Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Ezekiel 12-14
Close NASB

Ezekiel 12-14
New American Standard Bible

Ezekiel Prepares for Exile

12 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, you live in the (A)midst of the (B)rebellious house, who (C)have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. 3 So as for you, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; that is, go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. (D)Perhaps they will [a]understand, though they are a rebellious house. 4 Bring your baggage out by day in their sight, as baggage for exile. Then you shall go out (E)at evening in their sight, as those who are going into exile. 5 Dig a hole through the wall in their sight and [b]go out through it. 6 Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall (F)cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a (G)sign to the house of Israel.”

7 Then I (H)did so, just as I had been commanded. By day I (I)brought out my baggage like the baggage of an exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands; I went out in the dark and carried the baggage on my shoulder in their sight.

8 And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “Son of man, has the house of Israel, the (J)rebellious house, not said to you, ‘(K)What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord [c]God says: “This (L)pronouncement concerns the prince in Jerusalem as well as all the house of Israel who are [d]in it.”’ 11 Say, ‘I am [e]a (M)sign to you. Just as I have done, so it will be done to them; they will (N)go into exile, into captivity.’ 12 The (O)prince who is among them will load his baggage on his shoulder in the dark and go out. [f]They will dig a hole through the wall to bring it out through it. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land with his eyes. 13 I will also spread My (P)net over him, and he will be caught in My net. And I will bring him to Babylon in the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will (Q)not see it, though he will die there. 14 And I will (R)scatter to every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops; and I will draw out a sword after them. 15 So they will (S)know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 But I will [g]spare a few of them from the (T)sword, the famine, and plague so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they go, and [h]may (U)know that I am the Lord.”

17 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, (V)eat your bread with trembling, and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. 19 Then say to the people of the land, ‘This is what the Lord God says concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: “They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror, because [i]their land will be [j](W)stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it. 20 The inhabited (X)cities will be in ruins, and the (Y)land will be a desolation. So you will know that I am the Lord.”’”

21 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 22 “Son of man, what is this (Z)proverb you people have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The (AA)days are long, and every (AB)vision fails’? 23 Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “I will put an end to this proverb so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But tell them, “(AC)The days are approaching as well as the [k]fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there will no longer be any [l](AD)false vision or deceptive divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I the Lord will speak whatever (AE)word I speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in (AF)your days, you (AG)rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,” declares the Lord God.’”

26 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 27 “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for (AH)many [m]years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God.

False Prophets Condemned

13 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the (AI)prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own [n]inspiration, ‘(AJ)Listen to the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Lord [o]God says: “Woe to the (AK)foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have (AL)seen nothing! 4 Israel, your prophets have been like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not (AM)gone up into the (AN)breaches, nor did you build up a stone wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the (AO)day of the Lord. 6 They see (AP)deceit and lying divination, those who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; (AQ)yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word! 7 (AR)Did you not see a false vision and tell a lying divination when you said, ‘The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?”’”

8 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “Because you have spoken deceit and have seen a lie, therefore behold, (AS)I am against you,” declares the Lord God. 9 “So My hand will be against the (AT)prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will [p]have no place in the council of My people, (AU)nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, [q]so that you may know that I am the Lord God. 10 It is definitely because they have (AV)misled My people by saying, ‘(AW)Peace!’ when there is (AX)no peace. And when anyone builds a wall, behold, they plaster it over with whitewash; 11 so tell those who plaster it over with whitewash, that it will fall. A (AY)flooding rain will come, and you, hailstones, will fall, and a violent wind will break out. 12 Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?’” 13 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “I will make a violent wind break out in My wrath. There will also be in My anger a flooding rain and (AZ)hailstones to consume it in wrath. 14 So I will tear down the wall which you plastered over with whitewash and hurl it down to the ground, so that its (BA)foundation is exposed; and when it falls, you will (BB)perish in its midst. And you will (BC)know that I am the Lord. 15 So I will expend My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it over with whitewash; and I will say to you, ‘The wall [r]is gone and those who plastered it are gone, 16 along with the prophets of Israel who prophesy to Jerusalem, and who (BD)see a vision of peace for her when there is (BE)no peace,’ declares the Lord God.

17 “Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are (BF)talking like prophets (BG)from their own [s]imagination. Prophesy against them 18 and say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Woe to the women who sew magic bands on [t]all wrists and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature to (BH)capture souls! Will you capture the souls of My people, but keep the souls of others alive for yourselves? 19 (BI)For handfuls of barley and pieces of bread, you have profaned Me to My people, to put to death [u]some who should not die, and to (BJ)keep [v]others alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies.”’”

20 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am against your magic bands by which you capture souls there as [w]birds, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let [x]them go, those souls whom you capture as [y]birds. 21 I will also tear off your veils and (BK)save My people from your hands, and they will no longer be in your hands as prey; and you will know that I am the Lord. 22 Because you (BL)disheartened the righteous with falsehood when I did not cause him pain, but you have [z](BM)encouraged the wicked not to (BN)turn from his wicked way to keep him alive, 23 therefore you women will no longer see (BO)deceitful visions or practice divination, and I will (BP)save My people from your hands. So you will (BQ)know that I am the Lord.”

Idolatrous Elders Condemned

14 Then some (BR)elders of Israel came to me and (BS)sat down before me. 2 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, these men have (BT)set up their idols in their hearts and have (BU)put in front of their faces the stumbling block of their wrongdoing. Should I let Myself be (BV)consulted by them at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord [aa]God says: “Anyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts in front of his face the stumbling block of his wrongdoing, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will let Myself answer him in [ab]the matter in view of the (BW)multitude of his idols, 5 in order to take hold of [ac](BX)the hearts of the house of Israel who have [ad](BY)turned away from Me due to all their idols.”’

6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “(BZ)Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your (CA)abominations. 7 For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the (CB)strangers who reside in Israel, who deserts Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts in front of his face the stumbling block of his wrongdoing, and then comes to the prophet to request something of Me for himself, (CC)I the Lord will let Myself answer him Myself. 8 I will (CD)set My face against that person and make him a (CE)sign and [ae]a proverb, and I will eliminate him from among My people. So you will know that I am the Lord.

9 “But if the prophet is persuaded so that he speaks a word, it is I, the Lord, who have persuaded that prophet; and I will stretch out My hand against him and (CF)eliminate him from among My people Israel. 10 And they will bear the punishment for their wrongdoing; as the wrongdoing of the inquirer is, so the wrongdoing of the prophet will be, 11 in order that the house of Israel may no longer (CG)stray from Me and no longer (CH)defile themselves with all their offenses. So they will be (CI)My people, and I shall be their God,”’ declares the Lord God.”

The City Will Not Be Spared

12 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 13 “Son of man, if a country sins against Me by (CJ)being unfaithful, and I stretch out My hand against it, [af]destroy its (CK)supply of bread, send famine against it, and eliminate from it both human and animal life, 14 even (CL)though these three men, (CM)Noah, (CN)Daniel, and (CO)Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only save (CP)themselves,” declares the Lord God. 15 “If I were to cause (CQ)vicious animals to pass through the land and they [ag]depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the animals, 16 though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not save either their sons or their daughters. (CR)They alone would be saved, but the country would be desolate. 17 Or if I were to (CS)bring a sword on that country and say, ‘A sword is to pass through the country,’ and I (CT)eliminated human and animal life from it, 18 even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not save either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be saved. 19 Or if I were to send a (CU)plague against that country and pour out My wrath on it in blood to eliminate man and animal from it, 20 even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not save either their son or their daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.”

21 For this is what the Lord God says: “How much more when (CV)I send My four [ah]severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, vicious animals, and plague to eliminate human and animal life from it! 22 Yet, behold, [ai]survivors will be left in it who will be brought out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they are going to come out to you, and you will (CW)see their conduct and actions; then you will be (CX)comforted for the disaster which I have brought against Jerusalem for everything which I have brought upon it. 23 Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions, for you will know that I have not done (CY)without reason whatever I did [aj]to it,” declares the Lord God.

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 12:3 Or see that they are
  2. Ezekiel 12:5 Lit bring it out
  3. Ezekiel 12:10 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
  4. Ezekiel 12:10 Lit in their midst
  5. Ezekiel 12:11 Lit your sign
  6. Ezekiel 12:12 I.e., the king’s attendants
  7. Ezekiel 12:16 Lit leave over men
  8. Ezekiel 12:16 Or they will know
  9. Ezekiel 12:19 Lit her
  10. Ezekiel 12:19 Lit deserted
  11. Ezekiel 12:23 Lit word
  12. Ezekiel 12:24 Lit worthless
  13. Ezekiel 12:27 Lit days
  14. Ezekiel 13:2 Lit heart
  15. Ezekiel 13:3 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
  16. Ezekiel 13:9 Lit not be in
  17. Ezekiel 13:9 Or and you will know
  18. Ezekiel 13:15 Lit is not...are not
  19. Ezekiel 13:17 Lit heart
  20. Ezekiel 13:18 Lit all joints of the hand; MT of my hands
  21. Ezekiel 13:19 Lit souls
  22. Ezekiel 13:19 Lit souls
  23. Ezekiel 13:20 Or flying ones
  24. Ezekiel 13:20 Or flying ones
  25. Ezekiel 13:20 Or flying ones
  26. Ezekiel 13:22 Lit strengthened the hands of
  27. Ezekiel 14:4 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
  28. Ezekiel 14:4 Lit it
  29. Ezekiel 14:5 Lit their
  30. Ezekiel 14:5 Or all turned away from Me due to their idols
  31. Ezekiel 14:8 Lit proverbs
  32. Ezekiel 14:13 Lit break its staff
  33. Ezekiel 14:15 Lit bereaved it of children
  34. Ezekiel 14:21 Lit evil
  35. Ezekiel 14:22 Lit a survivor
  36. Ezekiel 14:23 Lit in
Listen to Ezekiel 12-14
Close NIV

Ezekiel 12-14
New International Version

The Exile Symbolized

12 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people.(A) They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.(B)

3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps(C) they will understand,(D) though they are a rebellious people.(E) 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.(F) 5 While they watch, dig through the wall(G) and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign(H) to the Israelites.”

7 So I did as I was commanded.(I) During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’(J)

10 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’ 11 Say to them, ‘I am a sign(K) to you.’

“As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.(L)

12 “The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk(M) and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.(N) 13 I will spread my net(O) for him, and he will be caught in my snare;(P) I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans,(Q) but he will not see(R) it, and there he will die.(S) 14 I will scatter to the winds all those around him—his staff and all his troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.(T)

15 “They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations(U) and scatter them through the countries. 16 But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(V)”

17 The word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food,(W) 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(X) in it because of the violence of all who live there.(Y) 20 The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(Z)’”

There Will Be No Delay

21 The word of the Lord came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb(AA) you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?(AB) 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(AC) when every vision will be fulfilled.(AD) 24 For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations(AE) among the people of Israel. 25 But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay.(AF) For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill(AG) whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.(AH)’”

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.’(AI)

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(AJ) of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination:(AK) ‘Hear the word of the Lord!(AL) 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish[a] prophets(AM) who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!(AN) 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair(AO) it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.(AP) 6 Their visions are false(AQ) and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent(AR) them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.(AS) 7 Have you not seen false visions(AT) 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,(AU) declares the Sovereign Lord. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying(AV) divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records(AW) of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.(AX)

10 “‘Because they lead my people astray,(AY) saying, “Peace,”(AZ) when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,(BA) 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(BB) hurtling down,(BC) and violent winds will burst forth.(BD) 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

13 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones(BE) and torrents of rain(BF) will fall with destructive fury.(BG) 14 I will tear down the wall(BH) you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation(BI) will be laid bare. When it[b] falls,(BJ) you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. 15 So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord.(BK)”’

17 “Now, son of man, set your face(BL) against the daughters(BM) of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them(BN) 18 and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? 19 You have profaned(BO) me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread.(BP) By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.(BQ)

20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.(BR) 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(BS) 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies,(BT) when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives,(BU) 23 therefore you will no longer see false visions(BV) or practice divination.(BW) I will save(BX) my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.(BY)’”

Idolaters Condemned

14 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.(BZ) 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts(CA) and put wicked stumbling blocks(CB) before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?(CC) 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted(CD) me for their idols.’(CE)

6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent!(CF) Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!(CG)

7 “‘When any of the Israelites or any foreigner(CH) residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block(CI) before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire(CJ) of me, I the Lord will answer them myself. 8 I will set my face against(CK) them and make them an example(CL) and a byword.(CM) I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(CN)

9 “‘And if the prophet(CO) is enticed(CP) to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.(CQ) 10 They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. 11 Then the people of Israel will no longer stray(CR) from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people,(CS) and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign Lord.(CT)’”

Jerusalem’s Judgment Inescapable

12 The word of the Lord came to me: 13 “Son of man, if a country sins(CU) against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply(CV) and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals,(CW) 14 even if these three men—Noah,(CX) Daniel[c](CY) and Job(CZ)—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness,(DA) declares the Sovereign Lord.

15 “Or if I send wild beasts(DB) through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts,(DC) 16 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate.(DD)

17 “Or if I bring a sword(DE) against that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass throughout the land,’ and I kill its people and their animals,(DF) 18 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.

19 “Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath(DG) on it through bloodshed,(DH) killing its people and their animals,(DI) 20 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.(DJ)

21 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments(DK)—sword(DL) and famine(DM) and wild beasts and plague(DN)—to kill its men and their animals!(DO) 22 Yet there will be some survivors(DP)—sons and daughters who will be brought out of it.(DQ) They will come to you, and when you see their conduct(DR) and their actions, you will be consoled(DS) regarding the disaster I have brought on Jerusalem—every disaster I have brought on it. 23 You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord.(DT)”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 13:3 Or wicked
  2. Ezekiel 13:14 Or the city
  3. Ezekiel 14:14 Or Danel, a man of renown in ancient literature; also in verse 20
Next
Ezekiel 11
Ezekiel 15
Next
dropdown
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV