Ezekiel 47:1-9
Revised Standard Version
Water Flowing from the Temple
47 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 2 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces toward the east;[a] and the water was coming out on the south side.
3 Going on eastward with a line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. 4 Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the loins. 5 Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”
Then he led me back along the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw upon the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea,[b] the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river[c] goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea[d] may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezekiel 47:2 Heb obscure
- Ezekiel 47:8 Compare Syr: Heb into the sea to the sea those that were made to issue forth
- Ezekiel 47:9 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb two rivers
- Ezekiel 47:9 Compare Syr: Heb lacks the waters of the sea
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.