Ezekiel 20

1 It happened in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of YHWH, and sat before me.

Almost seven years [King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been captured and taken to Babylonia], on the tenth day of the fifth [of that year], some Israeli elders came to me to [if I had a message for them] from Yahweh.

2 The word of YHWH came to me, saying,

Then Yahweh gave me a message. [He said, ]

3 "Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says YHWH: "Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live, says YHWH, I will not be inquired of by you."'

“You human, speak to the Israeli elders and say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh the Lord says: [say that] you have come to ask if there is any message from me [RHQ], but [as surely] as I am alive, I will [answer you if] you ask [to tell you] anything.’

4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

If you are [RHQ] willing to warn them, remind them of the detestable things that their ancestors did.

5 and tell them, 'Thus says YHWH: "In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, 'I am YHWH your God';

Then say to them, ‘On the day that I chose [you] Israeli [to belong to me], with my hand lifted up, I made a solemn promise to your [while they were still] in Egypt. I said to them, “I am Yahweh, your God.

6 in that day I swore to them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

I will bring you out of Egypt and lead you to a land that I have chosen for you. It is a very fertile [IDM] and (very beautiful/more beautiful than any other) land.

7 I said to them, 'Cast away every man the abominations of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am YHWH your God.'

Each of you must get rid of the disgusting idols that you loved [IDM], and do not defile yourselves [worshiping] those [that you saw] in Egypt. I, Yahweh your God, [am saying this to you].”’

8 But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me; they each didn't throw away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

But they rebelled against me. They would not pay attention to me. They did not get rid of the disgusting idols they loved, and they did not reject those [that they saw] in Egypt. So because I was angry with them, I said that I would punish [MTY] them in Egypt.

9 But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

But for the sake of my own reputation, I decided to do something in order that I would not be dishonored by the people of the nations who would see it when I brought my people out of Egypt.

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

Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert.

11 I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them.

I gave them [all] my laws and decrees [DOU], in order that they would obey them, and as a result they would live [for a long time].

12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am YHWH who sanctifies them.

Also, I established the Sabbath/rest days to be a symbol between us to show that I, Yahweh, had caused them to be set [from the other nations].

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.

But the Israeli people rebelled against me in the desert. They did not obey my commands [DOU]; they rejected them, even though they tell people who obey them that they will live [for a long time], and they profaned the Sabbath days. So I said that I would get rid of them in the desert, and that would show that I was very angry with them.

14 But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

But [again], for the sake of my own reputation, I decided to do something else in order that I would not be dishonored/despised by [the people of] the nations who had seen me bring my people out of Egypt.

15 "'"Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given to them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the most beautiful of all lands;

I lifted up my hand and solemnly declared to them in the desert that I would not take them into the land that [had promised to] give them, a land that was very fertile [IDM] and (very beautiful/more beautiful than any other) land.

16 because they rejected my ordinances, and didn't walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

The reason that I promised that was because they rejected and disobeyed all my laws [DOU] and (desecrated/refused to rest on) the Sabbath days. [They did that] because they [SYN] were devoted [worshiping] their idols.

17 Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn't destroy them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.

But, I still pitied them and did not get rid of [all of] them in the desert.

18 "'"I said to their children in the wilderness, 'Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.

I said to their children, ‘Do not do the things that your parents continually did, or defile yourselves [worshiping] their idols.

19 I am YHWH your God: walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them;

I am Yahweh your God. Carefully obey [DOU] my laws and commands.

20 and make my Sabbaths holy; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am YHWH your God.'

Respect my Sabbath days, in order that by doing that [PRS], it will remind you that you belong to me, Yahweh your God.’

21 But the children rebelled against me; they didn't walk in my statutes, neither kept my ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

But their children [also] rebelled against me. They did not carefully obey my laws [DOU], [even though] the people who obey them will live [for a long time]; and they profaned the Sabbath days. So again I said that by getting rid of them in the desert, I would show that I was very angry with them.

22 Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

But I did not do that [IDM]. [Again, ] for the sake of my own reputation, I [decided to] do something in order that I would not be dishonored/despised by [the people of] the nations who had seen it when I brought my people out [of Egypt].

23 Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;

I lifted up my hand and solemnly declared to them in the desert that I would cause them to be scattered among [many] nations [DOU],

24 because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

because they had rejected and disobeyed all my laws [DOU] and desecrated the Sabbath days, and they had eagerly [to worship] the idols that their [had worshiped].

25 Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they should not live;

I also allowed them to obey laws that were not good, and laws that would not enable them to live [a long time if they obeyed them].

26 and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am YHWH."'

I allowed them to become unacceptable to me by their sacrificing their firstborn children in the fire. I did that in order that they would be horrified, and in order that they would know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].

27 "Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says YHWH: "In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

Therefore, you human, speak to the Israeli people. Say this to them, ‘This is what Yahweh the Lord says [to you]: This is one way that your ancestors dishonored me by turning away from me.

28 For when I had brought them into the land, which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there also they made their pleasant aroma, and they poured out there their drink offerings.

After I brought them into the land that I had solemnly promised to give to them, every time that they saw a high hill or a [big] green tree, they offered [to idols] there. They made offerings to them, and that caused me to become angry. They presented to those idols their fragrant burning incense, and poured out wine offerings to them.

29 Then I said to them, 'What does the high place where you go mean?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."'

[Then] I asked them, “Who [RHQ] [told you to worship at] a shrine like this, here on this hilltop?” So they are still called “hilltop shrines”.’

30 "Therefore tell the house of Israel, 'Thus says YHWH: "Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? And do you play the prostitute after their abominations?

Therefore, say this to the Israeli people [MTY]: 'This is what Yahweh the Lord says: “You are going to [RHQ] defile yourselves like your ancestors did by strongly [to worship] their disgusting [statues of idols].

31 And when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? And shall I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says YHWH, I will not be inquired of by you;

When you sacrifice your children in the fire, you are still continuing to make yourselves unacceptable to me [worshiping] your many idols. You Israeli people, should I allow you to [what I want you to do]? I, Yahweh the Lord, say that [as surely] as I am alive, [I will not answer] if you inquire.'

32 and that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, in that you say, 'We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.'

You say, ‘We want to be like the [other] nations, like the [other] people-groups in the world. We want to [idols made of] wood and [like they do].’ But what you want will never happen.

33 As I live," says YHWH, "surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you:

[I], Yahweh your Lord, say that [as surely] as I am alive, I will use my great power [DOU, MTY] to rule over you, and show that I am angry with you.

34 and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out;

With my great power I will gather you from the places to which you have been scattered,

35 and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.

and I will bring you to a [that is surrounded] by [other] nations. There, while I am looking at you, I will judge you.

36 Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you," says YHWH.

I will punish you, like I punished your ancestors in the desert near Egypt.

37 "I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;

I will count you [MTY] as you walk by, and I will force you to obey the agreement that I made with you.

38 and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who disobey against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am YHWH."

I will get rid of those people among you who rebel [DOU] against me. Although I will bring them out [Babylonia], where they are now living, they will not enter Israel. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].

39 "'As for you, house of Israel, thus says the Lord YHWH: "Go, serve everyone his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols.

As for you Israeli people [MTY], this is what [I], Yahweh the Lord, say: 'Go and worship your idols now [IRO], each of you. But [afterwards], you will [surely] heed me and no longer dishonor me [MTY] by taking gifts to your idols.

40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel," says YHWH, "there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.

[I], Yahweh your Lord, declare that there on my sacred hill, [Zion], that high hill in Israel, you will bring gifts to me, and I will accept them. I will require you to bring to me gifts and offerings there, and your sacrifices that are dedicated to me.

41 As a pleasant aroma will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

When I bring you out from the [other] nations [DOU] to which you have been scattered, I will accept [as though you were] fragrant incense. By doing that, I will show the people of other nations that I have set you apart to belong to me.

42 You shall know that I am YHWH, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.

Then, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I solemnly promised with my hand lifted up that I would give to your ancestors, you will know that I, Yahweh, [have done it].

43 There you shall remember your ways, and all your doings, in which you have polluted yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.

And [in Israel] you will remember how you conducted your lives [previously, you will remember] the actions that caused you to become unacceptable to me, and you will hate/despise yourselves for all the evil things that you have done.

44 You shall know that I am YHWH, when I have dealt with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel," says YHWH.'"

When I act toward you Israeli people to protect my reputation, and not [just] because of your evil deeds and corrupt behavior, you Israeli people will know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].' That is what Yahweh the Lord declares.”

45 The word of YHWH came to me, saying,

Yahweh gave me another message. He said,

46 "Son of man, set your face toward the south, and drop your word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;

“You human, turn toward the south. Preach about what will happen to that dry land, to the forest there.

47 and tell the forest of the South, 'Hear the word of YHWH: Thus says YHWH, "Look, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.

Say to the forest in the [part of Israel]: 'Listen to this message that Yahweh the Lord is saying [about you]: “I am about to start a fire in your midst, and it will burn up all your trees, [both] the green trees and the withered/dry trees. Nothing will extinguish the blazing flames. And the fire will scorch the faces of everyone [who lives] in that area, from the south to the north.

48 All flesh shall see that I, YHWH, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched."'"

Everyone will see that it is I, Yahweh, who have lit this fire, and no one will [be able to] put it out.” '”

49 Then I said, "Ah, YHWH. They say of me, 'Isn't he a speaker of parables?'"

Then I said, “Yahweh, my Lord, [when I tell things like this to people, they do not believe me]. They say about me, ‘He is only telling parables.’”