Hope for the Mountains of Israel

36 “Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel(A) and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says:(B) The enemy said of you, “Aha!(C) The ancient heights(D) have become our possession.(E)”’ Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged(F) and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander,(G) therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys,(H) to the desolate ruins(I) and the deserted(J) towns that have been plundered and ridiculed(K) by the rest of the nations around you(L) this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning(M) zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.’(N) Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations.(O) Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand(P) that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.(Q)

“‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit(R) for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown,(S) 10 and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins(T) rebuilt.(U) 11 I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful(V) and become numerous. I will settle people(W) on you as in the past(X) and will make you prosper more than before.(Y) Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12 I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance;(Z) you will never again deprive them of their children.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because some say to you, “You devour people(AA) and deprive your nation of its children,” 14 therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15 No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.(AB)’”

Israel’s Restoration Assured

16 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness(AC) in my sight.(AD) 18 So I poured out(AE) my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered(AF) through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions.(AG) 20 And wherever they went among the nations they profaned(AH) my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’(AI) 21 I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.(AJ)

22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name,(AK) which you have profaned(AL) among the nations where you have gone.(AM) 23 I will show the holiness of my great name,(AN) which has been profaned(AO) among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,(AP) declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy(AQ) through you before their eyes.(AR)

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.(AS) 25 I will sprinkle(AT) clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse(AU) you from all your impurities(AV) and from all your idols.(AW) 26 I will give you a new heart(AX) and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone(AY) and give you a heart of flesh.(AZ) 27 And I will put my Spirit(BA) in you and move you to follow my decrees(BB) and be careful to keep my laws.(BC) 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people,(BD) and I will be your God.(BE) 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine(BF) upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.(BG) 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.(BH) 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed(BI) and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!(BJ)

33 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse(BK) you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins(BL) will be rebuilt.(BM) 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden;(BN) the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.(BO) 36 Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’(BP)

37 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea(BQ) and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep,(BR) 38 as numerous as the flocks for offerings(BS) at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(BT)

Aşezarea din nou a lui Israel

36 Tu, fiul omului, proroceşte asupra munţilor(A) lui Israel şi spune: Munţi ai lui Israel, ascultaţi Cuvântul Domnului! Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: ‘Pentru că(B) vrăjmaşul a zis despre voi: «Ha! Ha! Aceste înălţimi(C) veşnice au ajuns moştenirea(D) noastră!»’ proroceşte şi zi: ‘Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: «Da, pentru că din toate părţile au voit să vă pustiiască şi să vă înghită, ca să ajungeţi moştenirea altor neamuri, şi pentru că aţi fost(E) de batjocura şi de ocara popoarelor, de aceea, munţi ai lui Israel, ascultaţi Cuvântul Domnului, Dumnezeu! Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeul munţilor şi dealurilor, râurilor şi văilor, dărâmăturilor pustii şi cetăţilor părăsite, care au ajuns(F) de prada şi de râsul(G) celorlalte neamuri dimprejur»; aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: «Da, în(H) focul geloziei Mele, vorbesc împotriva celorlalte neamuri şi împotriva întregului Edom, care şi-au însuşit(I) ţara Mea şi s-au bucurat din toată inima lor şi cu tot dispreţul sufletului lor, ca să-i jefuiască roadele.» De aceea, proroceşte despre ţara lui Israel şi spune munţilor şi dealurilor, râurilor şi văilor: Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: «Iată, vorbesc în gelozia şi urgia Mea, pentru că suferiţi ocară(J) din partea neamurilor!»’ De aceea, aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: «Îmi ridic(K) mâna şi jur că neamurile care vă înconjoară îşi vor purta ele însele ocara! Iar voi, munţi ai lui Israel, veţi da crengi şi vă veţi purta roadele pentru poporul Meu Israel, căci lucrurile acestea sunt aproape să se întâmple. Iată că voi fi binevoitor, Mă voi întoarce spre voi şi veţi fi lucraţi şi semănaţi. 10 Voi pune să locuiască pe voi oameni în mare număr, toată casa lui Israel, pe toţi! Cetăţile vor fi locuite şi se vor zidi iarăşi dărâmăturile(L). 11 Voi înmulţi(M) pe oamenii şi vitele care vor creşte şi se vor înmulţi; voi face să fiţi locuiţi ca şi mai înainte şi vă voi face mai mult bine decât odinioară şi veţi şti(N) că Eu sunt Domnul. 12 Voi face să umble pe voi oameni, şi anume poporul Meu Israel; ei te vor stăpâni(O) şi tu vei fi moştenirea lor şi nu-i vei mai(P) nimici.» 13 Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: Pentru că ţi se zice: ‘Tu(Q), ţară, ai mâncat oameni, ţi-ai nimicit chiar şi neamul tău’, 14 din pricina aceasta de acum încolo nu vei mai mânca oameni şi nu-ţi vei mai nimici neamul, zice Domnul, Dumnezeu. 15 De acum, nu te voi mai face(R) să auzi batjocurile neamurilor şi nu vei mai purta ocara popoarelor; nu-ţi vei mai nimici neamul, zice Domnul, Dumnezeu.’ ” 16 Cuvântul Domnului mi-a vorbit astfel: 17 „Fiul omului, cei din casa lui Israel, când locuiau în ţara lor, au spurcat-o(S) prin purtarea lor şi prin faptele lor; aşa că purtarea lor a fost înaintea Mea ca spurcăciunea(T) unei femei în timpul necurăţiei ei. 18 Atunci Mi-am vărsat urgia peste ei din pricina sângelui(U) pe care-l vărsaseră în ţară şi din pricina idolilor cu care o spurcaseră. 19 I-am risipit(V) printre neamuri şi au fost împrăştiaţi în felurite ţări; i-am(W) judecat după purtarea şi faptele lor rele. 20 Când au venit printre neamuri, oriîncotro se duceau, pângăreau(X) Numele Meu cel sfânt, aşa încât se zicea despre ei: ‘Acesta este poporul Domnului, ei au trebuit să iasă din ţara lor.’ 21 Şi am vrut să scap cinstea Numelui(Y) Meu celui sfânt, pe care-l pângărea casa lui Israel printre neamurile la care se dusese. 22 De aceea, spune casei lui Israel: ‘Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: «Nu din pricina voastră fac aceste lucruri, casa lui Israel, ci din pricina Numelui Meu(Z) celui sfânt, pe care l-aţi pângărit printre neamurile la care aţi mers. 23 De aceea voi sfinţi Numele Meu cel mare, care a fost pângărit printre neamuri, pe care l-aţi pângărit în mijlocul lor. Şi neamurile vor cunoaşte că Eu sunt Domnul, zice Domnul, Dumnezeu, când voi fi sfinţit(AA) în voi sub ochii lor. 24 Căci vă voi scoate(AB) dintre neamuri, vă voi strânge din toate ţările şi vă voi aduce iarăşi în ţara voastră. 25 Vă voi stropi(AC) cu apă curată şi veţi fi curăţiţi; vă voi curăţi(AD) de toate spurcăciunile voastre şi de toţi idolii voştri. 26 Vă voi(AE) da o inimă nouă şi voi pune în voi un duh nou; voi scoate din trupul vostru inima de piatră şi vă voi da o inimă de carne. 27 Voi pune Duhul(AF) Meu în voi şi vă voi face să urmaţi poruncile Mele şi să păziţi şi să împliniţi legile Mele. 28 Veţi locui(AG) în ţara pe care am dat-o părinţilor voştri; voi veţi fi poporul Meu(AH) şi Eu voi fi Dumnezeul vostru. 29 Vă voi(AI) izbăvi de toate necurăţiile voastre. Voi chema(AJ) grâul şi-l voi înmulţi; nu voi(AK) mai trimite foametea peste voi. 30 Voi înmulţi(AL) rodul pomilor şi venitul câmpului, ca să nu mai purtaţi ocara foametei printre neamuri. 31 Atunci vă veţi(AM) aduce aminte de purtarea voastră cea rea şi de faptele voastre care nu erau bune; vă va fi scârbă de voi înşivă din pricina nelegiuirilor şi urâciunilor voastre. 32 Şi toate aceste lucruri nu(AN) le fac din pricina voastră, zice Domnul, Dumnezeu, să ştiţi! Ruşinaţi-vă şi roşiţi de purtarea voastră, casa lui Israel!»’ 33 Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: ‘În ziua când vă voi curăţi de toate nelegiuirile voastre, voi face ca cetăţile voastre să fie locuite şi dărâmăturile(AO) vor fi zidite din nou; 34 ţara pustiită va fi lucrată iarăşi, de unde până aici era pustie în ochii tuturor trecătorilor. 35 Şi se va spune atunci: «Ţara aceasta pustiită a ajuns ca o grădină a Edenului(AP) şi cetăţile acestea dărâmate, care erau pustii şi surpate, sunt întărite şi locuite!» 36 Şi neamurile care vor mai rămâne în jurul vostru vor şti că Eu, Domnul, am zidit din nou ce era surpat şi am sădit ce era pustiit. Eu(AQ), Domnul, am vorbit şi voi şi face.’ 37 Aşa vorbeşte Domnul, Dumnezeu: ‘Iată în ce privinţă Mă voi(AR) lăsa înduplecat de casa lui Israel şi iată ce voi face pentru ei: voi înmulţi(AS) pe oameni ca pe o turmă de oi. 38 Cetăţile dărâmate se vor umple cu turme de oameni, ca turmele închinate Domnului, cu turme care sunt aduse la Ierusalim în timpul sărbătorilor celor mari. Şi vor şti că Eu sunt Domnul.’ ”

Blessing on Israel

36 “And you, son of man, prophesy to the (A)mountains of Israel, and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: “Because (B)the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! (C)The [a]ancient heights (D)have become our possession,’ ” ’ therefore prophesy, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because they made you desolate and swallowed you up on every side, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, (E)and you are taken up by the lips of (F)talkers and slandered by the people”— therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains, the hills, the [b]rivers, the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have been forsaken, which (G)became plunder and (H)mockery to the rest of the nations all around— therefore thus says the Lord God: (I)“Surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, (J)who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with wholehearted joy and [c]spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country.” ’

“Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have (K)borne the shame of the nations.” Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I have (L)raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are around you shall (M)bear their own shame. But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. 10 I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and (N)the ruins rebuilt. 11 (O)I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and [d]bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do (P)better for you than at your beginnings. (Q)Then you shall know that I am the Lord. 12 Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; (R)they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you (S)bereave them of children.

13 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because they say to you, (T)‘You devour men and bereave your nation of children, 14 therefore you shall devour men no more, nor bereave your nation anymore,” says the Lord God. 15 (U)“Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore, nor bear the reproach of the peoples anymore, nor shall you cause your nation to stumble anymore,” says the Lord God.’ ”

The Renewal of Israel

16 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, (V)they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like (W)the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 18 Therefore I poured out My fury on them (X)for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. 19 So I (Y)scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them (Z)according to their ways and their deeds. 20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they (AA)profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern (AB)for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, (AC)but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am (AD)hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For (AE)I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 (AF)Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you (AG)from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a (AH)new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My (AI)Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 (AJ)Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; (AK)you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will (AL)deliver you from all your uncleannesses. (AM)I will call for the grain and multiply it, and (AN)bring no famine upon you. 30 (AO)And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then (AP)you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you (AQ)will [e]loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 (AR)Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

33 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, (AS)and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of (AT)Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. (AU)I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: (AV)“I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will (AW)increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a [f]flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its [g]feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 36:2 Or everlasting
  2. Ezekiel 36:4 Or ravines
  3. Ezekiel 36:5 Lit. scorning souls
  4. Ezekiel 36:11 Lit. be fruitful
  5. Ezekiel 36:31 despise
  6. Ezekiel 36:38 Lit. holy flock
  7. Ezekiel 36:38 appointed feasts

預言賜福以色列

36 「人子啊,你要向以色列的山嶺發預言說,『以色列的山嶺啊,你們要聽耶和華的話! 主耶和華這樣說,仇敵說,哈哈,這古老的山峰歸我們了!』 所以你要發預言,宣告主耶和華這樣說,『你們被蹂躪、掠奪,歸了列國所有,成了外族人的話柄和笑談。 因此,以色列的山嶺、溪流、幽谷、荒地、廢墟以及那些被外族人擄掠和譏諷的城邑啊,你們要聽主耶和華的話。』 主耶和華說,『我要在怒火中斥責列國和以東,他們幸災樂禍,滿腹憤恨,把我的土地據為己有,侵佔其中的草場。』 所以你要對以色列說預言,告訴以色列的山岡溪谷,耶和華這樣說,『因為你們曾遭受外族人的羞辱,我為你們滿懷義憤。 所以我誓言要讓你們四圍的外族人也受羞辱。這是主耶和華說的。

「『以色列的山嶺啊,你們要為我的以色列子民長出枝葉,結出果子,因為他們快要回來了。 看啊,我要幫助你們,垂顧你們,使你們被耕種。 10 我要增加居住在你們那裡的以色列人,使城邑有人居住,廢墟得以重建。 11 我要使你們那裡的人畜興旺,多多繁衍,我要使人們居住在你們那裡,好像以前一樣,讓你們比以前更興盛。這樣,你們就知道我是耶和華。 12 我要引領我的以色列子民在你們那裡出入,使你們成為他們的產業,不再奪走他們的兒女。』 13 主耶和華說,『雖然人們說你們吞吃以色列人、奪走他們的兒女。 14 但你們今後必不再吞吃以色列人,不再奪走他們的兒女。這是主耶和華說的。 15 我必不再使你們聽見外族人的辱罵和嘲笑,也不再使你們的國民喪失子女。這是主耶和華說的。』」

16 耶和華對我說: 17 「人子啊,當以色列人住在本土時,他們的惡行玷污了那裡,他們的行為在我眼中就像經期的婦女一樣污穢。 18 他們殺人流血,祭拜偶像,玷污了那地方,所以我要把我的烈怒傾倒在他們身上, 19 把他們驅散到列國,分散到列邦,照他們的行為報應他們。 20 他們無論分散到何處,都使我的聖名受到褻瀆,因為外族人都談論他們說,『這些人是耶和華的子民,卻不得不離開耶和華的土地。』 21 我顧惜我的聖名,就是以色列人在所去的列國褻瀆的聖名。

22 「因此,你要告訴以色列人,主耶和華這樣說,『以色列人啊,我要行這事並非因為你們的緣故,而是因為我聖名的緣故,就是你們在所去列國褻瀆的聖名。 23 我要使我偉大的名,就是你們在列國中所褻瀆的名,彰顯它的聖潔。我要當著列國的面在你們身上彰顯我的聖潔,那時他們就知道我是耶和華。這是主耶和華說的。 24 我要從列邦列國招聚你們,領你們返回故土。 25 我要在你們身上灑清水潔淨你們,洗淨你們所有的污穢,除掉你們心中一切的偶像。 26 我要賜你們一顆新心,把新的靈放在你們裡面。我要除去你們的石心,賜給你們一顆肉心。 27 我要把我的靈放在你們裡面,使你們恪守我的律例,謹遵我的典章。 28 你們必安居在我賜給你們祖先的土地上。你們要做我的子民,我要做你們的上帝。 29 我要拯救你們脫離各樣的污穢之事。我要使你們五穀豐登,不讓饑荒侵害你們。 30 我要使樹木碩果纍纍,田間出產豐盛,免得你們因饑荒再被外族人譏笑。 31 那時,你們便會想起自己邪惡的行徑,並因自己的罪惡和可憎行為而厭惡自己。 32 主耶和華說,你們應當知道,我這樣做並不是為了你們。以色列人啊,你們應當為自己的行為抱愧蒙羞。』

33 「主耶和華說,『在我洗淨你們一切罪惡的日子,我要使你們的城邑有人居住,廢墟得以重建。 34 荒涼之地必有人耕種,路人再也看不見荒地。 35 他們會說,以前的荒涼之地如今竟變得像伊甸園,被毀壞廢棄的荒涼城邑已經設防,有人居住。 36 這樣,你們四周其餘的民族便知道我耶和華已重建毀壞之處,重新耕種荒廢之地。我耶和華言出必行。』

37 「主耶和華說,『我要再次答應以色列人的懇求,使他們的人口增加,多如羊群。 38 我要使毀壞的城邑住滿人,多如耶路撒冷在節期所獻上的羊群。這樣,他們就知道我是耶和華。』」