23 And the word of the Lord came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is (A)not cleansed (B)or rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 (C)The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is (D)like a roaring lion (E)tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 26 (F)Her priests (G)have done violence to my law and (H)have profaned my holy things. (I)They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and (J)they have disregarded my Sabbaths, (K)so that I am profaned among them. 27 (L)Her princes in her midst are like wolves (M)tearing the prey, (N)shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. 28 And (O)her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, (P)seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The people of the land (Q)have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and (R)have extorted from the sojourner without justice. 30 (S)And I sought for a man among them (T)who should build up the wall (U)and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. 31 Therefore (V)I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned (W)their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”

Read full chapter

The Sins of Israel’s Leaders

23 Again a message came to me from the Lord: 24 “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain. 25 Your princes[a] plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. 26 Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. 27 Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! 28 And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them. 29 Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.

30 “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. 22:25 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads prophets.