Bible in 90 Days

The Visions Will Come True

²¹ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ²² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], what is this ·saying [proverb] you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days ·go by [pass slowly; grow long] and every vision comes to nothing’? ²³ So say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will ·make them stop saying this [^Lput an end to this proverb], and nobody in Israel will use this ·saying [proverb] anymore.’ But tell them, ‘The ·time is [days are] near when every vision will ·come true [be fulfilled]. ²⁴ There will be no more false visions or ·pleasing prophecies [flattering omens/divinations] inside the ·nation [^Lhouse] of Israel, ²⁵ but I, the Lord, will speak. What I say will be done, and it will not be delayed. You ·refuse to obey [are a rebellious house], but in your ·time [days] I will say the word and do it, says the Lord God.’”

²⁶ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ²⁷ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel are saying, ‘The vision that Ezekiel sees is for a time many ·years [^Ldays] from now. He is prophesying about times far away.’

²⁸ “So say to them: ‘The Lord God says this: None of my words will be delayed anymore. ·What I have said [^LThe word I speak] will be done, says the Lord God.’”

Ezekiel Speaks Against False Prophets

13 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], prophesy against the prophets of Israel. Say to those who ·make up their own prophecies [prophesy from their hearts/imagination]: ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. ³ This is what the Lord God says: ·How terrible it will be for [^LWoe to] the foolish prophets who follow their own ·ideas [^Lspirit] and have ·not seen a vision from me [^Lseen nothing]! ⁴ People of Israel, your prophets have been like ·wild dogs [jackals] among ruins. ⁵ You have not gone up into the ·broken places [breaches] or repaired the wall for the ·nation [^Lhouse of] Israel [^CIsrael is portrayed as a house or fortress in ruins]. So how can Israel ·hold back the enemy [stand firm] in the battle on the ·Lord’s day of judging [^LDay of the Lord]? ⁶ ·Your prophets [^LThey] see false visions and ·prophesy [their divinations are] lies. They say, “This is the message of the Lord,” when the Lord has not sent them. But they still hope their words will ·come true [stand]. ⁷ You said, “This is the message of the Lord,” but ·you have seen false visions and your prophecies are lies [^Lhave you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination…?], because I have not spoken.

⁸ “‘So this is what the Lord God says: Because you prophets spoke things that are false and saw ·visions that do not come true [lying visions], [^Llook; ^Tbehold] I am against you, says the Lord God. ⁹ ·I will punish [^LMy hand will be against] the prophets who see false visions and ·prophesy lies [utter lying divinations]. They will ·have no place among [^Lnot be in the council of] my people. Their names will not be written on the ·list [records; registry] of the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord God.

¹⁰ “‘It is because they lead my people ·the wrong way [astray] by saying, “Peace!” when there is no peace. When the people build a ·weak [flimsy] wall, the prophets cover it with whitewash [^Cto make it look strong or to cover its flaws]. ¹¹ So tell those who cover ·a weak wall [^Lit] with whitewash that it will fall down. ·Rain will pour down [There will be a deluge of rain], hailstones will fall, and a windstorm will break the wall down. ¹² When the wall has fallen, people will ask you, “Where is the whitewash you used on the wall?”

¹³ “‘So this is what the Lord God says: I will break the wall with a windstorm. In my ·anger [wrath; rage] ·rain will pour down [there will be a deluge of rain], and hailstones will ·destroy the wall [fall with destructive fury]. ¹⁴ I will tear down the wall on which you put whitewash. I will level it to the ground so that ·people will see the wall’s foundation [^Lits foundations will be laid bare/exposed]. And when the wall falls, you will ·be destroyed [perish] ·under [or within] it. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ¹⁵ So I will ·carry out my anger [spend my wrath/rage] on the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. Then I will tell you, “The wall is gone, and those who covered it with whitewash are gone. ¹⁶ The prophets of Israel who prophesy ·to [or about] Jerusalem and who see visions of peace for the city, when there is no peace, will be gone, says the Lord God.”’

False Women Prophets

¹⁷ “Now, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], look toward the ·women among [^Ldaughters of] your people who ·make up their own prophecies [^Lprophesy from their own hearts/imaginations]. Prophesy against them. ¹⁸ Say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: ·How terrible it will be for [^LWoe to the] women who sew ·magic charms [^Lbands] on their wrists and make ·veils [or headbands] of every length to trap people! You ·ruin [entrap; ensnare] the ·lives [souls] of my people but ·try to [will you…?] save your own ·lives [souls]. ¹⁹ For handfuls of barley and ·pieces [scraps] of bread, you have ·dishonored [profaned; ^Critually] me among my people. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have ·killed people [put to death souls] who should not die, and you have kept alive those who should not live.

²⁰ “‘So this is what the Lord God says: I am against your magic ·charms [bands], by which you ·trap [ensnare; hunt] ·people [souls] as if they were birds. I will tear ·those charms [^Lthem] off your arms, and I will free those ·people [souls] you have ·trapped [ensnare; hunt] like birds. ²¹ I will also tear off your ·veils [or headbands] and save my people from your hands. They will no longer be ·trapped by your power [^Lprey in your hand]. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ²² By your lies you have ·caused those who did right to be sad [disheartened the righteous], when I did not ·make them sad [grieve them]. And you have encouraged the wicked not to ·stop being wicked [turn from their wicked ways], which would have saved their lives. ²³ So you will not see false visions or ·prophesy [practice divination] anymore, and I will save my people from your ·power [^Lhands] so you will know that I am the Lord.’”

Stop Worshiping Idols

14 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. ² Then the ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ³ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], these people ·want to worship idols [^Lhave set up idols in their hearts]. They put up ·evil things that cause people to sin [^Lwicked stumbling blocks/obstacles before their faces]. Should I allow them to ·ask me for help [consult me]? ⁴ So speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: When any of the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel ·want to worship idols [sets up idols in their heart] and put up ·evil things that cause people to sin [^Lwicked stumbling blocks/obstacles before their faces] and then ·come to the [consult a] prophet, I, the Lord, will answer them myself ·for worshiping idols [^Lin accordance with the multitude of their idols]. ⁵ Then I will ·win back [take hold of/recapture the hearts of] my people Israel, who have left me because of all their idols.’

⁶ “So say to the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord God says: ·Change your hearts and lives [Repent], and ·stop worshiping [^Lturn from your] idols. ·Stop doing [^LTurn your faces from] all ·the things I hate [your abominations/detestable practices]. ⁷ Any of the Israelites or foreigners in Israel can separate themselves from me by ·wanting to worship idols [^Lsetting up idols in their hearts] or by putting ·up things that cause people to sin [^Lbefore their face a wicked stumbling block/obstacle]. Then if they come to the prophet to ·ask me questions [consult me], I, the Lord, will answer them myself. ⁸ I will ·reject [^Lset my face against] them. I will make them a sign and an ·example [proverb; byword], and I will ·separate them [^Lcut them off] from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

⁹ “‘But if the prophet is ·tricked [deceived; or enticed] into giving a prophecy, it is because I, the Lord, have ·tricked [deceived; or enticed] that prophet to speak. Then I will ·use my power [^Lstretch out my hand] against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. ¹⁰ The prophet will be ·as guilty [or punished the same] as the one who asks him for help; both will ·be responsible [or bear the punishment] for their guilt. ¹¹ Then the ·nation [^Lhouse] of Israel will ·not leave me anymore [no longer go astray] or ·make themselves unclean [defile themselves; ^Critually] anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, says the Lord God.’”

Jerusalem Will Not Be Spared

¹² The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ¹³ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], if ·the people of a country [^La country/land] sin against me by not being ·loyal [faithful], I will ·use my power [^Lstretch out my hand] against them. I will cut off their supply of ·food [bread] and send ·a time of hunger [famine], destroying both people and animals. ¹⁴ Even if three great men like Noah, Daniel [^Ceither the prophet Daniel (who was still a young man at this time) or an ancient Canaanite hero known for his wisdom and justice], and Job were in that country, their ·goodness [righteousness] could save only themselves, says the Lord God.

¹⁵ “Or I might send wild animals into that land, leaving the land ·empty [desolate] and ·without children [bereaved]. Then no one would pass through it because of the ·animals [beasts]. ¹⁶ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, even if ·Noah, Daniel, and Job [^Lthese three men; v. 14] were in the land, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They could save only themselves, but that country would become ·empty [desolate].

¹⁷ “Or I might bring a ·war [^Lsword] against that ·country [land]. I might say, ‘Let a ·war be fought in [^Lsword pass through] that land,’ in this way ·destroying [cutting off] its people and its animals. ¹⁸ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, even if those three men were in the land, they could not save their sons or daughters. They could save only themselves.

¹⁹ “Or I might cause a ·disease [plague; pestilence] to spread in that country. I might pour out my ·anger [^Lrage/wrath with blood] against it, destroying and killing people and animals. ²⁰ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, even if Noah, Daniel [v. 14], and Job were in the land, they could not save their son or daughter. They could save only themselves ·because they did what was right [by their righteousness].

²¹ “This is what the Lord God says: ·My plans for Jerusalem are much worse [^LHow much more for Jerusalem]! I will send my four terrible punishments against it—·war [^Lsword], ·hunger [famine], wild animals, and ·disease [pestilence; plague]—to destroy its people and animals. ²² But [^Llook; ^Tbehold] some ·people will escape [survivors will be left]; some sons and daughters will be led out. They will come out to you, and you will see ·what happens to people who live as they did [^Ltheir ways and deeds]. Then you will be ·comforted [consoled] after the disasters I have brought against Jerusalem, after all the things I have brought against it. ²³ ·You will be comforted [They will console you] when you see ·what happens to them for living as they did [^Ltheir ways and deeds], because you will know ·there was a good reason for [it was not without cause that I did] what I did to Jerusalem, says the Lord God.”

Story of the Vine

15 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], is the wood of the vine better than the wood of any tree in the forest? ³ Can wood be taken from the vine to make anything? Can you use it to make a peg on which to hang something? ⁴ If the vine is thrown into the fire for fuel, and the fire burns up both ends and ·starts to burn [chars] the middle, is it useful for anything? ⁵ [^LLook; ^TBehold] When the vine was whole, it couldn’t be made into anything. When the fire has burned it completely, ·it certainly cannot [how much less can it] be made into anything.”

⁶ So this is what the Lord God says: “Out of all the trees in the forest, I have given the wood of the vine as fuel for fire. In the same way I have given up the people who live in Jerusalem ⁷ and will ·turn [^Lset my face] against them. Although they came through one fire, fire will still ·destroy [consume] them. When I ·turn [^Lset my face] against them, you will know that I am the Lord. ⁸ So I will make the land ·empty [desolate], because the people have not been ·loyal [faithful], says the Lord God.”

The Lord’s Kindness to Jerusalem

16 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], tell Jerusalem about her ·hateful [detestable; abominable] actions. ³ Say, ‘This is what the Lord God says to Jerusalem: Your ·beginnings [origin] and your ·ancestors [^Lbirth] were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite, and your mother was a Hittite. ⁴ On the day you were born, your cord [^Cumbilical cord] was not cut. You were not washed with water to clean you. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in ·cloths [^Tswaddling cloths; Luke 2:7, 12; ^Ctypical care for newborns in the ancient Near East]. ⁵ No ·one felt sorry enough for [^Leye took pity on] you to do any of these things for you. No, you were thrown out into the open field, because you were ·hated [detested; despised] on the day you were born.

⁶ “‘When I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, I said to you ·as you lay in your blood [^Lin your blood], “Live!”^{[a] 7} I made you ·grow [flourish] like a plant in the field. You grew up and ·became tall [or matured; developed] and ·became like a beautiful jewel [or entered puberty; reached womanhood]. Your breasts formed, and your hair grew, but you were naked and ·without clothes [bare; exposed].

⁸ “‘Later when I passed by you and looked at you, ·I saw that [^Tbehold] you were old enough for love. So I spread ·my robe [^Lthe corner of my garment; Deut. 22:30; Ruth 3:9] over you and covered your nakedness. I also ·made a promise [swore; made a vow] to you and entered into an ·agreement [covenant; treaty; Ex. 19:5] with you so that you became mine, says the Lord God.

⁹ “‘Then I bathed you with water, washed all the blood off of you, and ·put oil on you [anointed you with oil/ointment]. ¹⁰ I put ·beautiful clothes made with needlework [embroidered clothing] on you and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. ¹¹ I put jewelry on you: bracelets on your arms, a ·necklace [chain] around your neck, ¹² a ring in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful ·crown [tiara] on your head. ¹³ So you ·wore [were adorned with] gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen, silk, and ·beautiful needlework [embroidery]. You ate fine flour, honey, and olive oil. You were very beautiful and became ·a queen [royalty]. ¹⁴ Then ·you became famous [your fame spread] among the nations, because you were so beautiful. Your beauty was perfect, because of the ·glory [splendor] I gave you, says the Lord God.

Jerusalem Becomes a Prostitute

¹⁵ “‘But you trusted in your beauty. You used your fame to become a prostitute. You ·had sexual relations with [lavished sexual favors on] anyone who passed by. ¹⁶ You took some of your clothes and made your ·places of worship [high places; 6:3] ·colorful [decorated; gaudy]. There you carried on your prostitution. ·These things should not happen; they should never occur [or You went to him and became his; or How could such a thing ever have happened? ^Cthe Hebrew here is obscure]. ¹⁷ You also took your beautiful jewelry, made from my gold and silver I had given you, and you made for yourselves male idols so you could be a prostitute with them [2 Kin. 23:7]. ¹⁸ Then you took your ·clothes with beautiful needlework [embroidered clothing] and covered the idols. You gave my oil and incense as an offering to them. ¹⁹ Also, you took the ·bread [food] I gave you, the fine flour, oil, and honey I gave you to eat, and you offered them before the gods as a ·pleasing smell [fragrant incense]. This is what happened, says the Lord God.

²⁰ “‘But your ·sexual sins [acts of prostitution] were not enough for you. You also took your sons and daughters who ·were my children [you bore to me], and you sacrificed them to the idols as food. ²¹ You ·killed [slaughtered] my children and offered them up in fire to the idols [Lev. 18:21; 20:2; Deut. 12:31; 18:10; 2 Kin. 16:3; 21:6; 23:10; Jer. 32:35]. ²² While you did all your ·hateful [detestable; abominable] acts and ·sexual sins [prostitution], you did not remember ·when you were young [^Lthe days of your youth], when you were naked and had no clothes and were ·left [^Lkicking about] in your blood.

²³ “‘·How terrible [^LWoe]! ·How terrible it will be for you [^LWoe to you], says the Lord God. After you did all these evil things, ²⁴ you built yourself a ·place to worship gods [pagan shrine; or chamber; or mound]. You made for yourself a ·place of worship [lofty shrine; pavilion] in every city square. ²⁵ You built a place of worship at the ·beginning [head; corner] of every street. You made your beauty ·hateful [defiled; disgraced; detestable; an abomination], ·offering your body for sex [^Lspreading your legs] to anyone who passed by, ·so your sexual sins became worse and worse [multiplying your promiscuity/prostitution]. ²⁶ You also ·had sexual relations [engaged in prostitution] with the ·Egyptians [^Lsons of Egypt], who were your ·neighbors and partners in sexual sin [or well-endowed neighbors; or lusty neighbors]. Your ·sexual sins [prostitution; promiscuity] became even worse, and ·they caused me to be angry [provoked me to anger]. ²⁷ So then, [^Llook; ^Tbehold] I ·used my power [^Lstretched out my hand] against you and ·took away some of your land [reduced your boundaries; or cut off your rations]. I ·let you be defeated by [^Ldelivered you to the greed/desire of] ·those who hate you [your enemies], the Philistine ·women [^Ldaughters], who were ashamed of your ·evil ways [obscene/lewd behavior; ^Ceven the pagan Philistines were shocked at Israel’s outrageous sins]. ²⁸ Also, you ·had sexual relations [engaged in prostitution] with the Assyrians, because you could not be satisfied. Even though you ·had sexual relations [prostituted yourself] with them, you still were not satisfied. ²⁹ You ·did many more sexual sins [multiplied your prostitution/promiscuity] in ·Babylonia [^LChaldea], the land of ·traders [merchants], but even this did not satisfy you.

³⁰ “‘·Truly your will is weak [or How sick/feverish is your heart; or I am filled with anger against you], says the Lord God. You do all the things a ·stubborn [bold; brazen; shameless] prostitute does. ³¹ You built your ·place to worship gods [pagan shrines; or chambers; or mounds] at the ·beginning [head; corner] of every street, and you made ·places of worship [lofty shrines; pavilions; v. 24] in every city square. But you were not like a prostitute when you ·refused to accept [scorned; scoffed at] payment.

³² “‘You adulterous wife! You ·desire [prefer; receive] strangers instead of your husband. ³³ Men ·pay [or give gifts to] prostitutes, but you ·pay all [give gifts to] your lovers, bribing them to come to you. And they come from all around for ·sexual relations [your prostitution]. ³⁴ So you are ·different from [the opposite of] other prostitutes. No man ·asks [solicited] you to be a prostitute, and you pay money instead of having money paid to you. Yes, you are ·different [the opposite].

The Prostitute Is Judged

³⁵ “‘So, prostitute, hear the word of the Lord. ³⁶ This is what the Lord God says: You ·showed your nakedness [^Lpoured out your lust] and ·uncovered your body [^Lexposed your nakedness] in your ·sexual sins [prostitution; promiscuity] with your lovers and with all your ·hateful [detestable; abominable] idols. You killed your children and offered their blood to your idols. ³⁷ So [^Llook; ^Tbehold] I will gather all your lovers with whom you found pleasure. Yes, I will gather all those you loved and those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around, and I will strip you naked in front of them so they can see your nakedness [^Can act of humiliation and shame; Jer. 13:22, 26; Nah. 3:5]. ³⁸ I will punish you as women guilty of adultery or as ·murderers [^Lthose who shed blood] are punished. I will ·put you to death [^Lbring blood upon you; or avenge your bloody deeds] because I am angry and jealous. ³⁹ I will also ·hand you over to your lovers [^Lgive you into their hands]. They will tear down your ·places of worship [pagan shrines; chambers; mounds] and destroy ·other places where you worship gods [your lofty shrines; or pavilions; v. 24]. They will ·tear [strip] off your clothes and take away your beautiful jewelry, leaving you naked and bare. ⁴⁰ They will bring a crowd against you to throw stones at you and to cut you into pieces with their swords. ⁴¹ They will burn down your houses and will ·punish you [execute judgments] in ·front [the sight of] of many women. I will put an end to your ·sexual sins [prostitution], and you will no longer ·pay [give gifts to] your lovers. ⁴² Then I will ·rest from [exhaust; satisfy] my ·anger [wrath] against you, and ·I will stop being jealous [^Lmy jealousy will turn away from you]. I will be ·quiet [calm] and not angry anymore.

⁴³ “‘Because you didn’t remember ·when you were young [^Lthe days of your youth], but have ·made me angry [enraged me] in all these ways, I will ·repay you for what you have done [^Lbring these ways upon your head], says the Lord God. Didn’t you add ·sexual sins [lewd acts; obscenities] to all your ·other acts which I hate [detestable practices; abominations]?

⁴⁴ “‘Everyone who uses ·wise sayings [proverbs] will say this about you: “·The daughter is like her mother [^LLike mother, like daughter].” ⁴⁵ You are ·like your mother [^Lthe daughter of your mother], who ·hated [detested; loathed] her husband and ·children [sons]. You are ·also like your sisters [^Lthe sister of your sisters], who ·hated [detested; loathed] their husbands and ·children [sons]. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father was an Amorite [v. 3]. ⁴⁶ Your older sister is Samaria, who lived north of you with her daughters; your younger sister is Sodom, who lived south of you with her daughters [Gen. 19; ^CSodom is a symbol of evil in Scripture; Deut. 29:23; 32:32; Is. 1:9–10; 3:9; Jer. 23:14; Lam. 4:6; Matt. 10:15; 11:23–24; Jude 7]. ⁴⁷ You not only ·followed [walked in] their ways and did the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things they did, but you were ·soon worse [more corrupt/depraved] than they were in all your ways. ⁴⁸ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done.

⁴⁹ “‘This was the ·sin [iniquity; guilt] of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were proud and had plenty of food and lived in ·great comfort [secure ease], but she did not ·help [^Lstrengthen the hand of] the poor and needy. ⁵⁰ So Sodom and her daughters were ·proud [haughty] and did ·things I hate [detestable/abominable things] in front of me. So I ·got rid of [removed] them when I saw what they did. ⁵¹ Also, Samaria [^Cthe northern kingdom] did not do half the sins you do; you have done more ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things than they did. So you make your sisters ·look good [appear righteous] because of all the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things you have done. ⁵² You will ·suffer [bear your] disgrace, because you have ·provided an excuse [^Linterceded with your sins] for your sisters. They ·are better [appear more righteous] than you are. Your sins were even more ·terrible [vile; abominable] than theirs. Feel ashamed and suffer disgrace, because you made your sisters ·look good [appear righteous].

⁵³ “‘But I will ·give back [restore] to Sodom and her daughters ·the good things they once had [their fortunes]. I will give back to Samaria and her daughters ·the good things they once had [their fortunes]. And with them I will also give back ·the good things you once had [your fortunes] ⁵⁴ so you may ·suffer [bear your] disgrace and feel ashamed for all the things you have done. You even gave comfort to your sisters in their sins. ⁵⁵ Your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to ·what they were before [their former status]. You and your daughters will also return to ·what you were before [their former status]. ⁵⁶ You ·humiliated [spoke contemptuously about; ^Lmade a byword in your mouth] your sister Sodom ·when you were proud [^Lin the day of your pride/majesty], ⁵⁷ before your ·evil [wickedness] was uncovered [exposed]. And now the Edomite ·women^[b] [^Ldaughters] and their neighbors ·humiliate [scorn] you. Even the Philistine women ·humiliate [scorn] you. Those around you ·hate [despise] you. ⁵⁸ ·This is your punishment [^LYou bear the penalty] for your ·terrible sins [lewdness] and for ·actions that I hate [your detestable practices/abominations], says the Lord.

God Keeps His Promises

⁵⁹ “‘This is what the Lord God says: I will ·do to you what you have done [give you what you deserve]. You ·hated [despised] and broke the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] you ·promised [swore; made an oath] to keep. ⁶⁰ But I will remember my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] I made with you ·when you were young [^Lin the days of your youth], and I will make an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] that will continue forever with you [Jer. 31:31–34]. ⁶¹ Then you will remember ·what you have done [your ways] and feel ashamed when you receive your sisters—both your older and your younger sisters. I will give them to you like daughters, but not because they share in my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with you. ⁶² I will ·set up my agreement [establish my covenant/treaty] with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. ⁶³ You will remember what you did and feel ashamed. You will not open your mouth again because of your shame, when I ·forgive [make atonement for] you for all the things you have done, says the Lord God.’”

The Eagle and the Vine

17 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], give a ·riddle [allegory] and tell a ·story [parable] to the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel. ³ Say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: A ·giant [great; mighty] eagle with ·big [great] wings and long ·feathers [^Lfeathers and plumage] of many different colors [16:10] came to Lebanon and took hold of the top of a cedar tree. ⁴ He pulled off the top ·branch [shoot] and brought it to a land of ·traders [merchants; ^CBabylon], where he planted it in a city of traders [^Cthe eagle symbolizes King Nebuchadnezzar; v. 12].

⁵ “‘The eagle took ·some seed [or a seedling] from the land and planted it in ·a good field [fertile soil] near plenty of water. He planted it to grow like a willow tree. ⁶ It sprouted and became a low vine that spread over the ground. The branches turned toward the eagle, but the roots were under ·the eagle [or itself; ^Lit]. So the seed became a vine, and its ·branches [shoots] grew, sending out ·leaves [or branches; boughs].

⁷ “‘But there was another ·giant [great; mighty] eagle with ·big [great] wings and ·many feathers [full plumage]. The vine then ·bent [sent] its roots toward this eagle. It ·sent [stretched; shot] out its branches from the ·area [bed; plot] where it was planted toward the eagle ·so he could water it [to get water]. ⁸ It had been planted in ·a good field [good soil] by plenty of water so it could grow branches and bear fruit. It could have become a ·fine [beautiful; splendid] vine.’

⁹ “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: ·The vine will not continue to grow [^LWill it thrive/prosper?]. ·The first eagle will [^LWill he not…?] pull up the vine’s roots and strip off its fruit. Then the vine and all its new leaves will ·dry up and die [wither]. It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull the vine up by its roots. ¹⁰ [^LLook; ^TBehold] Even if it is planted again, ·it will not [^Lwill it…?] ·continue to grow [thrive]. ·It will [^LWill it not…?] completely ·dry up and die [wither] when the east wind hits it. ·It will [or Will it not…?] ·dry up and die [wither] in the ·area [bed; plot] where it ·grew [sprouted].’”

Zedekiah Against Nebuchadnezzar

¹¹ Then the ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ¹² “Say now to the ·people who refuse to obey [^Lrebellious house]: ‘Don’t you know what these things mean?’ Say: ‘[^LLook; ^TBehold] The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took the king [^CJehoiachin; 2 Kin. 24:12] and ·important men [nobles; officials] of Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon. ¹³ Then he took ·a member of the family of the king of Judah [^Lfrom the royal offspring/seed; ^CZedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle; 2 Kin. 24:17] and made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with him, ·forcing him to take an [putting him under] oath. The king also took away the leaders of ·Judah [^Lthe land] ¹⁴ to ·make the kingdom weak [humble/bring low the kingdom] so it would not ·be strong [rise; exalt itself] again. Then the kingdom of Judah ·could continue only [would stand] by keeping its ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the king of Babylon. ¹⁵ But ·the king of Judah [^Lhe; ^Creferring to Zedekiah; 2 Kin. 24:20] ·turned [rebelled] against the king of Babylon by sending his ·messengers [emissaries] to Egypt and asking them for horses and many soldiers [2 Kin. 24:20]. Will ·the king of Judah succeed [he prosper/succeed]? Will the one who does such things escape? ·He cannot [^LCan he…?] break the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] and escape.

¹⁶ “‘As surely as I live, says the Lord God, he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who made him king of Judah. The king of Judah ·hated [despised] his ·promise [oath] to the king of Babylon and broke his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with him. ¹⁷ ·The king of Egypt [^LPharaoh] with his mighty army and ·many people [vast horde] will not help ·the king of Judah [^Lhim] in the war. The Babylonians will build ·devices [ramps and siege walls] to attack the cities and to ·kill [destroy; cut off] many people. ¹⁸ The king of Judah showed that he ·hated [despised] the ·promise [oath] by breaking the ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. He ·promised to support Babylon [^Lgave his hand (in pledge)], but he did all these things. So he will not escape.

¹⁹ “‘So this is what the Lord God says: As surely as I live, I will ·pay back the king of Judah [^Lbring down on his head] for ·hating [despising] my ·promise [oath] and breaking my ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. ²⁰ I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my ·trap [snare]. Then I will bring him to Babylon, where I will ·punish [execute judgment on] him for the ·unfaithful acts [treachery] he did against me. ²¹ All the ·best^[c] [choice men] of his soldiers will die by the sword, and those who live will be scattered to every wind. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken.

²² “‘This is what the Lord God says: I myself will also take a ·young branch [shoot; sprig] from the top of a tall cedar tree, and I will plant it. I will cut off a ·small [tender] twig from the top of the tree’s young branches, and I will plant it on a ·very high [^Lhigh and lofty] mountain. ²³ I will plant it on the ·high mountain [mountain heights] of Israel. Then it will grow branches and give fruit and become a ·great [beautiful; majestic] cedar tree. Birds of every kind will build nests in it and live in the ·shelter [shade] of the tree’s branches. ²⁴ Then all the trees in the ·countryside [field] will know that I am the Lord. I bring down the high tree and make the low tree tall. I ·dry up [wither] the green tree and make the dry tree ·grow [thrive; flourish]. I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it.’”

God Is Fair

18 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “What do you mean by ·using [quoting; repeating] this ·saying [proverb] about the land of Israel:

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 [^Lupon the mountains; ^Cat pagan worship sites]. He does not ·look for help [^Llift his eyes] to the idols of [^Lthe house of] Israel. He does not ·have sexual relations with [^Ldefile] his neighbor’s wife or ·with [^Lcome near; ^Ca 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 [^Lcovers 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 [^Lwalks 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 [^Lsheds 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 [^Ldefiles] 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 [^Llifts 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 [^LHis 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 [^Lupon the mountains; v. 6]. He does not ·look for help [^Llift his eyes] to the idols of [^Lthe house of] Israel. He does not ·have sexual relations with [^Ldefile] 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 [^Lcovers 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 [^Lremembered] against them. Because they have done what is ·right [righteous], they will live. ²³ ·I do not really want the wicked to die [^LDo 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 [^Lways] 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 [^Lnot 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 [^LThe way of the Lord] isn’t ·fair [just].’ Listen, ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel. ·I am fair [^LIs 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 [^Lhouse] of Israel still say, ‘·What the Lord does [^LThe way of the Lord] isn’t ·fair [just].’ ·People [^LHouse] of Israel. ·I am fair [^LIs my way unjust?]. It is what you do that is not ·fair [just].

³⁰ “So I will judge you, ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel; I will judge each of you ·by what you do [^Laccording 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 [^Lhouse] of Israel? ³² I ·do not want anyone to die [^Ltake no pleasure/delight in anyone’s death], says the Lord God, so ·change your hearts and lives so you may [^Lrepent and] live.

A Sad Song for Israel

19 “Sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the ·leaders [princes] of Israel. ² Say:

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 [^Csince Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month [^CAugust 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 [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ³ “·Human [^TSon 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 [^Tson 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 [^LOn the day when] I chose Israel, I ·made a promise [^Llifted my hand] to the ·descendants [offspring; seed] of Jacob. I made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, and I ·promised them [^Llifted my hand to them, saying], “I am the Lord your God.” ⁶ ·At that time [On that day] I ·promised them I would [^Llifted 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 [^Lset 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 [^Lset 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; ^Critually] in ·full view [^Lthe eyes] of the nations where the Israelites lived. I made myself known to ·the Israelites [^Lthem] 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 [^Lthe 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; ^Critually] 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; ^Critually] in ·full view [^Lthe 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 [^Llifted 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 [^Lwalk in] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements]. They ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; ^Critually] my Sabbaths and ·wanted to worship [^Ltheir 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 [^Lwalk 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 [^LWalk 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; ^Critually] my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger and ·rage [^Lvent/exhaust my rage] against them in the ·desert [wilderness]. ²² But I ·held back my anger [^Lwithdrew my hand]. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be ·dishonored [profaned; ^Critually] in ·full view [^Lthe eyes] of the nations ·who watched as [^Lbefore 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; ^Critually] my Sabbaths and ·worshiped [^Lset 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 [^Ldefiled them; ^Critually] 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 [^Tson of man; 2:1], speak to the ·people [^Lhouse] 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 [^Llifted 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 [^LBamah] today.)

³⁰ “So say to the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Are you going to ·make yourselves unclean [defile yourselves; ^Critually] 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; ^Critually] with all your idols even today. So, ·people [^Lhouse] 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 [^Lwood and stone].” ³³ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, ·I will use my great power and strength and anger to [^Lwith 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 [^La 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 [^Lmake you pass under the rod/shepherd’s staff; Lev. 27:32] and will bring you into ·line with [^Lthe 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 [^LHouse] 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; ^Critually] my holy name with your gifts and ·gods [idols]. ⁴⁰ [^LFor] On my holy mountain [^CMount Zion; Ps. 2:6; 3:4; 15:1], the high mountain of Israel, all [^Lthe 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 [^Lin 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 [^Lyour ways and deeds] that ·made you unclean [defiled you; ^Critually], 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 [^Lhouse] of Israel, says the Lord God.’”

Babylon, the Lord’s Sword

⁴⁵ Now the ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ⁴⁶ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], ·look [^Lset your face] toward the south. Prophesy against the south and against the ·forest [or shrubland] of the ·southern area [^LNegev]. 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 [^Lflesh] 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 [^LIsn’t he just…?] telling ·stories [parables].’”

21 Then the ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], ·look [^Lset your face] toward Jerusalem and speak against the ·holy place [sanctuary]. Prophesy against the land of Israel. ³ Say to Israel: ‘This is what the Lord says: [^LLook; ^TBehold] I am against you. I will pull my sword out of its ·holder [sheath], and I will cut off from you both the wicked and ·those who do right [the righteous]. ⁴ Because I am going to cut off the wicked and ·those who do right [the righteous], my sword will ·come out from its holder [be unsheathed] and attack all ·people [^Lflesh] from south to north. ⁵ Then all people will know that I, the Lord, have pulled my sword out from its ·holder [sheath]. My sword will not go back in again.’

⁶ “So, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], groan with breaking heart and ·great sadness [bitter grief]. Groan ·in front of the people [^Lbefore their eyes]. ⁷ When they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you will say, ‘Because of what I have heard is going to happen. When it happens, every heart will melt with fear, and all hands will become ·weak [limp; feeble]. ·Everyone [^LEvery spirit] will ·be afraid [faint]; all knees will ·become weak as water [or be wet with urine]. ·Look [^TBehold], it is coming, and it will happen, says the Lord God.’”

⁸ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ⁹ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘·You are not happy [or Should you rejoice…?] ·about this horrible punishment by the sword [^Lin the scepter of my son]. ·But my son Judah, you did not change when you were only beaten with a rod [^LThe sword despises every stick].

¹³ “‘The test will come. ·And [^LWhat if…?] the scepter [^Csymbolizing Judah; Gen. 49:10], who is hated by the sword [^Crepresenting the armies of Babylon], will not last, says the Lord God.’

Jerusalem to Be Destroyed

¹⁸ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ¹⁹ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], mark two roads that the king of Babylon and his sword can follow. Both of these roads will start from the same country. And make signs where the road divides and one way goes toward the city. ²⁰ Mark one sign to show the road ·he can take with his sword [^Lfor the sword to come] to Rabbah in the land of the Ammonites. Mark the other sign to show the road to Judah and Jerusalem, which is protected with strong walls [^Cmoving south from Syria, the roads branch east and west of the Jordan River]. ²¹ The king of Babylon has come to where the road divides, and he is using ·magic [divination]. He ·throws lots with [^Lshakes] arrows and ·asks questions of his family idols [^Lconsults the teraphim]. He looks at the ·liver of a sacrificed animal [^Lliver; ^Cmethods of divination, used here to determine which road to take]. ²² The lot in his right hand tells him to go to Jerusalem. It tells him to use ·logs to break down the city gates [battering rams], to shout the battle cry and give the ·order to kill [command for slaughter], and to build ·a dirt road to the top of the walls [siege ramps] and ·devices to attack the walls [siege walls]. ²³ The people of Jerusalem will think this ·prediction is wrong [is a false omen/divination] because of their ·agreement with Babylon [or treaty with other nations; or covenant with God; ^Lsworn oaths/allegiance] But ·the king of Babylon will remind them of their rebellion [or the siege will remind them of their guilt] and they will be captured.

²⁴ “So this is what the Lord God says: ‘You have ·shown how sinful you are [^Lcaused your guilt to be remembered] by ·turning against the Lord [^Luncovering your trangressions]. Your sins are ·seen [revealed] in all the things you do. Because of this proof against you, you will be taken captive by the enemy.

²⁵ “‘You ·unclean [profane; ^Critually] and evil ·leader [prince] of Israel, ·you will be killed [^Lwhose day has come]! The time of your final punishment has come. ²⁶ This is what the Lord God says: Take off the royal turban, and remove the crown. Things will change. ·Those who are unimportant now will be made important [The lowly will be exalted], and ·those who are important now will be made unimportant [the exalted will be made lowly]. ²⁷ A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! ·This place will not be rebuilt [or The kingdom will not be restored] until the one comes ·who has a right to be king [to whom judgment belongs; Gen. 49:10]. Then I will give ·him that right [it to him].’

The Punishment of Ammon

²⁸ “And you, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Lord God says about the people of Ammon and their ·insults [mockery; or humiliation]:

The Sins of Jerusalem

22 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “And you, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], will you judge? Will you judge the city of ·murderers [bloodshed; ^CJerusalem]? Then tell her about all her ·hateful [detestable; abominable] acts. ³ You are to say: ‘This is what the Lord God says: You are a city that ·kills those who come to live there [^Lsheds blood in her midst]. You ·make yourself unclean [defile yourself; ^Critually] by making idols. ⁴ You have become guilty of ·murder [bloodshed] and have become ·unclean [defiled] by your idols which you have made. So you have brought your ·time of punishment [^Ldays] near; you have come to the end of your years. That is why I have made you a ·shame [object of scorn] to the nations and ·why all lands laugh at you [^La mockery/laughingstock to all lands]. ⁵ Those near and those far away ·laugh at [mock] you with your ·bad [defiled] name, you city full of ·confusion [turmoil].

⁶ “‘See how each ·ruler [prince; leader] of Israel in you [^CJerusalem; v. 2] has been trying to ·kill people [shed blood]. ⁷ The people in you ·hate [treat with contempt] their fathers and mothers. They ·mistreat [oppress] the foreigners in you and wrong the ·orphans [fatherless] and widows in you. ⁸ You ·hate [despise] my holy things and ·dishonor [desecrate; profane; ^Critually] my Sabbaths. ⁹ The ·lying [slanderous] men in you ·cause the death of others [shed blood]. The people in you eat ·food offered to idols at the mountain places of worship [^Lon the mountains], and they take part in ·sexual sins [^Llewd/obscene acts among you]. ¹⁰ The men in you ·have sexual relations with their fathers’ wives [^Luncover their father’s nakedness] and ·with [^Lviolate] women who are unclean [^Critually], during their time of ·monthly bleeding [^Limpurity]. ¹¹ One man in you does a ·hateful [detestable; abominable] act with his neighbor’s wife, while another has shamefully ·made his daughter-in-law unclean sexually [^Ldefiled his daughter-in-law; ^Critually]. And another ·forces his half sister to have sexual relations [^Lviolates his father’s daughter] with him [^Call forbidden in the Law; Lev. 18:9, 15, 20]. ¹² The people in you take ·money [bribes] to ·kill others [shed blood; Deut. 27:25]. You take ·interest [usury; 18:13, 17; Lev. 25:36] and profits and make profits by ·mistreating [extorting] your neighbor. And you have forgotten me, says the Lord God.

¹³ “‘·So, Jerusalem, [^LLook; ^TBehold] I will ·shake my fist [^Lstrike my hand] at you for ·stealing money [your dishonest gain] and for ·murdering people [bloodshed]. ¹⁴ Will ·you still be brave [^Lyour heart stand] and ·strong [^Lyour hands be strong] when I ·punish [deal with] you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will act. ¹⁵ I will scatter you among the nations and spread you through the countries. ·That is how I will get rid of [^LI will remove] your uncleanness [^Critually]. ¹⁶ But you, yourself, will be ·dishonored [defiled; profaned; ^Critually] in the ·sight [eyes] of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

Israel Is Worthless

¹⁷ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ¹⁸ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel have become ·scum [dross; ^Cuseless] to me. They are like the ·copper [or bronze], tin, iron, and lead left in the furnace when silver is purified. ¹⁹ So this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you have become ·scum [dross], I am going to bring you together inside Jerusalem. ²⁰ Just as people put silver, ·copper [or bronze], iron, lead, and tin together inside a furnace to melt them down in a blazing fire, so I will gather you in my hot anger and put you together in Jerusalem and melt you down. ²¹ I will ·put [gather] you together and ·make you feel [^Lblow on you with] the ·heat [fire] of my ·anger [fury; wrath]. You will be melted down ·inside Jerusalem [^Lin the midst of it]. ²² As silver is melted in a furnace, you will be melted inside ·the city [^Lit]. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out my ·anger [wrath] on you.’”

Sins of the People

²³ The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ²⁴ “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], say to the land, ‘You are a land that ·has not had rain or [or is not cleansed with] showers ·when God is angry [^Lin the day of wrath/indignation].’ ²⁵ Like a roaring lion that tears ·the animal it has caught [its prey], Israel’s ·rulers^[d] [princes] ·make evil plans [conspire]. They have ·destroyed [devoured] lives and have taken treasure and ·valuable [precious] things. They have caused many women to become widows. ²⁶ ·Israel’s [^LHer; Its] priests do ·cruel things [violence] to my ·teachings [laws; instructions; ^LTorah] and ·do not honor [profane; ^Critually] my holy things. They make no difference between holy and ·unholy [common; profane; ^Critually] things, and they teach there is no difference between clean and unclean things [^Critually]. They ·do not remember [disregard; ^Lclose their eyes to] my Sabbaths, so I am ·dishonored by [profaned among; ^Critually] them. ²⁷ Like wolves tearing ·a dead animal [their prey], ·Jerusalem’s leaders [^Lher princes/officials] have ·killed people [^Lshed blood and destroy lives] for profit. ²⁸ And the prophets ·try to cover this up by [whitewash their actions with; 13:10–15] false visions and by lying ·messages [divinations]. They say, ‘This is what the Lord God says’ when the Lord has not spoken. ²⁹ The people of the land ·cheat others [practice extortion] and ·steal [commit robbery]. They ·hurt [oppress] the poor and needy. They ·cheat [mistreat; extort] foreigners and ·do not treat them fairly [deny them justice].

³⁰ “I looked for someone to ·build up [repair; 13:5] the walls and to stand before me ·where the walls are broken [in the gap/breach] ·to defend these people [^Lon behalf of the land] so I would not have to destroy them. But I could not find anyone. ³¹ So I ·let them see [poured out] my ·anger [wrath]. I destroyed them with an anger that was like fire ·because of all the things [^Lbringing down on their heads all] they have done, says the Lord God.”

Samaria and Jerusalem

23 The ·Lord spoke his word [^Lword of the Lord came] to me, saying: ² “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], a woman had two daughters. ³ While they were young, they went to Egypt and became prostitutes. They let men ·touch [fondle] and hold their virgin breasts. ⁴ The older girl was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became my wives and had sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem [^Cboth names are related to the Hebrew word for “tent,” and refer to the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah].

⁵ “While ·still my wife [^Lshe was mine], ·Samaria [^LOholah] ·had sexual relations with other men [engaged in prostitution]. She ·had great sexual desire for [lusted after] her lovers, men from Assyria. The Assyrians were warriors ·and ⁶ wore blue uniforms [clothed in blue]. They were all ·handsome [desirable] young men, ·captains [or governors] and ·lieutenants [commanders] riding on horseback. ⁷ ·Samaria [^LShe] became a prostitute for all the ·important [elite] men in Assyria and ·made herself unclean [defiled herself] with all the idols of everyone she desired. ⁸ She ·continued [did not give up] the prostitution she began in Egypt. When she was young, she had slept with men, and they ·touched [fondled] her virgin breasts and ·had sexual relations with [^Lpoured out their lust on] her.

⁹ “So I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians, ·that she wanted so badly [for whom she lusted]. ¹⁰ They ·stripped her naked [^Luncovered her nakedness; 16:37] and took away her sons and daughters. Then they killed her with a sword [^Creferring to the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians in 722–721 bc]. ·Women everywhere began talking [It became notorious/a byword among women] about how she had been punished.

¹¹ “Her sister ·Jerusalem [^LOholibah; v. 4] saw what happened, but she became ·worse [more depraved/corrupt] than her sister in her sexual ·desire [lust] and prostitution. ¹² She also desired the Assyrians, who were all soldiers in ·beautiful uniforms [full dress; or full armor]—·handsome [desirable] young ·captains [or governors] and ·lieutenants [commanders] riding horses. ¹³ I saw that both girls were alike; both were ·prostitutes [defiled; ^Critually].

¹⁴ “But ·Jerusalem went [^Lshe increased her prostitution] even further. She saw carvings of ·Babylonian [^LChaldean] men on a wall. They wore red [Jer. 22:14] ¹⁵ and had belts around their waists and turbans on their heads. They all looked like chariot officers ·born in Babylonia [^Lthe image of sons of Babel, natives of Chaldea]. ¹⁶ When she saw them, she ·wanted to have sexual relations with [lusted after] them and sent messengers to them in ·Babylonia [^LChaldea; ^Cdepicting Judah’s attempt at alliances with Babylon; 2 Kin. 20:12–15; 23:34—24:1]. ¹⁷ So these Babylonian men came ·and had sexual relations with her [to her bed of love] and ·made her unclean [^Ldefiled her with their lust; ^Critually]. After that, she ·became sick of them [turned away in disgust]. ¹⁸ But she ·continued her prostitution so openly that everyone knew about it [^Luncovered her prostitution and uncovered her nakedness]. And I ·finally became sick of her [turned away from her in disgust], as I had her sister. ¹⁹ But she remembered how she was a young prostitute in Egypt, so she took part in even more prostitution. ²⁰ She ·wanted men [lusted after lovers] ·who behaved like animals in their sexual desire [or whose genitals/^Lflesh were the size/^Lflesh of donkeys and seminal emission like that of horses]. ²¹ In the same way you ·desired to do the sinful things you had done [longed for the lewdness of your youth] in Egypt. There men ·touched [fondled] and ·held [caressed] your young breasts.

God’s Judgment on Jerusalem

²² “So, ·Jerusalem [^LOholibah; v. 4], this is what the Lord God says: You ·are tired of [turned in disgust from] your lovers. So [^Llook; ^Tbehold] now I will ·make them angry with [^Lstir them up against] you and ·have them attack [^Lbring them against] you from all sides [^Ca description of the siege of Jerusalem]. ²³ Men from Babylon and all ·Babylonia [^Lthe Chaldeans] and men from Pekod, Shoa, and Koa attack you [^Cpeople groups from the Mesopotamian region]. All the Assyrians will attack you: ·handsome [desirable] young ·captains [or governors] and ·lieutenants [commanders], all of them ·important men [officers and nobles] and all riding horses. ²⁴ Those men will attack with ·great armies [a host of people/nations] and with their weapons, chariots, and wagons. They will ·surround you [^Ltake up positions against you on every side] with large and small shields and with helmets. And I will ·give them the right to punish you [^Lassign judgment to them], and they will ·give you their own kind of punishment [or judge you by their own standards]. ²⁵ Then ·you will see how strong my anger can be [or I will direct my jealous anger against you] when they ·punish [deal with] you in their anger. They will cut off your noses and ears [^Cacts of torture and humiliation]. They will ·take away [seize] your sons and daughters, and those who are left will be ·burned [consumed/devoured by fire]. ²⁶ They will ·take [strip] off your clothes and steal your beautiful jewelry. ²⁷ I will put a stop to the ·sinful life [lewd/obscene behavior] you began when you were in Egypt so that you will not ·desire it [or seek their help; ^Llift up your eyes to them] or remember Egypt anymore.

²⁸ “This is what the Lord God says: You became ·tired of [disgusted with] your lovers, but I am going to hand you over to those men you now hate. ²⁹ They will treat you with hate and take away everything you worked for, leaving you empty and naked. ·Everyone will know about the sinful things you did [^LThe nakedness of your prostitution will be uncovered]. Your ·sexual sins [lewdness and promiscuity] ³⁰ have brought this on you. You have ·had sexual relations with [prostituted yourself with] the nations and ·made yourselves unclean [defiled yourself] by worshiping their idols. ³¹ You ·did the same things your sister did [^Lwent the way of your sister; vv. 9–10], so ·you will get the same punishment, like a bitter cup to drink [^LI will put her cup in your hand].

³² “This is what the Lord God says:

³⁵ “So this is what the Lord God says: You have forgotten me and ·turned your back on me [^Lcast me behind your back]. So you ·will be punished [must bear the consequences] for your ·sexual sins [^Llewdness and prostitution].”

Judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem

³⁶ The Lord said to me: “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], will you judge ·Samaria [^LOholah] and ·Jerusalem [^LOholibah], ·showing [declaring to] them their ·hateful [detestable; abominable] acts? ³⁷ They are guilty of adultery and ·murder [^Lblood is on their hands]. They have taken part in adultery with their idols. They even offered ·our children [^Lthe children they bore to me] as sacrifices in the fire to be food for these idols. ³⁸ They have also done this to me: They ·made my Temple unclean [defiled my sanctuary; ^Critually] at the same time they ·dishonored [defiled; profaned; ^Critually] my Sabbaths. ³⁹ They ·sacrificed [slaughtered] their children to their idols. Then they entered my Temple at that very time to ·dishonor [desecrate; profane; ^Critually] it. That is what they did inside my ·Temple [^Lhouse]!