Hesekiel 20

1 Afe a ɛtɔ so nson no bosome enum no ɛda a ɛtɔ so edu no, Israel mpanimfoɔ no mu bi bɛbisaa Awurade hɔ adeɛ, na wɔtenatenaa mʼanim.

And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth [month], the tenth of the month, [that] certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah, and they sat before me.

2 Na Awurade asɛm baa me nkyɛn sɛ:

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

3 “Onipa ba, kasa kyerɛ Israel mpanimfoɔ no sɛ: ‘Yei ne deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ: Moaba sɛ morebɛbisa me nkyɛn adeɛ anaa? Sɛ mete ase yi, meremma mo ɛkwan mma mommisa me nkyɛn mmoa, Otumfoɔ Awurade na ɔseɛ.’

Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye come to inquire of me? [As] I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.

4 “Bu wɔn atɛn. Bu wɔn atɛn, onipa ba. Fa wɔn agyanom akyiwadeɛ a wɔyɛeɛ no si wɔn anim

Wilt thou judge them, wilt thou judge, son of man? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers,

5 na ka kyerɛ wɔn sɛ: ‘Yei ne deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ: Ɛda a meyii Israel no, memaa me nsa so kaa ntam kyerɛɛ Yakob efie asefoɔ na meyii me ho adi kyerɛɛ wɔn wɔ Misraim. Memaa me nsa so ka kyerɛɛ wɔn sɛ, “Mene Awurade, mo Onyankopɔn.”

and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up my hand unto them, saying, I [am] Jehovah your God,

6 Saa ɛda no, mekaa wɔn ntam sɛ mɛyi wɔn afiri Misraim na mede wɔn aba asase a mahwehwɛ ama wɔn, asase a ɛwoɔ ne nufosuo sene wɔ so, asase nyinaa mu deɛ ɛyɛ papa paa.

in that day I lifted up my hand unto them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the ornament of all lands;

7 Na meka kyerɛɛ wɔn sɛ, “Mo mu biara nto nsɛsodeɛ tantan a mode mo ani asi soɔ no ntwene na mommfa Misraim ahoni no ngu mo ho fi, mene Awurade, mo Onyankopɔn.”

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

8 “‘Nanso wɔyɛɛ dɔm tiaa me na wɔantie me; Wɔantoto nsɛsodeɛ tantan no a wɔde wɔn ani asi soɔ no angu, na wɔannyae ahoni a ɛfiri Misraim no akyiri die. Enti mekaa sɛ mɛhwie mʼabufuhyeɛ agu wɔn so de awie mʼabufuo wɔ wɔn so wɔ Misraim.

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: none of them cast away the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I thought to pour out my fury upon them, so as to accomplish mine anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

9 Nanso me din enti, meyɛɛ deɛ ɛmma wɔngu me ho fi wɔ amanaman a wɔtete mu no anim, aman a meyii me ho adi kyerɛɛ Israelfoɔ wɔ mu, de yii wɔn firii Misraim no.

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

10 Enti medii wɔn anim firii Misraim, de wɔn baa ɛserɛ no so.

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

11 Mede me nhyehyɛeɛ maa wɔn na me ma wɔhunuu me mmara, ɛfiri sɛ obiara a ɔdi soɔ no nam so bɛnya nkwa.

And I gave them my statutes, and made known unto them mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them.

12 Na mede me home nna maa wɔn sɛ ɛnyɛ nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ wɔ yɛn ntam, sɛdeɛ wɔbɛhunu sɛ me Awurade na meyɛɛ wɔn kronkron.

And I also gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] Jehovah that hallow them.

13 “‘Nanso, Israelfoɔ tee mʼanim atua wɔ ɛserɛ no so. Wɔanni me nhyehyɛeɛ so, na wɔpoo me mmara no, nanso onipa a ɔbɛdi soɔ no bɛnya nkwa wɔ wɔn mu, na wɔguu me home nna ho fi koraa. Enti mekaa sɛ mɛhwie mʼabufuhyeɛ agu wɔn so na masɛe wɔn wɔ ɛserɛ no so.

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned: and I said I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

14 Nanso, me din enti, meyɛɛ deɛ ɛmma ho ɛkwan ma wɔnngu me ho fi wɔ amanaman a meyii wɔn firii so no ani so.

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

15 Afei memaa me nsa so kaa ntam wɔ ɛserɛ no so sɛ meremfa wɔn nkɔ asase a mede ama wɔn no so, asase a ɛwoɔ ne nufosuo sene soɔ, nsase nyinaa mu deɛ ɛyɛ pa ara no,

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

16 ɛfiri sɛ, wɔpoo me mmara, wɔanni mʼahyɛdeɛ so na wɔguu me home nna ho fi, ɛsiane sɛ na wɔn akoma da wɔn ahoni no so.

because they rejected mine ordinances and walked not in my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

17 Nanso mehunuu wɔn mmɔbɔ, na mansɛe wɔn, na mantɔre wɔn ase wɔ ɛserɛ no so.

But mine eye spared them so as not to destroy them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.

18 Meka kyerɛɛ wɔn mma wɔ ɛserɛ no so sɛ, “Monnni mo agyanom ahyɛdeɛ ne wɔn mmara so, na mommfa wɔn ahoni ngu mo ho fi.

And I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk not in the statutes of your fathers, neither keep their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.

19 Mene Awurade, mo Onyankopɔn; monni mʼahyɛdeɛ so na monhwɛ yie nni me mmara so.

I [am] Jehovah your God: walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them;

20 Monyɛ me home nna kronkron na ɛnyɛ nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ wɔ me ne mo ntam. Afei mobɛhunu sɛ mene Awurade, mo Onyankopɔn no.”

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

21 “‘Nanso mma no yɛɛ dɔm tiaa me. Wɔanni mʼahyɛdeɛ so, na wɔanhwɛ anni me mmara so, deɛ onipa di so a ɔbɛnya nkwa no. Wɔguu me home nna ho fi. Enti mekaa sɛ mɛhwie mʼabufuhyeɛ agu wɔn so de awie mʼabufuo a ɛtia wɔn wɔ ɛserɛ no so.

And the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept mine ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live by them; they profaned my sabbaths: and I said I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish mine anger against them in the wilderness.

22 Nanso metwentwɛn so, na me din enti, meyɛɛ deɛ amma ɛho ngu fi wɔ aman a meyii wɔn firii so no ani so.

But I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

23 Memaa me nsa so kaa ntam wɔ ɛserɛ no so sɛ mɛhwete wɔn wɔ amanaman no so na mabɔ wɔn apansam wɔ nsase no so,

I lifted up my hand also unto them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;

24 ɛfiri sɛ, wɔanni me mmara so, na mmom wɔpoo mʼahyɛdeɛ guu me home nna ho fi, na wɔn ani kɔdii wɔn agyanom ahoni akyi.

because they performed not mine ordinances, and rejected my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

25 Bio, mede wɔn hyɛɛ nhyehyɛeɛ a ɛnyɛ, ne mmara a ɛde asotwe mmom na ɛbɛba wɔn so, na ɛnyɛ nkwa;

And I also gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances whereby they should not live;

26 memaa ho ɛkwan ma wɔde wɔn ayɛyɛdeɛ a ɛyɛ wɔn abakan bɔɔ afɔdeɛ de guu wɔn ho fi, sɛdeɛ mede ahodwirie bɛhyɛ wɔn ma ama wɔahunu sɛ me ne Awurade.’

and I defiled them by their own gifts, in that they devoted all that opened the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I [am] Jehovah.

27 “Enti, onipa ba, kasa kyerɛ Israelfoɔ, ka kyerɛ wɔn sɛ, ‘Deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ nie: Na yei mu nso, mo agyanom poo me na wɔnam so kaa abususɛm tiaa me:

Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have wrought unfaithfulness against me.

28 Mede wɔn baa asase a maka ntam sɛ mede bɛma wɔn no so no, wɔbɔɔ afɔdeɛ, yɛɛ afɔrebɔdeɛ maa kokoɔ biara a ɛkorɔn anaa dua biara a ɛso wɔ nhahan de hyɛɛ me abufuo; wɔde nnuhwam maeɛ na wɔhwiee ahwiesa maa wɔn.

When I had brought them into the land which I had lifted up my hand to give unto 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; and there they placed their sweet savour, and there poured out their drink-offerings.

29 Na mebisaa wɔn sɛ: Ɛhe ne saa sorɔnsorɔmmea a mokɔ hɔ yi?’” (Wɔfrɛ hɔ Bama de bɛsi ɛnnɛ.)

And I said unto them, What is the high place whither ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

30 “Enti ka kyerɛ Israel efie sɛ: ‘Yei ne deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ: Mobɛgu mo ho fi sɛdeɛ mo agyanom yɛeɛ na mo kɔn dɔ wɔn ahoni tantan no anaa?

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Do ye defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers? and do ye commit fornication after their abominations?

31 Sɛ mode mo ayɛyɛdeɛ a ɛyɛ mo mmammarima bɔ afɔdeɛ wɔ ogya so ma mo ahoni a, ɛnneɛ mokɔ so de mo ahoni nyinaa gu mo ho fi bɛsi ɛnnɛ. Memma mommɛbisa me hɔ adeɛ anaa, Ao Israel efie? Ampa ara, sɛ mete ase yi, Otumfoɔ Awurade asɛm nie, meremma mommmisa me hɔ adeɛ.

And when ye offer your gifts, making your sons to pass through the fire, ye defile yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day; and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? [As] I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.

32 “‘Moka sɛ, “Yɛpɛ sɛ yɛyɛ sɛ aman no, te sɛ ewiasefoɔ a wɔsom nnua ne aboɔ no.” Nanso deɛ ɛwɔ mo adwene mu no rensi da.

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, in serving wood and stone.

33 Sɛ mete ase yi, Otumfoɔ Awurade asɛm nie, mede nsa a ɛyɛ den, basa a wɔatene mu ne abufuhyeɛ a wɔahwie agu bɛdi mo so.

[As] I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, verily with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, will I reign over you.

34 Mede mo bɛfiri amanaman no so, na maboaboa mo ano afiri nsase a wɔapete mo wɔ so no; mede nsa a ɛyɛ den ne abasa a wɔatene mu ne abufuhyeɛ a wɔahwie agu na ɛbɛyɛ.

And I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out;

35 Mede mo bɛba amanaman no ɛserɛ so, na ɛhɔ na mɛbu mo atɛn animu ne animu.

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

36 Sɛdeɛ mebuu mo agyanom atɛn wɔ Misraim ɛserɛ soɔ no, saa ara na mɛbu mo atɛn, Otumfoɔ Awurade asɛm nie.

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, saith the Lord Jehovah.

37 Mɛma moafa mʼabaa no ase na mahunu mo yie na mede mo aba apam no nkyehoma ase.

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

38 Mɛsa mo mu ayi wɔn a wɔyɛ dɔm tia me. Ɛwom sɛ mɛyi wɔn afiri aman a wɔte soɔ no mu, nanso wɔn nan rensi Israel asase so. Afei mobɛhunu sɛ mene Awurade no.

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, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I [am] Jehovah.

39 “‘Na mo deɛ, Ao Israel efie, yei ne deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ: Mo mu biara nkɔsom nʼahoni! Nanso, akyiri no, mobɛtie me na moremfa mo ayɛyɛdeɛ ne ahoni ngu me din kronkron ho fi bio.

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Go ye, serve every one his idols henceforth also, if none of you will hearken unto me; but profane my holy name no more with your gifts and with your idols.

40 Ɛfiri sɛ, me bɛpɔ kronkron no so, Israel bepɔ a ɛkorɔn no so, Otumfoɔ Awurade na ɔseɛ, ɛhɔ, wɔ asase no so na Israel efie nyinaa bɛsom me, na ɛhɔ na mobɛsɔ mʼani. Ɛhɔ na mɛhia mo afɔrebɔdeɛ ne mo ayɛyɛdeɛ a ɛdi mu no aka mo afɔdeɛ kronkron no nyinaa ho.

For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah, there shall all the house of Israel serve me, the whole of it, in the land; there will I accept them, and there will I require your heave-offerings and the first-fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.

41 Sɛ meyi mo firi amanaman no mu na meboaboa mo ano firi nsase a wɔbɔɔ mo petee so no a, mobɛsɔ mʼani sɛ krobo a ɛyi hwa, afei mɛda me kronnyɛ adi wɔ mo mu ama amanaman no ahunu.

As a sweet savour will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you in the sight of the nations.

42 Sɛ mede mo ba Israel asase a memaa me nsa so kaa ntam sɛ mede bɛma mo agyanom so a, na mobɛhunu sɛ mene Awurade.

And ye shall know that I [am] Jehovah, when I have brought you into the land of Israel, into the country which I lifted up my hand to give to your fathers.

43 Ɛhɔ no, mobɛkae mo suban ne nneyɛɛ nyinaa a mode agu mo ho fi, na mo ho bɛyɛ mo nwunu ɛsiane amumuyɛ a moayɛ no nyinaa enti.

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

44 Israel, ɛfata sɛ wɔtwe wʼaso. Nanso mene wo bɛdi no wɔ ɛkwan a ɛbɛhyɛ me din animuonyam so. Wobɛhunu sɛ mene Awurade no, Otumfoɔ Awurade asɛm nie.’”

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

45 Awurade asɛm baa me nkyɛn sɛ:

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

46 “Onipa ba, fa wʼani kyerɛ anafoɔ fam, ka asɛm tia anafoɔ fam na hyɛ nkɔm tia kwaeɛ a ɛwɔ anafoɔ fam asase soɔ.

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

47 Ka kyerɛ anafoɔ fam kwaeɛ no sɛ: ‘Tie Awurade asɛm. Yei ne deɛ Otumfoɔ Awurade seɛ: Merebɛto wo mu ogya, na ɛbɛhye nnua a ɛwɔ wo so nyinaa: Deɛ ɛyɛ mono ne deɛ awoɔ. Wɔrennum ogyadɛreɛ no na ɛbɛhye asase no ani nyinaa; ɛfiri anafoɔ fam kɔsi atifi fam.

and say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of Jehovah. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flashing flame shall not be quenched; and all that it meets from the south to the north shall be burned thereby.

48 Obiara bɛhunu sɛ me Awurade na masɔ ogya no ano; ɛrennum.’”

And all flesh shall see that I Jehovah have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

49 Afei mekaa sɛ, “Aa Otumfoɔ Awurade! Wɔka fa me ho sɛ, ‘Ɛnyɛ mmɛ na ɔrebu yi anaa?’”

And I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?