Old/New Testament
The Vision of the Eastern Gate
11 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east facing gate of the Lord’s Temple. At the entrance of the gate I saw 25 men. Included among them were Azzur’s son Jaazaniah and Benaiah’s son Pelatiah, who were princes of the people.
2 Then he told me, “Son of Man, these men are plotting evil and are giving wicked advice in this city. 3 They keep saying, ‘The right time to build families[a] hasn’t yet arrived. The city is the pot and we are the meat.’ 4 Therefore you are to prophesy against them. Prophesy, Son of Man!”
God Rebukes those who Plot Evil
5 Just then the Spirit of the Lord took control of[b] me and told me, “You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord says: “You’ve said, O house of Israel, that I know what goes through your mind.[c] 6 You’ve increased the number of fatally wounded in this city and you’ve filled your streets with the dead.”
7 ‘Therefore this is what the Lord God says, “The corpses that you’ve laid out in your midst are the meat, and this city is the cooking pot. But you’ll be taken out from the middle of it. 8 You’ve feared the sword,[d] but I’m bringing violent death in your direction,”[e] declares the Lord God. 9 “I’m bringing you out from the middle of it and I’m going to deliver you into the hands of strangers, because I’m going to carry out my sentence against you. 10 You’re going to die violently,[f] and I’ll judge you as far as the borders of Israel. Then you’ll learn[g] that I am the Lord. 11 This city won’t be your cooking pot and neither will you be the meat in it, because I’m going to judge you as far as the borders of Israel. 12 Then you’ll learn[h] that I am the Lord, because you didn’t live by my statues or obey my ordinances. Instead, you obeyed the ordinances of the nations around you.”’”
Ezekiel Reacts to Pelatiah’s Death
13 While I was prophesying, Benaiah’s son Pelatiah died, so I fell on my face and cried out with a loud voice. “Ah, Lord God,” I said, “are you going to put an end to the survivors within Israel?”
14 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 15 “Son of Man, your brothers, your other relatives, your fellow exiles,[i] and the entire house of Israel are the people to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘They’ve abandoned the Lord. This land was given to us for an inheritance.’”
The Future Hope of Israel
16 “Therefore you are to say, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “Although I’ve removed them far away to live among the nations, and although I’ve scattered them throughout the earth, yet I’ve continued to be their sanctuary, even for the short time that they will be living in the lands to which they’ve gone.”’
17 “Therefore you are to say, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “I’m going to gather you from among the nations, assembling you from the lands among which you have been dispersed. I’ll give you the land of Israel. 18 When they return from there and cast away all of their loathsome things and detestable practices, 19 then I’ll give them a united heart, placing a new spirit within them.[j] I’ll remove their stubborn heart[k] and give them a heart that’s sensitive to me.[l] 20 When they live by my statutes and keep my ordinances by observing them, then they’ll be my people and I will be their God. 21 But to those whose hearts delight in loathsome things and detestable practices, I’ll bring the consequences of their behavior crashing down on their own heads,” declares the Lord God.’”
The Cherubim Leave
22 Then the cherubim arose, with their wheels alongside, and the glory of Israel’s God remained above and over them. 23 The glory of the Lord went up from the middle of the city and stood on the mountain, east of the city. 24 Then in a vision from the Spirit of God, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Chaldea. At that point, the vision that I had been observing ended. 25 Later, I spoke to the exiles concerning everything the Lord had spoken that I had witnessed.
Ezekiel Packs for Exile
12 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, you live in a rebellious house that has eyes to see, but they can’t see, and ears to hear, but they can’t hear, since they’re a rebellious house.
3 “So now, Son of Man, you are to prepare your luggage for a trip into exile, and then you are to leave during the daytime so they see you leaving. Leave from your place to another while they’re watching. Then perhaps they’ll realize that they’re a rebellious house.
4 “Bring out your luggage, like you’re packing to go into exile, and do this during the daytime while they’re watching you.[m] Later that evening, leave while they’re watching you like someone heading into exile. 5 While they continue to watch, dig a hole for yourself in the wall and enter through it.
6 “While they’re watching, carry your luggage[n] on your shoulder and go out in total[o] darkness. Cover your face so that you won’t see the land, because I’m using you as a sign to Israel’s house.”
7 I did just as I was commanded. I brought out the luggage as if it were luggage for exile. I did this during the day. Then in the evening I dug a hole in the wall with my hand and brought the luggage out in total[p] darkness and carried it out on my shoulder while they were watching.
The Meaning of the Message
8 The next morning, this message came to me from the Lord: 9 “Son of Man, didn’t the house of Israel, that rebellious house, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’ 10 Answer them, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “This oracle concerns the prince of Jerusalem and the whole of Israel’s house that is in their midst. 11 Tell them, ‘I’m a sign for you. Just as I enacted it,[q] it’s going to happen to them. They’ll go into exile and captivity. 12 Then the prince, who will be one of them, will carry his luggage[r] on his shoulder in the dark and will go out. They’ll dig a hole in the wall for him to go through. His face will be covered so that he won’t be able to see the land with his eyes. 13 But I’ll throw my net over him. As a result, he’ll be captured with my net, and with it I’ll bring him to Babel, the land of the Chaldeans. He won’t see it, though he’ll die there. 14 I’ll scatter every attendant who surrounds him, along with his entire army, to every wind. When I unsheathe my sword to pursue them, 15 they’ll learn[s] that I am the Lord, when I’ve dispersed them among the nations and scattered them throughout the earth.”’”
The Purpose of the Surviving Remnant
16 “But I’ll preserve[t] a few people out of the violent death,[u] famine, and pestilence, so they can recount their detestable practices among the nations when they’ll go there. Then they’ll know that I am the Lord.”
The Coming Devastation
17 This message came to me from the Lord: 18 “Son of Man, eat your bread with trembling and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. 19 Then tell the people of the land, ‘This is what the Lord says to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to Israel’s land: “They’ll eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in trepidation, because their land will be desolate in its entirety due to all the violence committed by all who live in it. 20 The towns that are inhabited will lie in ruins, because the land will be devastated. Then they’ll learn[v] that I am the Lord.”’”
The Coming Fulfillment of Visions
21 Later, this message came to me from the Lord: 22 “Son of Man, what’s this proverb you have concerning Israel’s land that says, ‘The days pass slowly and every vision ends in nothing.’?[w] 23 Therefore you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “I’m about to put an end to use of this proverb in Israel. It will never be used again as a proverb in Israel. Instead, tell them that the days are drawing near when every vision will be fulfilled. 24 There will no longer be worthless visions and flattering divinations in the midst of Israel’s house. 25 Because I am the Lord, I’ll speak and the message that I communicate will be accomplished without delay. While you continue to be a rebellious house, I’ll speak the message and then fulfill it,” declares the Lord God.’”
The Imminent Fulfillment
26 Later, this message came to me from the Lord: 27 “Son of Man, pay attention! The house of Israel keeps on saying, ‘The vision that he’s talking about concerns the distant future. He’s prophesying concerning times that are far in the future!’ 28 Therefore tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “None of my messages will be delayed any longer. Any message that I speak will be fulfilled,” declares the Lord God.’”
A Prophecy against Prophets
13 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who even now are prophesying, and tell those prophets that keep on prophesying according to what they wish would happen,[x] ‘Listen to what the Lord says.’”
3 “This is what the Lord God says, ‘How terrible it will be for the false prophets who walk according to their own wrong inclinations[y] and see nothing. 4 Israel, your prophets have become like foxes among ruins. 5 You didn’t go up to repair[z] the breaches in the walls and you didn’t build the walls so Israel’s house would be able to endure battle on the Day of the Lord. 6 Instead, they crafted[aa] false prophecies and divination.
“‘They say, “…declares the Lord,” even though the Lord didn’t send them. And they hope for the fulfillment of their message. 7 You’ve crafted[ab] a false prophesy and spoken deceptive divination, haven’t you? But then you say, “…declares the Lord,” although I haven’t spoken a single word.
8 “‘Therefore this is what the Lord God says, “Because you’ve spoken falsehood and deceptions, I am therefore opposing[ac] you,” declares the Lord God. 9 My hand will oppose the prophets who see false visions and speak deceptive divinations. They won’t be included with the council of my people, nor will they be entered into the registry of Israel’s house or enter Israel’s land. Then you’ll know that I am the Lord God, 10 because they’ve truly caused my people to stray saying, “Peace,” but there’s no peace.’”
Metaphor of the Whitewashed Wall
“When someone builds a wall, they coat it with whitewash. 11 Tell those who coat it with whitewash that it will fall. It will be washed off by the rain. Great hailstones will fall and a stormy wind will strip it off.[ad] 12 Look! When the wall collapses, won’t it be said of you, ‘Where’s the coat of paint that you spread all over the wall?’
13 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says, ‘In my burning anger, I’ll rip it open with a windstorm. In my anger, I’ll rinse it off with rain, and put an end to it with a hailstorm in my destructive rage. 14 I’ll tear down the wall that you’ve smeared with whitewash, level it to the ground, and tear out its foundation. Then it will collapse—and you’ll perish with it! Then you’ll know that I am the Lord.
15 “‘That’s how I’ll vent my anger on the wall and on the ones who coated it with whitewash. And I’ll say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who coated it.”[ae] 16 The prophets of Israel prophesied about Jerusalem and saw visions of peace concerning her, yet there’s no peace,’” declares the Lord God.
A Rebuke to Israel’s Women
17 “And now, Son of Man, turn toward and oppose[af] the women[ag] of your people who prophesy according to their own wrong inclinations[ah] and prophesy against them. 18 Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says, “How terrible it will be for those women who sew magical bracelets on all their wrists and make one-size-fits all headbands,[ai] in order to entrap their souls. Will you hunt for the souls of my people and remain alive? 19 You’ve profaned me among my people for a handful of barley and a morsel of bread. You’re causing people to die who shouldn’t have to die, and you’re causing people to live who shouldn’t survive, when you deceive my people who tend to listen to lies.”
20 “‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says, “Watch out! I’m opposing your amulets with which you hunt souls as one would swat at a flying insect.[aj] I’ll tear them off your arms and then deliver those people, whom you’ve hunted like birds. 21 I’ll also tear off your headbands[ak] and deliver my people from your grip so that they won’t be under your control anymore. Then you’ll know that I am the Lord.
22 “‘“Because you’ve dismayed the heart of the righteous—whom I never intended to dismay—with lies, and because you’ve encouraged[al] the wicked so that he wouldn’t abandon his evil behavior and by doing so live, 23 you’ll no longer see false visions or again practice divination, because I’m going to deliver my people from your power. Then you’ll know that I am the Lord.”’”
Greetings
1 From:[a] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.[b]
To: The twelve tribes in the Dispersion.[c]
Greetings.
Responding Wisely to Life
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without any doubts, for the one who has doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he undertakes.[d]
9 A brother of humble means should rejoice in his having been exalted, 10 and a rich person in his having been humbled, because he will fade away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass. The flower in it drops off, and its beauty is gone. That is how the rich person will fade away in his pursuits.
Trial and Temptation
12 How blessed is the man who endures temptation! When he has passed the test, he will receive the victor’s crown of life that God[e] has promised to those who keep on loving him. 13 When someone is tempted, he should not say, “I am being tempted by God,” because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 Instead, each person is tempted by his own desire, being lured and trapped by it. 15 When that desire becomes pregnant, it gives birth to sin; and when that sin grows up, it gives birth to death.
Practical Christian Living
16 Do not be[f] deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights,[g] in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. 18 In accordance with his will he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.[h]
19 You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls.
22 Keep on being obedient to[i] the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror 24 and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it—thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that law[j] requires—will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself,[k] his religion is worthless. 27 A religion that is pure and stainless according to[l] God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
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