Ezekiel, 20

1. And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth [month], the tenth [day] of the month, [that] certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

1. It happened on the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year, some men from among the elders of Jerusalem came to consult Yahweh and sat in front of me.

2. Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,

2. Then the word of Yahweh came to me in these terms,

3. Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

3. "Son of man, say to the elders of Israel: This is the word of Yahweh: Do you come to consult me? As I live, I will not answer you - word of Yahweh.

4. Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge [them]? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

4. Judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Let them know about the detestable practices of their fathers.

5. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I [am] the LORD your God;

5. Say to them: This is what Yahweh has said: The day I chose Israel, I committed myself to the descendants of Jacob with an oath. I revealed myself to them in the land of Egypt and I swore to them, I am Yahweh, your God.

6. In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

6. On that day I swore to them that I would take them out of Egypt to a country I had explored for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most splendid of lands.

7. Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

7. I said to them: Let each one reject the horrors that attract him! Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Yahweh, your God.

8. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

8. But they rebelled against me and would not listen; none of them rejected the horrors that attracted them, none abandoned the filthy idols of Israel. I then thought of pouring out my fury on them, exhausting my anger against them in the land of Egypt.

9. But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they [were], in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

9. But for the sake of my Name I relented, lest it be profaned in the sight of the nations where they lived, whose inhabitants had seen how I revealed myself to the Israelites in bringing them out of Egypt.

10. Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

10. So I brought them out of Egypt and led them to the desert.

11. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them.

11. I gave them my decrees and made my laws known to them, laws by which man lives provided he observes them.

12. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them.

12. I also gave them my sabbaths to be a sign between us, letting them know that I am Yahweh who makes them holy.

13. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

13. But Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not follow my decrees, they despised my laws by which man lives, provided he obeys them; they so profaned my sabbaths that in my fury I thought of destroying them in the desert.

14. But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

14. But again I relented for the sake of my Name, lest it be profaned in the sight of the nations who saw me bring them out.

15. Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands;

15. However I swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey that I had given them - the choicest of lands -

16. Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

16. because they had despised my laws and had not followed my decrees; they had profaned my sabbaths, and their heart went after their idols.

17. Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

17. But I had pity on them and did not destroy them; I did not do away with them in the desert.

18. But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:

18. I said to their children in the desert: Do not follow the example of your fathers; do not keep their practices and do not defile yourselves with their idols.

19. I [am] the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

19. I am Yahweh, your God. Follow my decrees, observe my laws and practice them.

20. And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.

20. Keep my sabbaths holy and let them be a sign between us and you will know that I am Yahweh, your God.

21. Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

21. But their children too rebelled against me; they did not follow my decrees or observe my laws; they did not carry out these laws by which man lives provided he obeys them. They profaned my sabbaths and I thought of pouring out my fury on them and exhausting my anger against them in the desert.

22. Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

22. But once more I held back my hand lest my Name be profaned in the eyes of the nations that had seen me bring them out.

23. I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

23. However I swore to them in the desert that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them in other lands since they had not obeyed my laws,

24. Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

24. but instead had defiled my sabbaths and had looked to the idols of their fathers.

25. Wherefore I gave them also statutes [that were] not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

25. In the meantime I gave them statutes that were not good and laws they could not live by,

26. And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through [the fire] all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I [am] the LORD.

26. so that they might be defiled by their gifts. I let them offer by fire all their firstborn, in order to shame them and let them know that I am Yahweh.

27. Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

27. Therefore, son of man, speak to Israel; say to them: This is what Yahweh says: Do you not know that your fathers offended me by their infidelity?

28. [For] when I had brought them into the land, [for] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

28. I led them to the land I had sworn to give them, but whenever they saw a lofty hill or leafy tree they offered sacrifices. They provoked me with the offerings they made there - appeasing aromas and drink offerings.

29. Then I said unto them, What [is] the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

29. Then I said to them, 'What is this place to which you go?' That is why they called it high place.

30. Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?

30. Say to Israel, thus says Yahweh: Since you follow your fathers in lusting after their abominations,

31. For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

31. in bringing your gifts and in sacrificing your children by fire, never ceasing to defile yourselves with your idols, am I to answer when you consult, Israel? As I live, word of Yahweh, I will not answer you.

32. And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

32. You have in mind to be like the other nations, worshiping wood and stone, but this shall not happen.

33. [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

33. As I live, word of Yahweh, I will rule you with an iron hand, an outstretched arm and outpourings of wrath.

34. And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

34. Then I will bring you from the midst of the nations and from the peoples where I have scattered you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm and outpourings of wrath.

35. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

35. I will lead you to the wilderness of Syria and

36. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.

36. there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. Just as I judged your fathers in the desert of Egypt,

37. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:

37. so will I judge you, word of Yahweh. I will make you feel my rod and sort you out.

38. And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

38. I will rid you of rebels; though they go out from the land of their exile, they shall not enter the land of Israel and you will know that I am Yahweh.

39. As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter [also], if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

39. People of Israel, this is what the Lord Yahweh says: Go, serve your idols, but in the end you will not refuse to listen to me. No longer shall you profane my holy Name with your gifts and your idols.

40. For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

40. For it is on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel - word of Yahweh - that all Israel, all in the land, shall serve me.

41. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

41. There I will accept you as a pleasing fragrance when I bring you out from the nations and assemble you from the lands where you were dispersed, and through you my holiness will be shown to the nations.

42. And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country [for] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

42. You will know that I am Yahweh when I lead you to the land of Israel, to the land that I swore to your fathers that I would give you.

43. And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

43. And there you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you defiled yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves because of your evil ways.

44. And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

44. You will know that I am Yahweh when I deal with you, Israel, for my Name's sake and not according to your wickedness and corrupt deeds, word of Yahweh.

45. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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46. Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

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47. And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

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48. And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

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49. Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

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