Beginning
God Is Fair
18 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “What do you mean by ·using [quoting; repeating] this ·saying [proverb] about the land of Israel:
‘The ·parents [fathers] have eaten sour grapes,
and ·that caused the children to grind their teeth from the sour taste [T the children’s teeth are set on edge; C the children suffer for their parents’ sins; Jer. 31:29–30]’?
3 “As surely as I live, says the Lord God, you will not use this ·saying [proverb] in Israel anymore. 4 Every ·living thing [soul] belongs to me. The ·life [soul] of the ·parent [father] is mine, and the ·life [soul] of the child is mine. The ·person [soul] who sins is the one who will die.
5 “Suppose a ·person [man] is good and does what is ·fair [just] and right. 6 He does not eat ·at the mountain places of worship [L upon the mountains; C at pagan worship sites]. He does not ·look for help [L lift his eyes] to the idols of [L the house of] Israel. He does not ·have sexual relations with [L defile] his neighbor’s wife or ·with [L come near; C a euphemism for sexual relations] a woman during her time of ·monthly bleeding [impurity; Lev. 18:19]. 7 He does not ·mistreat [oppress] anyone but returns what was given ·as a promise for a loan [in pledge; as collateral]. He does not rob other people. He gives bread to the hungry and ·clothes to those who have none [L covers the naked with clothing]. 8 He does not lend money for interest or profit [Ex. 22:25; Ps. 15:5]. He keeps his hand from doing wrong. He ·judges fairly [practices true justice] between one person and another. 9 He ·lives by [L walks in] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and obeys my ·laws [judgments] faithfully. Whoever does these things is ·good [righteous] and will surely live, says the Lord God.
10 “But suppose this person ·has [bears; begets] a ·wild [violent] son who ·murders people [L sheds blood] and who does any of these other things. 11 (But the father himself has not done any of these things.) This son eats ·at the mountain places of worship [upon the mountains; v. 6]. He ·has sexual relations with [L defiles] his neighbor’s wife. 12 He ·mistreats [oppresses] the poor and needy. He steals and refuses to return what was ·promised for a loan [given in pledge/as collateral; v. 7]. He ·looks for help [L lifts up his eyes] to idols. He does ·things which I hate [detestable/abominable things]. 13 He lends money for interest and profit [v. 8]. Will this son live? No, he will not live! He has done all these ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things, so he will surely be put to death. ·He will be responsible for his own death [L His blood will be upon himself].
14 “Now suppose this son has a son who has seen all his father’s sins, but after seeing them does not do those things. 15 He does not eat ·at the mountain places of worship [L upon the mountains; v. 6]. He does not ·look for help [L lift his eyes] to the idols of [L the house of] Israel. He does not ·have sexual relations with [L defile] his neighbor’s wife [v. 6]. 16 He does not ·mistreat [oppress] anyone or keep something promised ·for a loan [in pledge; as collateral] or steal. He gives bread to the hungry and ·clothes to those who have none [L covers the naked with clothing; v. 7]. 17 He keeps his hand from doing wrong. He does not take interest or profit when he lends money [v. 8]. He obeys my ·laws [rules; judgments] and ·lives by [walks in] my ·rules [statutes]. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18 But his father ·took other people’s money unfairly [practiced extortion/fraud] and robbed his ·brother [or countryman] and did what was wrong among his people. So he will die for his own sin.
19 “But you ask, ‘Why is the son not punished for the father’s ·sin [iniquity; guilt]?’ The son has done what is ·fair [just] and right. He obeys all my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], so he will surely live. 20 The person who sins is the one who will die. A ·child [son] will not be punished for a ·parent’s [father’s] ·sin [iniquity; guilt], and a ·parent [father] will not be punished for a ·child’s [son’s] ·sin [iniquity; guilt]. ·Those who do right [The righteous] will enjoy the results of their ·own goodness [righteousness]; ·evil people [the wicked] will suffer the results of their ·own evil [wickedness].
21 “But suppose the wicked ·stop doing all [turn away from] the sins they have done and obey all my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and do what is ·fair [just] and right. Then they will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of their ·sins [transgressions] will be ·held [L remembered] against them. Because they have done what is ·right [righteous], they will live. 23 ·I do not really want the wicked to die [L Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked…?], says the Lord God. ·I [Do I not…?] want them to ·stop [turn from] their ·bad ways [L ways] and live.
24 “But suppose ·good people [the righteous] ·stop doing good [turn from righteousness] and do wrong and do the same ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things the wicked do. Will they live? All their ·good [righteous] acts will ·be forgotten [L not be remembered], because they became unfaithful. They have sinned, so they will die because of their sins.
25 “But you say, ‘·What the Lord does [L The way of the Lord] isn’t ·fair [just].’ Listen, ·people [L house] of Israel. ·I am fair [L Is my way unjust?]. It is what you do that is not ·fair [just]! 26 When ·good people [the righteous] ·stop [turn from] doing good and do wrong, they will die because of it. They will die, because they did wrong. 27 When the wicked ·stop being wicked [turn from wickedness] and do what is ·fair [just] and right, they will save their ·lives [souls]. 28 Because they thought about it and ·stopped [turned from] doing all the sins they had done, they will surely live; they will not die. 29 But the ·people [L house] of Israel still say, ‘·What the Lord does [L The way of the Lord] isn’t ·fair [just].’ ·People [L House] of Israel. ·I am fair [L Is my way unjust?]. It is what you do that is not ·fair [just].
30 “So I will judge you, ·people [L house] of Israel; I will judge each of you ·by what you do [L according to your ways], says the Lord God. ·Change your hearts [Repent] and ·stop all [turn from] your ·sinning [transgressions] so sin will not ·bring your ruin [be your downfall/stumbling block]. 31 ·Get rid of [Throw away] all the ·sins [transgressions; offenses] you have done, and ·get [make] for yourselves a new heart and a new ·way of thinking [spirit]. Why ·do you want to [should you] die, ·people [L house] of Israel? 32 I ·do not want anyone to die [L take no pleasure/delight in anyone’s death], says the Lord God, so ·change your hearts and lives so you may [L repent and] live.
A Sad Song for Israel
19 “Sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the ·leaders [princes] of Israel. 2 Say:
‘Your mother was a lioness [C referring either to the Davidic dynasty or to Hamutal, the wife of Josiah and mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah; Gen. 49:9; 2 Kin. 23:31–34].
She lay down among the young lions [C the kings of Judah].
She ·had many [reared her] cubs.
3 When she ·brought up [reared] one of her cubs,
he became a ·strong [L young] lion [C King Jehoahaz; 2 Kin. 23:31–34; Jer. 22:10–12].
He learned to tear ·the animals he hunted [prey],
and he ·ate [devoured] people.
4 The nations heard about him.
He was trapped in their pit,
and they brought him with hooks
to the land of Egypt.
5 “‘The mother lion waited and saw
that there was no hope for her cub.
So she took another one of her cubs
and made him a ·strong [L young] lion [C either Jehoiachin (2 Kin. 24:8) or Zedekiah (2 Kin. 25:7)].
6 This cub ·roamed [prowled] among the lions.
He was now a ·strong [L young] lion.
He learned to tear ·the animals he hunted [prey],
and he ·ate [devoured] people.
7 He tore down their ·strong places [strongholds; fortresses]
and ·destroyed [devastated] their cities.
The land and everything in it
were terrified by the sound of his roar.
8 Then the nations came against him
from areas all around,
and they spread their net over him.
He was trapped in their pit.
9 Then they put him into a ·cage with chains [collar]
and brought him to the king of Babylon.
They put him into prison
so his ·roar [voice] could not be heard again
on the mountains of Israel [2 Kin. 24:8–17; 2 Chr. 36:8–10].
10 “‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard,
planted beside the water.
The vine had many branches and gave much fruit,
because there was plenty of water.
11 The vine had strong ·branches [boughs],
good enough for a king’s scepter.
The vine became tall
among the thick branches.
And it ·was seen [stood out], because it was tall
with many branches.
12 But it was pulled up by its roots in anger
and thrown down to the ground.
The east wind dried it up.
Its fruit was ·torn [stripped] off.
Its strong branches were broken off
and burned up.
13 Now the vine is planted in the ·desert [wilderness],
in a dry and thirsty land.
14 Fire spread from the vine’s main branch,
·destroying [consuming] its fruit.
There is not a strong branch left on it
·that could become a [L no] scepter for a king.’
This is a ·funeral song [lament]; it ·is to be used as [or has become] a funeral song.”
Israel Has Refused God
20 It was the seventh year [C since Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month [C August 14, 591 bc]. Some of the elders of Israel came to ask about the Lord and sat down in front of me.
2 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 3 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], speak to the elders of Israel and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Did you come to ·ask me questions [inquire of/consult me]? As surely as I live, I will not let you ·ask me questions [inquire of/consult me].’
4 “Will you judge them? Will you judge them, ·human [T son of man; 2:1]? Let them know the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things their ·ancestors [fathers] did. 5 Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: ·When [L On the day when] I chose Israel, I ·made a promise [L lifted my hand] to the ·descendants [offspring; seed] of Jacob. I made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, and I ·promised them [L lifted my hand to them, saying], “I am the Lord your God.” 6 ·At that time [On that day] I ·promised them I would [L lifted my hand to them to] bring them out of Egypt into a land I had ·found [searched out] for them, a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; Ex. 3:8], the ·best [most beautiful] land in the world. 7 I said to them, “Each one of you must throw away the ·hateful idols [detestable/abominable things] you have ·seen and liked [L set your eyes on]. Don’t ·make yourselves unclean [defile yourselves] with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
8 “‘But they ·turned [rebelled] against me and refused to listen to me. They did not throw away the ·hateful idols [detestable/abominable things] which they ·saw and liked [L set your eyes on]; they did not give up the idols of Egypt. Then I decided to pour out my anger against them while they were still in Egypt. 9 But I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be ·dishonored [profaned; C ritually] in ·full view [L the eyes] of the nations where the Israelites lived. I made myself known to ·the Israelites [L them] by bringing them out of Egypt ·while the nations were watching [before their eyes]. 10 So I took them out of Egypt and brought them into the ·desert [wilderness]. 11 I gave them my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and told them about my ·laws [judgments], by which people will live if they ·obey [do; practice] them. 12 I also gave them my Sabbaths [Ex. 20:8–11; Deut. 5:12–15] to be a sign [Ex. 31:13] between us so they would know that I am the Lord who ·made them holy [sanctified them; set them apart].
13 “‘But in the ·desert [wilderness] ·Israel [L the house of Israel] ·turned [rebelled] against me. They did not follow my ·rules [statutes], and they rejected my ·laws [rules; judgments], by which people will live if they obey them. They ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; C ritually] my Sabbaths. Then I decided to pour out my ·anger [wrath] against them and destroy them in the ·desert [wilderness]. 14 But I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be ·dishonored [profaned; C ritually] in ·full view [L the eyes] of the nations ·who watched as [before whose eyes] I had brought the Israelites out of Egypt. 15 And in the ·desert [wilderness] I ·swore [L lifted my hand] to the Israelites that I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It is a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; Ex. 3:8], the ·best [most beautiful] land in the world. 16 This was because they rejected my ·laws [judgments] and did not ·follow [L walk in] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements]. They ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; C ritually] my Sabbaths and ·wanted to worship [L their hearts went after] their idols. 17 But I ·had pity on [or spared] them. I did not destroy them or put an end to them in the ·desert [wilderness]. 18 I said to their children in the ·desert [wilderness], “Don’t ·live by [L walk in] the ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] of your ·parents [fathers], or obey their ·laws [judgments]. Don’t ·make yourselves unclean [defile yourselves] with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God. ·Live by [L Walk in] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], obey my ·laws [judgments], and follow them. 20 Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you [Ex. 31:13]. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”
21 “‘But the children turned against me. They did not ·live by [walk in] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], nor were they careful to obey my ·laws [judgments], by which people will live if they obey them. They ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; C ritually] my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger and ·rage [L vent/exhaust my rage] against them in the ·desert [wilderness]. 22 But I ·held back my anger [L withdrew my hand]. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be ·dishonored [profaned; C ritually] in ·full view [L the eyes] of the nations ·who watched as [L before whose eyes] I brought the Israelites out. 23 And in the ·desert [wilderness] I swore to the Israelites that I would scatter them among the nations and spread them among the ·countries [lands], 24 because they had not obeyed my ·laws [judgments]. They had rejected my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·dishonored [profaned; C ritually] my Sabbaths and ·worshiped [L set their eyes on] the idols of their ·parents [fathers]. 25 I also allowed them to follow ·rules [statutes] that were not good and ·laws [judgments] by which they could not live. 26 I ·let the Israelites make themselves unclean [L defiled them; C ritually] by the gifts they brought to their gods when they sacrificed their first children in the fire [16:20–21]. I wanted to ·terrify [or devastate] them so they would know that I am the Lord.’
27 “So, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], speak to the ·people [L house] of Israel. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Your ·ancestors [fathers] ·spoke against [blasphemed] me by being unfaithful to me in another way. 28 When I had brought them into the land I ·promised [L lifted my hand] to give them, they saw every high hill and every leafy tree. There they offered their sacrifices to gods. They brought offerings that ·made me angry [provoked my anger] and burned their incense and poured out their drink offerings. 29 Then I said to them: What is this high place where you go to worship?’” (It is still called ·High Place [L Bamah] today.)
30 “So say to the ·people [L house] of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Are you going to ·make yourselves unclean [defile yourselves; C ritually] as your ·ancestors [fathers] did? Are you going to ·be unfaithful and desire [prostitute yourselves with] their ·hateful idols [detestable/abominable things]? 31 When you offer your children as gifts and sacrifice them in the fire, you ·are making yourselves unclean [defile yourselves; C ritually] with all your idols even today. So, ·people [L house] of Israel, should I let you ·ask me questions [consult with me]? As surely as I live, says the Lord God, I will not ·accept questions from you [let you seek/inquire of me].
32 “‘What you ·want [or plan] will not come true. You say, “We want to be like the other nations, like the ·people [clans; families] in other lands. We want to worship ·idols made of wood and stone [L wood and stone].” 33 As surely as I live, says the Lord God, ·I will use my great power and strength and anger to [L with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm I will; Deut. 4:34; 5:15] ·rule [be king] over you. 34 I will bring you out from the foreign nations. With ·my great power and strength [L a mighty hand and an outstretched arm] and anger I will gather you from the lands where you are scattered. 35 I will bring you into the ·desert [wilderness] of the ·peoples [nations]. There I will judge you face to face. 36 I will judge you the same way I judged your ·ancestors [fathers] in the ·desert [wilderness] of the land of Egypt, says the Lord God. 37 I will ·count you like sheep [L make you pass under the rod/shepherd’s staff; Lev. 27:32] and will bring you into ·line with [L the bond of] my ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. 38 I will ·get rid of [purge out] those who ·refuse to obey me [revolt] and ·who turn [rebel] against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
39 “‘This is what the Lord God says: ·People [L House] of Israel, go serve your idols for now. ·But later you will [or …if you will not] listen to me; you will not continue to ·dishonor [profane; C ritually] my holy name with your gifts and ·gods [idols]. 40 [L For] On my holy mountain [C Mount Zion; Ps. 2:6; 3:4; 15:1], the high mountain of Israel, all [L the house of] Israel will serve me in the land, says the Lord God. There I will accept you. There I will ·expect [require] your ·offerings [contributions], ·the first harvest of your offerings [or your choicest gifts], and all your holy gifts. 41 I will accept you like ·the pleasing smell of sacrifices [a pleasing aroma; a fragrant incense; Ps. 141:2] when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the lands where you are scattered. Then through you I will ·show how holy I am [manifest/display my holiness] ·so the nations will see [L in the eyes/sight of the nations]. 42 When I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I ·promised [swore to] your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord. 43 There you will remember ·everything you did [L your ways and deeds] that ·made you unclean [defiled you; C ritually], and then you will ·hate [despise; loathe] yourselves for all the evil things you have done. 44 I will deal with you for the sake of my name, not because of your evil ways or ·unclean [corrupt] actions. Then you will know I am the Lord, ·people [L house] of Israel, says the Lord God.’”
Babylon, the Lord’s Sword
45 Now the ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 46 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the south. Prophesy against the south and against the ·forest [or shrubland] of the ·southern area [L Negev]. 47 Say to that ·forest [or shrubland]: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you that will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flames that burn will not be put out. Every face from south to north will ·feel their heat [or be scorched by it]. 48 Then all ·the people [L flesh] will see that I, the Lord, have ·started the fire [kindled it]. It will not be ·put out [extinguished].’”
49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! The people are saying about me, ‘·He is only [L Isn’t he just…?] telling ·stories [parables].’”
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