Ezekiel 12:17-13:11

New International Version

¹⁷ The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁸ “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food,^(A) and shudder in fear as you drink your water. ¹⁹ Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything^(B) in it because of the violence of all who live there.^{(C) 20} The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.^(D)’”

There Will Be No Delay

²¹ The word of the Lord came to me: ²² “Son of man, what is this proverb^(E) you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?^{(F) 23} Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near^(G) when every vision will be fulfilled.^{(H) 24} For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations^(I) among the people of Israel. ²⁵ But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay.^(J) For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill^(K) whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(L)’”

²⁶ The word of the Lord came to me: ²⁷ “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’^(M)

²⁸ “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

False Prophets Condemned

13 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets^(N) of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination:^(O) ‘Hear the word of the Lord!^{(P) 3} This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish^[a] prophets^(Q) who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!^{(R) 4} Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. ⁵ You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair^(S) it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.^{(T) 6} Their visions are false^(U) and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent^(V) them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.^{(W) 7} Have you not seen false visions^(X) and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?

⁸ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you,^(Y) declares the Sovereign Lord. ⁹ My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying^(Z) divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records^(AA) of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.^(AB)

¹⁰ “‘Because they lead my people astray,^(AC) saying, “Peace,”^(AD) when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,^{(AE) 11} therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones^(AF) hurtling down,^(AG) and violent winds will burst forth.^(AH)