Old/New Testament
1 In the thirtieth year on the fifth day of the fourth month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of Adonai came to Ezekiel the kohen, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar. (The hand of Adonai was upon him there.)
Vision of Supernatural Beings
4 I looked, and behold, a storm wind came from the north, a great cloud with flashing fire and brightness all around it, and something like a glowing alloy[a] out of the fire. 5 From within it came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had a likeness of a human, 6 but each one had four faces and each one of them had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight and the soles of their feet were like the hoof of a calf. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8 They had human hands under their wings on their four sides. The four of them had faces and wings: 9 their wings touched one another; they did not turn when they moved; each could move in the direction of any of its faces. 10 As for the form of their faces, each had a human face, the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side and the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings touching the wing of another, while another two were covering their bodies. 12 Now each being could move in the direction of any of its faces; wherever the Ruach would go, they went, without turning as they went.
13 As for the form of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, resembling torches moving between the living creatures. There was brightness to the fire, and lightning went forth from the fire. 14 The living creatures were running back and forth like flashes of lightning. 15 As I looked at the living creatures, behold, one wheel was on the ground next to each of the four-faced creatures. 16 The appearance and structure of the wheels was like the gleaming of beryl. The four had the same likeness, their appearance and their structure seemed to be a wheel within a wheel.
17 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without pivoting as they went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome—all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. When the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the Ruach wanted to go, they went, in the direction the Ruach wanted to go. The wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 Whenever the creatures went, the wheels went. When the creatures stood still, these wheels stood still. When the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Now over the heads of the living creatures there was something like an expanse, shining like the color of ice, stretched forth over their heads. 23 Under the expanse, their wings were stretched out straight, one toward the other. Each had another pair covering its body.
24 When they moved, I could hear the sound of their wings like the sound of rushing waters, like the voice of Shaddai, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army. Whenever they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 There came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. Whenever they stood still, they let down their wings.
26 Above the expanse over their heads was something like a throne, resembling a sapphire stone. Above the shape of the throne was a figure of human appearance. 27 From what appeared as his waist upward, I saw a glowing metal, looking like a fire encased in a frame. From what was like his waist down, I saw the appearance of fire radiating around him. 28 Like the appearance of the rainbow[b] in the cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the radiance. It was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Adonai. I saw it, fell upon my face, and heard the voice of the One who was speaking.
A Rebellious House
2 Then He said to me: “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 As He spoke to me, the Ruach came upon me and stood me up on my feet. I heard Him speaking to me again.
3 He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to Bnei-Yisrael, to rebellious nations that have been rebelling against Me. They and their fathers have rebelled against Me to this very day. 4 The children have hard faces and stubborn hearts. I am sending you to them, and you are to tell them, ‘Thus says Adonai Elohim.’ 5 Whether they listen, or whether they will refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet was among them.
6 “But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them. Do not fear their words, though thistles and thorns are beside you and you sit among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or be dismayed by their looks—for they are a rebellious house. 7 You will speak My words to them, whether they will listen or whether they will refuse to listen—for they are rebellious. 8 Now you, son of man, hear what I say to you: do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat what I am giving to you.”
9 I looked, and behold, a hand was stretched out to me, holding a written scroll. 10 He spread it out before me. It was written on, front and back. Written on it were lamentations, dirges and woe.
The Faithful See from Afar
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen. 2 For by it the elders received commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come from anything visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain. Through faith he was commended as righteous[a] when God approved of his gifts. And through faith he still speaks, although he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken so as not to see death, and he was not found because God took him.[b] For before he was taken, he was commended as pleasing to God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about events not yet seen, in holy fear prepared an ark for the safety of his household. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he was to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he migrated to the land of promise as if it were foreign, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob—fellow heirs of the same promise. 10 For he was waiting for the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive[c] when she was barren and past the age, since she considered the One who had made the promise to be faithful. 12 So from one—and him as good as dead—were fathered offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and as uncountable as the sand on the seashore.[d]
13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised—but they saw them and welcomed them from afar, and they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. [e] 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If indeed they had been thinking about where they had come from, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they yearn for a better land—that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had received the promises was offering up his one and only son— 18 the one about whom it was said, “Through Isaac offspring shall be named for you.” [f] 19 He reasoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead—and in a sense, he did receive him back from there.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.