
(The silver and gold that I gave you)
And made idols, with which you had sex.
18 You dressed them up
in your colored clothes,
And set before them My incense and oil.
19 ‘You
took the bread that I made
With the fine flour, honey, and oil,
And set it in front of their faces
As pleasing scents and aromas.
‘And after you did all of this, says Jehovah.
20 You took the sons and
daughters you bore
And offered them up to [your gods]
Until [they had all] been consumed.
21 ‘Yes
you killed them to make your gods happy…
You gave all of your children to them!
22 And this is much more
disgusting
Than the rest of the bad things you’ve done.
‘For, you forgot the days of your youth
When you were indecent and naked,
And lived befouled in your blood.
23 And now that you’ve
done all your evil,
Woe, woe, upon you, says Jehovah!
24 ‘A
whorehouse you’ve built for yourself,
And you’ve posted signs in the squares.
25 You’ve erected them
on each corner,
And there, you’ve wasted your beauty.
‘Between your legs, you’ve led all that would pass.
And again, you made it much worse…
26 You had sex with the
sons of Egyptians…
With the flesh of those that live just next door!
Yes, you have done all these bad things
That have driven Me into a rage.
27 ‘So
{Look!} against you, I’ll stretch My hand,
And I’ll take away all your Laws,
Then hand you to those that detest you…
To the daughters of the Philistines,
Whose godless ways you have followed.
28 ‘With
Assyria’s sons, you also had sex,
Which brought you no more satisfaction…
You had sex, but it wasn’t enough.
29 So in CanaAn’s land,
you also had sex,
As well as with the Chaldeans…
But you still couldn’t find satisfaction.
30 ‘O
what will I do to your heart, asks Jehovah,
As you are doing these bad things…
The works of a woman that’s known as a whore,
And who’s even had sex with her daughters!
31
‘Whorehouses, you’ve built upon every [street],
But you don’t act as the madam!
32 An adulterous woman
is all that you are…
One whose man acts as her pimp!
33
‘You’ve even paid those with whom you’ve had 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 others;
For with other whores, you’ve even had sex…
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 Because you paid others
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 the blood of your young,
Which you have offered [to idols].
37 ‘So,
because of these things that you’ve done,
I’ll gather your lovers against you
And mix those you’ve hated among them.
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 as an adulteress,
And I will pour out your blood…
In My zeal, I’ll appoint you for blood,
39 And I’ll hand you
over to them.
‘Then, they’ll cut down your whorehouses…
They’ll demolish your base, and rip off your clothes,
Then take all the things about which you boast…
They’ll leave you indecent and naked again.
40
‘Against you, they will lead mobs
Who’ll stone you with rocks and stab you with swords,
41 Then burn your
whorehouses with fire…
They will wreak vengeance upon you,
There before other women.
‘But I’ll turn you away from your whoring,
And return the money that you’ve paid your lovers…
42 Against you, I’ll
slacken My rage
And remove the jealous zeal I once had…
So I can rest and be anxious no more.
43
‘Because you forgot the days of your youth
And brought Me regret with your actions;
{Look!} I’ll bring them down on your head, says Jehovah,
And then, you’ll be godless no more!
44 ‘For
against you, they all have said this:
The daughter is just like the mother;
45 And truly, you’re just
like your mother…
A woman released by her man,
And one that abandoned her children,
As well as her brothers and sisters…
Yes, she also pushed them away,
Along with her husband and children.
‘For an Amorite man was your father,
And a Hittite woman, your mother.
46 Samaria is your big
sister,
Whose daughters have lived to your left.
‘Your younger sister, that lives on your right,
Along with her daughters, is Sodom.
47 And in their ways,
you have traveled
– Their lawless deeds, you’ve done also –
So their ways are now better than yours!
48 ‘As I
live, says Jehovah;
Has your sister, Sodom, or her daughters
Ever acted like you and those that are yours?
49
‘The sin of Sodom (your sister) was pride.
For, though she had plenty of bread
(She and her daughters had more than enough),
This thing that was found among them was true:
They offered no aid to the needy and poor…
50 Before Me they
bragged and broke laws,
And as you saw, I removed them!
51 ‘Yet,
Samaria didn’t sin with half of your sins,
And you’re now more lawless than her.
Yes, all the lawless things that you’ve done
Prove your sisters more righteous.
52 So now, you must
carry your torment!
‘For by your sins, you’ve corrupted your sisters…
And your lawless ways are much worse than theirs,
So that they now look better than you!
Yes, be ashamed and accept your dishonor,
For it’s you that made them look better.
53 ‘So
from them, I’ll remove My rejection
– The rejection of Sodom and her daughters –
And I’ll remove Samaria’s rejection
(As well as that of her daughters)…
And then, I’ll wipe you out of their midst!
54 ‘Therefore,
you must now bear the torment and disgrace
For all that you did to provoke Me.
55 And your sister,
Sodom, and her daughters
Will be restored as they were at the first,
Along with Samaria and her daughters,
Who’ll become as they were [in their youth].
Yes, her daughters will all be restored
As they had been [long ago].
56
‘Wasn’t Sodom (your sister) a reason to boast
In the days of your pride,
57 Before your evils
were seen…
Those evils for which you’re now being scorned
By all of Syria’s daughters
And by those that are living around you…
Like the daughters of the Philistines…
Those that live just next door?
58 ‘So,
because of your godless ways,
And the lawless deeds that you’ve done, says Jehovah;
59 I’ll do to you as you’ve
done to Me…
For you’ve disgraced the promise you made
By breaking your Agreement with Me.
60 ‘Yet,
I will remember My oath…
The one that I made with you in your youth,
To establish My Agreement with you through the age…
61 Then, perhaps you’ll
remember the right ways to act.
‘But for following in the ways of your sisters
(Both the younger and older),
You will now be despised.
‘And thereafter, I’ll give them to you,
Then you can start teaching them
(But, not of your Agreement with Me.
62 For My Sacred
Agreement will just be with you)…
And you’ll all know that I am Jehovah.
63 ‘So
remember, and then be ashamed…
Do not open your mouth,
Since your face has been so dishonored.
And I am the One that has born all the cost
Of the sins that you have committed, says Jehovah!’
Chapter 17
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
2 ‘O son of man;
Tell this story and sing it as a song
Before the house of IsraEl…
3 Tell them that thus says
Jehovah:
‘There was a great eagle with very great wings
Whose claws were long and outstretched.
To Lebanon, He was then led,
Where He perched on the choicest of cedars.
4 ‘The
most tender tips, He plucked off,
And to the land of CanaAn, He took them;
Then He placed them in a city with walls.
5 ‘He
also took a seed from that land
And planted it in ground fit for sowing
(A place with plenty of water),
And He arranged for it to be tended.
6
‘Thereafter, [the seed] grew into a vine,
Which proved that it would be great.
Above, it grew many branches of vines,
As its roots [spread out] underneath it…
It became a vine with layers of vines,
And its tendrils kept spreading abroad.
7 ‘There
was also another great eagle
That had large wings and [long] claws.
So {Look!} the grapevine then twisted toward him,
As did its roots and its branches.
‘She reached toward him from her water,
Which pulled her from her place in the sun…
8 Though the soil in
which she was planted was good,
And though she had plenty of water.
For, she was fat and putting out buds,
And as a great vine, was bearing much fruit.
9 ‘Then
Jehovah asked:
So, will she continue to prosper…
Will she continue to have tender roots …
Won’t all her fruits start to rot?
‘Yes, those early shoots will all dry,
But not because of some great mighty arm
Or because an army had pulled up her roots.
10
‘{Look!} This fat one will no longer prosper
Because she’ll be touched by hot winds
And she will be dried up by drought.
Yes, when the east winds blow, she will shrivel!’
11 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
‘Ask the rebellious house what all of this meant…
Yes, [go ahead and just] ask them!
12 ‘{Look!}
Babylon’s king will come to JeruSalem
And capture her king and her rulers;
Then, they’ll be taken to Babylon.
13 ‘Yes,
he’ll take the seed of the kingdom,
Then force him to swear an oath of allegiance…
As he carries the rulers away from their land.
14 ‘So the
kingdom will then be so weak
That it won’t be able to lift itself up.
And in order for them to survive,
They’ll have to keep their treaty with him.
15 ‘But [the
king] will thereafter revolt
And send his envoys to Egypt
To beg them for horses and soldiers.
‘Will he succeed…
Will the one that disobeyed be preserved…
Will the one that broke his oath then be saved?
16 ‘As I
live, says Jehovah;
Surely, here in the place of the king,
He’ll disgrace the One that allowed him to rule
And he’ll break the oath of his treaty.
So to Babylon, he will be taken,
And there is where he will die.
17 ‘No,
he won’t succeed despite his great power
Or because of the [strength] of his [army].
For though Pharaoh will join him in war
And build many weapons and siege mounds,
Which will bring many lives to an end;
18 Because [the king]
will have disgraced his oath
(The one that he’ll swear before Me)…
When he breaks the agreement he made
({Look!} The one over which he held up his hand)…
For this, he will not escape.
19 ‘So, tell
him that thus says Jehovah:
As I live… you will be disgraced
For breaking the agreement you made before Me.
So upon your head, I’ll lay this:
20 ‘Over
you, I’ll spread out My net,
And in it, you’ll be wrapped up and captured…
Then off to Babylon, you will be led,
Where I’ll judge you for your sins against Me.
21 ‘Then
your armies that are ready for battle
Will all be cut down by swords,
And the survivors will be scattered to the [four] winds…
Then they’ll know that I (Jehovah) have spoken.’
22
‘Thereafter, Jehovah said:
But then, from the choicest of cedars,
I will pluck off a top…
Yes, out of its heart, I will pluck it,
And on a high mountain, I’ll plant it.
23 ‘On a
Mountain in IsraEl, I’ll place it…
I’ll plant it and then it will bud,
And it will bear fruit once again.
‘Once more, it will be a great cedar,
And a place of resting for birds…
In the shadow of its branches, they’ll rest,
For the branches of her vines will then be restored.
24 ‘So
then, all the trees in the plains
Will know that I am Jehovah…
I’m the One that humbles the trees in their heights
And that raises those that have been laid low.
‘I’m the One that can dry up green trees
Or make them flourish in dryness,
Because, I am Jehovah…
So I’ve spoken, and now I will act!’
Chapter 18
1 And the Word of Jehovah came to
me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
How does the proverb apply
To the land of IsraEl, which goes:
‘When the fathers eat unripe grapes,
The mouths of the children get toothaches?
3 ‘Jehovah
says, As I live;
‘Will this proverb prove true among IsraEl?
4 ‘I’m
the One that owns all their souls…
Yes the souls of both the fathers and sons.
And since they are all really Mine;
The sinners among them will die!
5 ‘But
the one that is fair, righteous, and just…
6 Who doesn’t feast to
idols on hills…
Whose eyes are not [filled with pride]…
Whose thoughts are of the House of IsraEl…
Who doesn’t defile the wife of his neighbor
Nor does he dirty his wife
By approaching her in menstruation…
7 Who does not tyrannize
others…
Who asks no collateral [for loans]
(Things that he doesn’t return)…
Who takes nothing by force…
Who gives bread to the hungry and clothes to the naked…
8 Who doesn’t require
interest on loans
(Who asks no payment of interest)…
Who turns his hand from injustice…
Who is fair when he serves as the judge
Between a man and his neighbor…
9 Who follows all of My orders…
Who guards My Laws and obeys them…
Such a man will be thought of as righteous,
And he will then receive life, says Jehovah.
10 ‘But,
if he should father a bad son…
One that sins and sheds blood,
11 And won’t follow
his father’s righteous ways,
But feasts before idols on mountains,
And willingly defiles the wife of his neighbor…
12 Who tyrannizes the
needy and poor
And seizes collateral by force,
Then chooses not to return it…
Who turns his eyes toward the idols,
Then practices all that is lawless,
13 And lends his things
out for interest…
He will not receive life.
For 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 If he’s one that won’t
feast to idols on hills,
And remembers the house of IsraEl…
If he doesn’t defile the wife of his neighbor…
16 If he doesn’t act
like a tyrant…
If he doesn’t require collateral for loans…
If he doesn’t take things by force…
If he gives bread to the hungry and clothes to the naked…
17 If he doesn’t turn
his hand toward injustice
Or charge interest for the loans that he makes…
If he’s righteous and follows My orders…
He’ll live and not die for his father’s sins!
18 ‘But
because his father was oppressive and bad…
Because he took things by force
And was contrary among his own people…
For his unrighteous ways, he will die!
19 ‘But
then, you will ask:
Why won’t the son bear the sins of his father?
It’s because he is merciful, righteous, and fair…
He’s kept My Laws and obeyed them,
And as the result, he will live…
20 Just the soul that is
sinning will die!
‘So the son won’t be blamed for his father’s bad ways,
And the father won’t be blamed for those of his son.
Yes, the righteous ways of each person
And lawless ways of each person
Are what they will bring on themselves!
21 But,
if the lawless one turns from what’s bad
And starts to keep My Commandments
(If he becomes merciful, righteous, and just),
He will be granted life…
Yes, he will live and not die!
22 I will forget all his
sins
(No matter how many there are)…
For his righteous ways, he will live!
23 ‘Do I
wish to bring death to the lawless, asks Jehovah?
No, I want them to turn from the bad, so they’ll live!
24 But, if the righteous
should turn from right ways
And commit all the sins of the lawless…
Yes, if they do such things, they will die…
I’ll forget all the righteous things that they did
And destroy them for their errors and sins.
25 ‘But then, you will 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 are crooked?
26 ‘When
a righteous man turns from right ways,
Shouldn’t he die for his sins…
Since he’s the one that’s to blame,
Isn’t he the one that should die?
27 ‘And
when the lawless turn from bad ways…
When they start acting righteous and fair
28 And recognize how
godless they’ve been;
All these people should live…
No way should they have to die!
29 ‘Yet,
the house of IsraEl still claims
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
‘Therefore, O house of IsraEl;
I’ll judge each man by the things that he does, says Jehovah.
So, if you will turn from your bad ways,
You won’t be punished for the bad things you’ve done!
31 ‘But,
you must discard all your bad ways,
As well as your irreverence toward Me…
Create for yourselves new spirits and hearts!
‘O house of IsraEl; why should you die?
32 I want no one to die,
says Jehovah…
So return [to Me] and you’ll live!’
Chapter 19
1 ‘Now,
against the rulers of IsraEl,
I want you to sing this lament:
2 ‘Your
mother was a lion with cubs…
For in the midst of lions, she had many cubs.
3 Then, one of her cubs
made the leap
Into becoming a lion…
He learned to attack and eat men.
4 ‘But
the nations soon heard about him,
And in their corruption, they caught him,
Then in a cage, they brought him to Egypt.
5 ‘Well,
when she saw that [her son] had been caught
And that she had lost her support;
She took another one of her cubs
And made him grow into a lion.
6 ‘So he
started to walk among lions,
And very soon, he became one…
He captured prey and ate many men.
7 ‘In
their cities, he then boldly fed
Until the whole land was destroyed
And filled with the sounds of his roaring.
8 ‘So the
nations all came from their places…
They surrounded and then they attacked him…
In their corruption, they threw nets and caught him.
9 ‘Into a
cage, he was put,
And to the king of Babylon, they took him.
So, because he was kept in a cage,
His roar was no longer heard
In IsraEl’s mountains, thereafter.
10 ‘Now,
this mother was much like a grape vine
Or a pomegranate planted near water.
And because there was so much water,
Soon she grew buds and fruit.
11 ‘Among
the head tribe, she became a strong rod,
And she was esteemed for her greatness
Amidst the rest of those great trunks [of trees]…
And she saw that her branches were what made her great.
12 ‘But
in rage, she was thereafter broken…
Yes, she was cut to the ground
And by burning winds, she was dried.
Then her choicest of branches (the rods of her strength),
Were punished, dried out, and burned.
13 ‘For,
she’d moved herself into the desert…
To a land that was thirsty and dry.
14 So the flames on her
choicest of branches
Also reached down and consumed her,
Which left her without the rod of her strength.
So, to her tribe, she became a sad song
About one that will surely be missed.’
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 before me to ask [things]
from Jehovah. So after they all came and sat down in front of my face, 2 the Word of
Jehovah came to me and said:
3 ‘O son of man; speak to
IsraEl’s elders
And tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘Have you come to ask something of Me?
As I live, I will not reply, says Jehovah!
4 But I’ll punish you, O
sons of men,
For the lawless deeds of your fathers…
Yes, this is what you must tell them!
5 ‘And tell
them that thus says Jehovah:
From the day that I took the house of IsraEl
And to Jacob’s seed, became known,
(When I let them know Me in Egypt)…
Yes, when I took hold of their hands
And told them that I am Jehovah their God;
6 Since the day that I
took them into My hands
And led them from Egypt’s land
Into the land that I had prepared
(A land that flowed with honey and milk…
Honeycombs that are far greater
Than those in all other lands),
7 And I told them that
they must abandon
The disgusting things in front of their eyes
And the defilements of Egypt…
Since then, I’ve been Jehovah their God!
8 ‘But
then, they revolted against Me
And refused to hear what I said.
Their disgusting things, they didn’t remove
(The things [they could see] with their eyes),
Nor did they leave the bad ways 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 were living
(Those to whom I had made [Myself] known)…
And I led them from Egypt’s land.
10 ‘Then
I led them from Egypt into the desert,
11 Where I gave them My
orders and all of My Laws…
Which, if a man does them, bring life.
12 ‘And I
gave them My Sabbaths to serve as a sign
That they knew that I am Jehovah…
The One that is making them holy.
13 ‘But,
in the desert, they made Me feel bitter;
For they didn’t follow My orders,
And My Laws, they then pushed away
(Which, if a man does them, bring life),
And they profaned all My Sabbaths.
‘So, it was there in the desert
That I threatened to pour out My rage
And to completely wipe them away.
14 Yet I didn’t, so My
Name would not be profaned
Among the gentiles who saw that I led them.
15 ‘Then,
in the desert, I lifted My hand
So as not to bring them into the land
(A land that flows with honey and milk…
Honeycombs that are greater than in other lands);
16 For they’d pushed
away all My Laws,
And they chose not to follow My orders…
They also 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
Or destroy them there in the desert.
18 ‘In
the desert, I then warned their children
Not to follow the laws of their fathers,
Nor to obey their [bad] rules…
Not defile themselves with their fathers’ ways,
19 For I am Jehovah
their God.
‘[I told them that they must] follow My orders…
They must keep My Laws and obey them,
20 And keep My Sabbath
days holy.
For, this is the sign between Me and them
That I am Jehovah their God.
21 ‘But
against Me, they also rebelled,
And their children wouldn’t follow My orders…
They didn’t guard My Laws or obey them
(The Laws that bring life to all who’ll obey)
And they profaned all My Sabbaths.
‘So I spoke to them in My anger…
I threatened to pour My rage upon them
And finish My wrath in the desert.
22 ‘So
against them, I then turned My hand
And I acted because of Myself…
That My Name would not be profaned
Before the nations, from which they’d been led.
23 ‘But in
the desert, I lifted My hand
To scatter them among all the nations,
24 Because they’d
refused to follow My Laws,
And My orders, they’d just pushed away!
Yes, they had profaned all My Sabbaths,
And they followed the thoughts of their fathers.
25 ‘So I
[let them do as] their fathers had said
And to follow their laws that do not bring life…
26 Yes, I let their
orders defile them!
Then I scattered all those that opened the womb…
I completely wiped them away
So they’d know that I am Jehovah!
27 ‘And
because of these things (O son of man);
You must speak to the house of IsraEl
And tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘To this day, your fathers have enraged Me
By the sins they’ve committed against Me.
28 For, though I brought
them into the land
That I gave to them when I lifted My hand…
When they saw its shady trees and [beautiful] hills,
To other gods, they offered sacrifices.
‘So on them and their gifts, I then brought My wrath;
For to other gods, they also had offered
Drink offerings, incense, and pleasing aromas.
29 ‘Then I
asked:
What’s so great about your high places
That you’re still choosing to go there?
(For they call them the High Places down to this day).
30 ‘So tell
IsraEl that thus says Jehovah:
Do all the lawless deeds of your fathers…
With their disgusting ways, dirty yourselves!
31 Offer [those gods] your
first-fruits and gifts,
Then pass your children through fire!
Yes defile yourselves in all of your thoughts
As you’ve continued to do to this day!
‘So house of IsraEl; what must I reply?
As I live, says Jehovah;
If I should give you an answer,
Would your spirits pay any attention?
32 Won’t you say that
you’d rather be like the nations…
Like all the [other] tribes of the earth
That serve before wood and stone idols?
33
‘Because of this, as I live, says Jehovah;
With a strong hand, I’ll dominate you;
And with My arm raised high in great rage!
34 ‘But
I’ll also lead you out of those nations…
Yes, I’ll take you away from those places
Where My strong hand has sent you
With My arm raised high in great rage!
35 ‘Then
I’ll lead you into the deserts,
And there, before all the nations,
I’ll argue your case with them face to face,
36 Just as I did for
your fathers
Back in the deserts of Egypt…
And that’s how I’ll then be your judge, says Jehovah.
37 ‘I’ll
lead you away with My rod,
And bring you back [to your homeland].
38 Then I’ll pick away
all those among you
That are irreverent and rebellious…
I’ll remove them from those that [are righteous],
And to the land of IsraEl, they’ll never return,
So you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
39 ‘Jehovah
says:
As for you, O house of IsraEl;
Move away from your evil deeds,
And then you must listen to Me!
You may not profane My Holy Name
With your gifts and those [wicked] deeds
40 That you practiced on
My Holy Mountain,
And upon all of IsraEl’s hills.
‘Jehovah says:
In their land, IsraEl must serve Me;
For, that is where I’ll receive them
And it’s where I’ll keep watch on their first fruits…
The first-fruits of all that they offer,
And the rest of their most-holy things.
41 ‘And
when I bring them back from the nations
(From the places where they will be scattered),
I’ll accept their pleasing aromas again,
And I will be holy among them
Before the eyes of [the gentiles]…
42 And they’ll know that
I am Jehovah
When I bring them back to IsraEl’s land…
The land that I gave to their fathers.
43 ‘Then,
you will consider your ways,
And think about all the bad things you did
In order to make yourselves dirty,
And you’ll slap your own faces for your evil ways…
44 For you’ll know that
I am Jehovah.
‘You’ll also know that I did all these things
So My Name would not be profaned
By the bad things you practiced and your evil ways, says Jehovah.
45 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
46 ‘O son of man;
Now, turn your face toward TeMan and look…
You must look toward [the land in the south];
Then, you must prophesy this
Toward the woods that lead to the Negev!
47 ‘You must
tell those in the Negev’s wooded lands
To hear the Word of Jehovah!
For, this is what He’s declared:
{Look!} Within you, I’ll now light a fire
That will burn up all of your trees
(Both those that are green and those that are dry).
And after this fire has been lit,
It won’t be extinguished thereafter!
‘All your faces will soon be consumed
By winds that come from the north and the east.
48 And all flesh will
know that I am Jehovah
When I light a fire that can’t be extinguished.’
49 But I
said:
‘O Lord… O Jehovah… by no means! For then they will 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,
[You must speak against them] this prophecy…
Toward JeruSalem, you must now set your face
And look toward its Most Holy place;
Then to IsraEl, you must prophesy this…
3 Tell IsraEl that thus says
Jehovah:
‘{Look!} I’m the One that is coming against you;
So I’ll pull My sword from its sheath
And destroy your unrighteous and lawless.
4 ‘I’ll
pull My sword out of its sheath
([Those men] from the north and the east);
5 And after I pull them
out of the sheath,
I won’t be putting them back,
So all will then 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 grief.
7 And when they ask why you are
groaning,
This is what you must tell them:
‘The message that comes will break [all your] hearts
And all your hands will grow feeble.
For all flesh and all that are breathing
Will soon come to an end
And all [bottoms] will be tainted by wetness.
8 ‘Look…
it’s coming and now it will happen,
Says Jehovah, [your] God.’
9 And
thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to me and
said:
‘O son of man;
Now you must prophesy this…
You must tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘O broadsword, O broadsword, be angry and sharp,
10 Then slay the victims
for slaughter.
Be sharpened until you are shiny,
Then prepare for numbing and slay!
Treat [them all] with contempt,
And chop down all of their trees!
11 ‘For He’s
readied the sword that He holds in his hand
(This sword which He has just sharpened)
And prepared it for use by the one that stabs through.
12 ‘So, cry
out and shriek, O sons of men,
For upon my people, it’s coming,
And upon all of IsraEl’s guides…
Yes this sword [is coming to them]!
13 ‘It will
come to all of my people,
And because of this, clap your hands;
For, this is justice that’s due.’
So I asked him:
‘But then, won’t my tribe be totally thrown
away?’
And the Lord said,
‘Don’t worry, that just will not happen.’
14 ‘But you,
O son of man, must now prophesy…
Clap one hand on the other
To summon another broadsword against them.
For this third one will be a sword of great slaughter…
It’s one that will truly amaze.
15 ‘It will
break all their hearts, as many grow weak,
When, at their gates, it arrives…
And all will be killed by this sword.
‘Well done, O sharp one that slaughters.
Well done, O great shining one.
Now like lightning, you must go forth and slay!
16
‘Sharpen both sides, the right and the left,
Then swing it wherever your face is aroused.
17 ‘But
after that, I will clap my hands,
And then I will slacken My rage…
For I Jehovah, have spoken.’
18 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me again, and said:
19 ‘And you, O son of man;
Prepare two ways for the sword to arrive
So that Babylon’s king may now enter.
‘Two [armies] will come from one place;
One will come from the right,
And the other from the city’s top street…
So, ready the corner of that street!
20 ‘The
broadsword [will first enter] RabBah;
And then, from the direction of AmMon’s sons
An attack will be launched on JeruSalem.
21 Then, on those most ancient
roads,
The king of Babylon will stand.
‘On the corner, between the two streets, [he will stand],
Looking to his diviners for signs…
[He’ll ask them] to stir with the rod
And to question their idols,
Then to look into the liver.
22 ‘So, an
oracle will give him instructions
And tell him to throw up a siege mound
On JeruSalem’s right.
‘Then he’ll open his mouth and he’ll yell:
Raise your voices and shout,
And against her gates, erect siege mounds!
Yes, build the mounds all around them,
And create more weapons of war!
23 ‘For
he’ll serve as an omen against them…
He’ll provide divination concerning [their end].
He’ll remind them that they will be led off as captives
Because they have been so unrighteous.
24 ‘And
he’ll also help them to remember,’ said the Lord…
‘That he came because of their unrighteous ways,
And to reveal their irreverent condition.
‘He will then show them their sins,
As well as the laws that they’ve broken,
Which they’ll think of after they’re captured.
25 ‘And then [say to]
that lawless profane one…
Upon the one that is IsraEl’s guide:
Your unrighteous days have now ended!
26 For [the Lord] Jehovah said
this [about him]:
‘Remove the turban and take off the crown,
Because they’ll no longer be yours.
For, from your high place, you will be cut down,
And then, what is low will be raised!
27 ‘For, to
the unrighteous, I’ll bring what’s unrighteous…
And that’s all there’ll be ‘til the time
That the one that is worthy arrives…
And to him, I will give it all back.
28 ‘So now,
prophesy now, O son of man…
And to the sons of AmMon, you must say
That Jehovah said this concerning their scorn:
‘O broadsword, O broadsword, now be unsheathed…
Be unsheathed for the victims of slaughter
Arise and shine to consume them!
29 ‘For,
all their visions are worthless,
And your oracles are just telling lies…
So they won’t be able to save you.
For your lawless ways, [I’ll bring swords to] your necks,
And your unrighteous days will have ended.
30 ‘Then
return, [O sword], to your sheath!
For, in this place where you were once born
I’ll judge these [people] in their own land
31 And I’ll pour My rage
out upon them.
‘Against them, I’ll breathe the fire of My rage,
And to barbarians, I will hand them over…
To those contriving corruption for them.
32 ‘By
fire, they will then be devoured,
And blood will be flowing throughout their land.
And thereafter, they’ll just be forgotten…
For I Jehovah, have spoken.’
Chapter 22
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘And you, O son of man
Must now judge that city because of its blood…
You must 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
(The one that has made herself dirty);
4 You’ve fallen into the
blood that you’ve shed
And defiled yourself with your thoughts.
So the end of your days has drawn near…
You’ve reached the end of your years.
‘You are given to be scorned by the nations,
And for every region to mock you…
5 You’ll be mocked by
those that are living nearby
And by those that live far away.
Yes, you unclean one, they’ll mock you,
For your lawless ways are now famous.
6
‘Then, look at what IsraEl’s guides have been doing…
They’ve joined with all their relations
In order to spill innocent blood!
7 Look also at your
fathers and mothers…
All they talk about doing is evil!
‘They treat foreign peoples unjustly,
And tyrannize orphans and widows.
8 My holy things, they
treat with contempt,
And they are profaning My Sabbaths!
9 ‘The
men among you are robbers,
And they are shedding innocent blood.
Then, in the mountains, they feast to their idols…
Such unholy things are now done in your midst!
10
‘You’ve uncovered the shame of your fathers,
And you have defiled many women
Who were sitting apart as unclean.
11
‘You’ve [had sex] with the wives of your neighbors…
You’ve each defiled your daughters-in-law
And done ungodly things to your sisters…
You’ve debased the daughters of your parents!
12 ‘You
also take bribes and shed blood…
Interest and rent, you require!
So you’ve reached the end of your evil…
In your tyranny, you have overlooked Me, says Jehovah.
13 ‘Now,
if I clap hand against hand
Against all the evils you’re doing
(Yes, against all those bad things,
And the blood that’s been shed in your midst),
14 Will your heart be
able to stand [what I’ll do],
And will your hands [still be strong] when I do it?
For, I Jehovah, have spoken…
Yes [I’ve spoken] and now I will act!
15 ‘For
I’ll spread you among all the nations…
I’ll scatter you to many regions,
And then your uncleanness will be wiped away.
16 I’ll assign other
nations to watch over you,
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
17 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
18 ‘O son of man;
{Look!} Before me, the house of IsraEl’s become
Like brass that’s mixed in with iron,
Or like tin and lead mixed with silver.
19 ‘So
because of their [wicked condition],
You must tell them that thus says [Jehovah]:
Since you are all mixed together;
I’ll bring you into JeruSalem’s midst
20 As though you’re
inside of a furnace.
‘Then, just as silver that’s become mixed
With brass, tin, iron, and lead,
And air is blown in to refine it…
That’s what I’ll do to you in My rage.
‘In My anger, I’ll gather you all
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 ‘Yes,
as silver is refined in a furnace;
I’ll throw you into an oven.
Then you’ll know that I am Jehovah
When I pour My rage out upon you.’
23 Well after that, the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
24 ‘O son of man;
You must tell them [that Jehovah said] this:
At that time, they’ll call yours the land…
The land without any rain…
For there’ll be no rain in the day of [My] rage.
25 ‘Since
the leaders in your midst are like lions
That roar and seize prey by force…
Since they dominate, destroy, and consume,
And take whatever has value…
The numbers of widows will grow in your midst.
26 ‘For
your priests have annulled all My Laws,
And My holy things, they’ve profaned…
They can’t tell the holy from the profane
Or what’s clean from the unclean.
27 From My Sabbaths,
they’ve hidden their eyes,
And I’ve been profaned in their midst.
28 ‘So
her prophets that do the anointing
Will soon all be cut down…
Yes, those that can see only vain things
And omens that really aren’t true,
But say that Jehovah has spoken to them
When He hasn’t spoken at all.
29 ‘And
even the land’s [common] people
Call for what is unrighteous
And [ask for their share] of the loot.
They are tyrants to the needy and poor,
And they treat foreign peoples unfairly!
30 ‘Then
I searched among them for one righteous man…
One who’ll stand firm in the day of My rage,
So I wouldn’t have to bring her conclusion
And totally wipe her away…
But, no such man could I find.
31 So, I
will pour out My anger
And send the fire of My rage
In order to finish them off…
I’m bringing their blame upon their own heads, said Jehovah.’
Chapter 23
1 And the Word of Jehovah came to me and said: 2 ‘O son of man;
Two women were the daughters of one mother,
3 And they were immoral
during their youth.
For, they [had sex] down in Egypt…
Yes, there is where their breasts fell,
And it’s where they lost their virgin condition.
4 ‘The
eldest one’s name was Her Tent,
And her sister was named Her Tent is Within Her.
To Me, they both had been given
To bear My sons and My daughters.
‘Are these really their names? No!
I’m calling Samaria, Her Tent,
And Her Tent is Within Her is JeruSalem.
5
‘Her Tent had been unfaithful to Me,
And she doted upon all her lovers…
The Assyrians, with whom she had [slept]…
6 Their blue-clad
commanders and leaders,
And the choicest of all their young men,
As well as those that ride horses.
7 ‘To
them, she offered herself…
To the choicest of Assyria’s sons.
She gave herself to those she desired,
And wholeheartedly made herself dirty.
8 ‘But
her affair with Egypt hadn’t ended
(Those with whom she had [slept] in her youth).
She gave her virginity to them,
And they poured [their semen] upon her.
9 ‘So I
handed her to all her lovers
(To the sons of the Assyrians, whom she desired),
10 And they uncovered
her shame.
Then they took her sons and her daughters
And slaughtered them all with their swords.
The women also gossiped about her,
When [the Assyrians] brought vengeance upon her.
11 ‘But
when Her Tent is Within Her saw
what had happened,
She became more corrupt [than her sister]…
Yes, even more immoral than her.
12 ‘For
she loved the sons of Assyria…
Those nearby commanders and leaders
Who wore such elegant clothes,
And the men that rode on their horses…
Yes, all of their choicest young men.
13 ‘So I
saw that they’d both been defiled,
And that both were the same [kind of women].
14 ‘Then,
to her bad ways, she added,
As she looked upon men that were painted on walls…
Images of the Chaldeans,
Depicted with brush strokes on [stone],
15 Wearing colored belts
on their hips,
As well as deeply-dyed turbans,
All giving the appearance of officials
Among the sons of Babylon…
Of her fatherland, the Chaldeans.
16 ‘She
doted on them with her eyes,
And she sent her messengers to them
There in the land of Chaldea.
17 ‘So
those sons of Babylon came,
And on her marriage-bed they then rested…
In their immoral ways, they defiled her.
‘And as she was being defiled,
She put her life in their hands…
18 Her immoral shame,
she uncovered…
She removed My soul from her life
As her sister had already done.
19
Then, she became even worse,
As she forgot the days of her youth
When she [had sex] down in Egypt
20 And started thinking
about the Chaldeans.
For, they had flesh just like burros,
And genitals like those of horses.
21 ‘She
turned from the lawless ways of her youth
And from the things that she did down in Egypt
(That place in which she’d once lodged
And where the breasts of her youth had first fallen).
22 ‘So,
because of this, O Her Tent is Within Her;
{Look!} I’ve awakened your lovers against you…
Yes, those to whom you once gave your soul.
And now, I will bring them against you,
Then they will come and surround you…
23 The sons of Chaldea
and Babylon
– Pekod, Shoa, and Koa –
Along with Assyria’s sons
And all of their choicest young men…
Their governors, commanders, and tribunes,
And the famous ones riding on horses.
24 ‘From
the north, they’ll all come against you
With weapons and chariot wheels…
Many nations with chest plates, helmets, and shields.
They’ll surround you and throw up a siege mound;
Then judgment, I’ll put on their faces,
So you’ll be punished by their (form of) justice.
25
‘Against you, I will then show My zeal,
And I’ll deal with you in My rage.
They’ll cut off your nose and your ears,
And they’ll cut up what’s left with the sword.
‘Then they’ll take your sons and your daughters;
And all that remains will be burned.
26 They’ll strip off all
of your clothes,
And remove all the things of which you’re so proud.
27 ‘Your
impious deeds, I’ll remove,
Along with the bad things you practiced in Egypt.
To them, you won’t raise your eyes anymore,
And you’ll not think of Egypt again.
28 ‘Jehovah
says:
{Look!} I’ll hand you to those that detest you
(Those to whom you’ve given your soul).
29 Then they’ll deal
with you in their hatred
And take all the things for which you’ve worked hard,
Leaving you naked and disgraced.
Your immoral shame, they’ll uncover,
Including your irreverence and whoring.
30
‘They’ll do all these things, because you’re a whore
Who defiled herself by thinking of them.
31 So, since you’ve
followed in your sister’s ways,
I’ll now put her cup in your hands.
32 ‘And
Jehovah said:
You’ll drink deeply from the cup of your sister…
You’ll drink so much that you’ll laugh,
And in your drunken condition, you’ll sneer.
33 ‘For
from the cup of extinction, you will be filled,
And it will make you feel weak…
The same cup of Samaria, your sister.
34 ‘You
will drink and then you will vomit…
Shards of broken pots, you will eat,
And you will start pulling your breasts.
‘Then, I will pervert your holiday feasts,
As well as all your New Moons…
Yes I’ve said that I will pervert them, says Jehovah.’
35 ‘Then
Jehovah said:
Because you forgot Me and pushed Me aside,
You’ll get what you’re due for your whoring!’
36 ‘And
Jehovah said: O son of man;
Now, judge between Her Tent
And Her Tent is Within Her.
Yes, speak to them of their lawless ways…
37 Of their adultery and
the blood on their hands.
For, even their thoughts are adulterous,
And they’ve led the children they bore Me through fire!
38 ‘Then,
as they did this against Me;
They defiled My holy things in that day,
And they have profaned all My Sabbaths.
39 ‘They
[offered] their children to idols,
And entered My Holy Place to profane it…
See what they’ve done in My Temple!
40 ‘Then,
to those in far-away lands,
They sent messengers and begged them to come.
And as they were coming, they bathed…
They decked themselves out and [painted] their eyes.
41
‘Before a spread table, they sat on a bed
And set before them My incense and oil
(Which these men found very delightful).
42 ‘Then
the sounds of harmony and music
Was played before men that were drunk…
Men who’d just come from the desert.
Then upon their arms, they put bracelets,
And garlands of boasting, they put on their heads.
43
‘Though I told them that they must be [faithful];
In the ways of a whore, they [had sex].
44 So, they entered within
them
As a man would enter a whore…
They entered Her Tent and Her Tent is Within Her…
Two lawless women with lawless ways.
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 pour out their blood
For the adultery and blood on their hands.
46 ‘Then
Jehovah said:
Now, bring the armies against them…
Bring disturbance and ravaging to them.
47 ‘May
those armies then stone them with rocks
And run them through with their swords!
Kill their sons and their daughters,
And burn down all of their homes!
48 ‘Yes,
their godless [lovers], I’ll bring to this land
In order to correct these two women,
So they’ll not be godless again.
49 ‘I’ll
bring their irreverence down on their heads,
And they’ll bear their own sins and ideas…
Then they’ll 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 Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of
man;
Write the name of this day for yourself,
Because this is the day that Babylon’s king
Will conquer JeruSalem…
Yes, that day has arrived!
3 ‘And say
these words to that house in rebellion…
Tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘Prepare the pot… ready the pot and fill it with
water,
4 Then, you must put in
the pieces…
All the best pieces… the shoulders and legs,
Then, rip the flesh from the bones!
5 ‘I have
gathered the choicest of cattle;
So, start the fire to boil up the bones…
Boil and cook the bones in its midst.
6 ‘For
their Sovereign Lord Jehovah said this:
O you city of blood;
There’s a pot that is filled with your venom.
So, when they bring out your limbs,
[None] will claim your parts as their own.
7 ‘Upon a
rock, they will pour out your blood…
But it won’t be poured on the ground
Or be covered by dirt.
8 For I’ll punish you in
My rage
And I’ll have them pour your blood on a rock
So that [no one] can 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 then, to render a broth,
The bones will have to be stewed.
11
‘You’ll stay on the coals until you’re burned through
And all your brass ornaments melt…
Until your uncleanness [is gone]
And all of your venom has failed…
12 Until little venom
remains.
13 ‘The
venom of your filth, I’ll bring to disgrace
Until it is all boiled away.
Since you dirtied yourself and wouldn’t get clean,
You’ll no longer be able to do that
Until My rage on you is complete.
14 ‘For,
I Jehovah, have spoken…
I’ll do it and I’ll make it happen!
I’ll not warn you or show any mercy,
Nor will I offer you comfort.
‘I will judge you for the things that you’ve done,
As well as for the things that you think, says Jehovah.’
15 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
16 ‘O son of man;
{Look!} With just one blow, I will now take away
[The woman] you’ve treasured most dearly.
‘Yet, you must not show any sorrow…
17 Do all your moaning in
silence…
Over her, you must quietly groan,
And you may not wail at her grave.
‘Don’t take off your sandals or braid your hair,
Nor let them offer you comfort…
And don’t eat the [food] that they bring.’
18 Well, the
next morning I told the people what he said to me; and then that evening, my
wife died. So the [next] morning I did as I was instructed. 19 And when the people asked me to explain
why I was doing these things, 20
I told them that the Word of Jehovah had come to me and said this:
21 ‘You must speak to the house
of IsraEl
And tell them that thus says Jehovah:
{Look!} My Holy Place, I’ll profane…
That wonderful place about which you neigh
And the thing that your eyes have desired.
‘Now, in order to save your own lives,
You’ll have to abandon your daughters and sons…
For, they will all fall by the sword.
22 ‘Then,
after you’ve done this,
You won’t take comfort from anyone’s mouth,
Or share in the bread of mankind!
23 ‘Your
hair will remain on your head,
And your feet will be wearing sandals.
So you won’t lament or be crying…
You’ll just melt away in your sins,
And none will comfort their brothers!
24 ‘Now, EzekiEl
will serve as an omen and sign;
For, all that he says, you will do.
And after these things have all happened,
You’ll know that I am Jehovah.
25 ‘[Then He
said]:
O son of man;
This is how it will be in the day
That I take away all their strength
And the things about which they boast…
The desirable things of their eyes…
All of their sons and daughters
(Those in whom their souls take most pride).
26 ‘Then,
those that escape in that day
Will come and tell you what happened.
27 And in that day,
you’ll open your mouth…
Yes you’ll speak to those who’ve escaped…
You’ll speak and be mute no longer…
You’ll explain how you were a sign,
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 25
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Against AmMon’s sons, you must now set your face…
[You must speak] this prophesy against them!
3 Tell the sons of AmMon to
listen
And hear the Word of Jehovah.
For, this is what Jehovah declared:
‘Because you were [filled with] rejoicing
4 When My Holy Place was
being profaned
As the land of IsraEl was being destroyed,
And the house of Judah was led off as captives;
4 {Look!} It is for all
of these reasons,
That to the sons of Kedem, I’ll hand you…
And their inheritance, is what you’ll become.
‘They’ll camp among you as [masters],
And spread their tents in your midst…
Then they’ll drink your fatness and eat all your fruit!
5 ‘I’ll
give them the cities of AmMon
To serve as pens where they’ll keep their sheep,
And I’ll also give them your camels…
Then you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
6 ‘Jehovah
says:
For you clapped your hands and stamped your feet…
You rejoiced over IsraEl’s fall.
7 And because of this,
{Look!} I’ll stretch out My hand
And appoint you to be ravaged by the nations.
‘I’ll destroy you from among the rest of the peoples…
I’ll wipe you out of your regions…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
8 ‘Jehovah says:
And because Moab and Seir have proclaimed
That the house of Judah is now like the gentiles;
9 {Look!} For this, I’ll
injure the shoulder of Moab…
The cities at the edge [of his land]…
The choicest parts of BethJeshiMoth…
The city of springs by the sea.
10 ‘To
the sons of Kedem, I will hand AmMon
To serve an inheritance among them…
Then the nations will forget about AmMon’s sons.
11 And in Moab, I will
also wreak vengeance,
So they’ll know that I am Jehovah.
12 ‘And
Jehovah says:
Since Edom was very resentful
And sought vengeance upon Judah’s house
By bringing such punishment upon them…
13 Yes, 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] desolation,
And from Teman to Ledan, those being chased
Will each be cut down by swords.
14 ‘For
against Edom’s land, I’ll bring vengeance
At the hands of IsraEl, My people.
They’ll deal with Edom as My rage demands
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 took vengeance
And they rejoiced in their souls
When they wiped [My people] away through the age…
16 Yes, because of this,
says Jehovah;
{Look!} Against the Philistines, I’ll stretch out My hand,
And their Cherethites
I will destroy,
As well as the rest that are left on the coast.
17
‘Yes, against them, I’ll bring vengeance
With the rebukes of My rage.
Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah,
When I wreak My vengeance upon them.’
Chapter 26
1 It was in
the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Tyre has said this of JeruSalem:
Well done, because she’s now broken!
For, she had destroyed many nations,
And then, she turned her attention toward me.
But this one that once was so full
Has now become desolation.
3 ‘Because
of this, said Jehovah,
{Look!} I am against you, O Rock,
And I’ll bring so many nations against you
That they’ll be like the waves of the sea.
4 ‘The
walls of Tyre, they will tear down,
And then they will knock down your towers.
I’ll scatter your dust to the [four] winds
And leave you like a smooth rock…
5 A place where they
will dry fish nets.
For, I have spoken against you, says Jehovah.
‘You will be a place that nations will loot,
6 And your daughters in
the plains will be cut down by swords…
Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah.
7 ‘And
Jehovah said this:
O Tyre;
I’ll bring NebuChadNezzar
out of the north
(Yes, this king of all kings)
With his cavalry, chariots, and horses,
And his army of many great nations.
8 Then he’ll use the
sword to destroy
Your daughters that live in the plains.
‘Against you, he’ll send advance guards
Who’ll surround you and then they’ll dig trenches.
He’ll close you in with a siege mound
And arrange it with lances and shields.
9 Then they will
demolish your towers and walls,
And they will destroy [all your] weapons.
10
‘You’ll be covered by the dust of his horses.
And from the sounds of his horsemen,
As well as the sounds of their chariot wheels,
All your walls will thereafter be shaken.
Then, when he enters your gates,
To him, it’ll be like a [walk through] the plains.
11 ‘His
horse’s hooves will trample your squares
And [his men] will kill all your people with swords…
They’ll bring your supports and strength to the ground.
12 ‘Then,
they will plunder your army…
They’ll take all their things, then tear down your walls
And demolish the best of your homes.
Thereafter, they’ll throw all the stones and the wood,
As well as the dust, into the sea.
13 ‘He’ll
rip away your musicians,
And the sounds of strings will no longer be heard.
14 He will make you like
a smooth rock
And a place for the drying of dragnets.
Then, no way will you 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 sound of your downfall
As well as the moans of your wounded
Rumble all the way to the islands?
16 ‘The
rulers of the seas will step from their thrones,
Then remove their crowns and colorful robes,
Because they’ll be startled by this change of state.
And of their destruction, they’ll then sit in fear,
As they are moaning for you.
17 So, this is what
they will sing:
‘O how great has been her destruction.
For, she was removed from her place by the sea
Along with all of [her people]
By the one that brought terror upon them.
‘You’re a city that once was so blest;
For you got your strength from the sea.
18 But now, all the
islands are living in fear;
For, since the day of your downfall,
They’ve had many reasons to worry.’
19 ‘Then the
Lord Jehovah said this:
I’ll bring desolation to your cities
And leave them without any people…
By the waters of the deep, they’ll be covered.
20 ‘I
will drag both you and your people
Into the pit through the age.
I’ll settle you in the depths of the earth
As a desolate place through the ages,
Along with the rest who’ve gone down to the pit.
‘In the land of the living, you’ll no longer be;
21 For I’ve appointed
you to be wiped away
So you won’t exist anymore…
They’ll look for you and not find you, says Jehovah.’
Chapter 27
1 Then the Word of The Lord
came to me and said:
2 ‘And you, O son of man,
Must sing a lament over Tyre.
3 ‘You must
say to the Rock
(This city that dwells by the sea…
The marketplace of all the islands)
That thus says Jehovah to Tyre:
‘You say that you’ve invested in beauty;
4 For the heart of the
sea is your border,
And your sons have perfected your charms.
5 ‘Cedar
is [the wood] with which you were built,
As well as with Lebanon’s cypress.
With posts of fir, you make the ship masts;
6 And in Bashan, they
make all your oars.
‘Your temples are constructed of ivory
And your houses are made from the wood
That comes from the Island of Cyprus.
7
‘Embroidered linens from Egypt
Serve as your sails and your flags.
And from the island of Aeolis
You receive the purple and blue
That you use to make the clothes that you wear.
8 ‘The
princes of Sidon and Arvad
Come and serve as your oarsmen;
And your navigators are their wise men, O Rock.
9 ‘The
elders among you are scholars
Who grow in their powers to direct you.
And all the oarsmen for your ships of the seas
Come to you from the west.
10 ‘Your
warriors are Lydians and Persians
Who hang their helmets and shields among you…
And they also bring you much glory.
11 Sons
of Arvad serve as your
soldiers
And they are stationed around all your walls,
As Medes serve in your guard towers…
They hang their quivers on your moorings,
And they are perfecting your beauty.
12 ‘Men
from Carthage are also your merchants
Who bring you abundance and strength
With silver, gold, iron, and brass,
And the tin and lead that they sell in your stores.
13 ‘The
Greeks and the rest of the world
(Those from faraway lands)
Trade their slaves [in your streets],
Along with the brass that they sell.
14 ‘From
the house of ToGarmah, come
horses…
Horses and mules they bring to your stores.
15 ‘Sons
of Rhodes are also your merchants…
From the islands, they bring you much trade.
And those that bring you your ivory
Are paid with the earnings from [slaves].
16 ‘There
are your great stores of balsam,
As well as rolls of purple and linen,
Along with colored works out of Carthage,
Plus things from RamOth and ChoHor…
Yes, all of these things are sold in your stores.
17 ‘Judah
and IsraEl are also your merchants
In the sales of grain and perfumes,
As well as the finest of honey,
And the olive oil and the lotions
That they bring to your stores.
18
‘Damascus too, trades in your wares,
And [they also share in] your power.
For they bring fine wines in from Helbon,
And the best of wool from Miletus.
19 ‘Dan,
and Javan, as well as MoOzel,
Bring their iron to your markets…
They add many tools and wheels to your stores.
20 Dedan too, is your
merchant,
Providing the choicest of saddles.
21
‘Arabia and the rulers of Cyprus
Are merchants trading camels through your hands,
As well as the lambs and rams that they bring.
22 ‘Other
merchants are Sheba and RamAh…
Yes, these are also your traders
Who bring choice spices and most precious gems,
As well as gold to your stores.
23
‘Haran, CalNeh, and Edem
Also do trading with you,
As do Assyria, Sheba, and ChilMad,
24 Who bring blue
[cloth] and great treasures
In [boxes of] cypress bound in rough cords.
25 ‘Your
many boats serve as your merchants;
For they carry an abundance of things to your stores…
Filled and weighed down in the seas.
26 ‘Your
oarsmen row it all into you
From [the boats that are blown] by south winds
As they sail through the heart of the sea.
27 ‘But
your armies, your wages, and stores…
Your counselors, navigators, and oarsmen,
As well as the goods that come from your stores
And all the warriors among you
(Those that have gathered within you)
Will be thrown into the heart of the sea
In the day of your downfall.
28 ‘Those
that navigate will be shaken
By the sounds of your outcries…
Yes, with fear, they’ll be overcome.
29 So your oarsmen will
abandon their boats,
And their captains and crews will flee to dry ground.
30 ‘Then,
over you, they’ll shout loudly…
Yes, over 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 also lament you
And wail for The Rock as they ask:
Who is as silent as Tyre,
There in the midst of the sea?
33 ‘How
much wealth you gained from the seas!
For the nations are filled with the goods that you sell,
And their kings are enriched by your stores.
34 ‘But,
there in the sea, you’ll lie broken,
As your stores are sunk in deep waters,
And those gathered there [will be carried away]
Along with all of your oarsmen.
35
‘There’ll be gloom in all of the islands for 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…
Through the ages, you will be gone.’
Chapter 28
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
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 proclaimed that you are a god;
For you dwell among the gods of the seas!
But you’re just a man, not a god,
Though you made your heart as that of a god.
3 ‘Are
you someone that’s wiser than DaniEl…
Didn’t the wise teach you wisdom?
4 Which was it…
intelligence or wisdom
That brought you all of your power
And your treasures of silver and gold?
5 Which was it… your
trading or wisdom
That gave you your power and made your heart proud?
6 ‘It’s
because of this, says Jehovah…
Since you made your heart as that of a god;
{Look!} I’m bringing strange pests from the nations to you,
7 And they’ll empty
their swords out against you…
Against all the beauty of your wisdom,
Which they will spread to destruction.
8 ‘Yes,
they will soon cut you down,
And you’ll die the death of those that [have drowned]
In the heart of the sea.
9 ‘Will
you say you’re a god to those that bring death?
No you’ll be just a man, not a god
In the hands of those that will pierce you.
10 ‘Then
you’ll die among the uncircumcised
At the hands of those that are strangers.
For, this is what I’ve decreed, says Jehovah.’
11 And the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
12 ‘O son of man;
Sing this lament to the ruler of Tyre.
Tell him that thus says Jehovah:
‘Yours is the image on a seal
That’s depicted as someone who’s wise
And who’s wearing a beautiful crown.
13 ‘The
paradise of gods is the place where you dwell,
And every precious gem, you have owned…
Sardius, topaz, and emeralds;
Onyx, sapphires, and jaspers;
Silver, gold, amber, and agates;
Chrysolites, amethysts, and beryls.
Your treasuries are filled with onyx and gold,
And it’s also found in your stores.
14 ‘From
the day that you were created,
A cherub was chosen on your behalf,
Since you were anointed by God.
Then you were allowed to dwell in [His] Tent…
For on God’s Holy Mountain, I set you,
And among stones of fire, you existed…
15 Yes, you lived in
perfection from the day you began
Until the time that I found you 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 among [those great] stones of fire),
And your cherub was taken away.
17
‘Because of your beauty, your heart became proud…
Sins corrupted your wisdom and beauty.
So I tossed you down to the ground
To be an example to [others].
18
‘Because of your many great sins
And the ways you’ve failed in your trading,
You have profaned all your temples.
So I’m sending fire into your midst,
Which will burn you and turn you to ashes…
And this will be witnessed by all.
19 ‘Then,
all the nations will mourn over you,
For you’ll be destroyed and lost through the age.’
20
Well thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
21 ‘O son of man;
Now, fix your face against Sidon,
And against it, you must now prophesy!
22 Tell them that thus says
Jehovah:
‘{Look!} I am against you, O Sidon,
And by you, I’ll be glorified;
For you’ll know that I am Jehovah
When I bring My judgments against you…
And then, I’ll be holy among you.
23
‘Against you, I’ll send death and blood,
And your people will fall in your squares,
As the men among you (those closest to you)
Will all be wounded by swords…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
24
‘IsraEl’s house will be gone…
Yes, that bitter barb and thorn of great grief.
And all those that are living around them
(Those that will bring dishonor to them)
Will know that I am Jehovah.’
25 ‘Jehovah
says:
Then I’ll regather the house of IsraEl
From the nations where they’ll be dispersed,
And I will be holy among them
Before all the peoples and nations.
‘Thereafter, they’ll live in the land
That I gave to My servant Jacob.
26 There they’ll plant
vineyards and there they’ll build homes
In which, they’ll dwell in hope everafter,
When I bring My judgments upon all of those
By whom they had been abused
(All those that were living around them),
And they’ll know that I am 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 Jehovah came to me and said,
2 ‘O son of man;
Fix your face against Egypt’s King
And against those in his Great House…
Against him and Egypt, you must now prophesy!
3 Tell him that thus says Jehovah:
‘{Look!} I am against you, O Pharaoh,
The great dragon that waits between rivers…
The One that says, The rivers are mine…
Yes, they were created for me!
4 ‘Now,
into your jaws, I’ll put hooks,
And the fish from your rivers, I’ll stick to you wings.
Then I’ll lift you up from their midst
And I will remove all their scales
5 Before I throw you
down with your fish.
‘On the face of the plains, I will toss you;
Then, you’ll be collected and not be [thrown back].
There I’ll feed you to the beasts of the fields,
As well as to the birds in the skies…
6 Then, all those that
are living in Egypt
Will know that I am Jehovah.
‘For to the house of IsraEl, you’ve proven to be
Just a reed, not a rod,
7 Since you broke when
they grabbed onto you with their hands.
Then, by every hand, they were beaten,
Because they trusted in you…
Yes, because you broke [in their hands],
The nations have shattered their hips.
8 ‘And
because of this, says Jehovah;
{Look!} I’ll bring the broadsword against you
To destroy all your men and your cattle.
9 ‘Then
the land of Egypt, I will appoint
To be wiped away and destroyed…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
[I’ll do this], because you once said,
All the rivers are mine…
They were created for me!
10
‘{Look!} I’m against both you and your rivers;
So, I will now hand over Egypt
To be destroyed by the broadsword
From Migdol on to SyEne,
All the way to Ethiopia’s borders.
11
‘Neither man nor beast will then travel that way…
No way will any even walk through it.
And for the next forty years, you’ll lie empty.
12 ‘I’ll
appoint your land to destruction,
And the ground will lie fallow and barren.
All of your cities will be empty…
For forty years, they’ll all be extinct.
I’ll scatter the Egyptians among all the nations…
To many places, I’ll [blow] them away.’
13 ‘Jehovah
says:
Then, after forty years, I’ll gather them back
From the nations where they’d been dispersed;
14 I’ll return all the
captured Egyptians
And settle them back in their lands
(Those from which they were taken),
And there, they must humbly submit.
15 ‘But
by then, her rule will have ended,
And she’ll not be the highest of nations again.
For I’ll cause them to be very few…
Uncounted among other nations.
16 ‘So
you’ll never again serve as IsraEl’s hope,
And they’ll be reminded that it had been wrong
For them to have trusted in you…
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
17 Well, it was in the twenty-seventh year (on the first day of the first month) that the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
18 ‘O son
of man;
Because of Tyre, King NebuChadNezzar
Has reduced his army to slaves.
For, all of their heads are now bald
And their shoulders are covered with falling hair
Because of his army’s attack against Tyre,
And the work that they’ve done without pay.
19
‘So because of this, says Jehovah;
To Babylon’s King NebuChadNezzar,
I will now hand over Egypt.
Then, he will loot and plunder her spoils
And give it to his army, as their reward.
20 ‘Yes,
in return for his work against Tyre,
I’ll give the land of Egypt to him
Because of the things he’s accomplished for Me, says Jehovah.
21 ‘In
that day, in the house of IsraEl,
A horn will thereafter be raised,
And I’ll give you an opened mouth in their midst,
So they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 30
1 And the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
2 ‘O son of man; you must now
prophesy and tell them that thus says Jehovah:
‘The day is near…
3 The Day of Jehovah has
approached…
Yes, that dark day of the Lord,
Which is also the time of the nations!
4 For a sword will come
against Egypt,
And Ethiopia will then be disturbed.
‘Egyptians will be cut down and slain,
And her abundance will be carried away…
She’ll be ripped to her very foundations!
5
‘Lydians, Persians, and Cretans,
Libyans, Ethiopians, and other mixed peoples
Will fall with My Covenant people, 6
says Jehovah.
For the supporters of Egypt will fall
Along with the insolence of her strength.
‘From Migdol to Syene, they’ll fall by the sword
7 And lie amidst places
that will be wiped away,
As the cities in her midst are destroyed.
8 ‘Then
they’ll know that I am Jehovah
When I bring fire against Egypt,
And I break all those that have helped her.
9 ‘In
that day, messengers will quickly arrive
And destroy any hope Ethiopians had.
For in that day, there’ll be a disturbance in Egypt…
And look, it has already happened!
10 ‘Jehovah
says:
I’ll destroy many Egyptians
By the hand of King NebuChadNezzar.
11 For, he and all of
his people
(With pestilent ones from the nations)
Are being sent to destroy that whole land.
‘They’ll empty their swords against Egypt
And fill its land with the slain.
12 I’ll also desolate
all their rivers
And give their lands to the wicked.
‘I’ll wipe their land clean and empty it out,
Then I’ll give its fullness to strangers…
For I’m Jehovah, and I have declared that it’s so!
13 ‘Jehovah
God says:
Their disgusting things, I’ll destroy.
And to the [gods] of Memphis, I’ll provide rest…
For the rulers of Egypt won’t be anymore.
14 ‘To
the land of Egypt, I will send fear,
And the land of Pathros, I will destroy.
Then to Tanis, I will bring
fire,
And I’ll punish The City
of Gods.
15 ‘I’ll
pour My rage out on Sin,
Which is the stronghold of Egypt.
And the crowds of Memphis, I’ll also destroy.
16 ‘Upon
Egypt, I will send fire,
And to Sin, I’ll send a disturbance.
On The City of Gods, I will spit,
And I’ll take away all their water.
17 ‘The
young men of the City of the Sun,
And those that live in BuBastum
18 Will also fall by the
broadsword,
And their women will be taken as slaves.
18 ‘In TahPanHes, the days will grow
dark
When I break the chiefdoms of Egypt.
Then the strength of her insolence will end
And she will be covered by clouds,
As her daughters are led off as captives.
19 Yes, I have passed
judgment on Egypt,
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
20 Well, it was in the eleventh year (in the first month and on the seventh day of the month) that the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
21 ‘O son
of man;
I will break Pharaoh’s [right] arm,
{Look!} And for ways to heal him, they’ll search.
Then, upon his wounds, they’ll wrap dressings
In order to help him carry his sword.
22 ‘But
because of this, says Jehovah;
{Look!} Since I’m against Egypt’s Great House and King,
I will break both of his arms
(Including the one that’s been broken),
And I’ll rip his sword from his hand.
23 Then I’ll scatter the
Egyptians among all the nations…
To many places, I’ll blow them away.
24 ‘But
I’ll strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king
And I’ll put My sword in his hand.
Then, he will use it on Egypt…
He’ll loot her loot and take all her spoils.
25 ‘I’ll
strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king,
And the arms of Pharaoh will fall.
Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah
When I give My sword to Babylon’s king,
And he lifts it against Egypt’s land.
26 ‘I’ll
scatter Egyptians among all the nations…
To many places, I’ll blow them away…
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah!’
Chapter 31
1 It was in
the eleventh year (on the first day of the third month) that the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Ask this of Pharaoh (Egypt’s king) and his armies:
When it comes to being high minded,
Who else is equal to you?
3 ‘{Look!} Assyria
is like Lebanon’s cypress,
Since it had many dense branches.
It was also protected and stood very tall…
Amidst the clouds, stood its top.
4 By waters from the deep, it
was nourished,
And as the result, it grew mighty.
‘To the plants around him, a river was led…
She poured her waters on the trees in his fields,
5 And because of this, he grew
even greater
Than all the other trees on the earth.
‘He had more branches and much taller shoots,
And over many waters, he stretched.
6 Among his boughs sat the
birds of the skies;
Beneath his limbs bred the beasts of the plains;
And many nations dwelled in his shadow.
7 ‘He became
great in his height
Because of his tender branches,
And his long roots that reached down to the water.
8 ‘In the
Paradise God, none others were like him…
No pines could be compared to his shoots;
No firs had branches like his;
And there in God’s paradise,
None others could be compared to his beauty.
9 ‘I’m the
one that made him so great
And gave him all his tender branches.
So the rest of the trees in My paradise
Soon became jealous of him…
Yes the rest of the trees in that garden,
Which was the delight of [Jehovah].
10 ‘But because
of this,’ said the Lord…
‘Because he grew to such greatness
And put his tops high in the clouds
As he lifted his heart to the heights;
11 I gave him to those that rule
other nations,
And they brought about his destruction.
12 ‘By
strangers, he was cut to the ground…
Yes, pestilent ones from the nations
Threw him down on the mountains,
And in the ravines, fell his branches,
As his [wood was strewn] ‘cross the plains.
‘He had fallen from his lofty position
As the protector of all of his people…
All the nations cut him down to the ground.
13 ‘So that
one among which the birds of the skies
Had once found places to rest
And under whose branches the beasts had once lived,
Has now been cut to the ground.
14 ‘So the
trees next to him lost their greatness
(Those trees that stood by his water)
And no longer put their tops in the clouds…
Those with whom he once had shared water
Couldn’t stand as tall after that.
‘So they were all handed to death
And went into the depths of the ground…
Like sons of men, they went down to the pit.
15 ‘And thus
says Jehovah, the Lord:
In that day, he went down to the place of the dead,
And in the abyss, he was mourned.
‘Then I took control of the river
And withheld its abundance of water.
Lebanon then shadowed above 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 that went into the pit.
‘And there in the bowels of the earth,
All the earth’s trees offered comfort…
All the select and best trees…
Those choice ones of Lebanon that once shared his water.
17 ‘But
with him, they too went into the grave;
For, they were also slain by the sword.
And the seeds of the ones that he sheltered
Were destroyed in the midst of their lives.
18 ‘So to
whom can you liken such power,
As well as the glory and greatness
Among all the choicest of trees?
‘He went down with the choicest of trees
Into the depths of the ground,
Where he sleeps among the uncircumcised;
Among those that were slain by the sword…
And this is what will happen to Pharaoh,
As well as to all his friends, said Jehovah.’
Chapter 32
1 It was in
the twelfth year (on the first day of the twelfth month) that the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Sing this lament over Pharaoh (king of Egypt}…
Yes, you must sing this about him:
‘You consider yourself a lion among nations,
But you’re the dragon of the sea.
For from the midst of your rivers, you have gored…
You have stamped your feet and you’ve trampled,
And this [has muddied] your waters.
3 So Jehovah has said this to
you:
By a great assembly of peoples,
Around you, My net will be thrown;
And then, I’ll lead you around by My hook.
4 ‘I will
stretch you out on the ground,
And you will fill all the plains.
Upon you, I’ll set the birds of the skies
And use you to fill the 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 with those that are living within you,
I’ll fill the valleys and fields.
7 ‘Then,
after you have been depleted,
I will cover the skies…
Yes, I will darken the stars…
With clouds, I will cover the sun and the moon,
And no way will your light shine again.
8 ‘Yes
the lights that shine in the skies
Will all become dark over you.
Then, over your land, I’ll send darkness,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
9 ‘To the
hearts of your people, I will bring rage,
When before them, you’re led as a captive
Into a land that you’ve never known.
10 ‘Many
nations, thereafter, will mourn you…
Their kings will be stunned and amazed
As they also await their own downfall,
Which will come to them after that.’
11 ‘Then the
Lord Jehovah said:
Yes the broadsword of Babylon’s king
Will thereafter come upon them.
12 ‘With
the swords of giants, you will be cut down,
And to the pests of the nations, I’ll give all your strength…
They’ll destroy the insolence of Egypt,
And they will break down your power.
13 ‘Then
I will destroy all the cattle
[That graze] around your great waters,
So thereafter, men’s feet won’t stomp in [the Nile],
And it won’t be trampled by cattle again.
14 ‘Then
your waters will all become still,
For your rivers will pour out like oil, says Jehovah.
15 When I bring destruction
on Egypt,
The fullness of the land will be [gone].
And after I scatter [your people],
They’ll know that I am Jehovah.
16 ‘Then
they’ll [sing] a lament over you…
Over Egypt, the nations’ daughters will [cry]…
Yes, the loss of her strength, they’ll lament,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.’
17 Well, it
was in the twelfth year (on the fifteenth day of the month) that the Word of
Jehovah came to me and said:
18 ‘O son of man;
You should mourn for the multitudes of Egypt,
For her daughters will be defiled by the nations,
And there will be death throughout their whole land.
‘Then they will go into the pit…
19 From their beautiful waters,
they will descend
To sleep among the uncircumcised!
20 ‘With
[Pharaoh] and his might, they will fall
Among those who’ll be slain by the sword.
21 And the giants of the earth
will then say:
It’s best that you have gone into the pit,
Along with the uncircumcised,
To sleep in the midst of those slain by the sword.
22 ‘For
Assyria is there, along with his crowd,
And around his grave, they’re all standing…
All those that were cut down by swords…
23 All those with whom he now
shares his grave
Along the sides of the pit,
And all of the crowd surrounding his tomb…
All of the slain that were cut down by swords…
Those that had once brought great fear
Throughout the land of the living.
24 ‘And
there is Elam
with his army…
Around his tomb, they [are standing],
Along with the uncircumcised
That have been cut down by the sword.
[They all went down] to the depths of the ground
At the hands of those that once brought fear
To the land of the living.
25 ‘They
accepted their torment with those in the pit…
In the midst of those who’d been slaughtered.
26 It’s where they put Mosoch and Tubal,
Along with all of their strength.
‘The slain are standing next to his tomb
Along with the uncircumcised,
All of those that had been killed with the sword…
Those that had once brought great fear
To the land of the living.
27 ‘But, now
they sleep with the giants
That through the ages, have fallen…
They went to the land of the dead
With all their weapons of war.
‘Their swords were placed under their heads,
And their lawless deeds fell on their bones;
For, they were just frightened giants
Back when they were alive.
28 But along with the
uncircumcised,
They have all been destroyed,
And they sleep with the rest of those slain by the sword.
29 ‘And
there is Edem with all her kings,
Along with Assyria’s rulers…
Those that gave up their strength,
And then, were run through by swords.
They too now sleep with the slain
That have gone down to the pit.
30 ‘There
are also the rulers from the far north
– All of these, with Assyria’s generals –
That have gone down with the slain
And have also shared in their fear.
‘Yes, because their strength has been shamed,
They will sleep with the uncircumcised.
And along with the rest of those slain by the sword,
They’ll carry their torment into the pit.
31 ‘For the
Lord Jehovah declared:
This is where they’ll see Egypt’s King and Great House,
And they will find comfort in this.
For, Pharaoh and his armies will also be slain.
32 ‘For to
his land, I am now sending fear;
And he too will sleep with the uncircumcised
And those that were slain by the sword…
This will happen to Pharaoh and all of his crowd,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.’
Chapter 33
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said,
2 ‘O son of man;
Speak to the sons of your people
And this is what you should tell them:
‘To whichever land that I bring the sword;
The people of that country should then choose a man
And assign him to act as their watchman.
3 Then, when he sees the sword
coming,
He should blow his trumpet to warn them.
4 ‘And after
they hear the sound of the horn;
If they should refuse to prepare
And the broadsword then overtakes them,
Their blood will be upon their own heads.
5 ‘So when
they hear the sound of the trumpet,
They should [quickly] prepare,
Or their blood will be upon their own heads,
While the one that kept watch on their souls will be saved.
6 ‘But, if
the watchman should see the sword coming
And fail to trumpet the signal
So the people are caught unprepared;
This watchman must then be taken away
Because of the lawless [thing that he did]…
And I’ll require his blood by their hands.
7 ‘And you,
O son of man;
You’re the watchman that I have appointed
Over the house of IsraEl.
So whenever you hear a word from my mouth,
You must announce it on my behalf.
8 ‘Then,
should I say that a sinner will die,
And you fail to speak out and warn him;
For this lawless deed, you will die…
I’ll require his blood from your hands.
9 ‘But, if
you should warn an irreverent man
And tell him to turn from [his bad] ways…
If he refuses to make any change;
For the bad things he’s done, he will die…
But, you will have saved your own life.
10 ‘Now, O
son of man;
Say this to the house of IsraEl…
Tell them that they have been asking:
Since we are the ones who’re to blame
For our delusions and our lawless ways;
If we should turn from them now,
Can our lives still be spared?
11 ‘You
should speak to them and give this reply…
Tell them that Jehovah said this:
As I live…
I don’t want the death of the godless,
[I just want them] to turn from their evil ways
So that they can continue to live!
But first, you must turn away
From all the bad things that you’re doing…
O house of IsraEl, why must you die?
12 ‘And you,
O son of man;
Say this to the sons of your people:
The good things that the righteous have done
Won’t save them in the day that they turn away.
And the blame that the lawless are due
Won’t come to them in the day
That they turn from their godless ways.
And no way will the righteous be saved
In the day that they are found sinning.
13 ‘So, when
I say that the righteous will live,
And they come to rely upon this…
But thereafter, they [do what is] evil;
Their righteous ways will be forgotten…
For the sins they commit, they will die!
14 ‘And when
I say that the godless will die,
And then they turn from their sins
And start being righteous and fair…
15 If they give back the
collateral they’ve taken,
And return all the things that they’ve seized…
If they’ll travel an orderly life
And no longer [follow] wrong [paths];
They will continue to live…
No way will they have to die…
16 Their sins will all be
forgotten…
For making their ways righteous and fair,
Their lives will thereafter be spared!
17 ‘But if
the sons of your people should say,
The ways of Jehovah aren’t right,
When it’s really their ways that aren’t right;
This is what you should tell them:
18 If the righteous should
turn from right ways
And start doing things that are lawless,
They will die [for their sins].
19 But, if you turn back
a sinner,
And he becomes fair and righteous, he’ll live!
20
‘So, though the House of IsraEl is saying
That the ways of Jehovah aren’t straight!
I will judge each man by the things that he does!’
21 It was in the twelfth year (on the fifth day of the tenth month from our captivity) that someone that had escaped from JeruSalem came and told me that the city had been taken. 22 Then the hand of Jehovah came over me that evening. However, before that (earlier in the morning), he came and opened my mouth so that my mouth couldn’t stay closed any longer. 23 For the Word of Jehovah came to me and said this:
24 ‘O son of
man;
Those that live in the places that are being destroyed
In the land of IsraEl, are saying,
Back in AbraHam’s time,
He was given this land;
And now that we’ve become many,
We’ve also been given this land as our own.
25 ‘Because
of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah their Lord:
Since you eat blood in your food,
And to disgusting things, lift your eyes,
And you shed [innocent] blood;
Why do you think you’ll inherit this land?
26 ‘For,
there you stand with your broadswords
As you’re doing things that are loathsome!
If you profane the lives of your neighbors’ wives…
Do you think that you will inherit this land?
27 ‘So, tell
them that the Lord Jehovah says this:
As I live;
Those that live in the places that are being destroyed
Will all be cut down by the broadsword.
And those that run out to the plains
Will be given as food to wild beasts.
While those that hide behind walls and in caves
Will thereafter die from a plague!
28 ‘Then
I’ll turn their land into a desert,
And the strength of their insolence will perish.
I’ll devastate IsraEl’s mountains
So that none will pass through them again.
29 ‘Then
they’ll know that I am Jehovah
When I turn their land into a desert
For the disgusting things that they’ve done.
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 of their homes.
Each one is saying this to his brother:
We should all gather and listen
To what Jehovah has planned.
31 ‘So,
after they all come to see you
And they sit down before you
To 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 ‘So, if
you should be the sound of a harp
(A sound that is sweet and well-tuned),
They’ll listen to your words, but not do them!
33 But after it’s done, they’ll
admit:
Look… it has all come to pass!
And they’ll know that there’s been a Prophet among them.’
Chapter 34
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Against the shepherds of IsraEl
You must now prophesy!
Tell them that thus says Jehovah, the Lord:
‘O shepherds of IsraEl;
You have been feeding yourselves
When you should have been feeding My sheep!
3 ‘{Look!}
You have drunk all their milk,
And you’ve wrapped yourselves in their wool…
You have slaughtered the best of My sheep
And you’ve failed to graze [all the rest].
4 ‘You
haven’t strengthened the weak,
And those that are ill, you’ve not treated;
Those with broken [bones], you’ve not wrapped,
And the strayed, you have failed to return.
No, you haven’t searched for the lost,
And for the strong, all you do is make trouble.
5 ‘So
now, My sheep have been scattered
Because they don’t have any shepherds.
6 They’re being consumed
by wild beasts in the fields,
Since they’re 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 you shepherds;
Hear the Word of Jehovah!
8 ‘As I
live, says Jehovah, the Lord;
Instead of My sheep being plundered
And being eaten by beasts in the plains…
Yes, because there aren’t any shepherds
(Shepherds that will search for My sheep),
And because the shepherds have grazed on My sheep
While they’ve failed to provide them with grass;
9 Because of this, O you
shepherds,
Hear the Word of Jehovah!
10 For the Lord Jehovah says
this:
‘Look, I’m against all the shepherds!
So I’ll take My sheep out of their hands…
Yes from tending My sheep, they’ll be fired,
And the shepherds won’t graze upon them again.
I’ll rescue My sheep from their mouths…
They’ll no longer be something to eat!
11 ‘The Lord
Jehovah also said this:
{Look!} I will search for My sheep,
And I will come visit with them.
12 Like a shepherd that
looks for his flocks
On dark cloudy days when they’ve strayed…
Yes, that’s how I’ll search for My sheep.
‘I’ll drive them back from where they were [lost]
On that dark, cloudy day.
13 I’ll lead them out of
the nations…
From many regions, I’ll gather them back
And return them to their own land,
Where on IsraEl’s mountains, I’ll graze them…
In the valleys and homes of their country.
14 ‘I’ll
provide good pastures for them,
And on IsraEl’s mountains, they’ll graze.
For there, they will find a safe haven…
A place where they can sleep and find rest
In good and plentiful pastures
Upon the mountains of IsraEl.
15 ‘Yes I’ll
graze My sheep and bring them some rest,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
16 I’ll search for the lost
and the strayed,
And I’ll bring back the ones that are broken.
I will bind and strengthen those that are weak,
And I’ll also watch over the strong…
I’ll allow each one to graze his fair share.
17
‘Then, from among you, My sheep,
Says Jehovah, the Lord,
{Look!} I’ll separate the sheep from the sheep
And the rams from the goats.
18 ‘Were
the pastures you fed from so poor
That you trampled on them with your feet?
And weren’t there enough places to drink
That you stomped and muddied the waters?
19 ‘Yes,
My sheep have trampled their food with their feet,
And muddied the waters they drank from.
20 So 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 have 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 between ram and ram, I will judge.
23 ‘I
will raise a shepherd for them,
And My servant David will tend them…
He’ll be a shepherd that cares about them.
24 Then, I (Jehovah)
will be their God,
And My servant David will rule in their midst…
Yes, I (Jehovah) have spoken.
25 ‘Among
them, I’ll make an Agreement of peace,
And I’ll wipe the fierce beasts from their land.
Then, they will dwell in the deserts,
And in the forests, they’ll sleep.
26
‘Around My Mountain, they will be spread,
And I’ll give them rain when it’s due…
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 in their land.
‘Then they’ll know that I am Jehovah,
When I break the chains of their yoke
And save them from those that are making them slaves.
28 ‘By
the nations, they’ll not be plundered again,
Nor will they be eaten by beasts.
They will then dwell in hope,
And no one will make them afraid!
29 ‘For
them, I’ll raise plants of peace,
And they won’t be hungry or starving again,
Nor will they be scorned by the nations.
30 Then they’ll know
that I am Jehovah their God,
And that I will always be with them.
‘For, you are My people, O house of IsraEl,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
31 You are the sheep of My
pasture
And I am Jehovah your God,
Says the Jehovah, the Lord.’
Chapter 35
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to
me and said,
2 ‘O son of man;
Now, turn your face toward [Edom’s] Mount Seir
And against it, you must prophesy!
3 Tell them 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 wasteland and desert.
4 Your cities will be
desolate places;
I’ll turn you into a desert;
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
5 ‘For,
through the age, you’ve been a resister
And an enemy to the house of IsraEl…
Then to opponents with swords, you gave them,
When they were being unrighteous.
6 ‘So
because of this… as I live, says Jehovah!
For the blood of these men, I’ll pursue you…
For the blood you detested, I’ll chase you down!
7 ‘Now Mount
Seir has been appointed by Me
To become a desolate desert.
Its men and beasts, I’ll destroy…
8 Its hills and valleys,
I’ll fill with your slain…
Yes, those who’ll be killed by the broadsword
Will fall into your fields and ravines.
9 ‘I’ll
assign you to waste through the age,
And all your cities, I’ll empty…
Then you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
10
For you said, His nation is mine,
And I will inherit [His land]…
Yes, I’ll own the place of Jehovah their God!
11 So, as I live, says
Jehovah;
I’ll treat you with the hate that you’ve hated!
And about what you did because you were jealous,
I’ll [remember] when I [come there and] judge you…
12 Then you’ll know that
I am Jehovah.
‘I’ve heard this blasphemous thing that you said:
The mountains in the deserts of IsraEl
Have been given to us as our food.
13 ‘Then
your mouths spoke great words against Me…
Yes, against Me, you shouted,
And I’ve heard every word that you said!’
14
‘As the result, Jehovah said this:
To the great joy of [those in] this 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 be doing to you, O Mount Seir…
I’ll turn you into a desert,
And completely destroy Edom’s house…
Then you’ll know that I am Jehovah The God!’
Chapter 36
1 ‘O son of
man;
Against the mountains of IsraEl
You must now testify.
You must tell IsraEl’s mountains
To hear the Word of Jehovah…
2 For the Lord Jehovah has
spoken.
‘Since the enemy has said this against you:
Well done, because these desolate places
Have now become ours through the ages;
3 About this you must
prophesy…
Tell them that thus says Jehovah the Lord:
‘As you were dishonored and detested
By those that lived roundabout you
(Those that wanted the nations to take you…
Those that said bad things about you
And that made you the butt of their scorn)…
4 Because of this, O IsraEl’s
mountains;
Hear what Jehovah has said!
‘Jehovah says this to your mountains and hills
And to your desolate rivers and valleys:
Though your cities are all abandoned and gone
(Looted and trampled by the nations roundabout)…
5 Because of this,
says Jehovah:
In the fire of My rage, I have spoken
Against all of them that remain…
Yes, against all of Edom I’ve spoken,
For they happily took My land as their own…
They destroyed, dishonored, and looted My people.
6 ‘So concerning
IsraEl, you must prophesy;
Say to her mountains and valleys,
And to her hills and her forests
That thus says Jehovah the Lord:
‘{Look!} In My rage and zeal,
I have now condemned
All of those nations that scorned you.
7 And because they did
this to you, says Jehovah,
I will raise My hand against all those nations
(Those that live roundabout you)
And they will now bear your dishonor.
8 ‘But
upon your mountains, O IsraEl,
My people will eat the fruit of their vines;
For they’ll live in the hope of returning.
9 ‘{Look}
And because I’m for you, I’ll watch over you,
Then your [land] will be planted and worked once again.
10 Among you, I’ll
multiply men
To the ends of IsraEl’s [borders];
Your cities will all be lived in again,
And the places they destroyed will all be rebuilt.
11 ‘Among
you, I’ll multiply cattle and men
(Yes, they will increase and grow many);
I’ll settle you as you were long ago
And do good for you as I’ve done in the past…
Then you’ll know that I am Jehovah.
12 ‘And
those who’ve stood against IsraEl (My people)
Will also have many children,
But, they will become your possessions…
Yes, they will be owned by you,
And they’ll not leave you childless again.
13 ‘And
about those nations, Jehovah said this:
Many men have come and consumed you,
So your people no longer have children!
14
But you’ll not be consumed by men anymore,
And your nation will never be childless again,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
15 ‘And
never again will you hear
The gentiles showing dishonor to you…
No you won’t bear their scorn anymore,
Nor will your nation be childless again,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.’
16 Then the
Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
17 ‘O son of man;
Though the house of IsraEl has lived in this land,
They’ve defiled it in this bad way:
By their uncleanness with women
Who were living apart as unclean.
‘This is how they’ve acted before me,
18 So, upon them, I’ve poured
out my rage
For all the blood that they’ve spilled,
And for the disgusting things that they’ve done.
19 ‘So among
the nations, I’ve scattered them all…
To many places, I [blew] them away.
I judged them each by the things that they did
And according to the sins they’ve committed.
20 ‘Then
they entered the nations where they had been sent,
And there they profaned God’s Holy Name.
For the nations that lived there were saying:
Though these people belong to Jehovah,
He has driven them out of their land!
21 ‘So, for
the sake of [God’s] Name
(Which the house of IsraEl profaned),
I spared them in all the [lands] where they went.
22 ‘And
because of this,
Tell the house of IsraEl that thus says Jehovah:
‘O house of IsraEl;
I won’t take action for your sakes,
But rather, for the sake of My Holy Name,
Which you’ve profaned among all the nations
Wherever you have been sent.
23 ‘I
will make My Name holy again,
Which is being profaned among gentiles
(The Name that 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 ‘For
I’ll take you away from those nations
And gather you back from those [countries],
Then bring you back to your land.
25 ‘I’ll pour clean water upon you,
And from your filth, you’ll be cleansed.
I’ll also cleanse you of idols,
26 And then I will give
you new hearts.
‘Indeed, I will give you new spirits,
And remove your hearts made of stone,
Then change them into hearts made of flesh.
27
‘Within you, I will then put My Spirit,
Which will cause you to follow My rules.
And thereafter, you’ll obey My decisions…
Yes, you will observe every 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 save you from
your uncleanness;
I’ll send you much grain… and then even more,
And I won’t send famine among you again.
30 ‘I’ll
multiply the fruit on your trees,
As well as the crops in your fields;
So the scorn of famine, you’ll not have to bear
Among the nations again.
31 ‘Then
you’ll think about all the bad things you’ve done
And the wicked ways that you’ve lived,
And you’ll loathe those things that you’ve practiced
And the disgusting things that you did.
32 ‘But I
won’t do this on your behalf,
Says Jehovah the Lord;
But rather, in order to remind you
That you should be ashamed and remorseful
For the many bad deeds that you practiced!
33 ‘Then the
Lord Jehovah said:
In the day that I cleanse you from your lawless deeds,
I’ll resettle you in your own cities
And rebuild your desolate places.
34 ‘Your
desolate land will be worked once again,
And the reasons why it was destroyed
Will be forgotten by all that pass by.
35
‘Then they’ll say that this land, which once was destroyed
Has become a luxurious garden.
And the towns that were wiped away and destroyed
(Those that had been razed to the ground)
Will again be fortified cities.
36 ‘And
then, the nations around you
(Those that remain at that time)
Will know I’m the One that rebuilt them
(Those cities that had once been demolished)…
I’m the One that replanted those places
That I had once wiped away…
Yes, when I speak, I’ll take action!’
37 ‘And the
Lord Jehovah said:
Then the house of IsraEl will seek Me
[And ask Me to] deal with them once again.
So, just like sheep (holy sheep),
I’ll multiply men like JeruSalem’s flocks
During her holiday feasts.
38 ‘Then,
all of her desolate cities
Will be filled with the sheep among men…
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
Chapter 37
1 Then the
hand of the Lord came upon me and led me by the Breath
of Jehovah into a field that was filled with human bones… 2 he led me around them in a circle, and
look; there were huge numbers [of bones] lying there in the field. 3 Then he said to me:
‘O son of man; Will
these bones ever come back to life?’
And I replied:
‘O Lord; only
you know the answer to such things!’
4 Then He
told me to prophesy over the bones and say this:
‘O dry bones; hear the Word of Jehovah.
5 For the Lord Jehovah says to
these bones,
{Look!} The breath of life, I will [blow] into
you,
6 Then upon you, I will
lay nerves,
And over that, I’ll put flesh.
Then I will stretch skin over you,
And I’ll [breathe] My Breath into you
So that you will then come to life…
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah.’
7 Therefore, I started prophesying just as he had instructed me. And at the sound of my prophesying, {Look!} a great shaking occurred that joined those bones, bone against joint. 8 And as I was watching, I saw nerves and flesh [starting to grow]; and then [I saw] the skin growing over them. However, there still wasn’t any breath in the bodies.
9 Then he
said to me:
‘O son of man;
Now prophesy over the wind…
10 Tell the wind that thus says
Jehovah the Lord:
From the four winds, send them breath…
Blow into these dead ones 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 [and formed] a great crowd!
11 And the
Lord spoke to me and said:
‘O son of man;
These bones are the house of IsraEl;
For they say these dry bones are just like their bones,
Since their hope was destroyed and they’ve perished.
12 ‘So, you
must now prophesy
And tell them that thus says Jehovah their Lord:
{Look!} I’ll open your tombs and then lead you out…
To IsraEl’s land, I’ll return you.
13 Then you’ll know that
I am Jehovah,
When I lead you out of your graves.
And, O my people…
When I bring you up from your graves,
14 I’ll Breathe upon you
and bring you to life.
Then I’ll lead you back to your land,
And you’ll know that I am Jehovah…
That I spoke and then I took action, says Jehovah!’
15 And the Word
of Jehovah came to me and said:
16 ‘And you, O son of man;
Now, take a stick for yourself,
And write upon it, these words:
Judah and the sons of IsraEl.
Do this for those who’ll be sitting before you.
Then, take a second stick for yourself,
And write this before all those sitting there:
JoSeph, Ephraim’s rod.
17 ‘You must
then hold these sticks together,
And they will be bonded as one.
So, carry them out in your hands,
18 And ask the sons of your
people
What they think that this signifies.
19 ‘Then,
tell them that thus says Jehovah, [their] God:
{Look!} Through Ephraim’s hand, I’ll take Joseph’s tribe
And the tribes of IsraEl that are living next door;
Then to the tribe of Judah, I’ll give them
So that they will become just one stick…
In the hands of Judah, they’ll all become one.
20 ‘Then,
take the two sticks upon which you wrote
And hold them toward them in your hands,
21 And tell them that thus says
Jehovah:
‘{Look!} I’ll gather the house of IsraEl
From the midst of those nations where they have been sent…
I’ll gather them from the nations roundabout
And return them to IsraEl’s land.
22 ‘Yes,
I will make them one nation again
In My land among IsraEl’s hills,
With one ruler who’ll be the king over all.
‘They’ll be separate nations no longer…
They won’t be a kingdom divided,
23 And by idols, they
won’t be defiled,
Nor by their irreverence and failures.
‘From their lawless ways, I will save them
(From all those ways in which they have sinned),
And thereafter, I will make them holy,
So they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God.
24 ‘My
servant David, will rule in their midst,
And there’ll be one shepherd for all.
They will follow My orders…
They’ll know My decisions and do them!
25 ‘Then,
they will live in the land
That I gave to My servant Jacob…
In this place where their fathers once settled.
‘And through the age, both
they and their sons
Will all be living together,
And be ruled by My servant David.
26 ‘With
them, I will make an Agreement of peace…
An Agreement [that will last] through the ages.
I’ll resettle and multiply them,
And through the ages thereafter,
I’ll place My holy things in their midst.
27 ‘I’ll
put My shelter among them;
Then they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God.
28 And the nations will
know that I am Jehovah
When My holy things are found there again
And I have declared them all holy.’
Chapter 38
NOTE:
Chapters 38 and 39 appear to be speaking about the same
events that were prophesied about at Revelation 20:7-10,
where we read that these things will
happen a thousand years (or more) after the ‘Battle of Armageddon.’
Though not all Bible scholars agree with this conclusion, you can find our commentary
in the linked document, ‘Gog of Magog.’
1 Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:
2 ‘O son of man;
Against Gog and the land of Magog
(The ruler of Mosoch, Tubal,
and Ros)
You must now set your face,
And against him, prophesy this!
3 Tell him that thus says Jehovah:
‘{Look!} You ruler of Mosoch, Tubal, and Ros;
Because I’m the One that you have opposed;
4 I’ll be putting a
bridle into your jaws,
And thereafter, I will lead you around.
‘I’ll gather your army and you,
And all your horses and horsemen…
Yes, all [your men] wearing chest plates,
And bearing shields, helmets, and swords…
5 Persians, Ethiopians,
and Libyans
(All those people with their helmets and shields)…
6 Gomer and all those around
him…
The house of Togarmah from
the far north
As well as those dwelling around him…
Yes, all those nations that partner with you!
7 ‘So
[it’s time] for you to prepare…
Yes, you should get yourselves ready
(You and those that have gathered with you);
For, you will serve as [their leader].
8 ‘Then,
after many days, you’ll be ready;
And toward the end of the years,
You will come to this land
With the swords that you have collected
From among all the nations.
Then, to the land of IsraEl, you’ll come…
To a land that once was demolished.
‘For by then, they’ll all have returned,
And together, they’ll be living in peace.
9 Then upon them, you’ll
pour down like rain,
And like clouds, you will cover their land.
Yes, you’ll arrive with all those around you…
The many nations that will join with you then.
10 ‘Then the
Lord Jehovah said:
In that day, [bad] things will enter your heart…
You’ll make wicked plans and you’ll say:
11 Against this land, I’ll
arise
(The land that once was rejected);
I’ll come upon those that are resting
And that are living in peace…
Those in a land without walls
And with no locks on their doors,
12 In order to plunder and
loot…
To despoil and to take many spoils,
And to turn my hand toward this place
(This place, which was once desolation
And is now resettled by a nation
That returned from among many nations).
For now they have many possessions,
And they dwell within the earth’s navel.
13 ‘Then
Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Carthage,
And those in their towns will be shouting
That they have come to plunder and loot,
And to take all they own as their spoils.
They’ll gather to take all the silver
And to carry off all of the gold…
To take it all as their loot.
14
‘Therefore, O son of man;
Now, you must prophesy this…
Tell Gog that thus says Jehovah:
‘Against IsraEl, My people, you’ll come in that day…
Against those that have settled in peace.
15 You’ll come from your
place in the north
And bring along many nations…
Horsemen all riding horses…
A huge crowd and a great army.
16
‘Against IsraEl, My people, you’ll come
Like a cloud that covers the land…
In the last days, this is what you will do.
‘Against My land, I will lead you,
And then, all the nations will know Me
When before them, I am made holy through you.
17 ‘Then
Lord Jehovah said:
You’re the Gog of whom I spoke long ago
By the hands of My servants the Prophets
(The Prophets in past days and years),
In order to lead you against them.
18 ‘And
it will be in that day
(In whichever day that Gog will attack),
Says Jehovah, the Lord,
That I will arise in My anger
19 And I’ll speak in the
fiery zeal of My rage.
‘Surely, it’ll be in that day;
From IsraEl, a shaking will come,
20 And before My face,
all will tremble…
The fish of the seas, the birds in the skies,
All the wild beasts in the fields,
As well as the things that crawl on the ground,
And all men on the face of the earth;
For, mountains will rip into valleys,
And all walls on the earth will then fall.
21 ‘All
sorts of fear, I will send upon them,
And against their own brothers, I’ll turn each man’s sword.
22 Then I’ll bring My judgments
against them
With plague, blood, rain, and great hailstones.
‘Fire and sulfur, I’ll rain upon him,
And upon all those who’ve come with him…
Upon all the nations that joined him.
23 ‘Then,
I’ll be made holy and magnified…
I’ll be known and glorified among all the nations,
And they’ll know that I am Jehovah!
Chapter 39
NOTE:
Chapters 38 and 39 appear to be speaking about the same
events that were prophesied about at Revelation 20:7-10,
where we read that these things will
happen a thousand years (or more) after the ‘Battle of Armageddon.’
Though not all Bible scholars agree with this conclusion, you can find our commentary
in the linked document, ‘Gog of Magog.’
1 ‘O son of man; against Gog, you must prophesy this … tell him that thus says Jehovah the Lord:
‘{Look!} I am against you, O Gog,
Ruler of Mosoch, Tubal, and Ros!
2 I’ll collect you and
then lead you down…
I’ll haul you down from the far north,
And to the mountains of IsraEl, I’ll lead you.
3 ‘Then
I’ll break the bow in your left hand,
And the arrows that you hold in your right.
4 On IsraEl’s hills,
I’ll then throw you down…
And you and those that come with you will fall.
‘Then, all the nations that joined you
Will be given to flocks of winged creatures…
To all the birds in the skies
And to all the wild beasts in the plains…
I’ll give you to them as their food.
5 ‘On the
face of the plains you will fall…
Yes, this is what I’ve declared, says Jehovah.
6 ‘I’ll
also throw fire down Magog,
And the islands will then live in peace.
For they’ll know that I am Jehovah…
7 And My Holy Name will
also be known
Among those in IsraEl, My people.
‘No more will My Name be profaned.
For the nations will know that I am Jehovah…
I am IsraEl’s Most Holy One.
8 ‘Look,
it’s coming… it will surely take place,
Says Jehovah, the Lord!
And this is the day that I said it!
9 ‘Then
those that live in IsraEl’s cities
Will thereafter light fires with their weapons
(All their small shields and spears;
All their bows and their arrows;
All the lances and sticks in their hands)…
For the next seven years,
They will be used to light fires.
10 ‘No
they won’t cut shrubs in the plains,
Nor chop trees in the woods for their fires…
They will just be using those weapons.
For they’ll loot all those that once looted them
And despoil all those that despoiled them, says Jehovah.
11 ‘And
in that day;
I will make Gog a place of renown…
A remembrance in IsraEl’s graveyards
For those that come here by sea.
They’ll bury Gog and his hordes in a valley,
And call it, The Graveyard of Gog.
12 ‘By
IsraEl’s house, they’ll be buried…
For seven months, they will clean up the land.
13 They’ll be buried by
the people that live in the land,
And among them, that place will be famous,
As will be the day when I’m glorified,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
14 ‘Then they
will give orders to the people
To bury [all of the bodies]
That are lying upon the face of the ground.
‘For seven months, they will search,
15 And when those going
there find a man’s bones;
Next to them, they’ll put up a sign
For those in charge of digging the graves
Within the Graveyard of Gog.
16 For, Graveyard will be the name of that town,
And it will be cleansed from the land.
17 ‘And
you, O son of man
(Said Jehovah, the Lord)
Must speak to all the winged creatures,
And to the wild beasts of the plains.
You must tell them to gather and come…
They must gather there from all places
[To consume] this great sacrifice
That I will offer to them…
A great sacrifice on IsraEl’s hills.
‘Come eat all
the meat and drink all the blood!
18
For the meat of giants, you will consume,
And you’ll drink the blood of earth’s kings.
‘Then all the rams, calves, and goats will grow fat,
19 Since they will eat
fat ‘til they’re full
And they will drink blood ‘til they’re drunk
From this sacrifice that I’m giving to them.
20 ‘They will
be filled from My table
That is covered with horses and horsemen,
As well as with warriors and giants,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
21 ‘Then
I’ll put My glory among them,
And the nations will see all My judgments…
The things that I’ll do with My hand,
And the things that I have brought upon them.
22 ‘And
then every day after that,
The house of IsraEl will learn
That I am Jehovah their God.
23 Also, all the nations
will know
That I let them take their houses away
Because of IsraEl’s sins…
Because they’d annulled their Agreement with
Me.
‘Yes, this is the reason why I turned My face
And gave them into their enemies’ hands…
To let them be cut down by swords.
24 It’s because of all
their uncleanness
And because they had broken [My] Laws
That I turned My face and did this to them.
25 ‘Yet,
after that, says Jehovah the Lord,
I’ll return all the captives of Jacob,
And to the house of IsraEl, I’ll show My mercy…
I’ll also show them My zeal for My Name!
26 ‘In
peace, I’ll bring them back to their land,
And they will accept their dishonor
For the unrighteous things that they’ve done.
‘Then, no one will make them afraid anymore
27 When I bring them
back from the nations.
And then, before all those nations,
I will be holy among them.
28 ‘For
then, all the nations will know
That I am Jehovah their God…
When they see that I am among them.
‘Yes, I’ll gather them back to their land
And never leave them again…
29 From them, I’ll not
turn My face,
For I will have [ended] 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 back into the land of IsraEl in a vision from God.
There he put me on a very high mountain, where there was a city that was being built right in front of me. 3 So He took me [into the city], and I saw a man that looked like shining brass carrying a builder’s string in his hand and a measuring reed. Then he laid them down in front of the city gate, 4 and the man said to me:
‘O son of man;
Now, look with your eyes and behold…
Listen with your ears and pay close attention,
Then prepare your heart for the things that you’ll see,
Since this is why you were brought here.
And all the things that you’ll see
Have to do with the house of IsraEl.’
5 {Look!} Well, there was this outer wall that went all the way around the city. And in the man’s hand was a reed that measured six cubits (the length of each was a forearm and a palm). Then he measured the area around the wall, and he found that its width was the same as its height [as measured] by the reed.
6 Thereafter, he went to the gate that could be seen in the east and measured it’s [threshold]… which was about the same depth as the length of 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 completely agree on the meanings of these texts, and even the measurements vary dramatically. We assume that the descriptions of the city and Temple in these deleted texts agree with the descriptions of a future holy city that is outlined in the Twenty-First Chapter of Revelation (but in far more detail). However, we would rather write nothing than mislead you with a wild guess about the true meanings of the words, as others have done in the past.
For example, note the way that a word-for-word
rendering of the next three verses (7-10) from Greek into English reads:
‘And the breadth of the higher of the sides was according to the appendage
protruding out of the wall, to the higher one round about the house,
so as to flatten out wider above; so that from out of the parts below
they should ascend unto the upper rooms, and from out of the middles
unto the third stories. And the thraels(?) of the house height round about
was a space of the sides equal to the reed cubits of six intervals.
And the breadth of the wall of the side from outside cubits five;
and the spaces left over between the sides of the house.
And between the inner chambers a breadth cubits of twenty,
the circumference of the house round about.’
As you can see; understanding and properly rendering the true meanings of these verses would be at best difficult and the results would always be questionable. However, we agree that the deleted words which describe a Temple may in fact have some future significance, since most of the preceding and following chapters appear to be speaking of things that will happen at some future date, not of what actually happened upon the Jew’s return to their homeland. But if so, we are sure that when the time arrives for the fulfillment of these prophecies, there will be a much better understanding of what was actually being said in these texts.
Chapter 42
13 And he
said to me:
‘The inner chambers facing the north
And the inner chambers facing the south
(Those in front of the spaces)
Are the Holy-Place rooms where the Priests will eat…
And it’s where they will come to Jehovah
With the holiest of all holy things.
‘There, they must carry the holiest things
– Sin offerings and the holiest things –
As well as their offerings for errors;
For, this is a most holy place.
14 ‘No one
may enter [this place] but the Priests,
And from the Holy Place, they can’t leave
To go to the outer courtyard,
So that those who are leading will always be clean.
Nor may people 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, where he then measured the area that surrounded the [Temple]. 16 He stood facing the east with his back to the gate, and he measured five hundred cubits in reed lengths. 17 Then he turned toward the north and measured northward five hundred cubits in reed lengths. 18 Then he turned toward the west and measured westward five hundred cubits in reed lengths. 19 And he turned toward the south and measured southward five hundred cubits in reed lengths. 20 So he established the [size of] the perimeter [around the Temple] as being five hundred cubits toward the east and five hundred cubits roundabout, which is to serve as the separation between the Holy Place and its outer walls.
Chapter 43
1 Then he took me to the east gate to lead me out. 2 But then {Look!} the glory of the God of IsraEl appeared, coming along the road from the east, and around me there were many voices that were chanting, while the ground all around me was bright and glorious.
3 And after that, I had a vision that was like the vision that I had when I first entered the city to anoint it… I saw a [celestial] chariot like the one that I saw at the Chobar river. So I fell with my face [to the] ground.
4 Then the glory of Jehovah entered the [Temple] by way of the east gate, 5 and [God’s] Breath picked me up and carried me into the inner courtyard, as {Look!} the glory of Jehovah filled the [Temple].
6 Well, as I
was standing there watching, a voice started speaking to me from the [Temple]… and
then I saw a person standing next to me, 7
that said:
‘O son of man;
Now you can see the place of His throne
As well as the tracks of His feet.
This is the place where His Name will encamp
In the house of IsraEl through the ages.
‘But, IsraEl will no longer profane His Name
As they did when they and their rulers went whoring
And murdered the leaders among them.
8 ‘They
won’t build their thresholds next to His threshold
Nor set their doors by His doors
As they did when they claimed that His wall
Was the thing that bound them to Him…
Or when they profaned His Most Holy Name
By the lawless things that they did.
For, this is what brought His rage upon them
When He wiped them away in great carnage.
9 ‘Now, they
must reject all their whoring
And the murders of those that would lead them to Him!
Then, through the ages, He’ll camp in their midst.
10 ‘And you,
O son of man,
Must give this description to IsraEl’s house,
So they’ll be able to see it
And understand its [dimensions].
11 For, they must turn from
their sins
And accept the punishment [they’re due]
For all of the [bad] things that they’ve done.
‘You must draw out the plans for this House
And show them how it must be built…
Show them its entrances and exits,
As well as how its foundations are set.
‘Then, speak of its orders and laws,
And explain to them all its rules.
You must draw out the plans there before them,
Then they must keep [God’s] commandments
And they must follow His laws!
12 ‘Describe
the [Temple] on top of the mount,
And set limits for the Holy of Holies…
For, these are the rules for His Temple.
13 ‘And
these are the measurements for the Altar:
Its width is two cubits and a palm…
Its recess is to be two cubits deep,
And the molding that goes ‘round its lip
Must be one forearm wide.
‘The height of the Altar
14 from the bottom of its
hollow
Up to the [top of its edge],
Must stand two cubits high,
And its width is to be just one forearm.
From the small to the large, is four cubits,
And it must be one forearm wide.
15 ‘The
hearth of the Altar is four cubits deep,
And from the hearth to the horns, is just one.
16 The hearth is to measure twelve
cubits [square],
And it must [be built with] four corners.
17 ‘Its
ledge must be fourteen by fourteen,
And the molding around it, half a forearm.
Its encircling base is a forearm across,
And its steps must face toward the east.’
18 Then he
said to me,
‘O son of man;
Jehovah [your] God now
says this:
These are My orders for the Altar
In the day that it will be made
To sacrifice whole burnt-offerings,
And to pour the blood out upon it.
19
‘Appoint Levite Priests from the seed of ZaDok,
And only they may approach Me,
Says Jehovah, [your] God.
Then, before they can come before Me to serve,
[They must sacrifice] a calf from the oxen
As an offering [to cover] their sins.
20 ‘They
must then 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 roundabout
To cleanse it and [to make it holy].
21 ‘They
must choose a calf as an offering for sins
And burn it in the place that is set apart…
Somewhere outside of this [most holy place].
22 ‘And
then, on the very next day,
They must choose a perfect kid from the goats
To serve as an offering for sins,
Then [use it to] cleanse the Altar once more,
As they had done 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 to Jehovah,
And they must add salt when they’re sacrificed
As [holy] burnt offerings to the Lord.
25 ‘And for seven
days, they must offer a kid
So as to pay for [their] sins,
As well as a calf from the oxen each day,
Plus a perfect ram from the sheep.
26 ‘[They
must offer them] all seven days
To atone for the Altar and cleanse it,
And [to empower] the hands [of the Priests].
27 ‘Then,
after these days are completed;
On the eighth day, the Priests must then place
The whole-burnt-offerings on the Altar
Along with the offerings for their salvation…
And only then may they enter [the Temple],
Says Jehovah, [your] God.’
Chapter 44
1 Then he
took me back to the outer gate of the Holies (the one facing east). However, it
was locked. 2 So the Lord said
to me:
‘After this gate has been locked
It may not be opened and no one may enter…
Only IsraEl’s God, Jehovah, may enter,
And until He does, it must remain locked.
3 ‘And only
those guiding may 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 had become 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 and your eyes,
And ready your ears, so you’ll hear
All the things that I will now say
Concerning the instructions that I’ll give you
For the Temple of Jehovah and all of its laws.
‘Arrange your heart [so you’ll understand]
The ways they must enter and leave
From this Most Holy Place!
6 ‘Then,
speak to those who’ve rebelled
(To those of the house of IsraEl)
And say that the Lord Jehovah said this:
‘O house of IsraEl;
You must bring an end to your lawless ways!
7 For, into My Most Holy
Place
You have brought foreigner’s sons…
Those with uncircumcised hearts
And flesh that is uncircumcised.
‘And you have even profaned
Your offerings of bread, fat, and blood.
Yes, you’ve broken [your] Sacred Agreement with
Me
By all the lawless things that you’ve done.
8 ‘You’ve
not followed the rules of My Temple,
And you’ve put other people in charge.
9 So, no more may
foreigner’s sons
Whose hearts and flesh are uncircumcised
Be allowed to enter My Most Holy Place.
For, foreign peoples may never become
Part of the house of IsraEl…
10 And only My faithful
Levites may enter!
‘Now, IsraEl has strayed far from Me
And followed their own [thoughts and] ideas.
So, they will now [pay for] their unrighteous ways.
11 ‘But
the Levites are [to be treated] as holy,
For they serve as the keepers of My [Temple’s] gates,
And that is the place where they’ll work.
There the whole burnt-offerings will be slaughtered,
And they’ll offer the things that the people will bring…
For, before the people, they’ll stand.
12 ‘But,
because they have served before faces of idols
[On behalf of] the house of IsraEl,
They’ll be punished for their unrighteous ways…
That’s why I’ve raised My hand against them,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
13 ‘Yes,
they’ll bear the blame for their lawless ways,
And they can no longer serve as My Priests,
Or [touch] the holy things inside of the Holies.
‘Indeed, they must bear their dishonor
For the delusions in which they have strayed.
14 But I’ll order them
to be watchmen,
And to perform other tasks.
15 ‘The
Priests of the Levites (the sons of ZaDok)
Were the only ones that truly kept watch
As IsraEl was straying from Me.
So, only they may approach Me,
And only they can serve before Me…
Before My face they will stand
To offer the blood and the fat,
Says Jehovah, the Lord.
16 ‘Only
these may enter My Most Holy Place
Or approach My table to serve Me,
And stand guard in My Temple watches.
17 ‘So,
when entering the gates of the inner courtyard,
They must wear their [official] linen clothes…
They may not wear wool when they enter these gates.
18 On their heads, they
must wear linen turbans,
And beltless linen pants on their loins.
19 ‘And
when they enter the people’s outer courtyard,
They can’t wear the clothes in which they must serve…
They must leave them inside the Holy’s inner chambers
And wear other clothes when they go there.
But no way can they make people holy
When they are wearing such clothes.
20 ‘They
may not shave the hair from their heads,
Nor may they leave their heads bare…
All of their heads must be covered.
21 And no way may the
Priests drink any wine
Before entering the [Temple’s] inner courtyard.
22 ‘They
may not marry a divorcee or a widow…
Only a virgin from the house of IsraEl…
However, they may wed the widow of a Priest.
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 for Me
According to My Laws and My orders.
They must also observe My holiday feasts,
And My Sabbaths, they must always keep holy.
25 ‘They
may not approach a dead person
So that they will not be unclean.
But they may approach their fathers, mothers, or sons,
Or their daughters, brothers, sisters, or wives,
Without becoming defiled.
26 But even then, they
must count seven days
Before they’ll be clean once again.
27 ‘On
the day that they enter the inner courtyard
To serve in My Most Holy Place;
They must bring an atonement [for sins],
Says Jehovah, [your] God.
28 ‘And
since I am what they’ll inherit;
They will be given no land
As their possession among IsraEl’s sons…
For, I am to be their posession!
29 ‘The
sacrifices are what they’ll eat…
The offerings for sins and for errors,
And the separation offerings will also be theirs.
30 All the first-fruits
are theirs,
As well as the first-born [of cattle].
‘Then, for the Priests, they must set aside
Some of the first-fruits [they’re given].
For, if they give part of the first-fruits
Of all that is brought, to the Priests,
This will bring [God’s] blessings upon all their homes.
31 ‘And the
Priests may not eat rotting flesh,
Or cattle that are taken by wild beasts or birds.
Chapter 45
1 ‘Then, as
you’re measuring the inheritances of land;
A place must be set aside
As the first-fruits to Jehovah.
Twenty-five thousand long, it must be,
As well as ten thousand wide…
And the area around it is holy.
2 ‘There,
Holy Place’s four corners will be set;
It will measure five hundred by five hundred,
Plus fifty cubits of space roundabout.
3 ‘And
from this place, you must also measure out
Twenty-five thousand, plus ten thousand wide
Between it and the Holy of Holies.
4 ‘And
since all this land will be holy;
A portion must be assigned to the Priests
That will serve in My Most Holy Place.
And then, for all that approach
To serve in front of Jehovah;
This will be the place where they’ll live,
Since they must be separate and holy.
5 ‘[Then
a portion must be set aside]
That’s twenty-five thousand in length
And twenty thousand in width
For the Levites who’ll serve at the [Temple]…
To be theirs as the city in which they will dwell.
6 ‘And
for this city that they will 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 Holy Place’s first-fruits.
7 ‘Then a
portion of this must be set aside
As the place [where the Chief Priest will dwell],
And as the Holy Place’s first-fruits.
It will be his possession in the city
Before the Holy Place of the first-fruits,
And in front of the part of the city
That runs from the east to the west.
‘It will be as long as the city,
And will run from the east to the west in the land.
8 In IsraEl, this will
be his possession.
For, I will no longer treat harshly
Those that are leading My people.
’And the rest of the land will then be
What the house of IsraEl will inherit
According to each of their tribes.’
9 ‘Then
Jehovah God said:
Let this be enough for IsraEl’s guides…
Let their misery and unrighteous ways be removed…
They must start being righteous and fair,
And lift tyranny away from My people,
Says Jehovah, your God!
10 ‘They
must use proper scales and right measures…
[Honesty] must be their guide!
11 So if one should get
a tenth measure,
He must also receive a tenth measure.
If someone should 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 is what he should get!
‘Your bread must weigh fifteen shekels.
13 And the first-fruits
that you set aside
Should be a sixth of ten bushels,
Or a sixth of sixty-two bushels for wheat,
Or forty quarts, if it’s 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 every two hundred
Among each of IsraEl’s families,
As a whole burnt-offering sacrifice,
And as an offering of salvation from sin, says Jehovah.
16
‘Everyone must offer their first-fruits
To the man that is IsraEl’s guide.
17 And to this one that
serves as your guide,
Whole-burnt offerings must also be brought,
As well as drink offerings and other sacrifices.
‘They must bring them on each holiday,
As well as on New Moons and Sabbaths.
And on each of IsraEl’s holidays,
All must bring sacrifices to cover their sins,
As well as one whole-burnt offering,
And offerings for IsraEl’s salvation.
18 ‘Then
Jehovah God said:
On the first day of the first month,
A perfect calf from the oxen must be offered
To atone for the Most Holy Place.
19 ‘Then
the Priest must take some of its blood
And put it on the Temple’s four corners,
And upon each of its doorposts,
As well as on the [horns of] the Altar,
And on the posts of the gate to the inner courtyard.
20 ‘And
each seventh month, they must do the same thing…
They must atone for the [Temple]
On behalf of the senseless and simple
On the first day of that month.
21 ‘Then
the fourteenth day of the first month
Will be the [start] of your Passover feasts.
Unfermented bread will be eaten
For the next seven days.
22 And on that day, the
one that’s your guide
Must offer a calf for himself,
And one for the sins of the people.
23 ‘And
during that seven-day feast,
They must bring as whole burnt-offerings to God
Seven perfect calves, and seven perfect rams on each day.
Then for sins, he must also sacrifice
A kid of the goats on each day.
24 He must prepare a
cake for each calf and each ram,
And bring olive oil for each cake.
25 ‘And
from the seventh day to the fifteenth,
He must offer the same things each day…
Whole burnt-offerings and sin sacrifices,
As well as gift offerings and oil.’
Chapter 46
1 ‘Then God Jehovah said this:
The gate to the inner courtyard
(The one that faces the east)
Must stay locked for six days each [week]…
It’s just to be opened on Sabbaths,
As well as on every New Moon.
2 ‘And
the one that is guiding will enter
Through the columned-porch gate.
Then, he will stand at its threshold
As whole burnt-offerings are made by the Priests,
Along with an offering for him,
And one for IsraEl’s salvation.
Then he’ll bow as he leaves the gate’s threshold;
And the gate won’t be locked until evening.
3 ‘Then,
on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons
The people of the land must all come,
And on that threshold, they’ll bow to Jehovah.
4 ‘Whole
burnt-offerings must be brought on the Sabbaths
By the one that is IsraEl’s guide,
Of six perfect lambs and one perfect ram,
5 As well as a gift of
cakes for the ram
And a hand-made gift sacrifice for each lamb,
Plus a quart of olive oil for each offering of cakes.
6 ‘And on
the days of the New Moons,
[He must offer] one perfect calf,
Plus six lambs and a ram
(All of which must be perfect),
7 And an offering of
cake for each ram,
An offering of cake for each calf,
A gift offering for each of the lambs
(Whatever your hands might have made),
And a quart of olive oil for each cake.
8 ‘Then,
whenever the one that is guiding comes in,
He must do it through the columned-porch gate;
And that’s also the way he must leave.
9 ‘And
when, on holidays, the people of the land
Come [to bow] to Jehovah;
They should enter through the north gate,
Then bow and leave through the south gate.
But, if they come through the south gate,
They must then leave through the north gate…
They may not return through the same gate,
And they must leave straight away.
10 ‘And
the one that serves as the guide in their midst
Must enter as they start to arrive,
And leave after they are all gone.
11 ‘And
during the festivals and holidays,
An offering of cake must be brought for each calf,
As well as one for each ram,
With whatever his hand should provide for the lambs,
Plus a quart of olive oil with each cake.
12 ‘And
if the one that is guiding should offer
A whole burnt-offering of salvation;
The gate facing the east must be opened for him.
So his whole burnt-offering must be given
Along with his things for salvation
In the same ways as he does on the Sabbaths.
And after he leaves, they must lock all the gates.
13 ‘He must
offer a perfect one-year-old lamb
As a whole burnt-offering to Jehovah,
Which he must prepare every morning,
14 Along with an
offering as a gift
Of a sixth of a measure of olive oil,
Mixed into a third measure of finest flour
As a continuous gift-offering to [God].
15 ‘The
lamb, the gift offering, and olive oil,
Must be prepared and offered at dawn,
As whole-burnt-offerings, each day.
16 ‘Then
Jehovah God said:
If the one that is guiding should choose to leave
His inheritance as a gift to his sons,
It will become the possession of his sons.
17 But if he leaves a
gift to his servant,
It will only be his ‘til The Year of Release,
And then it must be returned
To the one who’ll be serving as [IsraEl’s] guide…
But the inheritance of his sons, will be theirs.
18
‘There’s no way that the one who is guiding
May leave them an inheritance that he took from the people,
So as to tyrannize them.
He may only leave the things that he owns
As an inheritance to his own sons,
So the possessions of My people won’t be scattered.’
19 Then he
took me out the back gate to the inner chamber of the Priests in the Holy Place
(the one that faces north), and {Look!} within it I noticed a place that was
off to the side, 20 and he said
to me:
‘This is where the Priests are to boil
The offerings for all of their errors,
As well as sacrifices for their sins.
It’s where they’ll bake the gift offerings,
So that nothing will be carried through the outer courtyard,
And the people may always be holy.’
21 Then he took me to the outer courtyard and led me around its four quarters. And {Look!} on each side of the [four] courtyards was another courtyard… 22 on each of the four sides of the courtyards were smaller courtyards that measured forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide. 23 And there were inner chambers around each of the four courtyards, and cooking pits were located beneath and around the chambers.
24 And he
said to me:
‘These are the homes of the cooks,
And it’s where the sacrifices will be boiled
That the people will bring as their offerings
For those that 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 that was under 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 on south past the Altar.
2 So he led me through the north gate and took me around to the courtyard gate (the one that faces east), and {Look!} the water was flowing down along its right side.
3 There I saw a man that came out from across that place that was carrying a ruler in his hand. He then went to the source of the water and measured out a thousand [cubits]… 4 he walked into the water and measured out a thousand, and it came up to his knees. Then he measured another thousand, and the water came up to his hips. 5 And after that, he measured out another thousand, and he wasn’t able to walk through it anymore, because the water was flooding with such force that it became a [river] that couldn’t be crossed.
6 Then he
asked me:
‘O son of man; what do you see?’
7 So he led me over to the bank of the river; and when I turned around, I saw that all along 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 toward Galilee,
Then to Arabia and on to the sea.
And where it exits, the waters bring healing.
9 ‘To all
the herds, it brings life,
For all that come to this river will live!
And huge numbers of fish will also be there,
Because they’ll all come to this water
That heals and gives life to all things…
Yes, all that come to this river will live!
10 ‘Then,
fishermen from EnGedi to EnEglaim
Will come here to dry out their nets;
For there’ll be no other place like it,
Because there’ll be so many fish…
It’ll be like the fish in the Great Sea.
11 ‘But,
where it turns and then flows away,
There’s no way that it can heal [anymore];
For [those places] have been given to the salt.
12 ‘And on
each side of the banks of that river
Will grow fruit-bearing trees that will never grow old
And will never fail to bear fruit.
‘From the beginning, they’ll start doing this;
For these waters have flowed from the Most Holy.
And as these waters flow past them,
They’ll produce fruit [to be eaten],
And their leaves will bring healing to all.
13 ‘Then
Jehovah God said:
These are to be your land’s borders…
The inheritance of the sons of IsraEl’s twelve tribes;
For they’ll each be given a measured piece of ground,
14 And as brothers, they’ll
each inherit [their portion],
The same as they did when I lifted My hand
To divide it among their ancestors…
As an inheritance, this land is what they’ll pass on.
15 ‘The
northern borders of this land
Will run from the Great Sea by HethLon…
Then from the gates of 16
HaMath, BerOthah, and Sibraim
To the limits of HaMath and Damascus,
Then on to HatTicon’s courtyards
(Which are at the limits of the land of Haran).
17 ‘The
borders will run 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 ‘They’ll
run east between Haran and Damascus,
To GileAd, through IsraEl, and on to the Jordan,
Where [the Jordan] flows from the east to the sea
And through 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 be subdivided;
22 You must throw lots
for yourselves,
And for the gentiles that will live in your midst…
Those that will bear sons among you.
For, they will be yours as native-born sons
Among all the sons of IsraEl.
Along with you, they will eat,
And they’ll receive an inheritance among all your
tribes.
23 ‘Among
the tribes that they came to, they’ll live,
Along with others who’ve also been joined
And will inherit [the land],
Says Jehovah, your God.’
Chapter 48
1 ‘This is what each tribe [will inherit], by name:
‘Starting at the top in the north
To where it splits at the gates of HaMath
And to the courtyard of Enan,
Then to the borders of Damascus in the north,
Along part of the borders of HaMath,
And from there to the east and the west
Is the portion of 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)
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 to be Ephraim’s portion.
6 ‘And
from Ephraim’s borders
(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,
Is the place where they’ll offer the first-fruits.
Twenty-five thousand will be its length,
And one measured portion will be its width
From the east to the west…
And the Holy Place will be in its midst.
9 ‘There
they’ll set first-fruits aside for the Lord…
Its width is to be twenty thousand
And ten thousand long, is its length.
10 Within it, they will
store all the first-fruits
Of the holy things for the Priests.
It runs north for twenty-five thousand,
And toward the west for ten thousand,
Then toward the east for ten thousand,
And to the south for twenty-five thousand…
And the Holy Mountain and Most Holy Place
Will be located in its midst.
11 ‘This
is to be set aside for the Priests…
ZaDok’s sons that have been made holy…
Those who’ve kept watch at My Temple
And not followed the delusions of IsraEl’s sons,
Or strayed in the ways of the Levites.
12 ‘This
must be given to them as their first-fruits
From all the first-fruits that come from the land…
A Holy of Holies from the borders of the Levites.
13 ‘And
the Levites will also be given their portions
Next to the borders of the Priests.
Its length is to be twenty-five thousand,
And it will be ten-thousand wide.
The whole length is twenty-five thousand,
And ten thousand will be its full width.
14 ‘No
part [of this land] may be purchased
Or measured out to be sold,
Nor may its first fruits be taken away;
For it is all holy to Jehovah.
15 ‘But,
concerning the extra five thousand
Amid that twenty-five thousand;
There’ll be a place around the city wall
Where they will [then build their] homes…
And the city will be there in its midst.
16 ‘And
this is how it is measured:
From the borders toward the north; four thousand five hundred.
From the borders toward the south; four thousand five hundred.
From the borders toward the east; four thousand five hundred.
From the borders toward the west; four thousand five hundred.
17 ‘Then
to the north of the city, there also will be
A space that measures two hundred and fifty;
Then 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 first-fruits of the Holy Place,
Which will measure ten thousand toward the east,
Plus ten thousand more toward the west.
This is for the Holy Place of the first-fruits,
Which is where the bread will also be [baked]
For those that will work in the city.
19 And those that will
work in this city
Will come from each of IsraEl’s tribes.
20 ‘The
first-fruits is twenty-five thousand
And squared by twenty-five thousand.
You must place it next to the city
As the first-fruits of the Holy Place.
21 ‘And
an extra space must be set aside
On behalf of the one that serves as the guide.
It must run from this side to that side,
Between the Holy Place’s first-fruits.
‘The part that is his in the city
Will be twenty-five thousand from east to west
And twenty-five thousand along the west side…
It’s the portion of the one that serves as the guide,
And 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
(In the mist of their part of the city)
Will be the place for the one that’s the guide…
Between Judah and BenJamin’s borders
Will belong to the one that’s the guide.
23 ‘And
what’s left of that which belongs to the tribes
(From the eastern borders to those in the west)
Will be BenJamin’s portion.
24 ‘And
from BenJamin’s borders
(From the east to the west)
Will be Simeon’s portion.
25 ‘And
from Simeon’s borders
(From the east to the west)
Will be IsSachar’s portion.
26 ‘And
from IsSachar’s borders
(From the east to the west)
Is to be ZebuLun’s portion.
27 ‘And
from the ZebuLun’s borders
(From the east to the west,
Will be 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 ‘These
are the lands in which you’ll throw lots
For those among IsraEl’s tribes;
And these are to be their tribes’ borders,
Says Jehovah, your God.
30 ‘The
northern access to the city
Must be four thousand five hundred;
31 And the city gates
must carry the names
Of each of IsraEl’s twelve tribes.
‘The three gates toward the north will include
The Gates of ReuBen, Judah, and Levi.
32 And the three gates
toward the east
(Four thousand, five hundred)
Are the Gates of BenJamin, JoSeph, and Dan.
33 And the three gates
toward the south
(Four thousand, five hundred)
Are the Gates of SimeOn, IsSachar, and ZebuLun.
34 And the three gates
toward the west
(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.’
The Ancient Scriptures of Israel
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
The Christian Era Scriptures
Note that this is the legacy version of the translation last updated in December 2020. You can also see the latest version.