Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal,^(A) the heavens opened^(B) and I saw visions of God.^{(C) 2} On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile^(D)— ³ the word of the Lord came^(E) directly to Ezekiel^(F) the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans^(G) by the Chebar Canal. And the Lord’s hand was on him there.^(H)

Vision of the Lord’s Glory

⁴ I looked and there was a whirlwind^(I) coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber.^{(J) 5} The form of four living creatures came from it.^(K) And this was their appearance: They had human form, ⁶ but each of them had four faces and four wings. ⁷ Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, sparkling like the gleam of polished bronze.^{(L) 8} They had human hands under their wings on their four sides.^(M) All four of them had faces and wings.^{(N) 9} Their wings were touching. The creatures did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.^{(O) 10} The form of each of their faces was that of a man,^(P) and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle.^{(Q) 11} That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body.^{(R) 12} Each creature went straight ahead.^(S) Wherever the Spirit^[a] wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved.^(T)

¹³ The form of the living creatures was like the appearance of burning coals of fire and torches.^(U) Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it. ¹⁴ The creatures were darting back and forth^(V) like flashes of lightning.^(W)

¹⁵ When I looked at the living creatures, there was one wheel on the ground beside each creature that had four faces. ¹⁶ The appearance of the wheels^(X) and their craftsmanship was like the gleam of beryl,^(Y) and all four had the same form. Their appearance and craftsmanship was like a wheel within a wheel. ¹⁷ When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved. ¹⁸ Their rims were large and frightening. Each of their four rims were full of eyes^(Z) all around. ¹⁹ So when the living creatures moved,^(AA) the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose. ²⁰ Wherever the Spirit^[b] wanted to go, the creatures went in the direction the Spirit was moving. The wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. ²¹ When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still; and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

²² The shape of an expanse,^(AB) with a gleam like awe-inspiring crystal,^(AC) was spread out over the heads of the living creatures.^{(AD) 23} And under the expanse their wings extended one toward another. Each of them also had two wings covering their bodies. ²⁴ When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of mighty waters,^(AE) like the voice of the Almighty,^(AF) and a sound of commotion like the noise of an army.^(AG) When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

²⁵ A voice came from above the expanse over their heads; when they stood still, they lowered their wings. ²⁶ The shape of a throne with the appearance of sapphire^[c] stone was above the expanse.^[d](AH) There was a form with the appearance of a human on the throne high above.^{(AI) 27} From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around.^(AJ) From what seemed to be His waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around Him. ²⁸ The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day.^(AK) This was the appearance of the form of the Lord’s glory.^(AL) When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.^(AM)

Mission to Rebellious Israel

2 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet^(AN) and I will speak with you.”

²³ Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.^{(A) 24} The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

²⁶ But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”^{(B) 27} While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. ²⁸ Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner.^(C) But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean.^{(D) 29} That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?”

³⁰ Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon,^[a] I was^[b] praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me^{(E) 31} and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. ³² Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’^{[c] 33} Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”