The Two Witnesses

11 Then I was given (A)a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure (B)the court outside the temple; leave that out, for (C)it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for (D)forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for (E)1,260 days, (F)clothed in sackcloth.”

These are (G)the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, (H)fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, (I)this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power (J)to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and (K)to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, (L)the beast that rises from (M)the bottomless pit[a] (N)will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically[b] is called (O)Sodom and (P)Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and (Q)refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and (R)those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and (S)exchange presents, because these two prophets (T)had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days (U)a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, (V)“Come up here!” And (W)they went up to heaven (X)in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was (Y)a great earthquake, and (Z)a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and (AA)gave glory to (AB)the God of heaven.

14 (AC)The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 Then (AD)the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and (AE)there were loud voices in heaven, saying, (AF)“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of (AG)his Christ, and (AH)he shall reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders (AI)who sit on their thrones before God (AJ)fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    (AK)who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
    and (AL)begun to reign.
18 The nations raged,
    but (AM)your wrath came,
    and (AN)the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
    and (AO)those who fear your name,
    both small and great,
and (AP)for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

19 Then (AQ)God's temple in heaven was opened, and (AR)the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings,[c] peals of thunder, an earthquake, and (AS)heavy hail.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 11:7 Or the abyss
  2. Revelation 11:8 Greek spiritually
  3. Revelation 11:19 Or voices, or sounds

The Two Witnesses

11 I was given a reed like a measuring rod(A) and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court;(B) do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.(C) They will trample on the holy city(D) for 42 months.(E) And I will appoint my two witnesses,(F) and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,(G) clothed in sackcloth.”(H) They are “the two olive trees”(I) and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”[a](J) If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.(K) This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.(L) They have power to shut up the heavens(M) so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying;(N) and they have power to turn the waters into blood(O) and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast(P) that comes up from the Abyss(Q) will attack them,(R) and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city(S)—which is figuratively called Sodom(T) and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified.(U) For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation(V) will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.(W) 10 The inhabitants of the earth(X) will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts,(Y) because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11 But after the three and a half days(Z) the breath[b] of life from God entered them,(AA) and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”(AB) And they went up to heaven in a cloud,(AC) while their enemies looked on.

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake(AD) and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory(AE) to the God of heaven.(AF)

14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.(AG)

The Seventh Trumpet

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet,(AH) and there were loud voices(AI) in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,(AJ)
    and he will reign for ever and ever.”(AK)

16 And the twenty-four elders,(AL) who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces(AM) and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give thanks(AN) to you, Lord God Almighty,(AO)
    the One who is and who was,(AP)
because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.(AQ)
18 The nations were angry,(AR)
    and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,(AS)
    and for rewarding your servants the prophets(AT)
and your people who revere your name,
    both great and small(AU)
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

19 Then God’s temple(AV) in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant.(AW) And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder,(AX) an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 11:4 See Zech. 4:3,11,14.
  2. Revelation 11:11 Or Spirit (see Ezek. 37:5,14)

Vision of the New Temple

40 (A)In the twenty-fifth year (B)of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, (C)in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, (D)the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me to the city.[a] In (E)visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on (F)a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. When he brought me there, behold, there was (G)a man whose appearance was (H)like bronze, with (I)a linen cord and (J)a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. And the man said to me, (K)“Son of man, (L)look with your eyes, and (M)hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. (N)Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”

The East Gate to the Outer Court

And behold, there was (O)a wall all around the outside of the temple area, and the length of the measuring reed in the man's hand was six long cubits, (P)each being a cubit and a handbreadth[b] in length. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one reed; and the height, one reed. Then he went into (Q)the gateway facing east, (R)going up its steps, and measured the threshold of the gate, one reed deep.[c] And (S)the side rooms, one reed long and one reed broad; and the space between the side rooms, five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the vestibule of the gate at the inner end, one reed. Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, on the inside, one reed. Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, eight cubits; (T)and its jambs, two cubits; and the vestibule of the gate was at the inner end. 10 And there were three side rooms on either side of the east gate. (U)The three were of the same size, and the jambs on either side were of the same size. 11 Then he measured the width of the opening of the gateway, ten cubits; and the length of the gateway, thirteen cubits. 12 There was a barrier before the side rooms, one cubit on either side. And the side rooms were six cubits on either side. 13 Then he measured the gate from the ceiling of the one side room to the ceiling of the other, a breadth of twenty-five cubits; the openings faced each other. 14 He measured also (V)the vestibule, sixty cubits. And around the vestibule of the gateway was the court.[d] 15 From the front of the gate at the entrance to the front of the inner vestibule of the gate was fifty cubits. 16 And the gateway had (W)windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their (X)jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were (Y)palm trees.

The Outer Court

17 Then he brought me into (Z)the outer court. And behold, there were (AA)chambers and a (AB)pavement, all around the court. (AC)Thirty chambers faced the pavement. 18 And the pavement ran along the side of the gates, corresponding to the length of the gates. This was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the distance from the inner front of the lower gate to the outer front of the inner court,[e] a hundred cubits on the east side and on the north side.[f]

The North Gate

20 As for (AD)the gate that faced toward the north, belonging to (AE)the outer court, he measured its length and its breadth. 21 Its (AF)side rooms, three on either side, and its jambs and its vestibule were of the same size as those of (AG)the first gate. Its length was (AH)fifty cubits, and its breadth (AI)twenty-five cubits. 22 And (AJ)its windows, its vestibule, and (AK)its palm trees were of the same size as those of the gate that faced toward the east. And by seven steps (AL)people would go up to it, and find its vestibule before them. 23 And opposite the gate on the north, as on the east, was a gate to (AM)the inner court. And (AN)he measured from gate to gate, a hundred cubits.

The South Gate

24 And he led me toward the south, and behold, there was a gate on the south. And (AO)he measured its jambs and its vestibule; they had the same size as the others. 25 Both it and its vestibule (AP)had windows all around, like the windows of the others. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 26 And there were seven steps leading up to it, and its vestibule was before them, and it had (AQ)palm trees on its jambs, one on either side. 27 And there was a gate on the south of (AR)the inner court. And he measured from gate to gate toward the south, a hundred cubits.

The Inner Court

28 Then he brought me to (AS)the inner court through the south gate, and (AT)he measured the south gate. It was of the same size as the others. 29 Its (AU)side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others, and both it and its vestibule (AV)had windows all around. (AW)Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 30 And there were vestibules all around, twenty-five cubits long and five cubits broad. 31 Its vestibule faced the outer court, and (AX)palm trees were on its jambs, and (AY)its stairway had eight steps.

32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and (AZ)he measured the gate. It was of the same size as the others. 33 Its side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others, and both it and its vestibule had windows all around. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 34 (BA)Its vestibule faced the outer court, and it had palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps.

35 Then he brought me to (BB)the north gate, and (BC)he measured it. It had the same size as the others. 36 Its side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others,[g] and it had windows all around. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 37 Its vestibule[h] faced the outer court, and it had palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps.

38 There was (BD)a chamber with its door in the vestibule of the gate,[i] (BE)where the burnt offering was to be washed. 39 And in the vestibule of the gate were two (BF)tables on either side, on which the (BG)burnt offering and the (BH)sin offering and the (BI)guilt offering were to be slaughtered. 40 And off to the side, on the outside as one goes up to the entrance of the north gate, were two tables; and off to the other side of the vestibule of the gate were two tables. 41 (BJ)Four tables were on either side of the gate, eight tables, (BK)on which to slaughter. 42 And there were four tables (BL)of hewn stone for the burnt offering, a cubit and a half long, and a cubit and a half broad, and one cubit high, on which the instruments were to be laid with which the (BM)burnt offerings and the sacrifices were slaughtered. 43 And hooks,[j] a handbreadth long, were fastened all around within. And on the tables the flesh of the offering was to be laid.

Chambers for the Priests

44 On the outside of the inner gateway there were two (BN)chambers[k] in the (BO)inner court, one[l] at the side of the north gate facing south, the other at the side of the south[m] gate facing north. 45 And he said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests (BP)who have charge of the temple, 46 and the chamber that faces north is for the priests (BQ)who have charge of the altar. These are (BR)the sons of Zadok, who alone[n] among the sons of Levi may come (BS)near to the Lord to minister to him.” 47 And he measured the court, (BT)a hundred cubits long and (BU)a hundred cubits broad, a square. And (BV)the altar was in front of the temple.

The Vestibule of the Temple

48 Then he brought me to (BW)the vestibule of the temple and measured the (BX)jambs of the vestibule, five cubits on either side. And the breadth of the gate was fourteen cubits, and the sidewalls of the gate[o] were three cubits on either side. 49 (BY)The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the breadth twelve[p] cubits, and people would go up to it by ten steps.[q] And there were pillars beside the jambs, one on either side.

The Inner Temple

41 Then he brought me to (BZ)the nave and measured the (CA)jambs. On each side six cubits[r] was the breadth of the jambs.[s] And the breadth of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sidewalls of the entrance were five cubits on either side. And he measured the length of the nave,[t] (CB)forty cubits, and its breadth, (CC)twenty cubits. Then he went (CD)into the inner room and measured the jambs of the entrance, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits; and the sidewalls on either side[u] of the entrance, seven cubits. And he measured (CE)the length of the room, twenty cubits, and its breadth, twenty cubits, across (CF)the nave. And he said to me, “This is (CG)the Most Holy Place.”

Then he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits thick, and the breadth of (CH)the side chambers, four cubits, (CI)all around the temple. And the side chambers were in three stories, one over another, (CJ)thirty in each story. There were offsets[v] all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side chambers, (CK)so that they should not be supported by the wall of the temple. And it became broader as it wound upward to the side chambers, because the temple was enclosed upward all around the temple. Thus the temple had a broad area upward, and (CL)so one went up from the lowest story to the top story through the middle story. I saw also that the temple had a raised platform all around; the foundations of the side chambers measured a full reed of (CM)six long cubits. The thickness of the outer wall of the side chambers was five cubits. (CN)The free space between the side chambers of the temple and the 10 (CO)other chambers was a breadth of (CP)twenty cubits all around the temple on every side. 11 And the doors of the (CQ)side chambers opened on (CR)the free space, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south. And the breadth of the free space was five cubits all around.

12 The building that was facing (CS)the separate yard on the west side was seventy cubits broad, and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length ninety cubits.

13 Then he measured the temple, (CT)a hundred cubits long; and the yard and the building with its walls, a hundred cubits long; 14 also the breadth of the east front of the temple and the yard, a hundred cubits.

15 Then he measured the length of (CU)the building facing the yard that was at the back and (CV)its galleries[w] on either side, a hundred cubits.

The inside of the nave and the vestibules of the court, 16 (CW)the thresholds and (CX)the narrow windows and the galleries all around the three of them, opposite the threshold, were paneled with wood all around, from the floor up to the windows (now the windows were covered), 17 to the space above the door, even to the inner room, and on the outside. And on all the walls all around, inside and outside, was a measured pattern.[x] 18 It was carved of (CY)cherubim and (CZ)palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: 19 (DA)a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around. 20 From the floor to above the door, cherubim and palm trees were carved; similarly the wall of the nave.

21 The doorposts of (DB)the nave were squared, and in front of (DC)the Holy Place was something resembling 22 (DD)an altar of wood, three cubits high, two cubits long, and two cubits broad.[y] Its corners, its base,[z] and its walls were of wood. He said to me, “This is (DE)the table that is before the Lord.” 23 The nave and the Holy Place had each (DF)a double door. 24 The double doors had two leaves apiece, (DG)two swinging leaves for each door. 25 And on the doors of the nave were carved cherubim and palm trees, (DH)such as were carved on the walls. And there was (DI)a canopy[aa] of wood in front of (DJ)the vestibule outside. 26 And there were (DK)narrow windows and palm trees on either side, on the sidewalls of the vestibule, (DL)the side chambers of the temple, and the (DM)canopies.

The Temple's Chambers

42 Then he led me out into (DN)the outer court, (DO)toward the north, and he brought me to (DP)the chambers that were opposite (DQ)the separate yard and opposite (DR)the building on the north. The length of the building whose door faced north was (DS)a hundred cubits,[ab] and (DT)the breadth fifty cubits. Facing (DU)the twenty cubits that belonged to the inner court, and facing (DV)the pavement that belonged to the outer court, was (DW)gallery[ac] against gallery in three stories. And (DX)before the chambers was a passage inward, ten cubits wide and (DY)a hundred cubits long,[ad] and (DZ)their doors were on the north. Now the upper chambers were narrower, for the galleries took more away from them than from the lower and middle chambers of the building. For they were in three stories, and they had no pillars like the pillars of the courts. Thus the upper chambers were set back from the ground more than the lower and the middle ones. And (EA)there was a wall outside parallel to the chambers, toward the outer court, opposite the chambers, (EB)fifty cubits long. For the chambers on the outer court were fifty cubits long, while those opposite (EC)the nave[ae] were (ED)a hundred cubits long. Below these chambers was (EE)an entrance on the east side, as one enters them from the outer court.

10 In the thickness of (EF)the wall of the court, on the south[af] also, opposite (EG)the yard and opposite (EH)the building, there were (EI)chambers 11 with (EJ)a passage in front of them. They were similar to the chambers on the north, of the same length and breadth, with the same exits[ag] and arrangements and (EK)doors, 12 as were the entrances of the chambers on the south. There was an entrance at the beginning of the passage, the passage before (EL)the corresponding wall on the east as one enters them.[ah]

13 Then he said to me, “The north chambers and the south chambers opposite (EM)the yard are the holy chambers, (EN)where the priests who approach the Lord (EO)shall eat the (EP)most holy offerings. There they shall put the most holy offerings—(EQ)the grain offering, (ER)the sin offering, and (ES)the guilt offering—for the place is holy. 14 When the priests enter the Holy Place, they shall not go out of it into the outer court (ET)without laying there the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. (EU)They shall put on other garments before they go near to that which is for the people.”

15 Now when he had finished measuring the interior of the temple area, he led me out by (EV)the gate that faced east, and measured the temple area all around. 16 He measured the east side with (EW)the measuring reed, 500 cubits by the measuring reed all around. 17 He measured the north side, 500 cubits by the measuring reed all around. 18 He measured the south side, 500 cubits by the measuring reed. 19 Then he turned to the west side and measured, 500 cubits by the measuring reed. 20 He measured it on the four sides. It had (EX)a wall around it, (EY)500 cubits long and (EZ)500 cubits broad, (FA)to make a separation between the holy and the common.

The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple

43 Then he led me to (FB)the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, (FC)the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And (FD)the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and (FE)the earth shone with his glory. And (FF)the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen (FG)when he[ai] came to destroy the city, and just like (FH)the vision that I had seen (FI)by the Chebar canal. And (FJ)I fell on my face. As (FK)the glory of the Lord (FL)entered the temple by the gate facing east, (FM)the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into (FN)the inner court; and behold, (FO)the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

(FP)While the man was standing beside me, (FQ)I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, (FR)“Son of man, this is (FS)the place of my throne and (FT)the place of the soles of my feet, (FU)where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more (FV)defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies[aj] of their kings at their high places,[ak] by setting their threshold by my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with (FW)only a wall between me and them. They have (FX)defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, (FY)and I will dwell in their midst forever.

10 “As for you, (FZ)son of man, (GA)describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan. 11 And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, (GB)make known to them the design of the temple, its arrangement, (GC)its exits and its entrances, that is, its whole design; and make known to them as well all its statutes and its whole design and all its laws, and write it down (GD)in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all its statutes and carry them out. 12 This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of (GE)the mountain (GF)all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.

The Altar

13 “These are the measurements of (GG)the altar by cubits (the cubit being (GH)a cubit and a handbreadth):[al] its base shall be one cubit high[am] and one cubit broad, with a rim of one span[an] around its edge. And this shall be the height of the altar: 14 from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; 15 and the altar hearth, four cubits; and from the altar hearth projecting upward, (GI)four horns. 16 The altar hearth shall be (GJ)square, twelve cubits long by twelve broad. 17 The ledge also shall be square, fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad, with a rim around it half a cubit broad, and its base one cubit all around. (GK)The steps of the altar shall face east.”

18 And he said to me, (GL)“Son of man, thus says the Lord God: These are the ordinances for the altar: On the day when it is erected for offering burnt offerings upon it and (GM)for throwing blood against it, 19 you shall give to (GN)the Levitical priests (GO)of the family of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, declares the Lord God, (GP)a bull from the herd for a sin offering. 20 And (GQ)you shall take some of its blood and put it on (GR)the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and upon (GS)the rim all around. (GT)Thus you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it. 21 You shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and (GU)it shall be burned in the appointed place belonging to the temple, outside the sacred area. 22 And on the second day you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering; and the altar shall be purified, as it was purified with the bull. 23 When you have finished (GV)purifying it, you shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish and (GW)a ram from the flock without blemish. 24 You shall present them before the Lord, and the priests (GX)shall sprinkle salt on them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the Lord. 25 (GY)For seven days you shall provide daily a male goat for a sin offering; also, a bull from the herd and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall be provided. 26 Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, and so consecrate it.[ao] 27 And when they have completed these days, then (GZ)from the eighth day onward the priests shall offer on the altar your burnt offerings and your (HA)peace offerings, and (HB)I will accept you, declares the Lord God.”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 40:1 Hebrew brought me there
  2. Ezekiel 40:5 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters; a handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters
  3. Ezekiel 40:6 Hebrew deep, and one threshold, one reed deep
  4. Ezekiel 40:14 Text uncertain; Hebrew And he made the jambs sixty cubits, and to the jamb of the court was the gateway all around
  5. Ezekiel 40:19 Hebrew distance from before the low gate before the inner court to the outside
  6. Ezekiel 40:19 Or cubits. So far the eastern gate; now to the northern gate
  7. Ezekiel 40:36 One manuscript (compare verses 29 and 33); most manuscripts lack were of the same size as the others
  8. Ezekiel 40:37 Septuagint, Vulgate (compare verses 26, 31, 34); Hebrew jambs
  9. Ezekiel 40:38 Hebrew at the jambs, the gates
  10. Ezekiel 40:43 Or shelves
  11. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew were chambers for singers
  12. Ezekiel 40:44 Hebrew lacks one
  13. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew east
  14. Ezekiel 40:46 Hebrew lacks alone
  15. Ezekiel 40:48 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks was fourteen cubits, and the sidewalls of the gate
  16. Ezekiel 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew eleven
  17. Ezekiel 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew and by steps that would go up to it
  18. Ezekiel 41:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  19. Ezekiel 41:1 Compare Septuagint; Hebrew tent
  20. Ezekiel 41:2 Hebrew its length
  21. Ezekiel 41:3 Septuagint; Hebrew and the breadth
  22. Ezekiel 41:6 Septuagint, compare 1 Kings 6:6; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  23. Ezekiel 41:15 The meaning of the Hebrew term is unknown; also verse 16
  24. Ezekiel 41:17 Hebrew were measurements
  25. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks two cubits broad
  26. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew length
  27. Ezekiel 41:25 The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown; also verse 26
  28. Ezekiel 42:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  29. Ezekiel 42:3 The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown; also verse 5
  30. Ezekiel 42:4 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew and a way of one cubit
  31. Ezekiel 42:8 Or temple
  32. Ezekiel 42:10 Septuagint; Hebrew east
  33. Ezekiel 42:11 Hebrew and all their exits
  34. Ezekiel 42:12 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
  35. Ezekiel 43:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts when I
  36. Ezekiel 43:7 Or the monuments; also verse 9
  37. Ezekiel 43:7 Or at their deaths
  38. Ezekiel 43:13 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters; a handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters
  39. Ezekiel 43:13 Or its gutter shall be one cubit deep
  40. Ezekiel 43:13 A span was about 9 inches or 22 centimeters
  41. Ezekiel 43:26 Hebrew fill its hand

The Temple Area Restored

40 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city(A)—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me(B) and he took me there. In visions(C) of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain,(D) on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze;(E) he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod(F) in his hand. The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you,(G) for that is why you have been brought here. Tell(H) the people of Israel everything you see.(I)

The East Gate to the Outer Court

I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits,[a] each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured(J) the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.

Then he went to the east gate.(K) He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate; it was one rod deep. The alcoves(L) for the guards were one rod long and one rod wide, and the projecting walls between the alcoves were five cubits[b] thick. And the threshold of the gate next to the portico facing the temple was one rod deep.

Then he measured the portico of the gateway; it[c] was eight cubits[d] deep and its jambs were two cubits[e] thick. The portico of the gateway faced the temple.

10 Inside the east gate were three alcoves on each side; the three had the same measurements, and the faces of the projecting walls on each side had the same measurements. 11 Then he measured the width of the entrance of the gateway; it was ten cubits and its length was thirteen cubits.[f] 12 In front of each alcove was a wall one cubit high, and the alcoves were six cubits square. 13 Then he measured the gateway from the top of the rear wall of one alcove to the top of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits[g] from one parapet opening to the opposite one. 14 He measured along the faces of the projecting walls all around the inside of the gateway—sixty cubits.[h] The measurement was up to the portico[i] facing the courtyard.[j](M) 15 The distance from the entrance of the gateway to the far end of its portico was fifty cubits.[k] 16 The alcoves and the projecting walls inside the gateway were surmounted by narrow parapet openings all around, as was the portico; the openings all around faced inward. The faces of the projecting walls were decorated with palm trees.(N)

The Outer Court

17 Then he brought me into the outer court.(O) There I saw some rooms and a pavement that had been constructed all around the court; there were thirty rooms(P) along the pavement.(Q) 18 It abutted the sides of the gateways and was as wide as they were long; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court;(R) it was a hundred cubits[l](S) on the east side as well as on the north.

The North Gate

20 Then he measured the length and width of the north gate, leading into the outer court. 21 Its alcoves(T)—three on each side—its projecting walls and its portico(U) had the same measurements as those of the first gateway. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 22 Its openings, its portico(V) and its palm tree decorations had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.(W) 23 There was a gate to the inner court facing the north gate, just as there was on the east. He measured from one gate to the opposite one; it was a hundred cubits.(X)

The South Gate

24 Then he led me to the south side and I saw the south gate. He measured its jambs and its portico, and they had the same measurements(Y) as the others. 25 The gateway and its portico had narrow openings all around, like the openings of the others. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.(Z) 26 Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them; it had palm tree decorations on the faces of the projecting walls on each side.(AA) 27 The inner court(AB) also had a gate facing south, and he measured from this gate to the outer gate on the south side; it was a hundred cubits.(AC)

The Gates to the Inner Court

28 Then he brought me into the inner court through the south gate, and he measured the south gate; it had the same measurements(AD) as the others. 29 Its alcoves,(AE) its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as the others. The gateway and its portico had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.(AF) 30 (The porticoes(AG) of the gateways around the inner court were twenty-five cubits wide and five cubits deep.) 31 Its portico(AH) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated its jambs, and eight steps led up to it.(AI)

32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gateway; it had the same measurements(AJ) as the others. 33 Its alcoves,(AK) its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as the others. The gateway and its portico had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 34 Its portico(AL) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.

35 Then he brought me to the north gate(AM) and measured it. It had the same measurements(AN) as the others, 36 as did its alcoves,(AO) its projecting walls and its portico, and it had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 37 Its portico[m](AP) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.(AQ)

The Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices

38 A room with a doorway was by the portico in each of the inner gateways, where the burnt offerings(AR) were washed. 39 In the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings,(AS) sin offerings[n](AT) and guilt offerings(AU) were slaughtered.(AV) 40 By the outside wall of the portico of the gateway, near the steps at the entrance of the north gateway were two tables, and on the other side of the steps were two tables. 41 So there were four tables on one side of the gateway and four on the other—eight tables in all—on which the sacrifices were slaughtered. 42 There were also four tables of dressed stone(AW) for the burnt offerings, each a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit high.[o] On them were placed the utensils for slaughtering the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices.(AX) 43 And double-pronged hooks, each a handbreadth[p] long, were attached to the wall all around. The tables were for the flesh of the offerings.

The Rooms for the Priests

44 Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, were two rooms, one[q] at the side of the north gate and facing south, and another at the side of the south[r] gate and facing north. 45 He said to me, “The room facing south is for the priests who guard the temple,(AY) 46 and the room facing north(AZ) is for the priests who guard the altar.(BA) These are the sons of Zadok,(BB) who are the only Levites who may draw near to the Lord to minister before him.(BC)

47 Then he measured the court: It was square—a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in front of the temple.(BD)

The New Temple

48 He brought me to the portico of the temple(BE) and measured the jambs of the portico; they were five cubits wide on either side. The width of the entrance was fourteen cubits[s] and its projecting walls were[t] three cubits[u] wide on either side. 49 The portico(BF) was twenty cubits[v] wide, and twelve[w] cubits[x] from front to back. It was reached by a flight of stairs,[y] and there were pillars(BG) on each side of the jambs.

41 Then the man brought me to the main hall(BH) and measured the jambs; the width of the jambs was six cubits[z] on each side.[aa] The entrance was ten cubits[ab] wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were five cubits[ac] wide. He also measured the main hall; it was forty cubits long and twenty cubits wide.[ad](BI)

Then he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the jambs of the entrance; each was two cubits[ae] wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were seven cubits[af] wide. And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the main hall.(BJ) He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.(BK)

Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits[ag] wide. The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty(BL) on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple.(BM) The side rooms all around the temple were wider at each successive level. The structure surrounding the temple was built in ascending stages, so that the rooms widened as one went upward. A stairway(BN) went up from the lowest floor to the top floor through the middle floor.

I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, forming the foundation of the side rooms. It was the length of the rod, six long cubits. The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick. The open area between the side rooms of the temple 10 and the priests’ rooms was twenty cubits wide all around the temple. 11 There were entrances to the side rooms from the open area, one on the north and another on the south; and the base adjoining the open area was five cubits wide all around.

12 The building facing the temple courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits[ah] wide. The wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length was ninety cubits.[ai]

13 Then he measured the temple; it was a hundred cubits[aj] long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long. 14 The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits.(BO)

15 Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries(BP) on each side; it was a hundred cubits.

The main hall, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court, 16 as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows(BQ) and galleries around the three of them—everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered.(BR) 17 In the space above the outside of the entrance to the inner sanctuary and on the walls at regular intervals all around the inner and outer sanctuary 18 were carved(BS) cherubim(BT) and palm trees.(BU) Palm trees alternated with cherubim. Each cherub had two faces:(BV) 19 the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple.(BW) 20 From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the main hall.

21 The main hall(BX) had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar. 22 There was a wooden altar(BY) three cubits[ak] high and two cubits square[al]; its corners, its base[am] and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, “This is the table(BZ) that is before the Lord.” 23 Both the main hall(CA) and the Most Holy Place had double doors.(CB) 24 Each door had two leaves—two hinged leaves(CC) for each door. 25 And on the doors of the main hall were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and there was a wooden overhang on the front of the portico. 26 On the sidewalls of the portico were narrow windows with palm trees carved on each side. The side rooms of the temple also had overhangs.(CD)

The Rooms for the Priests

42 Then the man led me northward into the outer court and brought me to the rooms(CE) opposite the temple courtyard(CF) and opposite the outer wall on the north side.(CG) The building whose door faced north was a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide.[an] Both in the section twenty cubits[ao] from the inner court and in the section opposite the pavement of the outer court, gallery(CH) faced gallery at the three levels.(CI) In front of the rooms was an inner passageway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits[ap] long.[aq] Their doors were on the north.(CJ) Now the upper rooms were narrower, for the galleries took more space from them than from the rooms on the lower and middle floors of the building. The rooms on the top floor had no pillars, as the courts had; so they were smaller in floor space than those on the lower and middle floors. There was an outer wall parallel to the rooms and the outer court; it extended in front of the rooms for fifty cubits. While the row of rooms on the side next to the outer court was fifty cubits long, the row on the side nearest the sanctuary was a hundred cubits long. The lower rooms had an entrance(CK) on the east side as one enters them from the outer court.

10 On the south side[ar] along the length of the wall of the outer court, adjoining the temple courtyard(CL) and opposite the outer wall, were rooms(CM) 11 with a passageway in front of them. These were like the rooms on the north; they had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions. Similar to the doorways on the north 12 were the doorways of the rooms on the south. There was a doorway at the beginning of the passageway that was parallel to the corresponding wall extending eastward, by which one enters the rooms.

13 Then he said to me, “The north(CN) and south rooms(CO) facing the temple courtyard(CP) are the priests’ rooms, where the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will put the most holy offerings—the grain offerings,(CQ) the sin offerings[as](CR) and the guilt offerings(CS)—for the place is holy.(CT) 14 Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments(CU) in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people.(CV)

15 When he had finished measuring what was inside the temple area, he led me out by the east gate(CW) and measured the area all around: 16 He measured the east side with the measuring rod; it was five hundred cubits.[at][au] 17 He measured the north side; it was five hundred cubits[av] by the measuring rod. 18 He measured the south side; it was five hundred cubits by the measuring rod. 19 Then he turned to the west side and measured; it was five hundred cubits by the measuring rod. 20 So he measured(CX) the area(CY) on all four sides. It had a wall around it,(CZ) five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide,(DA) to separate the holy from the common.(DB)

God’s Glory Returns to the Temple

43 Then the man brought me to the gate facing east,(DC) and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters,(DD) and the land was radiant with his glory.(DE) The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he[aw] came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. The glory(DF) of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east.(DG) Then the Spirit(DH) lifted me up(DI) and brought me into the inner court, and the glory(DJ) of the Lord filled the temple.(DK)

While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple. He said: “Son of man, this is the place of my throne(DL) and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile(DM) my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings[ax] for their kings at their death.[ay](DN) When they placed their threshold next to my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them, they defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger. Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.(DO)

10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed(DP) of their sins. Let them consider its perfection, 11 and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design and all its regulations[az] and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.(DQ)

12 “This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area(DR) on top of the mountain will be most holy.(DS) Such is the law of the temple.

The Great Altar Restored

13 “These are the measurements of the altar(DT) in long cubits,[ba] that cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth: Its gutter is a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span[bb] around the edge. And this is the height of the altar: 14 From the gutter on the ground up to the lower ledge that goes around the altar it is two cubits high, and the ledge is a cubit wide.[bc] From this lower ledge to the upper ledge that goes around the altar it is four cubits high, and that ledge is also a cubit wide.[bd] 15 Above that, the altar hearth(DU) is four cubits high, and four horns(DV) project upward from the hearth. 16 The altar hearth is square, twelve cubits[be] long and twelve cubits wide.(DW) 17 The upper ledge(DX) also is square, fourteen cubits[bf] long and fourteen cubits wide. All around the altar is a gutter of one cubit with a rim of half a cubit.[bg] The steps(DY) of the altar face east.(DZ)

18 Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings(EA) and splashing blood(EB) against the altar when it is built: 19 You are to give a young bull(EC) as a sin offering[bh] to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok,(ED) who come near(EE) to minister before me, declares the Sovereign Lord. 20 You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar(EF) and on the four corners of the upper ledge(EG) and all around the rim, and so purify the altar(EH) and make atonement for it. 21 You are to take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the designated part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.(EI)

22 “On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified as it was purified with the bull. 23 When you have finished purifying it, you are to offer a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.(EJ) 24 You are to offer them before the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt(EK) on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord.

25 “For seven days(EL) you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering; you are also to provide a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.(EM) 26 For seven days they are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; thus they will dedicate it. 27 At the end of these days, from the eighth day(EN) on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings(EO) and fellowship offerings(EP) on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 40:5 That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verse 12. The long cubit of about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters is the basic unit of measurement of length throughout chapters 40–48.
  2. Ezekiel 40:7 That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verse 48
  3. Ezekiel 40:9 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts gateway facing the temple; it was one rod deep. Then he measured the portico of the gateway; it
  4. Ezekiel 40:9 That is, about 14 feet or about 4.2 meters
  5. Ezekiel 40:9 That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1 meter
  6. Ezekiel 40:11 That is, about 18 feet wide and 23 feet long or about 5.3 meters wide and 6.9 meters long
  7. Ezekiel 40:13 That is, about 44 feet or about 13 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 30, 33 and 36
  8. Ezekiel 40:14 That is, about 105 feet or about 32 meters
  9. Ezekiel 40:14 Septuagint; Hebrew projecting wall
  10. Ezekiel 40:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  11. Ezekiel 40:15 That is, about 88 feet or about 27 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 33 and 36
  12. Ezekiel 40:19 That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 23, 27 and 47
  13. Ezekiel 40:37 Septuagint (see also verses 31 and 34); Hebrew jambs
  14. Ezekiel 40:39 Or purification offerings
  15. Ezekiel 40:42 That is, about 2 2/3 feet long and wide and 21 inches high or about 80 centimeters long and wide and 53 centimeters high
  16. Ezekiel 40:43 That is, about 3 1/2 inches or about 9 centimeters
  17. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew were rooms for singers, which were
  18. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew east
  19. Ezekiel 40:48 That is, about 25 feet or about 7.4 meters
  20. Ezekiel 40:48 Septuagint; Hebrew entrance was
  21. Ezekiel 40:48 That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.6 meters
  22. Ezekiel 40:49 That is, about 35 feet or about 11 meters
  23. Ezekiel 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew eleven
  24. Ezekiel 40:49 That is, about 21 feet or about 6.4 meters
  25. Ezekiel 40:49 Hebrew; Septuagint Ten steps led up to it
  26. Ezekiel 41:1 That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verses 3, 5 and 8
  27. Ezekiel 41:1 One Hebrew manuscript and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts side, the width of the tent
  28. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 18 feet or about 5.3 meters
  29. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verses 9, 11 and 12
  30. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 70 feet long and 35 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 11 meters wide
  31. Ezekiel 41:3 That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1.1 meters; also in verse 22
  32. Ezekiel 41:3 That is, about 12 feet or about 3.7 meters
  33. Ezekiel 41:5 That is, about 7 feet or about 2.1 meters
  34. Ezekiel 41:12 That is, about 123 feet or about 37 meters
  35. Ezekiel 41:12 That is, about 158 feet or about 48 meters
  36. Ezekiel 41:13 That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 14 and 15
  37. Ezekiel 41:22 That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.5 meters
  38. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew long
  39. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew length
  40. Ezekiel 42:2 That is, about 175 feet long and 88 feet wide or about 53 meters long and 27 meters wide
  41. Ezekiel 42:3 That is, about 35 feet or about 11 meters
  42. Ezekiel 42:4 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew and one cubit
  43. Ezekiel 42:4 That is, about 18 feet wide and 175 feet long or about 5.3 meters wide and 53 meters long
  44. Ezekiel 42:10 Septuagint; Hebrew Eastward
  45. Ezekiel 42:13 Or purification offerings
  46. Ezekiel 42:16 See Septuagint of verse 17; Hebrew rods; also in verses 18 and 19.
  47. Ezekiel 42:16 Five hundred cubits equal about 875 feet or about 265 meters; also in verses 17, 18 and 19.
  48. Ezekiel 42:17 Septuagint; Hebrew rods
  49. Ezekiel 43:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts I
  50. Ezekiel 43:7 Or the memorial monuments; also in verse 9
  51. Ezekiel 43:7 Or their high places
  52. Ezekiel 43:11 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts regulations and its whole design
  53. Ezekiel 43:13 That is, about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters; also in verses 14 and 17. The long cubit is the basic unit for linear measurement throughout Ezekiel 40–48.
  54. Ezekiel 43:13 That is, about 11 inches or about 27 centimeters
  55. Ezekiel 43:14 That is, about 3 1/2 feet high and 1 3/4 feet wide or about 105 centimeters high and 53 centimeters wide
  56. Ezekiel 43:14 That is, about 7 feet high and 1 3/4 feet wide or about 2.1 meters high and 53 centimeters wide
  57. Ezekiel 43:16 That is, about 21 feet or about 6.4 meters
  58. Ezekiel 43:17 That is, about 25 feet or about 7.4 meters
  59. Ezekiel 43:17 That is, about 11 inches or about 27 centimeters
  60. Ezekiel 43:19 Or purification offering; also in verses 21, 22 and 25

19 So then you are no longer (A)strangers and aliens,[a] but you are (B)fellow citizens with the saints and (C)members of the household of God, 20 (D)built on the foundation of the (E)apostles and prophets, (F)Christ Jesus himself being (G)the cornerstone, 21 (H)in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into (I)a holy temple in the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 2:19 Or sojourners

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(A) but fellow citizens(B) with God’s people and also members of his household,(C) 20 built(D) on the foundation(E) of the apostles and prophets,(F) with Christ Jesus himself(G) as the chief cornerstone.(H) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(I) in the Lord.

Read full chapter

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

24 (A)Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, (B)there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

As he sat on (C)the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him (D)privately, saying, “Tell us, (E)when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your (F)coming and of (G)the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, (H)“See that no one leads you astray. For (I)many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am (J)the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you (K)are not alarmed, for this (L)must take place, but the end is not yet. For (M)nation will rise against nation, and (N)kingdom against kingdom, and there will be (O)famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of (P)the birth pains.

“Then (Q)they will deliver you up (R)to tribulation and (S)put you to death, and (T)you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and (U)betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many (V)false prophets will arise (W)and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, (X)the love of many will grow cold. 13 (Y)But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom (Z)will be proclaimed throughout the whole world (AA)as a testimony (AB)to all nations, and (AC)then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation (AD)spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in (AE)the holy place ((AF)let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 (AG)Let the one who is on (AH)the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And (AI)alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be (AJ)great tribulation, (AK)such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for (AL)the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 (AM)Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For (AN)false christs and (AO)false prophets will arise and (AP)perform great signs and wonders, (AQ)so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, (AR)I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, (AS)he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 (AT)For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be (AU)the coming of the Son of Man. 28 (AV)Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 “Immediately after (AW)the tribulation of those days (AX)the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and (AY)the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then (AZ)will appear in heaven (BA)the sign of the Son of Man, and then (BB)all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and (BC)they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (BD)with power and great glory. 31 And (BE)he will send out his angels with a loud (BF)trumpet call, and they will (BG)gather (BH)his elect from (BI)the four winds, (BJ)from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, (BK)at the very gates. 34 (BL)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 (BM)Heaven and earth will pass away, but (BN)my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 “But concerning that day and hour (BO)no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, (BP)nor the Son,[b] (BQ)but the Father only. 37 (BR)For as were the days of Noah, (BS)so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 (BT)For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, (BU)marrying and giving in marriage, until (BV)the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, (BW)so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 (BX)Two women will be grinding (BY)at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, (BZ)stay awake, for you do not know on what day (CA)your Lord is coming. 43 (CB)But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night (CC)the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be (CD)ready, for (CE)the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 “Who then is (CF)the faithful and (CG)wise servant,[c] whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 (CH)Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, (CI)he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master (CJ)is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants[d] and eats and drinks with (CK)drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come (CL)on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place (CM)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 24:10 Or stumble
  2. Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son
  3. Matthew 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50
  4. Matthew 24:49 Or bondservants

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(A)

24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another;(B) every one will be thrown down.”

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,(C) the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming(D) and of the end of the age?”(E)

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.(F) For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.(G) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(H) There will be famines(I) and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted(J) and put to death,(K) and you will be hated by all nations because of me.(L) 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets(M) will appear and deceive many people.(N) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(O) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom(P) will be preached in the whole world(Q) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place(R) ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a](S) spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop(T) go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!(U) 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.(V)

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect(W) those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.(X) 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders(Y) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning(Z) that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming(AA) of the Son of Man.(AB) 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.(AC)

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[b](AD)

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn(AE) when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven,(AF) with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels(AG) with a loud trumpet call,(AH) and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door.(AI) 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(AJ) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(AK)

The Day and Hour Unknown(AL)(AM)

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father.(AN) 37 As it was in the days of Noah,(AO) so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,(AP) up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.(AQ) 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.(AR) 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.(AS)

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.(AT) 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,(AU) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready,(AV) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,(AW) whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.(AX) 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.(AY) 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.(AZ) 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(BA)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
  2. Matthew 24:29 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
  3. Matthew 24:30 Or the tribes of the land
  4. Matthew 24:30 See Daniel 7:13-14.
  5. Matthew 24:33 Or he
  6. Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts do not have nor the Son.

And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, (A)a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and (B)seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And there are (C)two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” And I said to (D)the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, (E)“Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to (F)Zerubbabel: (G)Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, (H)O great mountain? Before (I)Zerubbabel (J)you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward (K)the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, (L)“The hands of (M)Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also (N)complete it. (O)Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10 (P)For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see (Q)the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

(R)“These seven (S)are the eyes of the Lord, (T)which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these (U)two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these (V)two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil[a] is poured out?” 13 He said to me, (W)“Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, (X)“These are the two anointed ones[b] who stand by (Y)the Lord of the whole earth.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 4:12 Hebrew lacks oil
  2. Zechariah 4:14 Hebrew two sons of new oil

He asked me, “What do you see?”(A)

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand(B) with a bowl at the top and seven lamps(C) on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees(D) by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.(E)

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:(F) ‘Not(G) by might nor by power,(H) but by my Spirit,’(I) says the Lord Almighty.

“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.(J) Then he will bring out the capstone(K) to shouts(L) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation(M) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.(N) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me(O) to you.

10 “Who dares despise the day(P) of small things,(Q) since the seven eyes(R) of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone[a] in the hand of Zerubbabel?”(S)

11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees(T) on the right and the left of the lampstand?”

12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”

13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I said.

14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed(U) to[b] serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 4:10 Or the plumb line
  2. Zechariah 4:14 Or two who bring oil and

19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[a] the world to himself, (A)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us (B)the message of reconciliation.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling

19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(A) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Read full chapter

As you come to him, a living stone (A)rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, (B)you yourselves like living stones are being built up as (C)a spiritual house, to be (D)a holy priesthood, (E)to offer spiritual sacrifices (F)acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

(G)“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
(H)and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who (I)believe, but for those who (J)do not believe,

(K)“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”[a]

and

(L)“A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, (M)as they were destined to do.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:7 Greek the head of the corner

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

As you come to him, the living Stone(A)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(B) and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built(C) into a spiritual house[a](D) to be a holy priesthood,(E) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(F) For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,(G)
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”[b](H)

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(I)

“The stone the builders rejected(J)
    has become the cornerstone,”[c](K)

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[d](L)

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
  2. 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
  3. 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
  4. 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14