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Those Who Sin Will Die

18 The Lord said:

(A) Ezekiel, I hear the people of Israel using the old saying,

“Sour grapes eaten by parents
leave a sour taste in the mouths
    of their children.”

Now tell them that I am the Lord God, and as surely as I live, that saying will no longer be used in Israel. The lives of all people belong to me—parents as well as children. However, only those who sin will be put to death.

Suppose there is a truly good man who always does what is fair and right. He refuses to eat meat sacrificed to foreign gods at local shrines or to worship Israel's idols. He doesn't have sex with someone else's wife or with a woman having her monthly period. He never cheats or robs anyone and always returns anything taken as security for a loan; he gives food and clothes to the poor and doesn't charge interest when lending money. He refuses to do anything evil; he is fair to everyone (B) and faithfully obeys my laws and teachings. This man is good, and I promise he will live.

10 But suppose this good man has an evil son who is violent and commits sins 11 his father never did. He eats meat at local shrines, has sex with someone else's wife, 12 cheats the poor, and robs people. He keeps what is given to him as security for a loan. He worships idols, does disgusting things, 13 and charges high interest when lending money. An evil man like that will certainly not live. He is the one who has done these horrible sins, so it's his own fault that he will be put to death.

14 But suppose this evil man has a son who sees his father do these things and refuses to act like him. 15 He doesn't eat meat at local shrines or worship Israel's idols, and he doesn't have sex with someone else's wife. 16 He never cheats or robs anyone and doesn't even demand security for a loan. He gives food and clothes to the poor 17 and refuses to do anything evil[a] or to charge interest. And he obeys all my laws and teachings. Such a man will live. His own father sinned, but this good man will not be put to death for the sins of his father. 18 It is his father who will die for cheating and robbing and doing evil.

19 You may wonder why a son isn't punished for the sins of his father. It is because the son does what is right and obeys my laws. 20 (C) Only those who sin will be put to death. Children won't suffer for the sins of their parents, and parents won't suffer for the sins of their children. Good people will be rewarded for what they do, and evil people will be punished for what they do.

21 Suppose wicked people stop sinning and start obeying my laws and doing right. They won't be put to death. 22 All their sins will be forgiven, and they will live because they did right. 23 I, the Lord God, don't like to see wicked people die. I had much rather see them turn back from their sins and live.

24 But when good people start sinning and doing disgusting things, will they live? No! All their good deeds will be forgotten, and they will be put to death because of their sins.

25 You people of Israel accuse me of being unfair! But listen—I'm not unfair; you are! 26 If good people start doing evil, they must be put to death, because they have sinned. 27 And if wicked people start doing right, they will save themselves from punishment. 28 They will think about what they've done and stop sinning, and so they won't be put to death. 29 But you still say that I am unfair. You are the ones who have done wrong and are unfair!

30 I will judge each of you for what you've done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished. 31 Give up your evil ways and start thinking pure thoughts. And be faithful to me! Do you really want to be put to death for your sins? 32 (D) I, the Lord God, don't want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live!

A Funeral Song for Israel's Leaders

The Lord said:

19 Ezekiel, sing a funeral song for two of Israel's leaders:[b]

Your mother was a brave lioness
who raised her cubs
    among lions.
She taught one of them to hunt,
    and he learned to eat people.
When the nations heard of him,
    they trapped him in a pit,
then they used hooks
    to drag him to Egypt.

His mother waited
    for him to return.
But soon she lost all hope
and raised another cub,
    who also became fierce.
He hunted with other lions
    and learned to eat people.
He destroyed fortresses[c]
    and ruined towns;
his mighty roar
    terrified everyone.
Nations plotted to kill him,
and people came from all over
    to spread out a net
    and catch him in a trap.
They put him in a cage
    and took him to Babylonia.
The lion was locked away,
    so that his mighty roar
would never again be heard
    on Israel's hills.

10 Your mother was a vine like you,[d]
    growing near a stream.
There was plenty of water,
so she was filled with branches
    and with lots of fruit.
11 Her strong branches
    became symbols of authority,
and she was taller
    than all other trees—
everyone could see how strong
    and healthy she was.
12 But in anger, I pulled her up
    by the roots
and threw her to the ground,
where the scorching desert wind
    dried out her fruit.
Her strong branches wilted
    and burned up.
13 Then she was planted
    in a hot, dry desert,
14 where her stem caught fire,
and flames burned
    her branches and fruit.
Not one strong branch is left;
    she is stripped bare.

This funeral song must be sung with sorrow.

Israel Keeps On Rebelling

20 Seven years after King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been led away as prisoners to Babylonia, some of Israel's leaders came to me on the tenth day of the fifth month.[e] They sat down and asked for a message from the Lord. Just then, the Lord God said:

Ezekiel, son of man, these leaders have come to find out what I want them to do. As surely as I live, I will not give them an answer of any kind.

Are you willing to warn them, Ezekiel? Then remind them of the disgusting sins of their ancestors.

(E) Tell them that long ago I, the Lord God, chose Israel to be my own. I appeared to their ancestors in Egypt and made a solemn promise that I would be their God and the God of their descendants. I swore that I would rescue them from Egypt and lead them to a land I had already chosen. This land was rich with milk and honey and was the most splendid land of all. I told them to get rid of their disgusting idols and not to sin by worshiping the gods of Egypt. I reminded them that I was the Lord their God, but they still rebelled against me. They refused to listen and kept on worshiping their idols and foreign gods.

In my anger, I decided to punish the Israelites in Egypt. But that would have made me look like a liar, because I had already promised in front of everyone that I would lead them out of Egypt. 10 So I brought them out and led them into the desert. 11 (F) I gave them my laws and teachings, so they would know how to live right. 12 (G) And I commanded them to respect the Sabbath as a way of showing that they were holy and belonged to me. 13 But the Israelites rebelled against me in the desert. They refused to obey my laws and teachings, and they treated the Sabbath like any other day.

Then in my anger, I decided to destroy the Israelites in the desert once and for all. 14 But that would have disgraced me, because many other nations had seen me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 15 (H) Instead, I told them in the desert that I would not lead them into the beautiful, fertile land I had promised. 16 I said this because they had not only ignored my laws and teachings, but had disgraced my Sabbath and worshiped idols.

17 Yet, I felt sorry for them and could not let them die in the desert. 18 So I warned the children not to act like their parents or follow their evil ways or worship their idols. 19 I reminded them that I was the Lord their God and that they should obey my laws and teachings. 20 I told them to respect my Sabbath to show that they were my people and that I was the Lord their God. 21 But the children also rebelled against me. They refused to obey my laws and teachings, and they treated the Sabbath as any other day.

I became angry and decided to punish them in the desert. 22 But I did not. That would have disgraced me in front of the nations that had seen me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 23 (I) So I solemnly swore that I would scatter the people of Israel across the nations, 24 because they had disobeyed my laws and ignored my teachings; they had disgraced my Sabbath and worshiped the idols their ancestors had made. 25 I gave them laws that bring punishment instead of life, 26 and I let them offer me unacceptable sacrifices, including their first-born sons. I did this to horrify them and to let them know that I, the Lord, was punishing them.

27 Ezekiel, tell the people of Israel that their ancestors also rejected and insulted me 28 by offering sacrifices, incense, and wine to gods on every hill and under every large tree. I was very angry, because they did these things in the land I had given them! 29 I asked them where they went to worship those gods, and they answered, “At the local shrines.”[f] And those places of worship are still called shrines.

30 Then ask the Israelites why they are following the example of their wicked ancestors 31 by worshiping idols and by sacrificing their own children as offerings. They commit these sins and still think they can ask me for a message. As surely as I am the living Lord God, I will give them no answer. 32 They may think they can be like other nations and get away with worshiping idols made of wood and stone. But that will never happen!

The Lord Promises To Restore Israel

The Lord said to the people of Israel:

33 As surely as I am the living Lord God, I will rule over you with my powerful arm. You will feel my fierce anger 34 and my power, when I gather you from the places where you are scattered 35 and lead you into a desert surrounded by nations. I will meet you there face to face. Then I will pass judgment on you 36 and punish you, just as I punished your ancestors in the desert near Egypt.[g] 37 I will force each of you to obey the regulations of our solemn agreement. 38 I will separate the sinful rebels from the rest of you, and even though I will bring them from the nations where they live in exile, they won't be allowed to return to Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

39 Go ahead and worship your idols for now, you Israelites, because soon I will no longer let you dishonor me by offering gifts to them. You will have no choice but to obey me![h] 40 When that day comes, everyone in Israel will worship me on Mount Zion, my holy mountain in Jerusalem. I will once again call you my own, and I will accept your sacred offerings and sacrifices. 41 When I bring you home from the places where you are now scattered, I will be pleased with you, just as I am pleased with the smell of the smoke from your sacrifices. Every nation on earth will see that I am holy, 42 and you will know that I, the Lord, am the one who brought you back to Israel, the land I promised your ancestors. 43 Then you will remember your wicked sins, and you will hate yourselves for doing such horrible things. They have made you unacceptable to me, 44 so you deserve to be punished. But I will treat you in a way that will bring honor to my name, and you will know that I am the Lord God.

Fire from the South

45 The Lord said, 46 “Ezekiel, son of man, turn toward the south and warn the forests 47 that I, the Lord God, will start a fire that will burn up every tree, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put out the blaze of that fire as it spreads to the north and burns everything in its path. 48 Everyone will know that I started it, and that it cannot be stopped.”

49 But I complained, “Lord God, I don't want to do that! People already say I confuse them with my messages.”

Footnotes

  1. 18.17 evil: One ancient translation; Hebrew “for the poor.”
  2. 19.1 two of Israel's leaders: Probably Jehoahaz (ruled three months in 609 b.c.) and Jehoiachin (ruled three months in 598 b.c.) or Zedekiah (598–586 b.c.).
  3. 19.7 He destroyed fortresses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  4. 19.10 Your mother … like you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  5. 20.1 Seven years … fifth month: Probably August of 591 b.c.
  6. 20.29 where they went to worship those gods … local shrines: In Hebrew “where they went” sounds like “local shrines.” These were places to worship foreign gods.
  7. 20.36 the desert near Egypt: The Sinai Desert.
  8. 20.39 me: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 39.

The One Who Sins Will Die

18 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?(A)

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb(B) in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins(C) is the one who will die.(D)

“Suppose there is a righteous man
    who does what is just and right.
He does not eat at the mountain(E) shrines
    or look to the idols(F) of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
    or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.(G)
He does not oppress(H) anyone,
    but returns what he took in pledge(I) for a loan.
He does not commit robbery(J)
    but gives his food to the hungry(K)
    and provides clothing for the naked.(L)
He does not lend to them at interest
    or take a profit from them.(M)
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
    and judges fairly(N) between two parties.
He follows my decrees(O)
    and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;(P)
    he will surely live,(Q)
declares the Sovereign Lord.

10 “Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood(R) or does any of these other things[a] 11 (though the father has done none of them):

“He eats at the mountain shrines.(S)
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
12 He oppresses the poor(T) and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.(U)
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.(V)
13 He lends at interest and takes a profit.(W)

Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.(X)

14 “But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:(Y)

15 “He does not eat at the mountain shrines(Z)
    or look to the idols(AA) of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
16 He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry(AB)
    and provides clothing for the naked.(AC)
17 He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws(AD) and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18 But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

19 “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.(AE) 20 The one who sins is the one who will die.(AF) The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.(AG)

21 “But if(AH) a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees(AI) and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.(AJ) 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.(AK) 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased(AL) when they turn from their ways and live?(AM)

24 “But if a righteous person turns(AN) from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness(AO) they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.(AP)

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’(AQ) Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust?(AR) Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.(AS) 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.(AT) 29 Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent!(AU) Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.(AV) 31 Rid(AW) yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart(AX) and a new spirit. Why(AY) will you die, people of Israel?(AZ) 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent(BA) and live!(BB)

A Lament Over Israel’s Princes

19 “Take up a lament(BC) concerning the princes(BD) of Israel and say:

“‘What a lioness(BE) was your mother
    among the lions!
She lay down among them
    and reared her cubs.(BF)
She brought up one of her cubs,
    and he became a strong lion.
He learned to tear the prey
    and he became a man-eater.
The nations heard about him,
    and he was trapped in their pit.
They led him with hooks(BG)
    to the land of Egypt.(BH)

“‘When she saw her hope unfulfilled,
    her expectation gone,
she took another of her cubs(BI)
    and made him a strong lion.(BJ)
He prowled among the lions,
    for he was now a strong lion.
He learned to tear the prey
    and he became a man-eater.(BK)
He broke down[b] their strongholds
    and devastated(BL) their towns.
The land and all who were in it
    were terrified by his roaring.
Then the nations(BM) came against him,
    those from regions round about.
They spread their net(BN) for him,
    and he was trapped in their pit.(BO)
With hooks(BP) they pulled him into a cage
    and brought him to the king of Babylon.(BQ)
They put him in prison,
    so his roar(BR) was heard no longer
    on the mountains of Israel.(BS)

10 “‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard[c](BT)
    planted by the water;(BU)
it was fruitful and full of branches
    because of abundant water.(BV)
11 Its branches were strong,
    fit for a ruler’s scepter.
It towered high
    above the thick foliage,
conspicuous for its height
    and for its many branches.(BW)
12 But it was uprooted(BX) in fury
    and thrown to the ground.
The east wind(BY) made it shrivel,
    it was stripped of its fruit;
its strong branches withered
    and fire consumed them.(BZ)
13 Now it is planted in the desert,(CA)
    in a dry and thirsty land.(CB)
14 Fire spread from one of its main[d] branches
    and consumed(CC) its fruit.
No strong branch is left on it
    fit for a ruler’s scepter.’(CD)

“This is a lament(CE) and is to be used as a lament.”

Rebellious Israel Purged

20 In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire(CF) of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me.(CG)

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders(CH) of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire(CI) of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord.(CJ)

“Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors(CK) and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose(CL) Israel, I swore with uplifted hand(CM) 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.(CN) On that day I swore(CO) 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,(CP) the most beautiful of all lands.(CQ) And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images(CR) you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols(CS) of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.(CT)

“‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me;(CU) they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt.(CV) So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.(CW) But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt.(CX) I did it to keep my name from being profaned(CY) 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.(CZ) 11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.(DA) 12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths(DB) as a sign(DC) between us,(DD) so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.(DE)

13 “‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled(DF) against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws(DG)—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths.(DH) So I said I would pour out my wrath(DI) on them and destroy(DJ) them in the wilderness.(DK) 14 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned(DL) in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.(DM) 15 Also with uplifted hand I swore(DN) 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(DO) 16 because they rejected my laws(DP) and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts(DQ) were devoted to their idols.(DR) 17 Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy(DS) 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(DT) or keep their laws or defile yourselves(DU) with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God;(DV) follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.(DW) 20 Keep my Sabbaths(DX) holy, that they may be a sign(DY) between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.(DZ)

21 “‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws,(EA) 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(EB) against them in the wilderness.(EC) 22 But I withheld(ED) my hand, and for the sake of my name(EE) 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(EF) them through the countries, 24 because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees(EG) and desecrated my Sabbaths,(EH) and their eyes lusted after(EI) their parents’ idols.(EJ) 25 So I gave(EK) them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live;(EL) 26 I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice(EM) of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.(EN)

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(EO) blasphemed(EP) me by being unfaithful to me:(EQ) 28 When I brought them into the land(ER) 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.(ES) 29 Then I said to them: What is this high place(ET) you go to?’” (It is called Bamah[e] to this day.)

Rebellious Israel Renewed

30 “Therefore say to the Israelites: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves(EU) the way your ancestors did and lust after their vile images?(EV) 31 When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children(EW) 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.(EX)

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. 33 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm(EY) and with outpoured wrath.(EZ) 34 I will bring you from the nations(FA) and gather(FB) you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand(FC) and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.(FD) 35 I will bring you into the wilderness(FE) of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment(FF) upon you. 36 As I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.(FG) 37 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod,(FH) and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.(FI) 38 I will purge(FJ) you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(FK)

39 “‘As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols,(FL) every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name(FM) with your gifts and idols.(FN) 40 For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel,(FO) declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings(FP) and your choice gifts,[f] along with all your holy sacrifices.(FQ) 41 I will accept you as fragrant incense(FR) when I bring you out from the nations and gather(FS) you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy(FT) through you in the sight of the nations.(FU) 42 Then you will know that I am the Lord,(FV) when I bring you into the land of Israel,(FW) the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors.(FX) 43 There you will remember your conduct(FY) and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves(FZ) for all the evil you have done.(GA) 44 You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake(GB) and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.(GC)’”

Prophecy Against the South

45 The word of the Lord came to me: 46 “Son of man, set your face toward(GD) the south; preach against the south and prophesy against(GE) the forest of the southland.(GF) 47 Say to the southern forest:(GG) ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume(GH) all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north(GI) will be scorched by it.(GJ) 48 Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.(GK)’”

49 Then I said, “Sovereign Lord,(GL) they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?(GM)’”[g]

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 18:10 Or things to a brother
  2. Ezekiel 19:7 Targum (see Septuagint); Hebrew He knew
  3. Ezekiel 19:10 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts your blood
  4. Ezekiel 19:14 Or from under its
  5. Ezekiel 20:29 Bamah means high place.
  6. Ezekiel 20:40 Or and the gifts of your firstfruits
  7. Ezekiel 20:49 In Hebrew texts 20:45-49 is numbered 21:1-5.