< Ezekiel 20 >
1 It came about in the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, that elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh and sat before me.
Le ƒe adrelia ƒe ɣleti atɔ̃lia ƒe ŋkeke ewolia gbe la, Israel ƒe ametsitsi aɖewo va gbe bia ge Yehowa, eye wonɔ anyi ɖe nye ŋkume.
2 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Tete Yehowa ƒe nya va nam be,
3 “Son of man, declare to the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Have you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not be inquired of by you!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'
“Ame vi, ƒo nu na Israel ƒe ametsitsiwo, eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Esiae nye nya si Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔ. Nyee mieva gbe bia gea? Meta nye agbe be nyemana miabia gbem o. Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.’
4 Will you judge them? Will you judge, son of man? Let them know about their fathers' abominations.
“Ame vi, àdrɔ̃ ʋɔnu woa? Àdrɔ̃ ʋɔnu woa? Ekema tsɔ wo fofowo ƒe ŋunyɔnuwɔnawo ɖo woƒe ŋkume,
5 Say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day that I chose Israel and raised my hand to swear an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I raised my hand to swear an oath to them. I said, “I am Yahweh your God”—
eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Nya si Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye gbe si gbe metia Israel la, mekɔ nye asi dzi, meka atam na Yakob ƒe aƒe ƒe dzidzimeviwo, eye meɖe ɖokuinye fia wo le Egipte. Mekɔ nye asi dzi hegblɔ na wo be, “Nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu la.”
6 on that day I raised my hand to swear an oath to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had carefully selected for them. It was flowing with milk and honey; it was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands.
Gbe ma gbe la, meka atam na wo be makplɔ wo ado goe le Egipte ayi anyigba aɖe si medi da ɖi na wo la dzi, anyigba si dzi notsi kple anyitsi tsana le. Anyigba sia nyo wu bubuawo katã.
7 I said to them, “Let each man throw away the detestable things from before his eyes and the idols of Egypt. Do not make yourselves unclean; I am Yahweh your God.”
Megblɔ na wo be, “Mia dometɔ ɖe sia ɖe naɖe asi le aklamakpakpɛ dzodzro siwo dzi mieda ŋku ɖo la ŋu, eye migagblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo kple Egipte legbawo o. Nyee nye Aƒetɔ Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu la.”
8 But they rebelled against me and were unwilling to listen to me. Each man did not throw away the detestable things from before his eyes nor forsake the idols of Egypt, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath among them in the middle of the land of Egypt.
“‘Ke wodze aglã ɖe ŋutinye, eye womeɖo tom o; womeɖe asi le aklamakpakpɛ dzodzro siwo dzi woda ŋku ɖo la ŋu o, eye womeɖe asi le woƒe Egipte legbawo hã ŋu o. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku akɔ ɖe wo dzi eye magblẽ nye dɔmedzoe ɖe wo ŋu le Egipte.
9 I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were staying. I made myself known to them, in their eyes, by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Ke le nye ŋkɔ ta, mekplɔ wo do goe tso Egipte dukɔ la me. Mewɔ nu sia be womagado gu nye ŋkɔ le dukɔ siwo dome wonɔ, ame siwo dome meɖe ɖokuinye fia Israel le.
10 So I sent them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
Eya ta mekplɔ wo dzoe le Egipte yi gbegbe la.
11 Then I gave them my statutes and made my decrees known to them, by which a man will live if he obeys them.
Metsɔ nye ɖoɖowo na wo, eye mena wonya wo to nye seawo me, elabena ame si awɔ nye seawo dzi la, anɔ agbe.
12 I also gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between myself and them, for them to know that I am Yahweh who makes them holy.
Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, metsɔ nye Dzudzɔgbewo na wo abe dzesi si le mía dome ene, ale be woanya be, Yehowae wɔ wo wozu kɔkɔe.
13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes; instead, they rejected my decrees, by which a man will live if he obeys them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths, so I said I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness in order to end them.
“‘Ke Israelviwo dze aglã ɖe ŋunye le gbegbe la. Womelé nye ɖoɖowo me ɖe asi o, ke boŋ wogbe nye seawo, togbɔ be ame si wɔa nye seawo dzi la, anɔ agbe. Wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku akɔ ɖe wo dzi, eye matsrɔ̃ wo le gbegbe la.
14 But I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out of Egypt.
Ke le nye ŋkɔ ta, mewɔ nu si aɖe nye ŋkɔ tso gudodoe me le dukɔ siwo ŋkume meɖe wo tso Egipte le.
15 So I myself also raised my hand to swear an oath to them in the wilderness not to bring them into the land that I had been going to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey, which was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands.
Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, mekɔ nye asi dzi heka atam na wo le gbea dzi be nyemakplɔ wo ayi anyigba si mena wo, anyigba si dzi notsi kple anyitsi bɔ ɖo, anyigba si nya kpɔna wu bubuawo katã la dzi o;
16 I swore this because they had rejected my decrees and did not walk in my statutes, and they profaned my Sabbaths, since their hearts walked after their idols.
elabena wogbe nye seawo, womezɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu o, wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo, eye woƒe dzi ku ɖe woƒe legbawo ŋu.
17 But my eye spared them from their destruction and I did not annihilate them in the wilderness.
Ke mekpɔ nublanui na wo, eye nyemetsrɔ̃ wo le gbea dzi o.
18 I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, or keep their rules, or defile yourselves with their idols.
Megblɔ na wo viwo le gbea dzi be, “Migazɔ ɖe mia fofowo ƒe ɖoɖowo nu o, migawɔ woƒe sewo dzi o, eye migagblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo kple woƒe legbawo o.
19 I am Yahweh your God, walk in my statutes; keep my decrees and obey them.
Nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu. Mizɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu, eye miakpɔ egbɔ be yewowɔ ɖe nye seawo dzi.
20 Keep my Sabbaths holy so that they will be a sign between me and you, so that you will know that I am Yahweh your God.”
Miwɔ nye Dzudzɔgbewo kɔkɔe be woanye dzesi anɔ mia dome. Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu.”
21 But their sons and daughters rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes or keep my decrees, by which a man might live if he obeys them. They profaned my Sabbaths, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath against them in the wilderness.
“‘Ke ɖeviawo dze aglã ɖe ŋunye. Womezɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu o, eye womekpɔ egbɔ be yewoawɔ ɖe nye seawo dzi o, togbɔ be mena wonya be, ame siwo wɔ ɖe wo dzi la anɔ agbe hafi. Wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku kple dɔmedzoe helĩhelĩ akɔ ɖe wo dzi le gbea dzi.
22 But I turned my hand away and acted for my name's sake, so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought out the Israelites.
Gake megbugbɔ nye asi ɖe megbe, eye le nye ŋkɔ ta la, mewɔ nu si mado gu nye ŋkɔ le dukɔ siwo ŋkume mekplɔ wo dzoe le la gbɔ o.
23 I myself also lifted up my hand to swear to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands.
Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, mekɔ nye asi dzi, eye meka atam na wo le gbea dzi be mama wo ɖe dukɔwo dome, eye makaka wo ɖe anyigbawo dzi,
24 I decided to do this since they had not obeyed my decrees, and since they had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths. Their eyes were longing after their fathers' idols.
elabena womewɔ ɖe nye sewo dzi o, ke wogbe nye ɖoɖowo, wodo gu nye Dzudzɔgbewo, eye woƒe ŋkuwo biã ɖe wo fofowo ƒe legbawo ŋu.
25 Then I also gave them statutes that were not good, and decrees by which they could not live.
Metsɔ ɖoɖo siwo menyo o kple se siwo nu womate ŋu anɔ agbe ɖo o la hã na wo.
26 I declared them to be unclean through their gifts—they made a sacrifice of every firstborn of the womb and caused them to pass through the fire—that I might fill them with horror so they will know that I am Yahweh!'
Mena woto woƒe nunana si nye woƒe ŋgɔgbevi ɖe sia ɖe tsɔtsɔ sa vɔe la me gblẽ kɔ ɖo na wo ɖokui, ale be mana be vɔvɔ̃ naɖo wo, eye woanya be nyee nye Yehowa.’
27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: In this also your fathers blasphemed me when they were unfaithful to me.
“Eya ta Ame vi, ƒo nu na Israelviwo, eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: le esia me hã la, mia fofowo gblɔ busunyawo ɖe ŋunye esi wotrɔ le yonyeme.
28 When I brought them into the land that I had sworn to give them, and then whenever they saw any high hill and leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices, they provoked me by their offerings, and there they also burned their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings.
Esi mekplɔ wo va anyigba si meka atam be mana wo dzi, eye wokpɔ to kɔkɔ aɖe alo ati aɖe si do wusuu la, afi ma wowɔa vɔsawo kple vɔsanunanawo le, eye wodoa dziku nam. Wodoa dzudzɔʋeʋĩwo, eye wowɔa woƒe nunovɔsawo.’
29 Then I said to them, “What is this high place where you bring offerings there?” So the name is called Bamah to this day.'
Ale mebia wo be, ‘Nuxeƒe kae nye esi mieyi?’” (Woyɔa teƒe sia be “Bama” si gɔmee nye nuxeƒe va se ɖe egbe.)
30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Why do you make yourselves unclean with the ways of your fathers? So why do you act like prostitutes, searching for disgusting things?
“Eya ta gblɔ na Israel ƒe aƒe la be, ‘Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: Ɖe miado gu mia ɖokuiwo abe ale si mia fofowo wɔ, biã ŋku ɖe aklamakpakpɛ dzodzrowo ŋua?
31 When you offer up your gifts—when you cause your sons to pass through the fire—to this day you defile yourselves with all your idols. So why should I let you seek me, house of Israel? As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will not allow you to seek me.
Ne mietsɔ mia viwo sa vɔe le dzo me abe nunana ene la, mieyi gudodo mia ɖokuiwo dzi kple miaƒe legbawo va se ɖe egbe. Ɖe mana miabia gbem mahã, O! Israel ƒe aƒe? Meta nye agbe be nyemaɖe mɔ miabia gbem o’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.
32 The thought that is forming in your mind will never happen. You say, “Let us be like the other nations, like the clans in the other lands who worship wood and stone.”
“‘Miebe míedi be míanɔ abe dukɔ bubuwo ene, abe xexemetɔwo ene, ame siwo subɔa ati kple kpe! Ke nu si le ta me na mi la, mava eme gbeɖe o.’
33 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will certainly reign over you with a mighty hand, a raised arm, and fury that will be poured out on you.
Aƒetɔ Yehowa be, ‘Meta nye agbe be maɖu mia dzi kple asi sesẽ kple abɔ si medo ɖe dzi kple dɔmedzoe si matrɔ akɔ ɖi la.
34 I will bring you out from the other peoples and will gather you out of the countries among whom you have been scattered. I will do this with a mighty hand and with fury poured out.
Makplɔ mi vɛ tso dukɔwo dome, eye maƒo ƒu mi tso anyigba siwo dzi miekaka ɖo la kple asi sesẽ kpakple dɔmedzoe si matrɔ akɔ ɖi la.
35 Then I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will judge you face to face.
Makplɔ mi ayi dukɔwo ƒe gbedzi, eye le ŋkume kple ŋkume, le afi ma la, mabu fɔ mi.
36 As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so also I will judge you—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.
Mahe to na mi abe ale si mehe to na mia fofowo le Egipte gbegbe la ene.’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.
37 I will cause you to pass under my rod, and I will make you obey the requirements of the covenant.
‘Malé ŋku ɖe mia ŋu, mianɔ nye ameƒoti te, eye makplɔ mi ade nubabla ƒe sewo te.
38 I will purge from among you the rebels and those who revolt against me. I will send them out from the land where they are staying as foreigners, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
Maɖe ame siwo dze aglã ɖe ŋutinye la ɖa le mia dome. Togbɔ be makplɔ wo adzoe le anyigba si dzi wole hã la, womaɖo afɔ Israelnyigba dzi o. Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa.’
39 So to you, house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: Each of you should go to his own idols. Worship them if you will refuse to listen to me, but you must no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and your idols.
“Miawo ya la, O! Israel ƒe aƒe, ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi. ‘Miyi, eye miasubɔ miaƒe legbawo, mia dometɔ ɖe sia ɖe. Ke emegbe la, miaɖo tom kokoko, eye miagado vlo nye ŋkɔ kɔkɔe la kple miaƒe vɔsawo kple legbawo o.
40 For on my holy mountain, on the mountain peak of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—all of the house of Israel will worship me there in the land. I will be pleased to require your offerings there, and also the firstfruits of your tribute with all your holy things.
Elabena le nye to kɔkɔe si nye Israel ƒe to kɔkɔ la dzi la, Israel ƒe aƒe blibo la asubɔm le anyigba ma dzi, eye le afi ma la, maxɔ wo.’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe. ‘Le afi ma la, mahiã miaƒe nunana xɔasiwo kple miaƒe vɔsa kɔkɔewo.
41 I will accept you like fragrant incense when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. I will show myself as holy among you for the nations to see.
Maxɔ mi abe dzudzɔdodo ʋeʋĩwo ene ne meɖe mi tso dukɔwo dome, eye meƒo ƒu mi tso anyigba siwo dzi wokaka mi ɖo la.
42 Then, when I bring you to the land of Israel, to the land that I have lifted up my hand to swear to give to your fathers, you will know that I am Yahweh.
Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, ne mekplɔ mi va ɖo Israelnyigba si mekɔ asi dzi heka atam be matsɔ ana mia fofowo la dzi.
43 There you will call to mind your conduct and all of your deeds by which you defiled yourselves, and you will despise yourselves in your own eyes for all your evil deeds that you have done.
Le afi ma la, miaɖo ŋku miaƒe nɔnɔme kple nu siwo katã miewɔ hegblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo la dzi, eye ŋukpe alé mi ɖe nu vɔ̃ siwo katã miewɔ la ta.
44 So you will know that I am Yahweh when I do this to you because of my name's sake, and not because of your evil deeds, and not because of your corrupt deeds, house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'”
Mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, ne mehe to na mi le nye ŋkɔ ta, eye menye le miaƒe mɔ vɔ̃wo kple miaƒe nu gbegblẽwo wɔwɔ nu o.’ O! Israel ƒe aƒe, Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.”
45 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Yehowa ƒe nya va nam be,
46 “Son of man, set your face toward the southern lands, and speak against the south; prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
“Ame vi, trɔ mo ɖo ɖe dziehe lɔƒo, gblɔ nya tsi tsitre ɖe dziehenyigba ŋu, eye nàgblɔ nya ɖi ɖe Negebnyigba ƒe avewo ŋuti.
47 Say to the forest of the Negev, 'This is Yahweh's declaration—the Lord Yahweh says this: See, I will set a fire among you. It will devour every fresh tree and every dried tree among you. The fiery flame will not be quenched; every face from the south to the north will be burned.
Gblɔ na ave si le Negeb la be, ‘Se Yehowa ƒe nya. Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: Esusɔ vie matɔ dzo wò, eye dzo la afia wò atiwo katã, ati mumuwo kple ƒuƒuawo siaa. Womatsi dzo la o, eye wòafia ŋkume ɖe sia ɖe tso dziehe yi anyiehe.
48 Then all flesh will see that I am Yahweh when I light the fire, and it will not be quenched.'”
Ame sia ame akpɔe be nye Yehowae do dzo la, eya ta womatsii o.’”
49 Then I said, “Alas! Lord Yahweh, they are saying of me, 'Is he not a mere teller of parables?'”
Eye megblɔ be, “Aa, Aƒetɔ Yehowa! Wole gbɔgblɔm tso ŋunye be, ‘Menye lo ko dom wòle oa?’”