Bible in 90 Days
40 “In addition, they sent messengers for men to come from afar. When they arrived, you bathed yourself for them, painted your eyes, adorned yourself with jewelry, 41 then sat down on an elegant bed. A table was arranged in front of it, on which you set out my incense and oil. 42 The sound of a carefree multitude accompanied her. Men from a multitude of peoples were coming—including Sabeans[a] from the wilderness, adorned[b] with bracelets on their hands and beautiful crowns on their heads.
43 “After she had worn herself out by her adulterous behavior, I asked her, ‘Will they continue with their sexual immorality and with their prostitution?’ 44 They’ve gone to her, like men do, to have sex with a prostitute. They[c] had sex with Oholah and Oholibah, those licentious women. 45 Righteous men will judge them with punishments fit for adulterers and for those who shed blood, because they’re adulterers with blood on their hands.”
The Coming Invasion
46 This is what the Lord God says: “Bring an army[d] against them and deliver them over to terror and plunder. 47 Then the army will stone them with stones and cut them to pieces with their swords. They’ll kill their sons and daughters and incinerate their houses. 48 I’ll cause obscene conduct to stop throughout the land, because all the women will be admonished not to practice their obscene conduct. 49 You’ll receive the consequences for your obscene conduct and bear the punishment for your sins of idolatry. Then you’ll know that I am the Lord God.”
God Brews His Judgment
24 In the ninth year, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, this message came to me from the Lord:
2 “Son of Man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem on this very day. 3 So compose a parable for the rebellious house. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Prepare your pot for boiling!
Set it in place.
Fill it up with water, too.
4 Gather together the best pieces of meat on it—
including the thighs and the shoulders—
and fill it with the choicest bones.
5 Take the best bones from the flock,
pile wood[e] under the pot[f] for the bones,
bring it to a boil,
and then cook the bones in it.”’”
Woe to Jerusalem
6 “This is what the Lord God says:
‘How terrible it is for that blood-filled city,
to the pot whose rust remains in it,
whose rust won’t come off.
Empty it one piece at a time.
Don’t let a lot fall on it.
7 Her blood was in it.
She poured it out onto bare rock.
She didn’t pour it out on the ground,
intending to cover it with dirt.
8 In order to stir up my anger
and in order to take vengeance,
I set the blood on a bare rock
so that it cannot be covered.’
9 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says:
‘How terrible it is for that blood-filled city—
I’m also going to add to my[g] pile of kindling.
10 Pile up the wood!
Make the fire burn hot.
Boil the meat!
Mix the seasonings.
Burn those bones to a crisp!
11 Make the pot stand empty on the coals
until its bronze glows red,[h]
its rust can be scoured off,[i]
and its dross completely removed.
12 The pot[j] wearies me,[k]
but its thick[l] rust won’t come off,
even with fire.
13 There is wickedness in your obscene conduct.
Even though I’ve cleansed you,
your uncleanness cannot be washed away.
You cannot be cleansed again
until my rage against you has subsided.’
14 “‘I, the Lord have spoken. It will happen, because I’m going to do it. I won’t hold back, have compassion, or change my mind.[m] They’ll judge you according to your ways and deeds,’ declares the Lord God.”
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife
15 This message came to me from the Lord: 16 “Son of Man, pay attention! I’m about to take away your most precious treasure[n] with a single, fatal stroke, but you are not to mourn, weep, nor even let tears well up in your eyes.[o] 17 You are to weep in silence, but you are not to participate in mourning rituals.[p] You are to keep your turban on your head and your sandals on your feet. You are not to cover your mouth[q] or eat what your comforters bring to you.”[r]
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died that evening. The next[s] morning, I did as I had been commanded.
19 Then the people told me, “Are you going to explain what these things that you’re doing should mean to us?”
20 So I responded, “This message came to me from the Lord: 21 ‘Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord God says: “Look! I’m about to profane my sanctuary, the source of your proud strength, the desire of your eyes, and the object of your affection. Your sons and daughters, whom you’ve left behind, will die by the sword. 22 That’s why you will soon be doing what I’ve just done. You are not to cover your mouth[t] or eat what your comforters bring to you.[u] 23 Your turbans will be on your heads and your sandals will be on your feet. You won’t mourn or weep. Instead, you’ll waste away in your sins. Every one of you will groan to his relative. 24 That’s how Ezekiel will be an example for you. You’ll be doing exactly what he has done. When it happens, then you’ll know that I am the Lord God.”’
25 “And now, Son of Man, on the day that I take their strength, joy, and glory from them, those whom they love to watch, the focus of their affection—their sons and daughters— 26 at that time,[v] a fugitive will come to you and will bring you the news.[w] 27 Your mouth will freely speak to the fugitive. You won’t be silent any longer. You’ll be a sign to them. Then they’ll know that I am the Lord.”
A Message Condemning Ammon
25 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, turn your attention[x] to the descendants of Ammon and rebuke[y] them. 3 Tell the Ammonites: ‘Listen to a message from[z] the Lord God! This is what the Lord God says: “Because you have said, ‘Aha!’[aa] about my sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it became desolate, and about the households of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore you’d better look out! I’m going to turn you over to men[ab] from the East, who will dominate you. You will become their property. They will set up military encampments and permanent places[ac] in which to live among you, and then they’ll eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will turn Rabbah[ad] into a pasture for camels, and Ammon will become a resting place for flocks of sheep. That’s how they’ll learn that I am the Lord.”’”
Why God Condemned Ammon
6 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you’ve applauded, stamped your feet, and rejoiced with all sorts of malice in your heart[ae] against the land of Israel, 7 therefore you’d better[af] watch out! I’m raising a clenched fist[ag] in your direction! I’m about to feed you to the surrounding[ah] nations as war plunder. I’m going to eliminate you as a nation and kill off those of you who survive to live in other[ai] countries. I’m going to destroy you, and that’s how you’ll learn that I am the Lord.’”
A Message Rebuking Moab and Seir
8 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Because Moab and Seir are claiming, “Judah’s citizens are[aj] just like every other[ak] nation,” 9 therefore you’d better watch out! I’m going to tear open Moab’s flanks, starting with its frontier cities—the very glory of the nation!—including Beth-jeshimoth,[al] Baal-meon,[am] and Kiriathaim.[an] 10 I’m going to turn these cities[ao] over to men[ap] from the East, who will dominate you. You will become their property. As a result, Ammon will be forgotten as a nation. 11 I’m also going to punish Moab, and that’s how they’ll learn that I am the Lord.’”
The Coming Destruction of Edom
12 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Because Edom has made it their practice to seek extraordinary vengeance against Judah’s citizens,[aq] and by doing so has incurred extraordinary guilt by taking revenge against them,’ 13 therefore this is what the Lord God says: ‘I’m going to raise my clenched fist[ar] in Edom’s direction and eliminate every single human being and animal from Edom! I’m going to turn everything into a wasteland, starting with Teman, and Dedan will fall by violence![as] 14 I’m going to inundate Edom with[at] my retribution, using my people Israel to carry it out! They’ll deliver my anger, acting as an agent of my fury. Edom will come to know my vengeance,’ declares the Lord God.’”
A Message Condemning Philistia
15 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Because Philistia has made it their practice to carry out retribution, accompanied by extraordinary malice in their personal vendettas—vendettas that spring from their everlasting hostility— 16 this is what the Lord God says: “Look out! I’m raising my clenched fist[au] in Philistia’s direction. I’m going to execute[av] the Cherethites[aw] and destroy what’s left of the coastline of the Mediterranean[ax] Sea. 17 I’ll take vengeance on them, punishing them severely in my anger. They’ll know that I am the Lord when I take my vengeance on them.”’”
A Message Condemning Tyre
26 During the eleventh year, on the first day of the month of our captivity[ay], this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, because Tyre has been saying about Jerusalem,
‘The international gateway is broken down!
It’s wide open to me!
I will be replenished,
now that it lies in ruins!’
3 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says: ‘Watch out! I’m coming to get[az] you, Tyre! I’m about to bring many nations to attack you. They’ll come in wave after wave, like the advancing tide,[ba] 4 and will destroy the city walls of Tyre. After they break down her fortified towers, I’ll scrape away the city’s debris, right down to the bare bedrock, 5 and it will become a place where nets will be spread out right in the middle of the Mediterranean[bb] Sea. Because I have declared this to happen,’ declares the Lord God, ‘Tyre will be treated as the spoils of war by the invading[bc] nations. 6 Furthermore, her citizens[bd] who live on the mainland will be executed with swords. That’s how they’ll learn that I am the Lord.’”
Nebuchadnezzar’s Invasion
7 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Watch out! I’m about to bring from the north King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, that king of kings. He’ll come with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a vast army. 8 He’ll execute your citizens who live on the mainland with swords. He’ll build siege engines to attack you. Then he’ll construct siege ramps against you and build huge shields to protect themselves[be] against you.
9 “‘He’ll direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and will breach your fortified towers with axes.[bf] 10 There will be so many horses that the dust raised by them will cover you completely. The walls of your city will tremble from the noise of Nebuchadnezzar’s[bg] cavalry, wagons, and chariots when they enter through the gates of your city, as men enter a city that has been breached.
11 “‘Their horses will trample all the public places as he executes your inhabitants with swords. The most fortified of your pillars will be torn to the ground. 12 They will plunder your riches and loot your businesses. They’ll tear down your walls and demolish your luxurious homes. They’ll grab the stones, wood, and rubble from the destruction and dump it all into the Mediterranean[bh] Sea.
13 “‘I’ll silence the noise of your songs and the music of your harps won’t be heard anymore. 14 I’ll turn you into bare rock, and your city will become a place to spread nets. You will never be built again, because I the Lord have decreed this,’ declares the Lord God.”
Terror at Tyre’s Destruction
15 “This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: ‘When your wounded citizens groan while the slaughter takes place among you, the people who live in the coastlands will tremble in terror as they hear about your fall, will they not? 16 That’s when all the kings of the seafaring nations will abandon their thrones, strip off their fancy clothes, and collapse trembling on the ground. They’ll be so frightened as they observe what has happened to you that they’ll be unable to stop trembling. They will be utterly appalled at you! 17 They’ll sing this mourning song for you:
“How lost you are,
you inhabited city,
that was built in the middle of the sea!
How famous you were!
How strong on the sea!
She and her inhabitants
inflicted[bi] terror to everyone
who lived within her.”
18 ‘Now the coastland inhabitants
will tremble on the day that you fall.
The coastland inhabitants,
who make their living from[bj] the sea,
will be terrified when you pass away!’
19 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘When I turn your city into a ghost town, when I flood you with deep water that covers you completely, 20 I’ll make sure that you go straight to the Pit,[bk] into the lowest part of the earth, where you’ll be with people who lived in ancient times. You’ll keep company there with the dead, who have gone into the Pit.[bl] As a result, your city[bm] won’t be inhabited. Meanwhile, I will display my glory in the land of the living. 21 I’m going to send terrifying calamity in your direction, and you won’t exist any longer. You might be sought after, but you’ll never be found again,’ declares the Lord God.”
A Message Condemning Tyre
27 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, compose a mourning song for Tyre. 3 Tell Tyre, who lives at the gateway to the Mediterranean[bn] Sea, who serves as the international merchant to many coastal districts: ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Tyre, you’ve been claiming,
“I am beauty perfected.’
4 You’ve set your national boundary in international waters.
Your builders made you downright beautiful!”’”[bo]
Tyre’s Luxurious Sailing Vessels
5 ‘They brought in a ship
made with pine planking from Senir,
configured with a mast carved from a cedar from Lebanon,
6 equipped with oars
made from oaks from Bashan,
with ivory-inlaid cypress wood[bp] decking
imported from the coastlands of Cypress,
7 with sails made with embroidered Egyptian linen,
festooned with blue banners,
and with your sun shades made
with purple cloth from Cypress.
8 Your sailors were conscripted
from Sidon and Arvad,
and your officers served aboard
as pilots.
9 The wise men and elders from Gebal accompanied you,
serving as ship’s carpenters.
All the maritime navies and their seaman also accompanied you
to assist you in doing business internationally.”
Tyre’s International Makeup
10 “Soldiers from Persia,[bq] Lud,[br] and Libya,[bs]
served in your army.
They were your mighty soldiers.
Their helmets and shields adorned your barracks walls,
and they won battle decorations for you.
11 Mercenaries from Arvad and Helech
stood guard duty on your walls,
while brave men manned your towers.
They hung their shields all around your walls—
just the right touch to perfect your interior decorating!”[bt]
Tyre’s Trading Partners
12 ‘Tarshish was your business partner because of your phenomenal wealth. They traded silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. 13 Greece, Tubal,[bu] and Meshech[bv] bartered with you, exchanging slaves and bronze vessels for your wares. 14 Beth-togarmah traded horses, war horses, and mules in exchange for what you had to sell. 15 Men from the low country south of Edom[bw] and many of the coastlands were your markets for ivory tusks and ebony that they brought to trade with you.
16 “Aram was one of your customers because you had so much merchandise. They paid by trading turquoise, purple yarn, embroidered goods, Egyptian linen,[bx] coral, and rubies. 17 The territories of Judah and Israel were your clients, too. They traded wheat from their distribution centers,[by] baked goods, honey, oil, and ointments for your merchandise.
18 “Because you have so much to sell and are so rich, Damascus has been your trading partner, exchanging wine from Helbon, unbleached wool, 19 and casks of wine from Izal[bz] for your wrought iron, cassia wood, and aromatic reeds.
20 “Dedan traded with you, exchanging riding blankets. 21 Arabia, including all the princes of Kedar, came to you, shopping for lambs, rams, and goats. 22 Traders from Sheba and Raamah paid for the best of what you had to offer with all types of spices, precious stones, and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden,[ca] merchants from Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad did business with you, 24 trading garments made into the finest blue and embroidered mantels, and also multi-colored carpets, ropes, and other merchandise. 25 Ocean-going fleets[cb] carried your merchandise.”
Tyre’s Coming Storm
“How filled you were!
How glorious you were,
at home in the heart of the sea!
26 But your rowers have brought you
into dangerous waters.
The east wind has broken you
in the heart of the ocean!
27 Your wealth, your products, your merchandise
your sailors, your pilots,
your tailors, your salesmen,
all your mercenaries with you—
your entire company with you—
will fall into the midst of the sea
on the day when you’re overthrown!
28 When your ships’ captains cry out,
the pasturelands along the coast will cry out!
29 Everyone who handles an oar will abandon ship,
they’ll head straight for dry land,
30 and they will cry so loud
you won’t be able to make yourself heard!
How bitterly they’ll cry!
They’ll throw dust on their heads
and wallow in ashes.
31 They’ll shave their heads bald because of you.
They’ll dress themselves in sackcloth
and weep for you with deep bitterness of heart,
with the most pitiful of mourning.
32 In the depth of their despair
they’ll compose a lament for you.
This is what they’ll say:
‘Who is like Tyre?
Who is so silent in the midst of the sea?’
33 Your merchandise went out over the oceans
to satisfy many nations;
with the abundance of your wealth
you enriched the kings of the earth.
34 “But now it’s your time to be wrecked
at the bottom of the sea!
Your products and your workers have sunk,
and so have you!
35 Everyone who lives by the sea
is appalled at your destruction.
Their leaders are terrified—
their faces reflect their fears!
36 Traders circulate among the people, hissing at you.
What a horror you’ve become!
Now you will cease to exist
forever and ever!”
Prophecy against Tyre
28 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, tell Tyre’s Commander-in-Chief,[cc] ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Because your heart is arrogant,[cd]
and because you keep saying,
‘I have taken my seat,
I am a god,
seated in God’s seat right in the middle[ce] of the sea,’[cf]
and because you’re a man,
and not a god,
even though you pretend
that you have a god-like heart…
3 Look! You’re wiser than Daniel, aren’t you?
No secret is too mysterious for you!
4 Your wisdom and understanding
brought you phenomenal wealth.
You’ve brought gold and silver
into your treasuries.
5 By your great wisdom,
by your skills in trading
you have amassed wealth for yourself
and your heart has become arrogant
because of your wealth.”
6 Therefore this is what the Lord God says:
“Because you’ve made your heart
like that of God
7 Therefore, look!
I’m bringing foreigners in your direction,
the most terrifying of nations!
They will direct their violence[cg]
against the grandeur
that you’ve created by your wisdom.
8 They’ll send you down to the Pit,[ch]
and you’ll die defiled in the depths of the sea.
9 Is that when you’ll say, ‘I’m God’
to the face of those who will be killing you?
After all, you’re a man,
and have never been a god,
especially when you’re under the control[ci] of those
who will defile you!
10 You will die a death fit for the uncircumcised
at the hand of foreigners.”
‘for I have said it will be so,’
declares the Lord.”
A Rebuke for Tyre’s King
11 Another message came to me from the Lord, and this is what it said: 12 “Son of Man, start singing this lamentation for the king of Tyre. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“You served as my[cj] model,
my example of complete wisdom
and perfect beauty.
13 You used to be in Eden—
God’s paradise!
You wore precious stones for clothing:
ruby,[ck] topaz, diamond,[cl]
beryl,[cm] onyx, jasper,
sapphire,[cn] turquoise, and carbuncle.
Your settings were crafted in gold,
along with your engravings.
On the day of your creation
they had been prepared!
14 “You were the anointed cherub;
having been set in place
on the holy mountain of God,
you walked in the midst of fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your behavior[co]
from the day you were created
until wickedness was discovered in you.
16 Since your vast business planning[cp]
filled you with violent intent[cq]
from top to bottom,[cr]
you sinned,
so I cast you away as defiled
from the mountain of God.
I destroyed you,
you guardian cherub,
from the midst of the fiery stones.
17 Your heart grew arrogant because of your beauty;
you annihilated your own wisdom
because of your splendor.
Then I threw you to the ground
in the presence of kings,
giving them a good look at you!
18 By all of your iniquity
and unrighteous business planning[cs]
you defiled your sanctuaries,
so I’m going to bring out fire from within you
and burn you to ashes on the earth
before the whole watching world!
19 Everyone who knows you
throughout all the nations
will be appalled at your calamity
and you will no longer exist forever.”’”
The Judgment of Sidon
20 Another message came to me from the Lord, who had this to say:
21 “Son of Man, turn your attention[ct] to Sidon and prophesy against her.[cu] 22 Tell her:
‘Pay attention to me, Sidon!
I’m against you,
and I’m going to glorify myself right in your midst.’
They’ll learn that I am the Lord
when I carry out these punishments
and manifest my holiness in her midst.
23 I’m going to send disease into that city[cv]
and blood into her streets.
People will drop dead in her midst
from the violence done to[cw] her from every side.
Then they’ll learn that I am the Lord God.”
The Future Regathering of Israel
24 “The house of Israel will never again suffer from painful briers and sharp thorn bushes that surround them on every side, and they will learn that I am the Lord. 25 This is what the Lord God says:
‘When I gather the house of Israel from the nations to which I’ve scattered them, I will show them my holiness before the watching world, and they will live on the land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live in safety in the land,[cx] building houses and planting vineyards. They’ll live in safety while I judge everyone who maligns them among those who surround them. At that time they’ll learn that I am the Lord their God.’”
Prophecy against Egypt
29 In the tenth year, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, a message came to me from the Lord, who had this to say:
2 “Son of Man, turn your attention to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and the entire nation of Egypt. 3 Tell him that this is what the Lord God says:
‘Watch out! I’m coming to get[cy] you,
Pharaoh, king of Egypt!
You big monster!
You lay in wait in the middle of your waterways[cz] and say,
“My waterways belong to me!
I made them for myself!”
4 ‘So I’m going to plant a hook in your jaw
and make the fish in your waterways grab hold of your scales.
I’ll bring you up out of the middle of your waterways,
along with all of the fish from your waterways that cling to your scales,
5 Then I’ll fling you out into the desert,
you and all those fish in your waterways.
You’ll fall out in the open fields;
you’ll never be reunited.
I’m giving you to the wild beasts of the earth
and to the birds of the sky,
and they will dine on you!
6 ‘Then everyone living in Egypt
will know that I am the Lord,
because they have been an unreliable ally[da]
to the house of Israel.
7 When they reached out to you for support,
you tore their hands
and dislocated all of their shoulders.
When they tried to lean on you,
they couldn’t control their own bowels.’[db]
8 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says: ‘Look out! I’m bringing violent death[dc] in your direction! I’m going to kill every person and animal, 9 and the land of Egypt will be turned into a desolate ruin. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Because Egypt said, “The Nile is mine. I made it!” 10 therefore watch out! I’m coming to get[dd] you! I’m going to attack your waterways, and then I’m going to make the land of Egypt a total wasteland from the Aswan[de] fortress to the border of Ethiopia![df] 11 Neither man nor beast will walk through that area. It won’t even be inhabited for 40 years. 12 I’ll see to it that Egypt becomes a devastated land in the midst of devastated lands. Her cities deep inside her territories will be laid waste and desolate for 40 years. I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them throughout the land.’”
Restoration of Egypt after Judgment
13 “Because this is what the Lord says: ‘At the end of 40 years I’ll gather the Egyptians from the people among whom they have been scattered. 14 I’ll restore the economy[dg] of Egypt and return them to the land of Pathros,[dh] from which they originated, and there they will remain an insignificant kingdom, 15 the least significant of kingdoms. It will never again dominate other nations. I will make them so small that they will never again rule any nation. 16 Egypt will never again be a source of confidence to the nation[di] of Israel. Instead, Egypt will serve as a reminder of when they sinned by turning to Egypt for help. Then they’ll know that I am the Lord God.’”
Egypt Given to Nebuchadnezzar
17 On the first day of the first month of the twenty-seventh year of our captivity,[dj] a message came to me from the Lord, who had this to say:
18 “Son of Man, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made his army work very hard to attack Tyre. They tore their hair out and rubbed their shoulders raw! Despite all of that work trying to capture Tyre, neither he nor his army got paid from Tyre for all that! 19 Therefore this is what the Lord God says: ‘I’m going to give the land of Egypt to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He’s going to carry off her wealth, confiscate her war implements, and use it all to pay wages for his army! 20 I’ve given him the land of Egypt as a reward for attacking Tyre for me,’ declares the Lord God. 21 ‘When that day comes about, I’ll strengthen Israel’s military might, and I will give you an audience in their midst. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”
The Day of the Lord
30 Another message came to me from the Lord, who had this to say:
2 “Son of Man, here’s what you are to prophesy and announce,
‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Wail out loud!
Oh no! The day!
3 For comes now the day—
comes now the Day of the Lord,
the day of clouds!
The time of the gentiles[dk] is fulfilled![dl]
4 War[dm] will come to Egypt,
and Ethiopia will be in anguish
when the slain fall in Egypt,
when her wealth is carried off,
and her foundations are demolished.
5 “Ethiopia,[dn] Libya,[do] descendants of[dp] Lud,[dq] all those who have mixed themselves,[dr] and Libya[ds]—along with everyone in the land of Israel who is in league[dt] with them—will die violently.”’”[du]
Continued Judgment on Egypt
6 “This is what the Lord says:
‘Those who are supporting Egypt will fall;
her majestic strength that she brought[dv] from the Aswan[dw] fortress will collapse
by the sword that invades her,’
declares the Lord God.
7 They’ll remain desolate among desolate lands,
their cities will be named among those that are ruined.
8 They will know that I am the Lord
when I kindle my fire in Egypt
and all who help her are crushed.
9 ‘When that happens, couriers will go out in ships to terrify Ethiopia[dx] in its complacency. Anguish will visit them as it will visit Egypt. Watch out! It’s coming!’”
Foreigners will Invade Egypt
10 “This is what the Lord says:
‘I’m putting an end to that gang from Egypt,
and I’m going to use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to do it!
11 He and his ruthless army with him will be brought
to destroy the land.
They’ll draw their swords and attack[dy] Egypt,
filling the land with the dead!
12 I’ll dry up their waterways,
and evil men will sell off the land.
I’m going to make that land desolate,
along with everything that’s in it,
and I’m going to use foreigners to do it.
I, the Lord have spoken!’”
Destruction of Egypt’s Gods
13 “This is what the Lord God says:
‘I will destroy the idols
and put an end to the images that come from Memphis.
There will no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt,
and I will terrify the land of Egypt.
14 I’m going to turn Pathros into a desolation,
set fire to Zoan,[dz]
and judge Thebes.[ea]
15 I’ll pour out my anger on Sin,[eb]
Egypt’s strong fortress,
and I’ll eliminate the gangs in Thebes.
16 I’ll set fire to Egypt,
and Aswan[ec] will writhe in agony.
Thebes will be demolished,
and Memphis will face daily distress.
17 The young men of On and Pi-beseth will die violently,[ed]
and their cities will be taken captive.
18 It will be a dark day for Tahpanhes
when I break the yokes of Egypt.
That’s when her arrogant power will come to an end.
She’ll be covered by a cloud,
and her citizens[ee] will go into captivity.
19 I will judge Egypt,
and they will learn that I am the Lord.’”
Babylon’s Victory
20 On the seventh day of the first month of the eleventh year of our captivity,[ef] a message came to me from the Lord. It had this to say: 21 “Son of Man, I’ve broken the arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Look! It hasn’t been set in a splint for healing or wrapped with a bandage so it could be strong enough to hold a sword! 22 Therefore this is what the Lord God says:
‘I’m coming to attack Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and I’m going to break both of his arms, the strong one and the wounded one. That will make him drop his sword. 23 I’m going to scatter Egypt throughout the surrounding[eg] nations and disperse them throughout the world. 24 I’m going to strengthen the military might[eh] of the king of Babylon, put my own sword in his hand, and break Pharaoh’s strength.[ei] Then Pharaoh[ej] will groan like a dying man right in front of the king of Babylon.[ek] 25 When I strengthen the military might of Babylon, the military might of Pharaoh will fail, and then they will learn that I am the Lord when I place my own sword in the hand of the king of Babylon. He will attack the land of Egypt. 26 When I scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the world, they will learn that I am the Lord.’”
Egypt Learns from Assyria’s Demise
31 On the first day of the third month of the eleventh year of our captivity,[el] this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, tell this to Pharaoh, king of Egypt and his gangs:
‘Who do you think you are?
What makes you so great?
3 Think about Assyria,[em]
that cedar of Lebanon,
beautiful with its branches,
like a shady forest,
with an awesome height,
its summit touches the clouds.
4 Abundant water made it great,
Subterranean rivers made it grow.
Rivers surrounded the area where it had been planted,
and water channels nourished all the trees in the fields.
5 That’s why it grew taller than any of the trees in the fields.
Its boughs flourished.
Its branches grew luxurious
because all the water made it spread out well.
6 The birds in the sky made nests in its boughs;
all the beasts of the field gave birth under its branches.
All the great nations rested in its shade.
7 ‘Beautiful because it was so great,
with its long branches,
it was rooted in many bodies of water.[en]
8 The cedars in God’s garden could not compare to it;
Fir trees could not match its boughs.
The plane tree[eo] never grew branches like it,
and no tree in God’s garden compares to its beauty.
9 I made it beautiful,
including all of its branches;
all the trees in God’s garden of Eden envied it!’”
Assyria’s Fall Due to Arrogance
10 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because of its towering height, with its summit reaching into the clouds, and because it was haughty in its position,[ep] 11 I turned it over to the leader of those[eq] nations, who dealt with it thoroughly. I have driven it away because of its wickedness. 12 Foreign dictators have trimmed it down to size and abandoned it. Its branches have fallen off on mountains and in all the valleys. Its boughs have broken off in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth have moved out of its shade and abandoned it. 13 All the birds in the sky will live among its ruins, and the wild animals[er] will forage among its branches. 14 As a result, none of its watered trees will grow tall, their tops will never reach to the clouds, and they’ll never grow so high again, because all of them have been appointed[es] to death in the world beneath where human beings go, that is, down to the Pit.’”[et]
Fear at Assyria’s Fall
15 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘On the day that it descended into Sheol,[eu] I shut down its water supplies, covered over its deep water, and shut down its rivers. As a result its abundant water sources dried up, and I caused Lebanon to mourn for it. All the trees of the field wilted because of it. 16 I made the nations tremble when they heard that Assyria[ev] was falling, descending into Sheol[ew] to join those who go down into the Pit.[ex] Then all of the trees of Eden in the world below were comforted, including the choicest and best of Lebanon, all of whom were well-watered. 17 They also went down with it into Sheol,[ey] to those who had been killed violently[ez] and to those who had trusted in its strength by living in its shadow among the nations. 18 So tell me now, which of the trees of Eden compares to you in glory or greatness? Nevertheless, you’ll be brought down, along with those trees of Eden, to the earth below. You’ll lie in the middle of the uncircumcised, with those who have been killed in war.[fa] Pharaoh and all his gang will be just like this!’ declares the Lord God.”
Another Prophecy about Egypt
32 On the first day of the twelfth month of the twelfth year of our captivity,[fb] a message came to me from the Lord, who had this to say:
2 “Son of Man, start singing this lamentation about Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Tell him,
‘You may have called yourself a lion among nations,
but you’re a monster at sea.
You thrash about in your rivers,
muddy the water with your feet,
and relieve yourself in the rivers.’
3 “This is what the Lord God says:
‘I’m coming fishing for you!
Right in the sight of many nations
they’ll haul you up in my dragnet.
4 I’ll fling you up onto the land;
I’ll haul you into the field,
I’ll make every carrion-eating bird come to dine on you,
and I’ll make all the scavenging animals gorge themselves on you.
5 I’ll cover the mountains with your flesh
and fill their valleys with your rotting carcass.[fc]
6 I’ll drench the land with your blood,
right up to the mountains,
and the ravines will overflow
with blood that comes from you!
7 When I extinguish your lights,
I’ll cover the heavens
and darken their stars.
I’ll cover the sun with a cloud
and the moon won’t reflect its light.
8 I’ll darken the bright lights in the sky above you
and bring darkness to your territory,’
declares the Lord God.
9 “‘I’ll bring distress to the hearts of many nations when I destroy you among nations whose territories you have not known. 10 I’ll make many nations be appalled at you, and their kings will be terrified because of you when I brandish my sword right in their face. They will all tremble from fear for their own safety[fd] on the day that you fall!’
11 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘The army[fe] of the king of Babylon will attack you. 12 I’m going to make your gangs die using the weapons of valiant warriors, all of whom are ruthless people.
‘They will devastate the majesty of Egypt,
destroying all of its hordes.
13 I’m going to destroy all of its livestock
along its many riverbanks.
Human feet won’t muddy the rivers anymore,
nor will the hooves of livestock stir up the water.
14 That’s when I’ll make their waterways flow smoothly,
and their rivers flow like olive oil,’[ff]
declares the Lord God.”
15 ‘When I turn the land of Egypt into a desolation,
and the land is emptied of everything that used to fill it,
when I strike everyone who lives there,
they will learn that I am the Lord.’
16 “This has been a lamentation. They will chant it, and the citizens[fg] of the nations will chant it, too. They’ll chant it about Egypt and about all of its hordes.”
Babylon’s Invasion of Egypt
17 On the fifteenth day of the first[fh] month of the twelfth year of our captivity,[fi] a message from the Lord came to me, and this is what it said: 18 “Son of Man, mourn about the hordes of Egypt. Bring them down—that is, her and the citizens[fj] of those majestic[fk] nations—whose destiny is the deep part of the Pit.[fl]
19 “So who’s more beautiful than you?
You’ll be buried with the uncircumcised.[fm]
20 “They’ll die along with others who are killed violently.[fn] Egypt has been given over to violence,[fo] which will carry off both it and its hordes.”
Egypt Condemned by the Dead
21 “Mighty leaders will address them and those who assist them right out of the middle of Sheol:[fp] ‘They’ve come down and will lie still, these uncircumcised people who have died violently.’[fq] 22 Assyria will be there, along with all of those who keep company with her,[fr] all of them killed violently. 23 Her grave will be set in the remotest part of the Pit,[fs] surrounded by those who accompanied her. All of them will have been killed, executed violently, who spread terror throughout the land of the living.
24 “Elam will be there. Its hordes will surround Elam’s[ft] grave. All of them have been killed. They died[fu] violently, and they have descended uncircumcised into the world below after having spread terror throughout the land of the living. They will bear the shame of those who descend to the Pit.[fv] 25 They have prepared a bed for her and for her hordes that surround her graves. All of them are uncircumcised, having been killed violently, because they had spread terror throughout the land of the living. They will bear the shame of those who descend to the Pit[fw] and will take their place among the dead.
26 “Meshech and Tubal will be there, along with all of the hordes that surround her grave. Every one of them is uncircumcised, killed violently, because they spread terror throughout the land of the living. 27 They won’t be buried with dead warriors from ancient times, who went straight to Sheol,[fx] buried with their war weapons, with their swords placed under their heads and their shields laid on top of their bones, since they spread terror throughout the land of the living. 28 You’ll be broken, and you’ll lie down with the uncircumcised who died violently.
29 “Edom will be there, along with its kings and princes who despite all their power have been killed violently. They, too, are lying dead, along with the uncircumcised; that is, with those who descend into the Pit.[fy]
30 “All of the princes from the North are there, along with the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame to join those who have been killed because of all the terror they caused by their military might. They lie dead, uncircumcised, with those who have been killed violently. They will bear their shame, along with those who descend into the Pit.[fz]
31 “When Pharaoh sees them, he will take comfort in his hordes. Pharaoh and all his army will die violently,” says the Lord God, 32 “because he spread terror throughout the land of the living. Therefore he’ll be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, who have been killed violently; that is, Pharaoh and all of his hordes,” declares the Lord God.
Warnings for Watchmen
33 This message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of Man, speak to your nation’s children and tell them: ‘If I bring war[ga] to a land, and the people of that land appoint one of their conscripted men[gb] to serve as a sentinel, 3 and if he notices that violence[gc] is approaching and sounds an alarm to warn the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the alarm does not heed the warning, when the sword arrives and destroys him, his shed blood will remain his own responsibility.[gd] 5 After all, he heard the alarm sounding, but did not heed the warning, so his shed blood will remain his own responsibility.[ge] If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved himself.[gf] 6 If that sentinel notices that violence is approaching, but does not sound an alarm, then because the nation does not take warning and the sword arrives and destroys their lives because of their guilt, I’ll seek retribution for their shed blood from the[gg] one who was acting as sentinel.’”
Warning for Ezekiel
7 “Now as for you, Son of Man, I’ve established you as a sentinel for the house of Israel. So whenever you hear a message from me,[gh] you are to warn the people[gi] from me. 8 If I should say to a certain wicked person, ‘You wicked man, you’re certainly about to die,’ but you don’t warn him to turn from his wicked behavior,[gj] he’ll die in his guilt, but I’ll seek retribution for his bloodshed from you.[gk] 9 However, if you warn the wicked to turn from his behavior[gl] and he does not do so, he will die in his guilt, and you will have saved yourself.”[gm]
God Hates the Death of the Wicked
10 “‘Now, Son of Man, tell this to the house of Israel:
‘You keep saying, “Our crimes and sins burden us so much that we’re rotting away, so how can we keep on living?”’
11 “Tell them, ‘As certainly as I’m alive and living,’ declares the Lord God, ‘I receive no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Instead, my pleasure is that the wicked repent from their behavior[gn] and live. Turn back! Turn back, all of you, from your wicked behavior! Why do you have to die, you house of Israel?’”
Human Effort is Useless in Sustaining Righteousness
12 “And now, Son of Man, say this to your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous won’t save them when they keep on committing crimes against me, the wickedness of the wicked won’t keep them from remaining away[go] when they’re turning from their wickedness, and no righteous person will keep on living by their righteousness when they sin.’
13 “If I tell the righteous person that he will certainly live, if he trusts in his own righteousness and commits evil, none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the wrong that he commits.
14 “If I tell the wicked person that he will certainly die, if he turns from his sin and acts with justice and righteousness, 15 returning what has been placed as collateral for a loan, paying back what he has taken, following the regulations that promote life, and committing no iniquity, he will certainly live, and not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. Since he did what is just and right, he will certainly live.
17 “Nevertheless, your people’s children keep saying, ‘Living life the Lord’s way[gp] isn’t right,’ when all the while it is their way of living[gq] that isn’t right. 18 When a righteous man forsakes his own righteousness and commits evil acts, he will die because of those acts, 19 and when the wicked turn away from their wickedness and do what is just and right, he will certainly live because of that. 20 “And yet you keep saying, ‘Living life[gr] the Lord’s way isn’t right,’ But I will judge every one of you according to the way you live, you house of Israel!”
False Reliance on Abraham’s Heritage
21 On the fifth day of the tenth month of the twelfth year of our captivity, a fugitive who had escaped from Jerusalem came and informed me, “The city has been destroyed.”
22 Now the hand of the Lord had been touching me the evening before that fugitive arrived, so the Lord had given me something to say by the time the messenger[gs] arrived the next morning. He opened my mouth and I no longer had nothing to say to him.[gt] 23 As a result, this message came to me from the Lord:
24 “Son of Man, those who are living among these ruins of the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, but he was able to possess the land! As for us, we’re a multitude, and the land has been given to us as an inheritance.’ 25 So tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “You keep eating flesh along with its blood, you keep looking to your idols, and you keep shedding blood, and you’re going to take possession of the land? 26 You keep trusting in your weapons, you continue to commit loathsome deeds, men keep defiling their neighbors’ wives, and you’re going to take possession of the land?’
27 “Tell them this: ‘This is what the Lord God says: “As certainly as I’m alive and living, those who live in the wastelands are certain to die violently,[gu] I’ll give those who die in the open fields to the wild animals for food, and whoever takes refuge in caves and fortified places will die of diseases. 28 Then I’ll turn the land into a desolate ruin and her arrogant strength will come to an abrupt end. The mountains of Israel will become so desolate that no one will be able to travel over them.” 29 ‘Then they’ll learn that I am the Lord, when I’ve turned their land into a desolate wasteland because of all of the loathsome deeds that they’ve committed.’”
The Disobedient Exiles of Babylon
30 “Now as for you, Son of Man, your nation’s children keep gathering together to talk about you beside the walls and at the doorway to their houses. Everyone tells one another, ‘Please come! Let’s go hear what the Lord has to say!’ 31 Then they come to you as a group, sit down right in front of you as if they were my people, hear your words—and then they don’t do what you say—[gv] because they’re seeking only their own desires,[gw] they pursue ill-gotten profits, and they keep following their own self-interests. 32 As far as they are concerned, you sing romantic songs with a beautiful voice and play a musical instrument well. They’ll listen to what you have to say, but they won’t put it into practice! 33 When all of this comes about—and you can be sure that it will!—they’ll learn that a prophet has been in their midst.”
Israel’s False Shepherds
34 A message came from the Lord for me, and it had this to say: 2 “Son of Man, prophesy against Israel’s shepherds. Tell those shepherds, ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Woe to you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves and not the sheep. Shouldn’t shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You’re eating the best parts,[gx] clothing yourselves with the wool, and slaughtering the home-grown sheep without having fed the sheep! 4 You haven’t strengthened the weak, treated the sick, set broken bones, regathered the scattered, or looked for the lost. Instead, you’ve dominated them with brutal force and ruthlessness.
5 “Since they have no shepherd, they have been scattered around and have become prey for all sorts of wild animals. How scattered they are! 6 My sheep have gone wandering on all of the mountains, on all of the hills, and throughout every high place in the whole world, with no one to look for them or go out in search of them.
7 “Therefore listen to what the Lord says, you shepherds: 8 ‘As certainly as I’m alive and living, my sheep have truly become victims, food for all of the wild animals because there are no shepherds. My shepherds did not go searching for my flock. Instead, the shepherds fed themselves, and my flock they would not feed!’
9 “Therefore, you shepherds, listen to what the Lord says: 10 ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Watch out, I’m coming after you shepherds! I’m going to demand my sheep back from them[gy] and fire them as shepherds. The shepherds won’t be shepherds anymore when I snatch my flock right out of their mouths so they can’t be eaten by them anymore.”’”
The Coming True Shepherd
11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Watch me! I’m going to search for my flock. I’ll watch over them myself. 12 Just as a shepherd looks after his flock during the day time while he is with them, so also I’m going to watch over my sheep, delivering them from every place where they’ve been scattered during the times of gloom and doom.[gz] 13 I’m going to bring them out from foreign[ha] nations and from foreign lands. Then I’ll bring them to their own land and feed them in Israel—on the mountains, in their valleys, and in all of their settlements throughout the land. 14 I’ll feed them in excellent pastures, and even the very heights of Israel’s mountains will serve as verdant pastures for them in which they’ll rest and feed—yes, even on the fertile mountains of Israel! 15 I will feed my sheep and give them rest,’ declares the Lord God. 16 ‘I’m going to seek both the lost as well as the scattered, and bring them both back so their broken bones can be set and the sick can be healed. But in righteousness I’ll exterminate the fat and the stiff-necked.’”
God’s Message to His Sheep
17 “Now as for you, my flock, this is what the Lord God says: ‘Watch out! I’m going to judge between one sheep and another, and between the rams and the goats. 18 Is it such an insignificant thing to you that you’re feeding in good pastures but trampling down the other pastures with your feet? Or that as you’re drinking from the clear streams you’re muddying the rest with your feet? 19 My flock is grazing on what you’ve been treading down with your feet and they’re drinking what you’ve been making muddy with your feet!’
20 “Therefore this is what the Lord God says to them: ‘Watch me! I’m going to judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep, 21 since you’ve been bumping aside all the weaker sheep with your backsides and shoulders, butting them with your horns until they’re scattered around outside. 22 That’s how I’ll save my sheep so they won’t be plundered any longer. I’m going to judge between one sheep and another.’”
God’s Shepherd: His Servant David
23 “‘Then I’ll install one shepherd for them—my servant David—and he will feed them, will be there for them, and will serve as their shepherd. 24 I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will rule among them as Prince.’ I, the Lord, have spoken this.
25 “I’m going to enter into a covenant with them, one of peace, and I’ll eliminate wild beasts from the land so they can live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forests. 26 I’m going to make[hb] them and everything that surrounds my hill[hc] a blessing. I’ll send down the rain! At the appropriate time there will be a rainstorm of blessing! 27 I’ll bring fruit to the trees in the orchards, the land will yield its produce, they will live securely on their land, and they will learn that I am the Lord, when I break the bar that has been their yoke and deliver them from the control of those who have enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will settle down confidently, with nothing to frighten them. 29 I’m going to prepare for them the best of gardening spots. They will no longer live as victims in a land of starvation, nor will they have to bear the insults of the international community. 30 That’s when they’ll learn that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people,’ declares the Lord God. 31 ‘And as for you, my sheep, the flock that I’m pasturing, you are mankind, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord God.”
Prophecy against Mount Seir
35 A message came to me from the Lord and it went like this: 2 “Son of Man, turn your attention[hd] toward Mount Seir[he] and begin to prophesy against it. 3 Tell them,[hf] ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“Watch out! I’m coming to get you, Mount Seir!
I’m stretching out my hand to strike you,
and I’m going to turn you into a desolate wasteland.
4 I’m going to turn your cities into ghost towns,
and you will become a ruin.
Then you will learn
that I am the Lord.
5 “Because of your undying hatred, you kept on making the Israelis experience abuse[hg] during the time of their calamity, even when they were in their final stages[hh] of punishment, 6 therefore as I’m alive and living,” declares the Lord God, “I’m turning you over to bloodshed,[hi] and bloodshed will certainly overtake you, since you never have hated shedding blood. That’s why bloodshed will certainly pursue you. 7 I’m turning Mount Seir over to ruin and desolation. I’m going to eliminate everyone who comes and goes, 8 and I’ll fill that[hj] mountain with the dead. Those who die by violence[hk] will cover your hills, and fill your valleys and all your ravines! 9 I will turn you into an everlasting wasteland, and your cities will never be inhabited. Then you’ll learn that I am the Lord!
10 “Because you have claimed, ‘These two nations and these two lands are going to belong to me, and we will take possession of them, even though the Lord is there,’ 11 therefore as I’m alive and living” declares the Lord God, “I’m going to deal with you as your anger deserves. When I judge you, I’ll treat you like you did the Israelis[hl]—that is, with the same kind of envy that motivated your constant hatred of them. 12 That’s how you’ll know that I, the Lord, have heard every loathsome, reviling thing that you’ve had to say against the mountains of Israel, such as, ‘They’re desolate, and we’ll eat them for dinner!’ 13 Not only that, you’ve arrogantly reviled me many times over, and I’ve heard every word!
14 “So this is what the Lord God says: ‘Just as the earth rejoices, I’m going to turn you into a desolate wasteland. 15 Just as you rejoiced when Israel’s inheritance became desolate, I’m going to do the same thing to you. Mount Seir, you and Edom—all of you—will become a desolate wasteland.’ Then they will learn that I am the Lord.”
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