Ezekiel 13:17-19
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Against Witches. 17 As for you, son of man, now set your face against the daughters of your people who play the prophet from their own thoughts, and prophesy against them.(A) 18 You shall say, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to those who sew amulets for the wrists of every arm and make veils[a] for every head size to snare lives! You ensnare the lives of my people, even as you preserve your own lives! 19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and crumbs of bread,[b] slaying those who should not be slain, and keeping alive those who should not live, lying to my people, who listen to lies.
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- 13:18 Sew amulets…make veils: used by sorcerers to mark individuals for life or for death. For a small price (v. 19), these women promised protection for the wicked, who, in the Lord’s estimation, “should not live” (v. 19), and death for the righteous, “who should not be slain” (v. 19). Both decisions belong to the Lord.
- 13:19 Handfuls of barley and crumbs of bread: payment for the amulets and scarves.
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