Prophecies about Judah and Jerusalem before the Captivity

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Home -> Major Sections of the Bible -> Ezekiel 4:1 - Ezekiel 24:27

Ezekiel 4:1 - Ezekiel 24:27

Ezekiel 4

Siege of Jerusalem Foretold

"You also, son of man, take a tile, and lay it before yourself, and portray on it a city, even Jerusalem.

Lay siege against it, build forts against it, and cast up a mound against it. Also set camps against it and plant battering rams against it all around.

Take for yourself an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between you and the city. Then set your face toward it. It will be besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.

"Moreover lie on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. According to the number of the days that you shall lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.

For I have appointed the years of their iniquity to be to you a number of days, even three hundred ninety days. So you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

"Again, when you have accomplished these, you shall lie on your right side, and shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah. I have appointed forty days, each day for a year, to you.

You shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem, with your arm uncovered; and you shall prophesy against it.

Behold, I put ropes on you, and you shall not turn yourself from one side to the other, until you have accomplished the days of your siege.

"Take for yourself also wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel. Make bread of it. According to the number of the days that you will lie on your side, even three hundred ninety days, you shall eat of it.

Your food which you shall eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day. From time to time you shall eat it.

You shall drink water by measure, the sixth part of a hin. From time to time you shall drink.

You shall eat it as barley cakes, and you shall bake it in their sight with dung that comes out of man."

The LORD said, "Even thus will the children of Israel eat their bread unclean, among the nations where I will drive them."

Then I said, "Ah Lord God! Behold, my soul has not been polluted; for from my youth up even until now I have not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn of animals. No abominable meat has come into my mouth!"

Then he said to me, "Behold, I have given you cow's dung for man's dung, and you shall prepare your bread on it."

Moreover he said to me, "Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem. They will eat bread by weight, and with fearfulness. They will drink water by measure, and in dismay;

that they may lack bread and water, be dismayed one with another, and pine away in their iniquity.

Ezekiel 5

Jerusalem's Famine, Plague, Attack, and Dispersion Foretold

"You, son of man, take a sharp sword. You shall take it as a barber's razor to yourself, and shall cause it to pass over your head and over your beard. Then take balances to weigh and divide the hair.

A third part you shall burn in the fire in the middle of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled. You shall take a third part, and strike with the sword around it. A third part you shall scatter to the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.

You shall take of it a few in number, and bind them in the folds of your robe.

Of these again you shall take, and cast them into the middle of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From it a fire will come out into all the house of Israel.

"Thus says the Lord God: 'This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the middle of the nations, and countries are around her.

She has rebelled against my ordinances in doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries that are around her; for they have rejected my ordinances, and as for my statutes, they have not walked in them.'

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are around you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my ordinances, neither have followed the ordinances of the nations that are around you;

therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I, even I, am against you; and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations.

I will do in you that which I have not done, and which I will not do anything like it any more, because of all your abominations.

Therefore the fathers will eat the sons within you, and the sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments on you; and I will scatter the whole remnant of you to all the winds.

Therefore as I live,' says the Lord God, 'surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things, and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you. My eye won't spare, and I will have no pity.

A third part of you will die with the pestilence, and they will be consumed with famine within you. A third part will fall by the sword around you. A third part I will scatter to all the winds, and will draw out a sword after them.

"'Thus my anger will be accomplished, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I will be comforted. They will know that I, The LORD, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath on them.

"'Moreover I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations that are around you, in the sight of all that pass by.

So it will be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes-I, The LORD, have spoken it-

when I send on them the evil arrows of famine that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. I will increase the famine on you, and will break your staff of bread.

I will send on you famine and evil animals, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood will pass through you. I will bring the sword on you. I, The LORD, have spoken it.'"

Ezekiel 6

The Judgment of Israel for Idolatry; Yet will I leave a remnant

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy to them,

and say, 'You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord the LORD to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: "Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.

Your altars will become desolate, and your incense altars will be broken. I will cast down your slain men before your idols.

I will lay the dead bodies of the children of Israel before their idols. I will scatter your bones around your altars.

In all your dwelling places, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am The LORD.

"'"Yet I will leave a remnant, in that you will have some that escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries.

Those of you that escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken with their lewd heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the prostitute after their idols. Then they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

They will know that I am The LORD. I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them."'

"Thus says the Lord God: 'Strike with your hand, and stamp with your foot, and say, "Alas!" Because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel; for they will fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

He who is far off will die of the pestilence. He who is near will fall by the sword. He who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus I will accomplish my wrath on them.

You will know that I am The LORD, when their slain men are among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the places where they offered pleasant aroma to all their idols.

I will stretch out my hand on them, and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their habitations. Then they will know that I am The LORD.'"

Ezekiel 7

The End has Come to the Four Corners of the Land

Moreover The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"You, son of man, thus says the Lord the LORD to the land of Israel, 'An end! The end has come on the four corners of the land.

Now is the end on you, and I will send my anger on you, and will judge you according to your ways. I will bring on you all your abominations.

My eye will not spare you, neither will I have pity; but I will bring your ways on you, and your abominations will be among you. Then you will know that I am The LORD.'

"Thus says the Lord God: 'An evil! A unique evil! Behold, it comes.

An end has come. The end has come! It awakes against you. Behold, it comes.

Your doom has come to you, inhabitant of the land! The time has come! The day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting, on the mountains.

Now I will shortly pour out my wrath on you, and accomplish my anger against you, and will judge you according to your ways. I will bring on you all your abominations.

My eye won't spare, neither will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways. Your abominations will be among you. Then you will know that I, The LORD, strike.

"'Behold, the day! Behold, it comes! Your doom has gone out. The rod has blossomed. Pride has budded.

Violence has risen up into a rod of wickedness. None of them will remain, nor of their multitude, nor of their wealth. There will be nothing of value among them.

The time has come! The day draws near. Don't let the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn; for wrath is on all its multitude.

For the seller won't return to that which is sold, although they are still alive; for the vision concerns the whole multitude of it. None will return. None will strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.

They have blown the trumpet, and have made all ready; but no one goes to the battle; for my wrath is on all its multitude.

"'The sword is outside, and the pestilence and the famine within. He who is in the field will die by the sword. He who is in the city will be devoured by famine and pestilence.

But those of those who escape, they will escape and will be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, everyone in his iniquity.

All hands will be feeble, and all knees will be weak as water.

They will also clothe themselves with sackcloth, and horror will cover them. Shame will be on all faces, and baldness on all their heads.

They will cast their silver in the streets, and their gold will be as an unclean thing. Their silver and their gold won't be able to deliver them in the day of The LORD's wrath. They won't satisfy their souls or fill their bellies; because it has been the stumbling block of their iniquity.

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty; but they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things therein. Therefore I have made it to them as an unclean thing.

I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a plunder; and they will profane it.

I will also turn my face from them, and they will profane my secret place. Robbers will enter into it, and profane it.

"'Make chains; for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.

Therefore I will bring the worst of the nations, and they will possess their houses. I will also make the pride of the strong to cease. Their holy places will be profaned.

Destruction comes! They will seek peace, and there will be none.

Mischief will come on mischief, and rumor will be on rumor. They will seek a vision of the prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders.

The king will mourn, and the prince will be clothed with desolation. The hands of the people of the land will be troubled. I will do to them after their way, and according to their own judgments I will judge them. Then they will know that I am The LORD.'"

Ezekiel 8

Ezekiel's Vision of Idolatry in the Temple

In the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, the Lord God's hand fell on me there.

Then I saw, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of fire; from the appearance of his waist and downward, fire; and from his waist and upward, as the appearance of brightness, as it were glowing metal.

He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and the sky, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looks toward the north; where there was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.

Behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the appearance that I saw in the plain.

Then he said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes now the way toward the north."So I lifted up my eyes the way toward the north, and saw, northward of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they do? Even the great abominations that the house of Israel commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But you will again see yet other great abominations."

He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold, a hole in the wall.

Then he said to me, "Son of man, dig now in the wall."When I had dug in the wall, I saw a door.

He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations that they do here."

So I went in and looked, and saw every form of creeping things, abominable animals, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed around on the wall.

Seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel stood before them. In the middle of them Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan stood, every man with his censer in his hand; and the smell of the cloud of incense went up.

Then he said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in his rooms of imagery? For they say, 'The LORD doesn't see us. the LORD has forsaken the land.'"

He said also to me, "You will again see more of the great abominations which they do."

Then he brought me to the door of the gate of The LORD's house which was toward the north; and I saw the women sit there weeping for Tammuz.

Then he said to me, "Have you seen this, son of man? You will again see yet greater abominations than these."

He brought me into the inner court of The LORD's house; and I saw at the door of The LORD's temple, between the porch and the altar, there were about twenty-five men, with their backs toward The LORD's temple, and their faces toward the east. They were worshiping the sun toward the east.

Then he said to me, "Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger. Behold, they put the branch to their nose.

Therefore will I also deal in wrath. My eye won't spare, neither will I have pity. Though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them."

Ezekiel 9

The Vision of Slaughter of Idolaters

Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, "Cause those who are in charge of the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand."

Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand. One man in the middle of them was clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.

The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side.

The LORD said to him, "Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it."

To the others he said in my hearing, "Go through the city after him, and strike. Don't let your eye spare, neither have pity.

Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don't come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary."Then they began at the old men who were before the house.

He said to them, "Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!"They went out, and struck in the city.

While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, "Ah Lord God! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?"

Then he said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD doesn't see.'

As for me also, my eye won't spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head."

Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, "I have done as you have commanded me."

Ezekiel 10

Vision of God's Glory Departing from the Temple

Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, "Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city."He went in as I watched.

Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

The LORD's glory mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of The LORD's glory.

The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, "Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim," that he went in, and stood beside a wheel.

The cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.

The form of a man's hand appeared here in the cherubim under their wings.

I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone.

As for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, like a wheel within a wheel.

When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn't turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it. They didn't turn as they went.

Their whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had.

As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, "the whirling wheels".

Every one them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the face of a lion. The fourth was the face of an eagle.

The cherubim mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar.

When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also didn't turn from beside them.

When they stood, these stood. When they mounted up, these mounted up with them; for the spirit of the living creature was in them.

The LORD's glory went out from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.

The cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they stood at the door of the east gate of The LORD's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.

Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They each went straight forward.

Ezekiel 11

Evil Rulers to Be Judged; Israel's Promised Return

Moreover the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of The LORD's house, which looks eastward. Behold, twenty-five men were at the door of the gate; and I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

He said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;

who say, 'The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.'

Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man."

The LORD's Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, "Speak, 'The LORD says: "Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.

"'Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the meat, and this is the cauldron; but you will be brought out of the middle of it.

You have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword on you," says the Lord God.

"I will bring you out of the middle of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.

You will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am The LORD.

This will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel.

You will know that I am The LORD, for you have not walked in my statutes, You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you."'"

When I prophesied, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down on my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, "Ah Lord God! will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, the men of your relatives, and all the house of Israel, all of them, are they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, 'Go far away from The LORD. This land has been given to us for a possession.'"

"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come."'

"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel."

"'They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.

I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;

that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

But as for them whose heart walks after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way on their own heads,' says the Lord God."

Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them. The glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

The LORD's glory went up from the middle of the city, and stood on the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the captives.So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

Then I spoke to the captives all the things that the LORD had shown me.

Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel Fears for Exile

The LORD's word also came to me, saying,

"Son of man, you dwell in the middle of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see, and don't see, who have ears to hear, and don't hear; for they are a rebellious house.

"Therefore, you son of man, prepare your stuff for moving, and move by day in their sight. You shall move from your place to another place in their sight. It may be they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.

You shall bring out your stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for moving. You shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as when men go out into exile.

Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your stuff out that way.

In their sight you shall bear it on your shoulder, and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face, so that you don't see the land, for I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel."

I did so as I was commanded. I brought out my stuff by day, as stuff for moving, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought it out in the dark, and bore it on my shoulder in their sight.

In the morning, The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, hasn't the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?'

"Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel among whom they are."'

"Say, 'I am your sign. As I have done, so will it be done to them. They will go into exile, into captivity.

"'The prince who is among them will bear on his shoulder in the dark, and will go out. They will dig through the wall to carry things out that way. He will cover his face, because he will not see the land with his eyes.

I will also spread my net on him, and he will be taken in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, though he will die there.

I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his bands. I will draw out the sword after them.

"'They will know that I am the LORD when I disperse them among the nations, and scatter them through the countries.

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come. Then they will know that I am The LORD.'"

Moreover The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and with fearfulness.

Tell the people of the land, 'Thus says the Lord the LORD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the land of Israel: "They will eat their bread with fearfulness, and drink their water in dismay, that her land may be desolate, and all that is therein, because of the violence of all those who dwell therein.

The cities that are inhabited will be laid waste, and the land will be a desolation. Then you will know that I am The LORD."'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, 'The days are prolonged, and every vision fails?'

Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord God: "I will make this proverb to cease, and they will no more use it as a proverb in Israel;"' but tell them, '"The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.

For there will be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

For I am The LORD. I will speak, and the word that I speak will be performed. It will be no more deferred; for in your days, rebellious house, I will speak the word, and will perform it," says the Lord God.'"

Again The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, 'The vision that he sees is for many day to come, and he prophesies of times that are far off.'

"Therefore tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "None of my words will be deferred any more, but the word which I speak will be performed," says the Lord God.'"

Ezekiel 13

Reproof of False Prophets

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, 'Hear The LORD's word:

Thus says the Lord God, "Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.

You have not gone up into the gaps or built up the wall for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in The LORD's day.

They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, 'The LORD says;' but the LORD has not sent them. They have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.

Haven't you seen a false vision, and haven't you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, 'The LORD says;' but I have not spoken?"

"'Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you," says the Lord God.

"My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord God"

"'Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, "Peace;" and there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, behold, they plaster it with whitewash.

Tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, will fall. A stormy wind will tear it.

Behold, when the wall has fallen, won't it be said to you, "Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?"

"'Therefore thus says the Lord God: "I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath. There will be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.

So will I break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the middle of it. Then you will know that I am The LORD.

Thus will I accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash. I will tell you, 'The wall is no more, neither those who plastered it;

to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace,'" says the Lord God.'"

You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,

and say, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Woe to the women who sew pillows on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?

You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die, and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.'

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I am against your pillows, with which you hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms. I will let the souls go, even the souls whom you hunt to make them fly.

I will also tear your kerchiefs, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they will be no more in your hand to be hunted. Then you will know that I am The LORD.

Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive.

Therefore you shall no more see false visions, nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am The LORD.'"

Ezekiel 14

Idolaters Condemned; Judgment Is Imminent

Then some of the elders of Israel came to me, and sat before me.

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?

Therefore speak to them, and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols;

that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols."'

"Therefore tell the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Return, and turn yourselves from your idols! Turn away your faces from all your abominations.

"'"For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live in Israel, who separates himself from me, and takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I the LORD will answer him by myself.

I will set my face against that man, and will make him an astonishment, for a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among my people. Then you will know that I am The LORD.

"'"If the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, The LORD, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand on him, and will destroy him from among my people Israel.

They will bear their iniquity. The iniquity of the prophet will be even as the iniquity of him who seeks him;

that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God," says the Lord God.'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, when a land sins against me by committing a trespass, and I stretch out my hand on it, and break the staff of its bread, and send famine on it, and cut off from it man and animal;

though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness," says the Lord God.

"If I cause evil animals to pass through the land, and they ravage it, and it is made desolate, so that no man may pass through because of the animals;

though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord God, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only would be delivered, but the land would be desolate.

"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off from it man and animal;'

though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord God, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only would be delivered themselves.

"Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my wrath on it in blood, to cut off from it man and animal;

though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live," says the Lord God, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness."

For thus says the Lord God: "How much more when I send my four severe judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, the famine, the evil animals, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and animal!

Yet, behold, there will be left a remnant in it that will be carried out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they will come out to you, and you will see their way and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought on it.

They will comfort you, when you see their way and their doings; then you will know that I have not done all that I have done in it without cause," says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 15

Jerusalem Is Like a Useless Branch

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and the middle of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work?

Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it has been burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?"

Therefore thus says the Lord God: "As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

I will set my face against them. They will go out from the fire, but the fire will devour them. Then you will know that I am The LORD, when I set my face against them.

I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass," says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 16

Unfaithful Jerusalem and God's Grace

Again The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;

and say, 'Thus says the Lord the LORD to Jerusalem: "Your origin and your birth is of the land of the Canaanite. An Amorite was your father, and your mother was a Hittite.

As for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut. You weren't washed in water to cleanse you. You weren't salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you, to have compassion on you; but you were cast out in the open field, because you were abhorred in the day that you were born.

"'"When I passed by you, and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you, 'Though you are in your blood, live!' Yes, I said to you, 'Though you are in your blood, live!'

I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament. Your breasts were formed, and your hair grew; yet you were naked and bare.

"'"Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you," says the Lord God, "and you became mine.

"'"Then washed I you with water. Yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.

I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin shoes on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.

I decked you with ornaments. put bracelets on your hands, and a chain on your neck.

I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.

Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.

Your renown went out among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you," says the Lord God.

"'"But you trusted in your beauty, and played the prostitute because of your renown, and poured out your prostitution on everyone who passed by. It was his.

You took some of your garments, and made for yourselves high places decked with various colors, and played the prostitute on them. This shall not happen, neither shall it be.

You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and played the prostitute with them.

You took your embroidered garments, covered them, and set my oil and my incense before them.

My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before them for a pleasant aroma; and so it was," says the Lord God.

"'"Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me, and you have sacrificed these to them to be devoured. Was your prostitution a small matter,

that you have slain my children, and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire to them?

In all your abominations and your prostitution you have not remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and were wallowing in your blood.

"'"It has happened after all your wickedness. Woe, woe to you!" says the Lord God,

"that you have built for yourselves a vaulted place, and have made yourselves a lofty place in every street.

You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution.

You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.

See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have diminished your portion, and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way.

You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with them, and yet you weren't satisfied.

You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of merchants, to Chaldea; and yet you weren't satisfied with this.

"'"How weak is your heart," says the Lord God, "since you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;

in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a prostitute, in that you scorn pay.

"'"A wife who commits adultery! Who takes strangers instead of her husband!

People give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side for your prostitution.

You are different from other women in your prostitution, in that no one follows you to play the prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different."'

"Therefore, prostitute, hear The LORD's word:

'Thus says the Lord God, "Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;

therefore see, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have taken pleasure, and all those who you have loved, with all those who you have hated. I will even gather them against you on every side, and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.

I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.

I will also give you into their hand, and they will throw down your vaulted place, and break down your lofty places. They will strip you of your clothes, and take your beautiful jewels. They will leave you naked and bare.

They will also bring up a company against you, and they will stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.

They will burn your houses with fire, and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. I will cause you to cease from playing the prostitute, and you will also give no hire any more.

So will I cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy will depart from you. I will be quiet, and will not be angry any more.

"'"Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have raged against me in all these things; therefore, behold, I also will bring your way on your head," says the Lord God: "and you shall not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.

"'"Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying, 'As is the mother, so is her daughter.'

You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom with her daughters.

Yet you have not walked in their ways, nor done their abominations; but soon you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.

As I live," says the Lord God, "Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.

"'"Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters. She also didn't strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

They were haughty, and committed abomination before me. Therefore I took them away when I saw it.

Samaria hasn't committed half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.

You also bear your own shame yourself, in that you have given judgment for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than you. Yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.

"'"I will reverse their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and the captivity of your captives among them;

that you may bear your own shame, and may be ashamed because of all that you have done, in that you are a comfort to them.

Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, will return to their former estate; and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former estate; and you and your daughters will return to your former estate.

For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride,

before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all who are around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who despise you all around.

You have borne your lewdness and your abominations," says The LORD.

"'For thus says the Lord God: "I will also deal with you as you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant.

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.

I will establish my covenant with you. Then you will know that I am The LORD;

that you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more, because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all that you have done," says the Lord God.'"

Ezekiel 17

Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;

and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "A great eagle with great wings and long feathers, full of feathers, which had various colors, came to Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar.

He cropped off the topmost of its young twigs, and carried it to a land of traffic. He planted it in a city of merchants.

"'"He also took some of the seed of the land, and planted it in fruitful soil. He placed it beside many waters. He set it as a willow tree.

It grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and its roots were under him. So it became a vine, produced branches, and shot out sprigs.

"'"There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. Behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot out its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it might produce branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a good vine."'

"Say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Will it prosper? Won't he pull up its roots, and cut off its fruit, that it may wither; that all its fresh springing leaves may wither? It can't be raised from its roots by a strong arm or many people.

Yes, behold, being planted, will it prosper? Won't it utterly wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the beds where it grew."'"

Moreover The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Say now to the rebellious house, 'Don't you know what these things mean?' Tell them, 'Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took its king, and its princes, and brought them to him to Babylon.

He took some of the royal offspring, and made a covenant with him. He also brought him under an oath, and took away the mighty of the land;

that the kingdom might be brought low, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?

"'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the middle of Babylon he will die.

Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company won't help him in the war, when they cast up mounds and build forts, to cut off many persons.

For he has despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet has done all these things. He won't escape.

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'As I live, I will surely bring on his own head my oath that he has despised and my covenant that he has broken.

I will spread my net on him, and he will be taken in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, and will enter into judgment with him there for his trespass that he has trespassed against me.

All his fugitives in all his bands will fall by the sword, and those who remain will be scattered toward every wind. Then you will know that I, The LORD, have spoken it.'

"Thus says the Lord God: 'I will also take some of the lofty top of the cedar, and will plant it. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

I will plant it in the mountain of the height of Israel; and it will produce boughs, and bear fruit, and be a good cedar. Birds of every kind will dwell in the shade of its branches.

All the trees of the field will know that I, The LORD, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree flourish.I, The LORD, have spoken and have done it.'"

Ezekiel 18

God Defends His Justice and Exhorts to Repentance

The LORD's word came to me again, saying,

"What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying,'The fathers have eaten sour grapes,and the children's teeth are set on edge'?

"As I live," says the Lord God, "you shall not use this proverb any more in Israel.

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul who sins, he shall die.

"But if a man is just,and does that which is lawful and right,

and has not eaten on the mountains,hasn't lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,hasn't defiled his neighbor's wife,hasn't come near a woman in her impurity,

and has not wronged any,but has restored to the debtor his pledge,has taken nothing by robbery,has given his bread to the hungry,and has covered the naked with a garment;

he who hasn't lent to them with interest,hasn't taken any increase from them,who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity,has executed true justice between man and man,

has walked in my statutes,and has kept my ordinances,to deal truly;he is just,he shall surely live," says the Lord God.

"If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things,

or who does not do any of those things,but even has eaten at the mountain shrines,and defiled his neighbor's wife,

has wronged the poor and needy,has taken by robbery,has not restored the pledge,and has lifted up his eyes to the idols,has committed abomination,

has lent with interest,and has taken increase from the poor;shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die. His blood will be on him.

"Now, behold, if he fathers a son, who sees all his father's sins, which he has done, and fears, and does not such like;

who hasn't eaten on the mountains,hasn't lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,hasn't defiled his neighbor's wife,

hasn't wronged any,hasn't taken anything to pledge,hasn't taken by robbery,but has given his bread to the hungry,and has covered the naked with a garment;

who has withdrawn his hand from the poor,who hasn't received interest or increase,has executed my ordinances,has walked in my statutes;he shall not die for the iniquity of his father. He shall surely live.

As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he will die in his iniquity.

"Yet you say, 'Why doesn't the son bear the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he will surely live.

The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.

"But if the wicked turns from all his sins that he has committed, and keeps all my statutes, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.

None of his transgressions that he has committed will be remembered against him. In his righteousness that he has done, he shall live.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?" says the Lord God; "and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

"But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, should he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done will be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren't your ways unequal?

When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done he shall die.

Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive.

Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live. He shall not die.

Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' House of Israel, aren't my ways fair? Aren't your ways unfair?

"Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity will not be your ruin.

Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?

For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn yourselves, and live!

Ezekiel 19

Lament for the Princes of Israel: Parable of the Lion's Whelps

"Moreover, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,

and say,'What was your mother?A lioness.She couched among lions,in the middle of the young lions she nourished her cubs.

She brought up one of her cubs.He became a young lion.He learned to catch the prey.He devoured men.

The nations also heard of him.He was taken in their pit;and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt.

"'Now when she saw that she had waited,and her hope was lost,then she took another of her cubs,and made him a young lion.

He went up and down among the lions.He became a young lion.He learned to catch the prey.He devoured men.

He knew their palaces,and laid waste their cities.The land was desolate,with its fullness,because of the noise of his roaring.

Then the nations attacked him on every side from the provinces.They spread their net over him.He was taken in their pit.

They put him in a cage with hooks,and brought him to the king of Babylon.They brought him into strongholds,so that his voice should no more be heard on the mountains of Israel.

"'Your mother was like a vinein your blood,planted by the waters.It was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

It had strong branches for the scepters of those who ruled.Their stature was exalted among the thick boughs.They were seen in their heightwith the multitude of their branches.

But it was plucked up in fury.It was cast down to the ground,and the east wind dried up its fruit.Its strong branches were broken off and withered.The fire consumed them.

Now it is planted in the wilderness,in a dry and thirsty land.

Fire has gone out of its branches.It has devoured its fruit,so that there is in it no strong branch to be a scepter to rule.'This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."

Ezekiel 20

God Refuses the Elders of Israel; Destruction and Restoration of Jerusalem

In the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of The LORD, and sat before me.

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live," says the Lord God, "I will not be inquired of by you."'

"Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.

Tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, 'I am the LORD your God;'

in that day I swore to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

I said to them, 'Each of you throw away the abominations of his eyes. Don't defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'

"'"But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me. They didn't all throw away the abominations of their eyes. They also didn't forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt.

But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

So I caused them to go out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them.

Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

"'"But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keeps, he shall live in them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.

But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

because they rejected my ordinances, and didn't walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.

Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn't destroy them. I didn't make a full end of them in the wilderness.

I said to their children in the wilderness, 'Don't walk in the statutes of your fathers. Don't observe their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.

I am the LORD your God. Walk in my statutes, keep my ordinances, and do them.

Make my Sabbaths holy. They shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.'

"'"But the children rebelled against me. They didn't walk in my statutes, and didn't keep my ordinances to do them, which if a man does, he shall live in them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;

because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they should not live.

I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused all that opens the womb to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am The LORD."'

"Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Moreover, in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

For when I had brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There they also made their pleasant aroma, and there they poured out their drink offerings.

Then I said to them, 'What does the high place where you go mean?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."'20:29"Bamah" means "High Place".

"Therefore tell the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? Do you play the prostitute after their abominations?

When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you!

"'"That which comes into your mind will not be at all, in that you say, 'We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.'

As I live, says the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you.

I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out.

I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.

Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you," says the Lord God.

"I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who disobey me. I will bring them out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am The LORD."

"'As for you, house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: "Go, everyone serve his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but you shall no more profane my holy name with your gifts and with your idols.

For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel," says the Lord God, "there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.

I will accept you as a pleasant aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered. I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

You will know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.

There you will remember your ways, and all your deeds in which you have polluted yourselves. Then you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.

You will know that I am The LORD, when I have dealt with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel," says the Lord God.'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, set your face toward the south, and preach toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South.

Tell the forest of the South, 'Hear The LORD's word: Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.

All flesh will see that I, The LORD, have kindled it. It will not be quenched."'"

Then I said, "Ah Lord God! They say of me, 'Isn't he a speaker of parables?'"

Ezekiel 21

Parable of the Sharp and Bright Sword

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and preach toward the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel.

Tell the land of Israel, 'The LORD says: "Behold, I am against you, and will draw my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.

Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north.

All flesh will know that I, The LORD, have drawn my sword out of its sheath. It will not return any more."'

"Therefore sigh, you son of man. You shall sigh before their eyes with a broken heart and with bitterness.

It shall be, when they ask you, 'Why do you sigh?' that you shall say, 'Because of the news, for it comes! Every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes, and it shall be done, says the Lord God.'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, prophesy, and say, 'The LORD says:"A sword! A sword!It is sharpened,and also polished.

It is sharpened that it may make a slaughter.It is polished that it may be as lightning.Should we then make mirth?The rod of my son condemns every tree.

It is given to be polished,that it may be handled.The sword is sharpened.Yes, it is polishedto give it into the hand of the killer."'

Cry and wail, son of man;for it is on my people.It is on all the princes of Israel.They are delivered over to the sword with my people.Therefore beat your thigh.

"For there is a trial. What if even the rod that condemns will be no more?" says the Lord God.

"You therefore, son of man, prophesy,and strike your hands together.Let the sword be doubled the third time,the sword of the fatally wounded.It is the sword of the great one who is fatally wounded,which enters into their rooms.

I have set the threatening sword against all their gates,that their heart may melt,and their stumblings be multiplied.Ah! It is made as lightning.It is pointed for slaughter.

Gather yourselves together.Go to the right.Set yourselves in array.Go to the left,wherever your face is set.

I will also strike my hands together,and I will cause my wrath to rest.I, The LORD, have spoken it."

The LORD's word came to me again, saying,

"Also, you son of man, appoint two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come. They both will come out of one land, and mark out a place. Mark it out at the head of the way to the city.

You shall appoint a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.

For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shook the arrows back and forth. He consulted the teraphim. He looked in the liver.

In his right hand was the lot for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounds, and to build forts.

It will be to them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths to them; but he brings iniquity to memory, that they may be taken.

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Because you have caused your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear; because you have come to memory, you will be taken with the hand.

"'You, deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day has come, in the time of the iniquity of the end,

thus says the Lord God: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown. This will not be as it was. Exalt that which is low, and humble that which is high.

I will overturn, overturn, overturn it. This also will be no more, until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it."'

"You, son of man, prophesy, and say, 'The Lord the LORD says this concerning the children of Ammon, and concerning their reproach:"A sword! A sword is drawn!It is polished for the slaughter,to cause it to devour,that it may be as lightning;

while they see for you false visions,while they divine lies to you,to lay you on the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded,whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.

Cause it to return into its sheath.In the place where you were created,in the land of your birth, I will judge you.

I will pour out my indignation on you.I will blow on you with the fire of my wrath.I will deliver you into the hand of brutish men,skillful to destroy.

You will be for fuel to the fire.Your blood will be in the middle of the land.You will be remembered no more;for I, The LORD, have spoken it."'"

Ezekiel 22

A Catalogue of Sins in Jerusalem

Moreover The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.

You shall say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her!

You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come even to your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries.

Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult.

"'"Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood.

In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow.22:7Literally,made light of father and mother.

You have despised my holy things, and have profaned my Sabbaths.

Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you.

In you have they uncovered their fathers' nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity.

One has committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father's daughter.

In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me," says the Lord God.

"'"Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you.

Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, The LORD, have spoken it, and will do it.

I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you.

You will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am The LORD."'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are brass, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver.

Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.

As they gather silver, brass, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will lay you there, and melt you.

Yes, I will gather you, and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you will be melted in the middle of it.

As silver is melted in the middle of the furnace, so you will be melted in the middle of it; and you will know that I, The LORD, have poured out my wrath on you.'"

The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, tell her, 'You are a land that is not cleansed, nor rained on in the day of indignation.'

There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made many widows within it.

Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths. So I am profaned among them.

Her princes within it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.

Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord God,' when the LORD has not spoken.

The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. Yes, they have troubled the poor and needy, and have oppressed the foreigner wrongfully.

"I sought for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their own way on their heads," says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 23

Oholah and Oholibah's Sin and Judgment

The LORD's word came again to me, saying,

"Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother.

They played the prostitute in Egypt. They played the prostitute in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their youthful nipples were caressed there.

Their names were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah.

"Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine. She doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors,

who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.

She gave herself as a prostitute to them, all of them the choicest men of Assyria. She defiled herself with the idols of whoever she lusted after.

She hasn't left her prostitution since leaving Egypt; for in her youth they lay with her. They carressed her youthful nipples; and they poured out their prostitution on her.

"Therefore I delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, on whom she doted.

These uncovered her nakedness. They took her sons and her daughters; and they killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women; for they executed judgments on her.

"Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more corrupt in her lusting than she, and in her prostitution which was more depraved than the prostitution of her sister.

She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and rulers, her neighbors, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men.

I saw that she was defiled. They both went the same way.

"She increased her prostitution; for she saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with red,

dressed with belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like princes, after the likeness of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.

As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.

The Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their prostitution. She was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them.

So she uncovered her prostitution and uncovered her nakedness. Then my soul was alienated from her, just like my soul was alienated from her sister.

Yet she multiplied her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth, in which she had played the prostitute in the land of Egypt.

She lusted after their lovers, whose flesh is as the flesh of donkeys, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.

Thus you called to memory the lewdness of your youth, in the caressing of your nipples by the Egyptians because of your youthful breasts.

"Therefore, Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I will raise up your lovers against you, from whom your soul is alienated, and I will bring them against you on every side:

the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, Koa, and all the Assyrians with them; all of them desirable young men, governors and rulers, princes and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.

They will come against you with weapons, chariots, and wagons, and with a company of peoples. They will set themselves against you with buckler, shield, and helmet all around. I will commit the judgment to them, and they will judge you according to their judgments.

I will set my jealousy against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will take away your nose and your ears. Your remnant will fall by the sword. They will take your sons and your daughters; and the rest of you will be devoured by the fire.

They will also strip you of your clothes, and take away your beautiful jewels.

Thus I will make your lewdness to cease from you, and remove your prostitution from the land of Egypt; so that you will not lift up your eyes to them, nor remember Egypt any more.'

"For thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I will deliver you into the hand of them whom you hate, into the hand of them from whom your soul is alienated.

They will deal with you in hatred, and will take away all your labor, and will leave you naked and bare. The nakedness of your prostitution will be uncovered, both your lewdness and your prostitution.

These things will be done to you, because you have played the prostitute after the nations, and because you are polluted with their idols.

You have walked in the way of your sister; therefore will I give her cup into your hand.'

"Thus says the Lord God:'You will drink of your sister's cup,which is deep and large.You will be ridiculed and held in derision.It contains much.

You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow,with the cup of astonishment and desolation,with the cup of your sister Samaria.

You will even drink it and drain it out.You will gnaw the broken pieces of it,and will tear your breasts;for I have spoken it,' says the Lord God.

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Because you have forgotten me, and cast me behind your back, therefore you also bear your lewdness and your prostitution.'"

The LORD said moreover to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.

For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured.

Moreover this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my Sabbaths.

For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and behold, they have done this in the middle of my house.

"Furthermore you sisters have sent for men who come from far away, to whom a messenger was sent, and behold, they came; for whom you washed yourself, painted your eyes, decorated yourself with ornaments,

and sat on a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon you set my incense and my oil.

"The voice of a multitude being at ease was with her. With men of the common sort were brought drunkards from the wilderness; and they put bracelets on their hands, and beautiful crowns on their heads.

Then I said of her who was old in adulteries, 'Now they will play the prostitute with her, and she with them.'

They went in to her, as they go in to a prostitute. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the lewd women.

Righteous men will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

"For thus says the Lord God: 'I will bring up a mob against them, and will give them to be tossed back and forth and robbed.

The company will stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords. They will kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.

"'Thus I will cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to be lewd like you.

They will recompense your lewdness on you, and you will bear the sins of your idols. Then you will know that I am the Lord God.'"

Ezekiel 24

Parable of the Boiling Pot; Ezekiel's Wife Dies

Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.

Utter a parable to the rebellious house, and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God,"Put the cauldron on the fire.Put it on,and also pour water into it.

Gather its pieces into it,even every good piece:the thigh and the shoulder.Fill it with the choice bones.

Take the choice of the flock,and also a pile of wood for the bones under the cauldron.Make it boil well.Yes, let its bones be boiled within it."

"'Therefore thus says the Lord God:"Woe to the bloody city,to the cauldron whose rust is in it,and whose rust hasn't gone out of it!Take out of it piece after piece.No lot is fallen on it.

"'"For her blood is in the middle of her.She set it on the bare rock.She didn't pour it on the ground,to cover it with dust.

That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance,I have set her blood on the bare rock,that it should not be covered."

"'Therefore thus says the Lord God:"Woe to the bloody city!I also will make the pile great.

Heap on the wood.Make the fire hot.Boil the meat well.Make the broth thick,and let the bones be burned.

Then set it empty on its coals,that it may be hot,and its brass may burn,and that its filthiness may be molten in it,that its rust may be consumed.

She is weary with toil;yet her great rust,rust by fire, doesn't leave her.

"'"In your filthiness is lewdness. Because I have cleansed you and you weren't cleansed, you won't be cleansed from your filthiness any more, until I have caused my wrath toward you to rest.

I, The LORD, have spoken it. It will happen, and I will do it. I won't go back. I won't spare. I won't repent. According to your ways, and according to your doings, they will judge you," says the Lord God.'"

Also The LORD's word came to me, saying,

"Son of man, behold, I will take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down.

Sigh, but not aloud. Make no mourning for the dead. Bind your headdress on you, and put your shoes on your feet. Don't cover your lips, and don't eat mourner's bread."

So I spoke to the people in the morning; and at evening my wife died. So I did in the morning as I was commanded.

The people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things are to us, that you do so?"

Then I said to them, "The LORD's word came to me, saying,

'Speak to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pities; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.

You will do as I have done. You won't cover your lips or eat mourner's bread.

Your turbans will be on your heads, and your shoes on your feet. You won't mourn or weep; but you will pine away in your iniquities, and moan one toward another.

Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done, you will do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God.'"'"

"You, son of man, shouldn't it be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their heart, their sons and their daughters,

that in that day he who escapes will come to you, to cause you to hear it with your ears?

In that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped, and you shall speak, and be no more mute. So you will be a sign to them. Then they will know that I am The LORD."