Ezekiel 20
1 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.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month: there came men of the ancients of Israel to inquire of the Lord, and they sat before me.
2 Then Yahweh gave me a message. [He said, ]
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
3 “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.’
Son of man, speak to the ancients of Israel, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Are you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not answer you, saith the Lord God.
4 If you are [RHQ] willing to warn them, remind them of the detestable things that their ancestors did.
If thou judgest them, if thou judgest, son of man, declare to them the abominations of their fathers.
5 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.
And say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand for the race of the house of Jacob: and appeared to them in the land of Egypt, and lifted up my hand for them, saying: I am the Lord your God:
6 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.
In that day I lifted up my hand for them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt, into a land which I had provided for them, flowing with milk and honey, which excelleth amongst all lands.
7 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].”’
And I said to them: Let every man cast away the scandals of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
8 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.
But they provoked me, and would not hearken to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: and I said I would pour out my indignation upon them, and accomplish my wrath against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 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.
But I did otherwise for my name’s sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, in the midst of whom they were, and among whom I made myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
10 Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert.
Therefore I brought them out from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the desert.
11 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].
And I gave them my statutes, and I shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them.
12 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].
Moreover I gave them also my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them: and that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
13 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.
But the house of Israel provoked me in the desert: they walked not in my statutes, and they cast away my judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them: and they grievously violated my sabbaths. I said therefore that I would pour out my indignation upon them in the desert, and would consume them.
14 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.
But I spared them for the sake of my name, lest it should be profaned before the nations, from which I brought them out, in their sight.
15 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.
So I lifted up my hand over them in the desert, not to bring them into the land which I had given them flowing with milk and honey, the best of all lands.
16 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.
Because they cast off my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, and violated my sabbaths: for their heart went after idols.
17 But, I still pitied them and did not get rid of [all of] them in the desert.
Yet my eye spared them, so that I destroyed them not: neither did I consume them in the desert.
18 I said to their children, ‘Do not do the things that your parents continually did, or defile yourselves [worshiping] their idols.
And I said to their children in the wilderness: Walk not in the statutes of your fathers, and observe not their judgments, nor be ye defiled with their idols:
19 I am Yahweh your God. Carefully obey [DOU] my laws and commands.
I am the Lord your God: walk ye in my statutes, and observe my judgments, and do them.
20 Respect my Sabbath days, in order that by doing that [PRS], it will remind you that you belong to me, Yahweh your God.’
And sanctify my sabbaths, that they may be a sign between me and you: and that you may know that I am the Lord your God.
21 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.
But their children provoked me, they walked not in my commandments, nor observed my judgments to do them: which if a man do, he shell live in them: and they violated my sabbaths: and I threatened to pour out my indignation upon them, and to accomplish my wrath in them in the desert.
22 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].
But I turned away my hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, out of which I brought them forth in their sight.
23 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],
Again I lifted up my hand upon them in the wilderness, to disperse them among the nations, and scatter them through the countries:
24 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].
Because they had not done my judgments, and had cast off my statutes, and had violated my sabbaths, and their eyes had been after the idols of their fathers.
25 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].
Therefore I also gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments, in which they shall not live.
26 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].
And I polluted them in their own gifts, when they offered all that opened the womb, for their offences: and they shall know that I am the Lord.
27 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.
Wherefore speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Moreover in this also your fathers blasphemed me, when they had despised and contemned me;
28 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.
And I had brought them into the land, for which I lifted up my hand to give it them: they saw every high hill, and every shady tree, and there they sacrificed their victims: and there they presented the provocation of their offerings, and there they set their sweet odours, and poured forth their libations.
29 [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”.’
And I said to them: What meaneth the high place to which you go? and the name thereof was called High-place even to this day.
30 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].
Wherefore say to the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: Verily, you are defiled in the way of your fathers, and you commit fornication with their abominations.
31 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.'
And you defile yourselves with all your: idols unto this day, in the offering of your gifts, when you make your children pass through the fire: and shall I answer you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not answer you.
32 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.
Neither shall the thought of your mind come to pass, by which you say: We will be as the Gentiles, and as the families of the earth, to worship stocks and stones.
33 [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.
As I live, saith the Lord God, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
34 With my great power I will gather you from the places to which you have been scattered,
And I will bring you out from the people, and I will gather you out of the countries, in which you are scattered, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 and I will bring you to a [that is surrounded] by [other] nations. There, while I am looking at you, I will judge you.
And I will bring you into the wilderness of people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 I will punish you, like I punished your ancestors in the desert near Egypt.
As I pleaded against your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt; even so will I judge you, saith the Lord God.
37 I will count you [MTY] as you walk by, and I will force you to obey the agreement that I made with you.
And I will make you subject to my sceptre, and will bring you into the bands of the covenant.
38 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].
And I will pick out from among you the transgressors, and the wicked, and will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am the Lord.
39 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.
And as for you, O house of Israel: thus saith the Lord God: Walk ye every one after your idols, and serve them. But if in this also you hear me not, but defile my holy name any more with your gifts, and with your idols;
40 [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.
In my holy mountain, in the high mountain of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel serve me; all of them I say, in the land in which they shall please me, and there will I require your firstfruits, and the chief of your tithes with all your sanctifications.
41 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.
I will accept of you for an odour of sweetness, when I shall have brought you out from the people, and shall have gathered you out of the lands into which you are scattered, and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
42 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].
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have brought you into the land of Israel, into the land for which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers.
43 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.
And there you shall remember your ways, and all your wicked doings with which you have been defiled; and you shall be displeased with yourselves in your own sight, for all your wicked deeds which you committed.
44 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.”
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have done well by you for my own name’s sake, and not according to your evil ways, nor according to your wicked deeds, O house of Israel, saith the Lord God.
45 Yahweh gave me another message. He said,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
46 “You human, turn toward the south. Preach about what will happen to that dry land, to the forest there.
Son of man, set thy face against the way of the south, and drop towards the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field.
47 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.
And any to the south forest: Hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will kindle a fire in thee, and will burn in thee every green tree, and every dry tree: the dame of the fire shall not be quenched: and every face shall be burned in it, from the south even to the north.
48 Everyone will see that it is I, Yahweh, who have lit this fire, and no one will [be able to] put it out.” '”
And all flesh shall see, that I the Lord have kindled it, and it shall not be quenched.
49 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.’”
And I said: Ah, ah, ah, O Lord God: they say of me: Doth not this man speak by parables?
