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, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah, and sat before me.

2 Na Awurade asɛm baa me nkyɛn sɛ:

Then came the word of Jehovah to 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 to the elders of Israel, and say to 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

Punish them, punish them, son of man, cause them to know the abominations of their fathers, and say to them,

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.”

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: At the time when I chose Israel, I lifted up my hand to the race of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I lifted up my hand to them, and said, 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.

At that time I lifted up my hand to them, that I would bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, into a land which I had looked out for them, flowing with milk and honey, the glory 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 to them, Cast ye away from you every one the abomination 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 to me; they did not cast away every one the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, that I would 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted in the sight of the nations, in the midst of whom they were; and before their eyes I made myself known to 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 brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and led 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 to them my laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live.

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

Also I gave them my sabbaths, that they might be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I, Jehovah, sanctify 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 desert; they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live, and my sabbaths they greatly polluted. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them in the desert, 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted before the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

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,

Yet I lifted up my hand to them in the desert, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, the beauty 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 despised my laws, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted 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.

Nevertheless mine eye spared them, so that I did not destroy them; neither did I make an end of them in the desert.

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 to their sons in the desert, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe 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 my 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, that they may 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.

But the sons rebelled against me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept they my ordinances to do them, through which the man that doeth them shall live, and they polluted my sabbaths. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, and accomplish mine anger upon them in the desert.

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

Nevertheless I held back my hand, and acted for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

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 also lifted up my hand against them in the desert, 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 did not observe mine ordinances, but despised my statutes, and polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after the idols of their fathers.

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

Moreover I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances by which 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 polluted them in their offerings, in that they caused every first-born child to pass through the fire, that I might destroy them, 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 speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Yet in this your fathers dishonored me, and trespassed 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.

For when I had brought them into the land concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick tree's, and there they offered their sacrifices, and there they presented their provoking oblation, and there they brought their sweet savor, and there they poured out their drink-offerings.

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

Then I said to them, What is the high place to which ye go? And it is called The High Place 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 to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers, and do ye commit fornication according to 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 by offering your gifts, and causing your sons to pass through the fire, —are ye polluted with all your idols even to 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 come to pass, when ye say, “We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, worshipping 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, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out will I rule 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 forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out 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 desert of the nations, and there will I contend 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.

Even as I contended with your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so also will I contend 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; out of the country where they sojourn will I bring them forth, 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 ye every one his idols in future also, if ye will not obey me! But pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts and 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 upon my holy mountain, upon the lofty mountain of Israel, there shall all the house of Israel, all that are in the land, serve me; there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all things which ye consecrate to me.

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.

I will accept you as a sweet savor, when I bring you forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye have been scattered, and will through you be honored before the eyes 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 bring you into the land of Israel, into the country concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it 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 polluted; and ye shall loathe yourselves for all your evil deeds 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 deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah.

45 Awurade asɛm baa me nkyɛn sɛ:

And the word of Jehovah came to 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 thy word against the South, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;

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 in thee a fire, which shall devour every green tree and every dry tree within thee; the fierce flame shall not be quenched, and all parts from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

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 in parables?”