1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal,^(A) the heavens were opened^(B) and I saw visions of God.^(C)

² On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile^(D)— ³ the word of the Lord came^(E) directly to the priest Ezekiel^(F) son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans^(G) by the Chebar Canal. The Lord’s hand was on him there.^(H)

Vision of the Lord’s Glory

⁴ I looked, and there was a whirlwind^(I) coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber.^{(J) 5} The likeness of four living creatures came from it,^(K) and this was their appearance: They looked something like a human, ⁶ but each of them had four faces and four wings. ⁷ Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, sparkling like the gleam of polished bronze.^{(L) 8} They had human hands under their wings on their four sides.^(M) All four of them had faces and wings.^{(N) 9} Their wings were touching. The creatures did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.^{(O) 10} Their faces looked something like the face of a human,^(P) and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle.^{(Q) 11} That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body.^{(R) 12} Each creature went straight ahead.^(S) Wherever the Spirit^[a] wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved.^(T)

¹³ The likeness of the living creatures was like the appearance of blazing coals of fire or like torches.^(U) Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it. ¹⁴ The creatures were darting back and forth^(V) like flashes of lightning.^(W)

¹⁵ When I looked at the living creatures, there was one wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures. ¹⁶ The appearance of the wheels^(X) and their craftsmanship was like the gleam of beryl,^(Y) and all four had the same likeness. Their appearance and craftsmanship was like a wheel within a wheel. ¹⁷ When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. ¹⁸ Their four rims were tall and awe-inspiring, completely covered with eyes.^{(Z) 19} When the living creatures moved,^(AA) the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose. ²⁰ Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, the creatures went in the direction the Spirit was moving. The wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. ²¹ When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

²² Over the heads of the living creatures^(AB) the likeness of an expanse^(AC) was spread out. It gleamed like awe-inspiring crystal,^{(AD) 23} and under the expanse their wings extended one toward another. They each also had two wings covering their bodies. ²⁴ When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of a huge torrent,^(AE) like the voice of the Almighty,^(AF) and a sound of tumult like the noise of an army.^(AG) When they stopped, they lowered their wings.

²⁵ A voice came from above the expanse over their heads; when they stopped, they lowered their wings. ²⁶ Something like a throne with the appearance of lapis lazuli was above the expanse over their heads.^(AH) On the throne, high above, was someone who looked like a human.^{(AI) 27} From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around.^(AJ) From what seemed to be his waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around him. ²⁸ The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day.^(AK) This was the appearance of the likeness of the Lord’s glory.^(AL) When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.^(AM)

Mission to Rebellious Israel

2 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet^(AN) and I will speak with you.” ² As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet,^(AO) and I listened to the one who was speaking to me. ³ He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to^[b] the rebellious pagans who have rebelled against me. The Israelites and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day.^{(AP) 4} The descendants are obstinate^[c] and hardhearted.^(AQ) I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ ⁵ Whether they listen or refuse to listen^(AR)—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.^(AS)

⁶ “But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them and do not be afraid of their words,^(AT) even though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions.^(AU) Don’t be afraid of their words or discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen,^(AV) for they are rebellious.

⁸ “And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”^{(AW) 9} So I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me,^(AX) and there was a written scroll in it.^{(AY) 10} When he unrolled it before me, it was written on the front and back; words of lamentation, mourning, and woe were written on it.

Pray for Us

3 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,^{(A) 2} and that we may be delivered^(B) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.^{[a] 3} But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{(C) 4} We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.^(D)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name^(E) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister^(F) who is idle and does not live^[b] according to the tradition^(G) received^(H) from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you should imitate^(I) us: We were not idle among you; ⁸ we did not eat^(J) anyone’s food free of charge;^(K) instead, we labored^(L) and toiled,^(M) working^(N) night and day, so that we would not be a burden^(O) to any of you. ⁹ It is not that we don’t have the right^(P) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate^(Q) us. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”^{(R) 11} For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.^{(S) 12} Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.^{[c] 13} But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary^(T) in doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

¹⁶ May the Lord of peace^(U) himself give you peace always in every way.^(V) The Lord be with all of you.^{(W) 17} I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,^(X) which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command^(B) of God our Savior^(C) and of Christ Jesus our hope:^(D)

² To Timothy,^(E) my true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,^(F) remain in Ephesus^(G) so that you may instruct certain people^(H) not to teach false doctrine ⁴ or to pay attention to myths^(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,^(J) which operates by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love^(K) that comes from a pure heart,^(L) a good conscience,^(M) and a sincere faith.^{(N) 6} Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ⁸ But we know that the law is good,^(O) provided one uses it legitimately. ⁹ We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,^(P) for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral^(Q) and males who have sex with males,^(R) for slave traders, liars,^(S) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{(T) 11} that conforms to the gospel^(U) concerning the glory of the blessed God,^(V) which was entrusted to me.^(W)

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(X) me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ even though I was formerly a blasphemer,^(Y) a persecutor,^(Z) and an arrogant man.^(AA) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy^(AB) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world^(AC) to save sinners”^(AD)—and I am the worst of them.^{(AE) 16} But I received mercy^(AF) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience^(AG) as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.^{(AH) 17} Now to the King^(AI) eternal,^(AJ) immortal,^(AK) invisible, the only^[b] God,^(AL) be honor^(AM) and glory^(AN) forever and ever. Amen.^(AO)

Engage in Battle

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^(AP) previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹ having faith^(AQ) and a good conscience,^(AR) which some^(AS) have rejected and have shipwrecked the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander,^(AU) whom I have delivered to Satan,^(AV) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

ט Teth