he sent them a prophet,(A) who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt,(B) out of the land of slavery.(C)

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That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

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and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose(A) Israel, I swore with uplifted hand(B) to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, “I am the Lord your God.(C) On that day I swore(D) to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey,(E) the most beautiful of all lands.(F) And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images(G) you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols(H) of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.(I)

“‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me;(J) they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt.(K) So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.(L) But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt.(M) I did it to keep my name from being profaned(N) in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites. 10 Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.(O) 11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.(P) 12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths(Q) as a sign(R) between us,(S) so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.(T)

13 “‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled(U) against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws(V)—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths.(W) So I said I would pour out my wrath(X) on them and destroy(Y) them in the wilderness.(Z) 14 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned(AA) in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.(AB) 15 Also with uplifted hand I swore(AC) to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands(AD) 16 because they rejected my laws(AE) and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts(AF) were devoted to their idols.(AG) 17 Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy(AH) them or put an end to them in the wilderness. 18 I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the statutes of your parents(AI) or keep their laws or defile yourselves(AJ) with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God;(AK) follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.(AL) 20 Keep my Sabbaths(AM) holy, that they may be a sign(AN) between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.(AO)

21 “‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws,(AP) of which I said, “The person who obeys them will live by them,” and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger(AQ) against them in the wilderness.(AR) 22 But I withheld(AS) my hand, and for the sake of my name(AT) I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. 23 Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter(AU) them through the countries, 24 because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees(AV) and desecrated my Sabbaths,(AW) and their eyes lusted after(AX) their parents’ idols.(AY) 25 So I gave(AZ) them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live;(BA) 26 I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice(BB) of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.(BC)

27 “Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this also your ancestors(BD) blasphemed(BE) me by being unfaithful to me:(BF) 28 When I brought them into the land(BG) I had sworn to give them and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that aroused my anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings.(BH) 29 Then I said to them: What is this high place(BI) you go to?’” (It is called Bamah[a] to this day.)

Rebellious Israel Renewed

30 “Therefore say to the Israelites: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves(BJ) the way your ancestors did and lust after their vile images?(BK) 31 When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children(BL) in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.(BM)

32 “‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 20:29 Bamah means high place.

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the Lord your God;

In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.

12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

14 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

15 Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

17 Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:

19 I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.

21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

22 Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the Lord.

27 Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

28 For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day.

30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?

31 For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.

32 And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

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In all their distress he too was distressed,
    and the angel(A) of his presence(B) saved them.[a]
In his love and mercy he redeemed(C) them;
    he lifted them up and carried(D) them
    all the days of old.(E)
10 Yet they rebelled(F)
    and grieved his Holy Spirit.(G)
So he turned and became their enemy(H)
    and he himself fought(I) against them.

11 Then his people recalled[b] the days of old,
    the days of Moses and his people—
where is he who brought them through the sea,(J)
    with the shepherd of his flock?(K)
Where is he who set
    his Holy Spirit(L) among them,
12 who sent his glorious arm(M) of power
    to be at Moses’ right hand,
who divided the waters(N) before them,
    to gain for himself everlasting renown,(O)
13 who led(P) them through the depths?(Q)
Like a horse in open country,
    they did not stumble;(R)
14 like cattle that go down to the plain,
    they were given rest(S) by the Spirit of the Lord.
This is how you guided your people
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 63:9 Or Savior in their distress. / It was no envoy or angel / but his own presence that saved them
  2. Isaiah 63:11 Or But may he recall

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?

14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

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10 to him who struck down the firstborn(A) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(B) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(C) and outstretched arm;(D)
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a](E) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(F) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(G)
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(H)
His love endures forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

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The Angel of the Lord at Bokim

The angel of the Lord(A) went up from Gilgal(B) to Bokim(C) and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt(D) and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors.(E) I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you,(F) and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land,(G) but you shall break down their altars.(H)’ Yet you have disobeyed(I) me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you;(J) they will become traps(K) for you, and their gods will become snares(L) to you.’”

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And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

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“You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt;(A) you heard their cry at the Red Sea.[a](B) 10 You sent signs(C) and wonders(D) against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name(E) for yourself,(F) which remains to this day. 11 You divided the sea before them,(G) so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths,(H) like a stone into mighty waters.(I) 12 By day(J) you led(K) them with a pillar of cloud,(L) and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 9:9 Or the Sea of Reeds

And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

10 And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

12 Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.

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