以西结书 33
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
耶和华立以西结为守望者
33 耶和华对我说： 2 “人子啊，你要告诉你的同胞，‘我若使战争降临某地，那地方的百姓就应选一人做守望者。 3 守望者发现敌人来攻打，便吹号警告百姓。 4 凡听见号声而不接受警告的，敌人来把他杀了，这流血的罪就要由他自己承担。 5 因为他听见号声，却不接受警告，他的死是咎由自取。他若接受警告，就不至于死了。 6 但如果守望者看见敌人来攻打而不吹号警告百姓，以致有人被敌人杀了，那人固然是因自己的罪恶而被杀，我却要向这守望者追讨那人被杀的血债。’
7 “人子啊，现在我立你为以色列人的守望者，你要听我的信息，代我警告他们。 8 如果我说恶人必定要死，你却不警告他离开罪恶的行径，他必因自己的罪而死，我却要向你追讨他丧命的血债。 9 如果你警告恶人离开罪恶的行径，他却不听，他必因自己的罪恶而死，他的死与你无关。
10 “人子啊，你要对以色列人说，‘你们说，我们背负过犯和罪恶，正因此而灭亡。我们怎能存活下去呢？ 11 你要告诉他们，主耶和华说，“我凭我的永恒起誓，我绝不喜欢恶人死亡，我更愿意恶人改邪归正，得以存活。以色列人啊，回头吧！回头吧！改邪归正吧！何必自取灭亡呢？”’ 12 人子啊，你要对你的同胞说，‘当义人犯罪时，他以往的义救不了他；当恶人悔改时，他以往的恶不会使他灭没。义人若犯罪，他以往的义不能使他存活。’ 13 我虽对义人说他必能存活，但如果他仗着自己的义而犯罪，他的义将不会被记念，他必因犯罪而死亡。 14 我虽对恶人说他必定要死，但他若改邪归正，行事公正仁义， 15 偿还抵押，归还赃物，遵行生命之律例，不再犯罪，就必存活，不致死亡。 16 他犯的罪不会被追究，因为他行事公正仁义，所以必得存活。
17 “你的同胞却说，主这样做不公平。其实是他们自己行事不公。 18 义人离义行恶，必因恶行而死亡。 19 恶人弃恶行义，必因义行而存活。 20 可是你们却说，主这样做不公平。以色列人啊，我必按你们各人的行为审判你们。”
21 在我们被掳后第十二年十月五日，有人从耶路撒冷逃出来对我说：“城已经沦陷了。” 22 逃难的人来的前一晚，耶和华的灵降在我身上，开了我的口。当那人早上来到我这里时，我就开了口，不再沉默。
23 耶和华对我说： 24 “人子啊，那些住在以色列废墟中的人说，‘亚伯拉罕一人尚且能拥有这片土地，我们这么多人更能拥有这片土地为业。’ 25 但你要告诉他们，主耶和华这样说，‘你们吃带血的肉，仰赖偶像，又杀人流血，怎能拥有这片土地呢？ 26 你们靠刀剑行可憎之事，个个玷污别人的妻子，你们怎能拥有这片土地呢？’ 27 你要告诉他们，主耶和华这样说，‘我凭我的永恒起誓，那些住在废墟中的必死于刀下，逃到田野的必被野兽吞吃，躲进堡垒和洞穴的必死于瘟疫。 28 我要使这片土地荒凉不堪，使她所夸耀的势力消逝。以色列的山必荒凉，杳无人迹。 29 因为他们所行的一切可憎之事，我必使这地方荒凉不堪，那时他们就知道我是耶和华。’
30 “人子啊，你的同胞在墙边和门口彼此议论你说，‘来，听听耶和华要他传什么信息。’ 31 他们随着人群来到你面前，坐着聆听你的话，俨然像我的子民。但他们不付诸实行，嘴里说的是甜言蜜语，心中却追求不义之财。 32 他们只听不做，你在他们眼中只不过是善唱情歌、长于弹奏乐器的人。 33 看吧，我所说的必定应验。当一切应验的时候，他们就知道有先知在他们当中。”
以西结书 33
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
守望者的责任(A)
33 耶和华的话临到我说： 2 “人子啊！你要告诉你本国的人，说：‘我使刀剑临到一地，那地的人民从他们中间选出一个人，作他们的守望者； 3 这人见刀剑临到那地，就吹响号角，警告众人； 4 凡听见号角声而不接受警告的，刀剑若来把他除灭，他的罪（“罪”原文作“血”）就要归到自己的头上； 5 他既然听见号角声而不接受警告，所以他的罪（“罪”原文作“血”）要归到自己的身上；他若接受警告，就可以救回自己的性命了。 6 但是，那守望的人若见刀剑临到，却不吹响号角，以致人民没有受到警告，刀剑来把他们中间的一个人除灭；那人虽然因自己的罪孽被除灭，我却要因他的死追究守望的人。’
7 “人子啊！我立了你作以色列家守望的人，所以你要聆听我口中的话，替我警告他们。 8 如果我对恶人说：‘恶人啊，你必定死亡！’你以西结却不出声警告恶人离开他所行的，这恶人就必因自己的罪孽死亡，我却要因他的死追究你。 9 如果你警告恶人，叫他离开他所行的，他仍不转离，他就必因自己的罪孽死亡，你却救了自己的性命。
人的善恶各自负责
10 “人子啊！你要对以色列家说：‘你们这样说：我们的过犯和罪恶常在我们身上；我们必因此衰弱而死，怎能存活呢？’ 11 你要对他们说：‘主耶和华这样宣告：我指着我的永生起誓，我绝不喜悦恶人死亡，却喜悦恶人离开他所行的，得以存活。以色列家啊，回转吧！离开你们所行的，何必死亡呢？’ 12 人子啊！你要对你本国的人说：‘义人的义在他犯罪的日子，不能救他；恶人的恶在他离开恶行的日子，也不会绊倒他；义人在他犯罪的日子，也不能因他的义存活。’ 13 我虽然对义人说他必定生存，但是他若恃着自己的义而行恶，他的一切义都必不被记念；他必因所行的恶死亡。 14 我虽然对恶人说：‘你必定死亡’，但是他若离开他的罪，行公平和正直的事， 15 把抵押归还，把抢夺人的物件偿还，遵行赐生命的律例，不作恶事，他就必存活，不致死亡； 16 他所犯的一切罪，必不被记念；他行了公平和正直的事，就必存活。
17 “你本国的人还说：‘主所行的不公平。’其实他们所行的才是不公平。 18 义人若离开他的义，去行恶事，他就必因此死亡； 19 恶人若离开他的恶，去行公平和正直的事，他就必因此存活。 20 你们还说：‘主所行的不公平。’以色列家啊！我必照着你们各人所行的审判你们。”
耶路撒冷失陷的消息
21 在我们被掳以后的第十二年十月初五日，有人从耶路撒冷逃到我这里来，说：“城已经被攻陷了。” 22 那人来到的前一天晚上，耶和华的手按在我身上，开了我的口。到了早晨，那人来到我这里，我的口已经开了，不再作哑巴。
23 耶和华的话临到我说： 24 “人子啊！那些住在以色列地废墟里的人常说：‘亚伯拉罕一个人就得了这地为业；我们人数众多，这地更应该给我们为业。’ 25 因此，你要对他们说：‘主耶和华这样说：你们吃带血的祭肉，举目仰望你们的偶像，并且流人的血，你们还可以得这地为业吗？ 26 你们倚仗自己的刀剑，行可憎恶的事，人人玷污邻舍的妻子，你们还可以得这地为业吗？’ 27 你要对他们这样说：‘主耶和华这样说：我指着我的永生起誓，那些在废墟里的，必倒在刀下；在田间的，我必交给野兽吞吃；在堡垒和山洞里的，必因瘟疫而死。 28 我必使这地非常荒凉，它因势力而有的骄傲必止息；以色列的山都必荒凉，无人经过。 29 我必因他们所行一切可憎恶的事，使这地非常荒凉，那时他们就知道我是耶和华。’
先知传讲信息的结果
30 “人子啊！你本国的人在城墙旁边和各家的门口正在谈论你；弟兄对弟兄彼此说：‘来吧！听听有甚么话从耶和华那里出来。’ 31 他们成群来到你那里，坐在你面前，像是我的子民一样。其实他们听了你的话，却不去行；他们只是用口表示爱慕，他们的心却是追随不义之财。 32 在他们眼中，你不过是首情歌，唱得美妙，弹得悦耳，他们听了你的话，却不去行。 33 看哪！这事必定应验，到那时候，他们就知道在他们中间有先知了。”
Ezekiel 33
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
IV. Hope for the Future
Chapter 33
The Prophet as Sentinel. 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: When I bring the sword against a land, if the people of that land select one of their number as a sentinel[a] for them,(A) 3 and the sentinel sees the sword coming against the land, he should blow the trumpet to warn the people.(B) 4 If they hear the trumpet but do not take the warning and a sword attacks and kills them, their blood will be on their own heads.(C) 5 They heard the trumpet blast but ignored the warning; their blood is on them. If they had heeded the warning, they could have escaped with their lives. 6 If, however, the sentinel sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the sword attacks and takes someone’s life, his life will be taken for his own sin, but I will hold the sentinel responsible for his blood.
7 (D)You, son of man—I have appointed you as a sentinel for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me. 8 When I say to the wicked, “You wicked, you must die,” and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. 9 If, however, you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life.
Individual Retribution. 10 As for you, son of man, speak to the house of Israel: You people say, “Our crimes and our sins weigh us down; we are rotting away because of them. How can we survive?”(E) 11 (F)Answer them: As I live—oracle of the Lord God—I swear I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! Why should you die, house of Israel?
12 As for you, son of man, say to your people: The justice of the just will not save them on the day they sin; the wickedness of the wicked will not bring about their downfall on the day they turn from their wickedness. No, the just cannot save their lives on the day they sin.(G) 13 Even though I say to the just that they shall surely live, if they, relying on their justice, do wrong, none of their just deeds shall be remembered; because of the wrong they have done, they shall die.(H) 14 And though I say to the wicked that they shall die, if they turn away from sin and do what is just and right— 15 returning pledges, restoring stolen goods, walking by statutes that bring life, doing nothing wrong—they shall surely live; they shall not die.(I) 16 None of the sins they committed shall be remembered against them. If they do what is right and just, they shall surely live.
17 Your people say, “The way of the Lord is not fair!” But it is their way that is not fair. 18 When the just turn away from justice and do wrong, they shall die for it.(J) 19 When the wicked turn away from wickedness and do what is right and just, because of this they shall live. 20 But still you say, “The way of the Lord is not fair!” I will judge each of you according to your ways, house of Israel.
The Survivor from Jerusalem. 21 On the fifth day of the tenth month,[b] in the twelfth year of our exile, the survivor came to me from Jerusalem and said, “The city is taken!”(K) 22 The hand of the Lord had come upon me the evening before the survivor arrived and opened my mouth when he reached me in the morning. My mouth was opened, and I was mute no longer.(L)
Those Left in Judah.[c] 23 The word of the Lord came to me: 24 Son of man, these who live among the ruins in the land of Israel are saying: “Abraham was only one person, yet he was given possession of the land. Since we are many, the land must be given to us as our possession.”(M) 25 Therefore say to them: Thus says the Lord God: You eat on the mountains, you raise your eyes to your idols, you shed blood—yet you would keep possession of the land?(N) 26 You rely on your swords, you commit abominations, each defiles his neighbor’s wife—yet you would keep possession of the land? 27 Say this to them: Thus says the Lord God: As I live, those among the ruins shall fall by the sword; those in the open field I have made food for the wild beasts; and those in rocky hideouts and caves shall die by the plague. 28 I will make the land a desolate waste, so that its proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that no one will cross them. 29 Thus they shall know that I am the Lord, when I make the land a desolate waste because of all the abominations they committed.
Popular Misunderstanding. 30 As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doorways of houses. They say to one another, “Let’s go hear the latest word that comes from the Lord.” 31 My people come to you, gathering as a crowd and sitting in front of you to hear your words, but they will not act on them. Love songs are on their lips, but in their hearts they pursue dishonest gain.(O) 32 For them you are only a singer[d] of love songs, with a pleasant voice and a clever touch. They listen to your words, but they do not obey them. 33 But when it comes—and it is surely coming!—they shall know that there was a prophet among them.
Footnotes
- 33:2 Sentinel: the theme of the sentinel’s duty initiates a new commission to announce salvation (chaps. 33–48), just as the same command (3:17–21) opened Ezekiel’s ministry to announce judgment (chaps. 3–24).
- 33:21–22 The fifth day of the tenth month: January 8, 585 B.C. According to Jeremiah (39:2), Jerusalem was taken in July, 587. Some manuscripts read “eleventh” for “twelfth” year (January, 586); even so, there was ample time between the fall of Jerusalem and the arrival of the survivor from that city to journey to Babylon. However, this is the survivor sent to fulfill the promise of Ez 24:25–27, the eyewitness whose arrival would release Ezekiel from his muteness; cf. 3:26–27.
- 33:23–29 News brought by the survivor furnished the occasion for this prophecy. Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel rejects the idea that those left in Judah have any claim to the land. The new Israel is to be formed from the exiles.
- 33:32 Singer: perhaps the term indicates an entertainer whom one enjoys and then forgets.
Ezekiel 33
King James Version
33 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.
18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
22 Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.
23 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
24 Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.
25 Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?
26 Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?
27 Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.
28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.
29 Then shall they know that I am the Lord, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.
30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord.
31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
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