# verses

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Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.


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All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.


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"'"If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the Lord, until I destroy it by his hand.


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So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.'


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They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.


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But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live there, declares the Lord."'"


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I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, "Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live.


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Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?


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Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you.


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'I have not sent them,' declares the Lord. 'They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.'"


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Then I said to the priests and all these people, "This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, 'Very soon now the articles from the Lord's house will be brought back from Babylon.' They are prophesying lies to you.


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Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin?


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If they are prophets and have the word of the Lord, let them plead with the Lord Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon.


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For this is what the Lord Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city,


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which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin <n>Hebrew [Jeconiah,] a variant of [Jehoiachin]</n> son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem—


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yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem:


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'They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,' declares the Lord. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.'"


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In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the Lord in the presence of the priests and all the people:


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"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.


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Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the Lord's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon.


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I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin <n>Hebrew [Jeconiah,] a variant of [Jehoiachin]</n> son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the Lord, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'"


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Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord.


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He said, "Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord's house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.


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From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms.


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But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true."


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and he said before all the people, "This is what the Lord says: 'In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.'" At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.


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After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:


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"Go and tell Hananiah, 'This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron.


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.'"


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Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.


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Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.'"


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This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.


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(This was after King Jehoiachin <n>Hebrew [Jeconiah,] a variant of [Jehoiachin]</n> and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.)


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He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:


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Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.


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Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."


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Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.


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This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.


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For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


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I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. <n>Or [will restore your fortunes]</n> I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."


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but this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David's throne and all the people who remain in this city, your fellow citizens who did not go with you into exile—


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yes, this is what the Lord Almighty says: "I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten.


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I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse <n>That is, their names will be used in cursing (see verse 22); or, others will see that they are cursed.</n> and an object of horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them.


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For they have not listened to my words," declares the Lord, "words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either," declares the Lord.


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Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: "I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes.


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Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: 'May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.'


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For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and in my name they have uttered lies—which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it," declares the Lord.


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"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the other priests. You said to Zephaniah,


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'The Lord has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada to be in charge of the house of the Lord; you should put any maniac who acts like a prophet into the stocks and neck-irons.


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He has sent this message to us in Babylon: It will be a long time. Therefore build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.'"


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"Send this message to all the exiles: 'This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies,


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this is what the Lord says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the Lord, because he has preached rebellion against me.'"


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"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.


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The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity <n>Or [will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah]</n> and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,' says the Lord."


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Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale?


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How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.


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"'In that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.


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"'So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel,' declares the Lord. 'I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.


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I am with you and will save you,' declares the Lord. 'Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'


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All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many.


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Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.


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"'But all who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil.


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But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the Lord, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'


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"This is what the Lord says: "'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place.


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From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.


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Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them.


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Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me— for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the Lord.


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See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a driving wind swirling down on the heads of the wicked.


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The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand this.


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"At that time," declares the Lord, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people."


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This is what the Lord says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel."


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The Lord appeared to us in the past, <n>Or [Lord has appeared to us from afar]</n> saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.


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I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.


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Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.


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There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.'"


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This is what the Lord says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'


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See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.


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They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.


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"Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'


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They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.


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Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.


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I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the Lord.


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This is what the Lord says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."


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This is what the Lord says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord. "They will return from the land of the enemy.


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So there is hope for your descendants," declares the Lord. "Your children will return to their own land.


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"I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning: 'You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God.


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After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'


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Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the Lord.


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"Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.


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How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The Lord will create a new thing on earth— the woman will return to <n>Or [will protect]</n> the man."


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "When I bring them back from captivity, <n>Or [I restore their fortunes]</n> the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: 'The Lord bless you, you prosperous city, you sacred mountain.'


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People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks.


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"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals.


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Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the Lord.


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"In those days people will no longer say, 'The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'


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Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.


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"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.


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It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to <n>Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac [/ and I turned away from]</n> them, <n>Or [was their master]</n>" declares the Lord.


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"This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.


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No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."


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This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name:


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"Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the Lord, "will Israel ever cease being a nation before me."


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This is what the Lord says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the Lord.


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"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when this city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.


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The whole valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will be holy to the Lord. The city will never again be uprooted or demolished."


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This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.


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The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.


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Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, "Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, 'This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.


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Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verses 5, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 43</n> but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes.


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He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the Lord. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.'"


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Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, 'Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.'


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"Then, just as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.' "I knew that this was the word of the Lord;


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so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels <n>That is, about 7 ounces or about 200 grams</n> of silver.


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I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy—


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and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.


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'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.


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For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.'


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"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.


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You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents' sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty,


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great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.


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You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.


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You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror.


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They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.


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"See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see.


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And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign Lord, say to me, 'Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.'"


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Therefore this is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it.


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The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people aroused my anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.


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"The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but arouse my anger with what their hands have made, declares the Lord.


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From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight.


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The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem.


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They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.


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They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.


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"You are saying about this city, 'By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon'; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:


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I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.


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I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.


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I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.


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I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.


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"This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.


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Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, 'It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.'


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Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, <n>Or [will bring them back from captivity]</n> declares the Lord."


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While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time:


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"This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name:


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For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword


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in the fight with the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n>: 'They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.


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"'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.


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I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity <n>Or [will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel]</n> and will rebuild them as they were before.


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I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.


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Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.'


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"This is what the Lord says: 'You say about this place, "It is a desolate waste, without people or animals." Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more


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the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, "Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the Lord.


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"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In this place, desolate and without people or animals—in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.


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In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,' says the Lord.


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"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.


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"'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.


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In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it <n>Or [he]</n> will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.'


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For this is what the Lord says: 'David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of Israel,


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nor will the Levitical priests ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.'"


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"This is what the Lord says: 'If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time,


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then my covenant with David my servant—and my covenant with the Levites who are priests ministering before me—can be broken and David will no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne.


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I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.'"


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"Have you not noticed that these people are saying, 'The Lord has rejected the two kingdoms <n>Or [families]</n> he chose'? So they despise my people and no longer regard them as a nation.


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This is what the Lord says: 'If I have not made my covenant with day and night and established the laws of heaven and earth,


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then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his sons to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes <n>Or [will bring them back from captivity]</n> and have compassion on them.'"


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While Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army and all the kingdoms and peoples in the empire he ruled were fighting against Jerusalem and all its surrounding towns, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord:


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"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Go to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, 'This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down.


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You will not escape from his grasp but will surely be captured and given into his hands. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, and he will speak with you face to face. And you will go to Babylon.


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"'Yet hear the Lord's promise to you, Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the Lord says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;


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you will die peacefully. As people made a funeral fire in honor of your predecessors, the kings who ruled before you, so they will make a fire in your honor and lament, "Alas, master!" I myself make this promise, declares the Lord.'"


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while the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah that were still holding out—Lachish and Azekah. These were the only fortified cities left in Judah.


text:
The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves.


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Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage.


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So all the officials and people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their male and female slaves and no longer hold them in bondage. They agreed, and set them free.


text:
But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.


text:
"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I said,


text:
'Every seventh year each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who have sold themselves to you. After they have served you six years, you must let them go free.' Your ancestors, however, did not listen to me or pay attention to me.


text:
Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to your own people. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name.


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But now you have turned around and profaned my name; each of you has taken back the male and female slaves you had set free to go where they wished. You have forced them to become your slaves again.


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"Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim 'freedom' for you, declares the Lord—'freedom' to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.


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Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces.


text:
The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf,


text:
I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals.


text:
"I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them, to the army of the king of Babylon, which has withdrawn from you.


text:
I am going to give the order, declares the Lord, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."


text:
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:


text:
"Go to the Rekabite family and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink."


text:
So I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Rekabites.


text:
I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.


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Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, "Drink some wine."


text:
But they replied, "We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab <n>Hebrew [Jonadab], a variant of [Jehonadab]; here and often in this chapter</n> son of Rekab gave us this command: 'Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.


text:
Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.'


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We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine


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But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded this land, we said, 'Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]</n> and Aramean armies.' So we have remained in Jerusalem."


text:
"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the Lord.


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'Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.


text:
Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, "Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors." But you have not paid attention or listened to me.


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The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.'


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"Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'"


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Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.'


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Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.'"


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In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord:


text:
"Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now.


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Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin."


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So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the Lord had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on the scroll.


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So you go to the house of the Lord on a day of fasting and read to the people from the scroll the words of the Lord that you wrote as I dictated. Read them to all the people of Judah who come in from their towns.


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Perhaps they will bring their petition before the Lord and will each turn from their wicked ways, for the anger and wrath pronounced against this people by the Lord are great."


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Baruch son of Neriah did everything Jeremiah the prophet told him to do; at the Lord's temple he read the words of the Lord from the scroll.


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In the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a time of fasting before the Lord was proclaimed for all the people in Jerusalem and those who had come from the towns of Judah.


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From the room of Gemariah son of Shaphan the secretary, which was in the upper courtyard at the entrance of the New Gate of the temple, Baruch read to all the people at the Lord's temple the words of Jeremiah from the scroll.


text:
he went down to the secretary's room in the royal palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Akbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.


text:
all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to say to Baruch, "Bring the scroll from which you have read to the people and come." So Baruch son of Neriah went to them with the scroll in his hand.


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When they heard all these words, they looked at each other in fear and said to Baruch, "We must report all these words to the king."


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Then the officials said to Baruch, "You and Jeremiah, go and hide. Don't let anyone know where you are."


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After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him.


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The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him.


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It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him.


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Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire.


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The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.


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Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.


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Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the Lord had hidden them.


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After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:


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"Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up.


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Also tell Jehoiakim king of Judah, 'This is what the Lord says: You burned that scroll and said, "Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and wipe from it both man and beast?"


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Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night.


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I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.'"


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So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.


text:
Zedekiah son of Josiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he reigned in place of Jehoiachin <n>Hebrew [Koniah,] a variant of [Jehoiachin]</n> son of Jehoiakim.


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Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.


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King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: "Please pray to the Lord our God for us."


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Pharaoh's army had marched out of Egypt, and when the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verses 8, 9, 13 and 14</n> who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.


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"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of me, 'Pharaoh's army, which has marched out to support you, will go back to its own land, to Egypt.


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"This is what the Lord says: Do not deceive yourselves, thinking, 'The Babylonians will surely leave us.' They will not!


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Even if you were to defeat the entire Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]; also in verse 11</n> army that is attacking you and only wounded men were left in their tents, they would come out and burn this city down."


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Jeremiah started to leave the city to go to the territory of Benjamin to get his share of the property among the people there.


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But when he reached the Benjamin Gate, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, arrested him and said, "You are deserting to the Babylonians!"


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"That's not true!" Jeremiah said. "I am not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.


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They were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had made into a prison.


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Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, "Is there any word from the Lord?" "Yes," Jeremiah replied, "you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon."


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Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What crime have I committed against you or your attendants or this people, that you have put me in prison?


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Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, 'The king of Babylon will not attack you or this land'?


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But now, my lord the king, please listen. Let me bring my petition before you: Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, or I will die there."


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King Zedekiah then gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread from the street of the bakers each day until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.


text:
Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehukal <n>Hebrew [Jukal,] a variant of [Jehukal]</n> son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said,


text:
"This is what the Lord says: 'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verses 18, 19 and 23</n> will live. They will escape with their lives; they will live.'


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And this is what the Lord says: 'This city will certainly be given into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.'"


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Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."


text:
So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.


text:
But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, <n>Probably from the upper Nile region</n> an official <n>Or [a eunuch]</n> in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate,


text:
"My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city."


text:
Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies."


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So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.


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Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes." Jeremiah did so,


text:
and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.


text:
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the Lord. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me."


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Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me."


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But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: "As surely as the Lord lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who want to kill you."


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Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live.


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But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from them.'"


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King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me."


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"They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.


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All the women left in the palace of the king of Judah will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon. Those women will say to you: "'They misled you and overcame you— those trusted friends of yours. Your feet are sunk in the mud; your friends have deserted you.'


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"All your wives and children will be brought out to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape from their hands but will be captured by the king of Babylon; and this city will <n>Or [and you will cause this city to]</n> be burned down."


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If the officials hear that I talked with you, and they come to you and say, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you; do not hide it from us or we will kill you,'


text:
then tell them, 'I was pleading with the king not to send me back to Jonathan's house to die there.'"


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All the officials did come to Jeremiah and question him, and he told them everything the king had ordered him to say. So they said no more to him, for no one had heard his conversation with the king.


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And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. This is how Jerusalem was taken:


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In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it.


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And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year, the city wall was broken through.


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Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon.


text:
When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah. <n>Or [the Jordan Valley]</n>


text:
But the Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]</n> army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him.


text:
There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah.


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The Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n> set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.


text:
Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people.


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But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.


text:
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard:


text:
So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers of the king of Babylon


text:
sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard. They turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him back to his home. So he remained among his own people.


text:
"Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes.


text:
But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear.


text:
I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'"


text:
The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon.


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When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, "The Lord your God decreed this disaster for this place.


text:
And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.


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But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don't come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please."


text:
However, before Jeremiah turned to go, <n>Or [Jeremiah answered]</n> Nebuzaradan added, "Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please." Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go.


text:
So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.


text:
When all the army officers and their men who were still in the open country heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the land and had put him in charge of the men, women and children who were the poorest in the land and who had not been carried into exile to Babylon,


text:
they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah <n>Hebrew [Jezaniah,] a variant of [Jaazaniah]</n> the son of the Maakathite, and their men.


text:
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath to reassure them and their men. "Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians, <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verse 10</n>" he said. "Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.


text:
I myself will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to us, but you are to harvest the wine, summer fruit and olive oil, and put them in your storage jars, and live in the towns you have taken over."


text:
When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom and all the other countries heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over them,


text:
they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the countries where they had been scattered. And they harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit.


text:
Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers still in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah


text:
and said to him, "Don't you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.


text:
Then Johanan son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, "Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?"


text:
But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Don't do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true."


text:
In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the king's officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there,


text:
Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.


text:
Ishmael also killed all the men of Judah who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]</n> soldiers who were there.


text:
eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria, bringing grain offerings and incense with them to the house of the Lord.


text:
Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When he met them, he said, "Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam."


text:
When they went into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.


text:
But ten of them said to Ishmael, "Don't kill us! We have wheat and barley, olive oil and honey, hidden in a field." So he let them alone and did not kill them with the others.


text:
Now the cistern where he threw all the bodies of the men he had killed along with Gedaliah was the one King Asa had made as part of his defense against Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the dead.


text:
Ishmael made captives of all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah—the king's daughters along with all the others who were left there, over whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set out to cross over to the Ammonites.


text:
When Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him heard about all the crimes Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed,


text:
they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They caught up with him near the great pool in Gibeon.


text:
When all the people Ishmael had with him saw Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers who were with him, they were glad.


text:
Then Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him led away all the people of Mizpah who had survived, whom Johanan had recovered from Ishmael son of Nethaniah after Ishmael had assassinated Gedaliah son of Ahikam—the soldiers, women, children and court officials he had recovered from Gibeon.


text:
to escape the Babylonians. <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n> They were afraid of them because Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.


text:
Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached


text:
Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, "Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left.


text:
"I have heard you," replied Jeremiah the prophet. "I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you."


text:
Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us.


text:
Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God."


text:
So he called together Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him and all the people from the least to the greatest.


text:
He said to them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says:


text:
'If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you.


text:
Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.


text:
and if you say, 'No, we will go and live in Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the trumpet or be hungry for bread,'


text:
then hear the word of the Lord, you remnant of Judah. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there,


text:
then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.


text:
Indeed, all who are determined to go to Egypt to settle there will die by the sword, famine and plague; not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring on them.'


text:
This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'As my anger and wrath have been poured out on those who lived in Jerusalem, so will my wrath be poured out on you when you go to Egypt. You will be a curse and an object of horror, a curse and an object of reproach; you will never see this place again.'


text:
that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, 'Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.'


text:
I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you.


text:
So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle."


text:
When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the Lord their God—everything the Lord had sent him to tell them—


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Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, 'You must not go to Egypt to settle there.'


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But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n> so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon."


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So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord's command to stay in the land of Judah.


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Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers led away all the remnant of Judah who had come back to live in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered.


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They also led away all those whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan—the men, the women, the children and the king's daughters. And they took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah along with them.


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"While the Jews are watching, take some large stones with you and bury them in clay in the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes.


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Then say to them, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones I have buried here; he will spread his royal canopy above them.


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He will come and attack Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.


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He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt; he will burn their temples and take their gods captive. As a shepherd picks his garment clean of lice, so he will pick Egypt clean and depart.


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There in the temple of the sun <n>Or [in Heliopolis]</n> in Egypt he will demolish the sacred pillars and will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.'"


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This word came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in Lower Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes and Memphis—and in Upper Egypt:


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"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You saw the great disaster I brought on Jerusalem and on all the towns of Judah. Today they lie deserted and in ruins


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because of the evil they have done. They aroused my anger by burning incense to and worshiping other gods that neither they nor you nor your ancestors ever knew.


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Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!'


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But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.


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Therefore, my fierce anger was poured out; it raged against the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem and made them the desolate ruins they are today.


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"Now this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Why bring such great disaster on yourselves by cutting off from Judah the men and women, the children and infants, and so leave yourselves without a remnant?


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Why arouse my anger with what your hands have made, burning incense to other gods in Egypt, where you have come to live? You will destroy yourselves and make yourselves a curse and an object of reproach among all the nations on earth.


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Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your ancestors and by the kings and queens of Judah and the wickedness committed by you and your wives in the land of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem?


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To this day they have not humbled themselves or shown reverence, nor have they followed my law and the decrees I set before you and your ancestors.


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"Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am determined to bring disaster on you and to destroy all Judah.


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I will take away the remnant of Judah who were determined to go to Egypt to settle there. They will all perish in Egypt; they will fall by the sword or die from famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine. They will become a curse and an object of horror, a curse and an object of reproach.


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None of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, to which they long to return and live; none will return except a few fugitives."


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Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, along with all the women who were present—a large assembly—and all the people living in Lower and Upper Egypt, said to Jeremiah,


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We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm.


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But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine."


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The women added, "When we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did not our husbands know that we were making cakes impressed with her image and pouring out drink offerings to her?"


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"Did not the Lord remember and call to mind the incense burned in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem by you and your ancestors, your kings and your officials and the people of the land?


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When the Lord could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today.


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Because you have burned incense and have sinned against the Lord and have not obeyed him or followed his law or his decrees or his stipulations, this disaster has come upon you, as you now see."


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Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including the women, "Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah in Egypt.


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You and your wives have done what you said you would do when you promised, 'We will certainly carry out the vows we made to burn incense and pour out drink offerings to the Queen of Heaven.' "Go ahead then, do what you promised! Keep your vows!


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But hear the word of the Lord, all you Jews living in Egypt: 'I swear by my great name,' says the Lord, 'that no one from Judah living anywhere in Egypt will ever again invoke my name or swear, "As surely as the Sovereign Lord lives."


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For I am watching over them for harm, not for good; the Jews in Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all destroyed.


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Those who escape the sword and return to the land of Judah from Egypt will be very few. Then the whole remnant of Judah who came to live in Egypt will know whose word will stand—mine or theirs.


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"'This will be the sign to you that I will punish you in this place,' declares the Lord, 'so that you will know that my threats of harm against you will surely stand.'


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This is what the Lord says: 'I am going to deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who want to kill him, just as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who wanted to kill him.'"


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When Baruch son of Neriah wrote on a scroll the words Jeremiah the prophet dictated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah said this to Baruch:


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You said, 'Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.'


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But the Lord has told me to say to you, 'This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth.


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Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.'"


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Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:


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Harness the horses, mount the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armor!


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What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are defeated. They flee in haste without looking back, and there is terror on every side," declares the Lord.


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"The swift cannot flee nor the strong escape. In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.


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Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers of surging waters. She says, 'I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy cities and their people.'


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Charge, you horses! Drive furiously, you charioteers! March on, you warriors—men of Cush <n>That is, the upper Nile region</n> and Put who carry shields, men of Lydia who draw the bow.


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But that day belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty— a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.


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"Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in vain; there is no healing for you.


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The nations will hear of your shame; your cries will fill the earth. One warrior will stumble over another; both will fall down together."


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This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt:


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"Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it also in Memphis and Tahpanhes: 'Take your positions and get ready, for the sword devours those around you.'


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They will stumble repeatedly; they will fall over each other. They will say, 'Get up, let us go back to our own people and our native lands, away from the sword of the oppressor.'


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There they will exclaim, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise; he has missed his opportunity.'


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"As surely as I live," declares the King, whose name is the Lord Almighty, "one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains, like Carmel by the sea.


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Pack your belongings for exile, you who live in Egypt, for Memphis will be laid waste and lie in ruins without inhabitant.


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The mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves. They too will turn and flee together, they will not stand their ground, for the day of disaster is coming upon them, the time for them to be punished.


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Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent as the enemy advances in force; they will come against her with axes, like men who cut down trees.


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They will chop down her forest," declares the Lord, "dense though it be. They are more numerous than locusts, they cannot be counted.


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The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh.


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I will give them into the hands of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past," declares the Lord.


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"Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.


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Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the Lord. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished."


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This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:


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This is what the Lord says: "See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail


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at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds, at the noise of enemy chariots and the rumble of their wheels. Parents will not turn to help their children; their hands will hang limp.


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For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre and Sidon. The Lord is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor. <n>That is, Crete</n>


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Gaza will shave her head in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. You remnant on the plain, how long will you cut yourselves?


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But how can it rest when the Lord has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?"


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Concerning Moab: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Woe to Nebo, for it will be ruined. Kiriathaim will be disgraced and captured; the stronghold <n>Or [captured; / Misgab]</n> will be disgraced and shattered.


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Moab will be praised no more; in Heshbon <n>The Hebrew for [Heshbon] sounds like the Hebrew for [plot].</n> people will plot her downfall: 'Come, let us put an end to that nation.' You, the people of Madmen, <n>The name of the Moabite town Madmen sounds like the Hebrew for [be silenced.]</n> will also be silenced; the sword will pursue you.


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Moab will be broken; her little ones will cry out. <n>Hebrew; Septuagint [/ proclaim it to Zoar]</n>


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They go up the hill to Luhith, weeping bitterly as they go; on the road down to Horonaim anguished cries over the destruction are heard.


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Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.


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The destroyer will come against every town, and not a town will escape. The valley will be ruined and the plateau destroyed, because the Lord has spoken.


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Put salt on Moab, for she will be laid waste <n>Or [Give wings to Moab, / for she will fly away]</n>; her towns will become desolate, with no one to live in them.


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"A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the Lord's work! A curse on anyone who keeps their sword from bloodshed!


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"Moab has been at rest from youth, like wine left on its dregs, not poured from one jar to another— she has not gone into exile. So she tastes as she did, and her aroma is unchanged.


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But days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will send men who pour from pitchers, and they will pour her out; they will empty her pitchers and smash her jars.


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Moab will be destroyed and her towns invaded; her finest young men will go down in the slaughter," declares the King, whose name is the Lord Almighty.


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Mourn for her, all who live around her, all who know her fame; say, 'How broken is the mighty scepter, how broken the glorious staff!'


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"Come down from your glory and sit on the parched ground, you inhabitants of Daughter Dibon, for the one who destroys Moab will come up against you and ruin your fortified cities.


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Stand by the road and watch, you who live in Aroer. Ask the man fleeing and the woman escaping, ask them, 'What has happened?'


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Moab is disgraced, for she is shattered. Wail and cry out! Announce by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed.


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Moab's horn <n>[Horn] here symbolizes strength.</n> is cut off; her arm is broken," declares the Lord.


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"Make her drunk, for she has defied the Lord. Let Moab wallow in her vomit; let her be an object of ridicule.


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Was not Israel the object of your ridicule? Was she caught among thieves, that you shake your head in scorn whenever you speak of her?


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Abandon your towns and dwell among the rocks, you who live in Moab. Be like a dove that makes its nest at the mouth of a cave.


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"We have heard of Moab's pride— how great is her arrogance!— of her insolence, her pride, her conceit and the haughtiness of her heart.


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I weep for you, as Jazer weeps, you vines of Sibmah. Your branches spread as far as the sea <n>Probably the Dead Sea</n>; they reached as far as <n>Two Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts [as far as the Sea of]</n> Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your ripened fruit and grapes.


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Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards and fields of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy. Although there are shouts, they are not shouts of joy.


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"The sound of their cry rises from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar as far as Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah, for even the waters of Nimrim are dried up.


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In Moab I will put an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods," declares the Lord.


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"So my heart laments for Moab like the music of a pipe; it laments like a pipe for the people of Kir Hareseth. The wealth they acquired is gone.


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Every head is shaved and every beard cut off; every hand is slashed and every waist is covered with sackcloth.


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On all the roofs in Moab and in the public squares there is nothing but mourning, for I have broken Moab like a jar that no one wants," declares the Lord.


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"How shattered she is! How they wail! How Moab turns her back in shame! Moab has become an object of ridicule, an object of horror to all those around her."


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Kerioth <n>Or [The cities]</n> will be captured and the strongholds taken. In that day the hearts of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.


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"Whoever flees from the terror will fall into a pit, whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare; for I will bring on Moab the year of her punishment," declares the Lord.


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"In the shadow of Heshbon the fugitives stand helpless, for a fire has gone out from Heshbon, a blaze from the midst of Sihon; it burns the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of the noisy boasters.


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Woe to you, Moab! The people of Chemosh are destroyed; your sons are taken into exile and your daughters into captivity.


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"Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come," declares the Lord. Here ends the judgment on Moab.


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Concerning the Ammonites: This is what the Lord says: "Has Israel no sons? Has Israel no heir? Why then has Molek <n>Or [their king]; also in verse 3</n> taken possession of Gad? Why do his people live in its towns?


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But the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its surrounding villages will be set on fire. Then Israel will drive out those who drove her out," says the Lord.


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"Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed! Cry out, you inhabitants of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; rush here and there inside the walls, for Molek will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.


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Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, 'Who will attack me?'


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I will bring terror on you from all those around you," declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. "Every one of you will be driven away, and no one will gather the fugitives.


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Concerning Edom: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?


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Turn and flee, hide in deep caves, you who live in Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time when I punish him.


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If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes? If thieves came during the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted?


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But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, so that he cannot conceal himself. His armed men are destroyed, also his allies and neighbors, so there is no one to say,


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This is what the Lord says: "If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it.


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I swear by myself," declares the Lord, "that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse, an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever."


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I have heard a message from the Lord; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!"


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The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord.


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"Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds.


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As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns," says the Lord, "so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.


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"Like a lion coming up from Jordan's thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Edom from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?"


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Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate.


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At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea. <n>Or [the Sea of Reeds]</n>


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Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.


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Concerning Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad are dismayed, for they have heard bad news. They are disheartened, troubled like <n>Hebrew [on] or [by]</n> the restless sea.


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Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.


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Surely, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day," declares the Lord Almighty.


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Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked: This is what the Lord says: "Arise, and attack Kedar and destroy the people of the East.


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Their tents and their flocks will be taken; their shelters will be carried off with all their goods and camels. People will shout to them, 'Terror on every side!'


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"Flee quickly away! Stay in deep caves, you who live in Hazor," declares the Lord. "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plotted against you; he has devised a plan against you.


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"Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence," declares the Lord, "a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger.


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Their camels will become plunder, and their large herds will be spoils of war. I will scatter to the winds those who are in distant places <n>Or [who clip the hair by their foreheads]</n> and will bring disaster on them from every side," declares the Lord.


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"Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolate place forever. No one will live there; no people will dwell in it."


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This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:


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This is what the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.


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I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go.


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I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger," declares the Lord. "I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them.


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This is the word the Lord spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verses 8, 25, 35 and 45</n>:


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"Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back, but say, 'Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame, Marduk filled with terror. Her images will be put to shame and her idols filled with terror.'


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A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both people and animals will flee away.


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"In those days, at that time," declares the Lord, "the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Lord their God.


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They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.


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"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.


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Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.'


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For I will stir up and bring against Babylon an alliance of great nations from the land of the north. They will take up their positions against her, and from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.


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So Babylonia <n>Or [Chaldea]</n> will be plundered; all who plunder her will have their fill," declares the Lord.


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"Because you rejoice and are glad, you who pillage my inheritance, because you frolic like a heifer threshing grain and neigh like stallions,


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your mother will be greatly ashamed; she who gave you birth will be disgraced. She will be the least of the nations— a wilderness, a dry land, a desert.


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Because of the Lord's anger she will not be inhabited but will be completely desolate. All who pass Babylon will be appalled; they will scoff because of all her wounds.


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"Take up your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her! Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the Lord.


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Shout against her on every side! She surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the Lord, take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done to others.


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Cut off from Babylon the sower, and the reaper with his sickle at harvest. Because of the sword of the oppressor let everyone return to their own people, let everyone flee to their own land.


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"Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon."


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Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.


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But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture, and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan; their appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.


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In those days, at that time," declares the Lord, "search will be made for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.


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"Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod. Pursue, kill and completely destroy <n>The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 26.</n> them," declares the Lord. "Do everything I have commanded you.


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How broken and shattered is the hammer of the whole earth! How desolate is Babylon among the nations!


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I set a trap for you, Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it; you were found and captured because you opposed the Lord.


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The Lord has opened his arsenal and brought out the weapons of his wrath, for the Sovereign Lord Almighty has work to do in the land of the Babylonians.


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Come against her from afar. Break open her granaries; pile her up like heaps of grain. Completely destroy her and leave her no remnant.


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Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter! Woe to them! For their day has come, the time for them to be punished.


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Listen to the fugitives and refugees from Babylon declaring in Zion how the Lord our God has taken vengeance, vengeance for his temple.


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"Summon archers against Babylon, all those who draw the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her for her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.


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Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day," declares the Lord.


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"See, I am against you, you arrogant one," declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty, "for your day has come, the time for you to be punished.


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The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up; I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her."


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This is what the Lord Almighty says: "The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go.


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Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.


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"A sword against the Babylonians!" declares the Lord— "against those who live in Babylon and against her officials and wise men!


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A sword against her false prophets! They will become fools. A sword against her warriors! They will be filled with terror.


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A sword against her horses and chariots and all the foreigners in her ranks! They will become weaklings. A sword against her treasures! They will be plundered.


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A drought on <n>Or [A sword against]</n> her waters! They will dry up. For it is a land of idols, idols that will go mad with terror.


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"So desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and there the owl will dwell. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.


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As I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns," declares the Lord, "so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.


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"Look! An army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are being stirred up from the ends of the earth.


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They are armed with bows and spears; they are cruel and without mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Babylon.


text:
The king of Babylon has heard reports about them, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.


text:
Like a lion coming up from Jordan's thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?"


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Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Babylon, what he has purposed against the land of the Babylonians: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate.


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This is what the Lord says: "See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb Kamai. <n>[Leb Kamai] is a cryptogram for Chaldea, that is, Babylonia.</n>


text:
I will send foreigners to Babylon to winnow her and to devastate her land; they will oppose her on every side in the day of her disaster.


text:
Let not the archer string his bow, nor let him put on his armor. Do not spare her young men; completely destroy <n>The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.</n> her army.


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For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord Almighty, though their land <n>Or [Almighty, / and the land of the Babylonians]</n> is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel.


text:
"Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the Lord's vengeance; he will repay her what she deserves.


text:
Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord's hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad.


text:
Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over her! Get balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.


text:
"'We would have healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; let us leave her and each go to our own land, for her judgment reaches to the skies, it rises as high as the heavens.'


text:
"Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields! The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is to destroy Babylon. The Lord will take vengeance, vengeance for his temple.


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Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose, his decree against the people of Babylon.


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You who live by many waters and are rich in treasures, your end has come, the time for you to be destroyed.


text:
The Lord Almighty has sworn by himself: I will surely fill you with troops, as with a swarm of locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.


text:
"He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.


text:
"Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.


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He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the people of his inheritance— the Lord Almighty is his name.


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"You are my war club, my weapon for battle— with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms,


text:
with you I shatter man and woman, with you I shatter old man and youth, with you I shatter young man and young woman,


text:
with you I shatter shepherd and flock, with you I shatter farmer and oxen, with you I shatter governors and officials.


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"Before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia <n>Or [Chaldea]; also in verse 35</n> for all the wrong they have done in Zion," declares the Lord.


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"I am against you, you destroying mountain, you who destroy the whole earth," declares the Lord. "I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you off the cliffs, and make you a burned-out mountain.


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No rock will be taken from you for a cornerstone, nor any stone for a foundation, for you will be desolate forever," declares the Lord.


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"Lift up a banner in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations for battle against her; summon against her these kingdoms: Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander against her; send up horses like a swarm of locusts.


text:
Prepare the nations for battle against her— the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the countries they rule.


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The land trembles and writhes, for the Lord's purposes against Babylon stand— to lay waste the land of Babylon so that no one will live there.


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Babylon's warriors have stopped fighting; they remain in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become weaklings. Her dwellings are set on fire; the bars of her gates are broken.


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One courier follows another and messenger follows messenger to announce to the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured,


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This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Daughter Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is trampled; the time to harvest her will soon come."


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"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured us, he has thrown us into confusion, he has made us an empty jar. Like a serpent he has swallowed us and filled his stomach with our delicacies, and then has spewed us out.


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May the violence done to our flesh <n>Or [done to us and to our children]</n> be on Babylon," say the inhabitants of Zion. "May our blood be on those who live in Babylonia," says Jerusalem.


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Therefore this is what the Lord says: "See, I will defend your cause and avenge you; I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.


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Babylon will be a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, an object of horror and scorn, a place where no one lives.


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But while they are aroused, I will set out a feast for them and make them drunk, so that they shout with laughter— then sleep forever and not awake," declares the Lord.


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"How Sheshak <n>[Sheshak] is a cryptogram for Babylon.</n> will be captured, the boast of the whole earth seized! How desolate Babylon will be among the nations!


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Her towns will be desolate, a dry and desert land, a land where no one lives, through which no one travels.


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I will punish Bel in Babylon and make him spew out what he has swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him. And the wall of Babylon will fall.


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Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.


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For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her.


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Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for out of the north destroyers will attack her," declares the Lord.


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"Babylon must fall because of Israel's slain, just as the slain in all the earth have fallen because of Babylon.


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You who have escaped the sword, leave and do not linger! Remember the Lord in a distant land, and call to mind Jerusalem."


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"We are disgraced, for we have been insulted and shame covers our faces, because foreigners have entered the holy places of the Lord's house."


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"But days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will punish her idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan.


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Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens and fortifies her lofty stronghold, I will send destroyers against her," declares the Lord.


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"The sound of a cry comes from Babylon, the sound of great destruction from the land of the Babylonians. <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n>


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The Lord will destroy Babylon; he will silence her noisy din. Waves of enemies will rage like great waters; the roar of their voices will resound.


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A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken. For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full.


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I will make her officials and wise men drunk, her governors, officers and warriors as well; they will sleep forever and not awake," declares the King, whose name is the Lord Almighty.


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This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Babylon's thick wall will be leveled and her high gates set on fire; the peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, the nations' labor is only fuel for the flames."


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This is the message Jeremiah the prophet gave to the staff officer Seraiah son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went to Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah in the fourth year of his reign.


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Jeremiah had written on a scroll about all the disasters that would come upon Babylon—all that had been recorded concerning Babylon.


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Then say, 'Lord, you have said you will destroy this place, so that neither people nor animals will live in it; it will be desolate forever.'


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Then say, 'So will Babylon sink to rise no more because of the disaster I will bring on her. And her people will fall.'" The words of Jeremiah end here.


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So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it.


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Then the city wall was broken through, and the whole army fled. They left the city at night through the gate between the two walls near the king's garden, though the Babylonians <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verse 17</n> were surrounding the city. They fled toward the Arabah, <n>Or [the Jordan Valley]</n>


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but the Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]; also in verse 14</n> army pursued King Zedekiah and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his soldiers were separated from him and scattered,


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and he was captured. He was taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him.


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There at Riblah the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he also killed all the officials of Judah.


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Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon, where he put him in prison till the day of his death.


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On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.


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The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.


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Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile some of the poorest people and those who remained in the city, along with the rest of the craftsmen <n>Or [the populace]</n> and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon.


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But Nebuzaradan left behind the rest of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.


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The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the movable stands and the bronze Sea that were at the temple of the Lord and they carried all the bronze to Babylon.


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They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service.


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The commander of the imperial guard took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, dishes and bowls used for drink offerings—all that were made of pure gold or silver.


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The bronze from the two pillars, the Sea and the twelve bronze bulls under it, and the movable stands, which King Solomon had made for the temple of the Lord, was more than could be weighed.


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Each pillar was eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference <n>That is, about 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference or about 8.1 meters high and 5.4 meters in circumference</n>; each was four fingers thick, and hollow.


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The bronze capital on top of one pillar was five cubits <n>That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters</n> high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its pomegranates, was similar.


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There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; the total number of pomegranates above the surrounding network was a hundred.


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Of those still in the city, he took the officer in charge of the fighting men, and seven royal advisers. He also took the secretary who was chief officer in charge of conscripting the people of the land, sixty of whom were found in the city.


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This is the number of the people Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile: in the seventh year, 3,023 Jews;


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in his twenty-third year, 745 Jews taken into exile by Nebuzaradan the commander of the imperial guard. There were 4,600 people in all.


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In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah and freed him from prison.


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Day by day the king of Babylon gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived, till the day of his death.


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<n>This chapter is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.</n>How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave.


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Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.


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After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations; she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.


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The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her young women grieve, and she is in bitter anguish.


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Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.


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All the splendor has departed from Daughter Zion. Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; in weakness they have fled before the pursuer.


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In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help her. Her enemies looked at her and laughed at her destruction.


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Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away.


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Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. "Look, Lord, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed."


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The enemy laid hands on all her treasures; she saw pagan nations enter her sanctuary— those you had forbidden to enter your assembly.


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All her people groan as they search for bread; they barter their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. "Look, Lord, and consider, for I am despised."


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"Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my suffering that was inflicted on me, that the Lord brought on me in the day of his fierce anger?


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"From on high he sent fire, sent it down into my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, faint all the day long.


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"My sins have been bound into a yoke <n>Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint [He kept watch over my sins]</n>; by his hands they were woven together. They have been hung on my neck, and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has given me into the hands of those I cannot withstand.


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"The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to <n>Or [has set a time for me / when he will]</n> crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.


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"This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed."


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Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The Lord has decreed for Jacob that his neighbors become his foes; Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.


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"The Lord is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look on my suffering. My young men and young women have gone into exile.


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"I called to my allies but they betrayed me. My priests and my elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive.


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"See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death.


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"People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me.


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"Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint."


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<n>This chapter is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.</n>How the Lord has covered Daughter Zion with the cloud of his anger <n>Or [How the Lord in his anger / has treated Daughter Zion with contempt]</n>! He has hurled down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth; he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.


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Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has torn down the strongholds of Daughter Judah. He has brought her kingdom and its princes down to the ground in dishonor.


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In fierce anger he has cut off every horn <n>Or [off / all the strength]; or [every king]</n> <n>[Horn] here symbolizes strength.</n> of Israel. He has withdrawn his right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.


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Like an enemy he has strung his bow; his right hand is ready. Like a foe he has slain all who were pleasing to the eye; he has poured out his wrath like fire on the tent of Daughter Zion.


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The Lord is like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for Daughter Judah.


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He has laid waste his dwelling like a garden; he has destroyed his place of meeting. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed festivals and her Sabbaths; in his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.


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The Lord has rejected his altar and abandoned his sanctuary. He has given the walls of her palaces into the hands of the enemy; they have raised a shout in the house of the Lord as on the day of an appointed festival.


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The Lord determined to tear down the wall around Daughter Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withhold his hand from destroying. He made ramparts and walls lament; together they wasted away.


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Her gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the Lord.


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The elders of Daughter Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have sprinkled dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.


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My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within; my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.


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They say to their mothers, "Where is bread and wine?" as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives ebb away in their mothers' arms.


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What can I say for you? With what can I compare you, Daughter Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, Virgin Daughter Zion? Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you?


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The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading.


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All who pass your way clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at Daughter Jerusalem: "Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?"


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All your enemies open their mouths wide against you; they scoff and gnash their teeth and say, "We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for; we have lived to see it."


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The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. He has overthrown you without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you, he has exalted the horn <n>[Horn] here symbolizes strength.</n> of your foes.


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The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest.


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Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.


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"Look, Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Should priest and prophet be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord?


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"Young and old lie together in the dust of the streets; my young men and young women have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered them without pity.


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"As you summon to a feast day, so you summoned against me terrors on every side. In the day of the Lord's anger no one escaped or survived; those I cared for and reared my enemy has destroyed."


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<n>This chapter is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and the verses within each stanza begin with the same letter.</n>I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord's wrath.


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<n>This chapter is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.</n>How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.


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How the precious children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter's hands!


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Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.


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Because of thirst the infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them.


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Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps.


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The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.


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Their princes were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like lapis lazuli.


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But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.


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Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.


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With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed.


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The Lord has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations.


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The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem.


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But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.


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Now they grope through the streets as if they were blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments.


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"Go away! You are unclean!" people cry to them. "Away! Away! Don't touch us!" When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, "They can stay here no longer."


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The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.


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Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us.


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People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.


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Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.


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The Lord's anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations.


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Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked.


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Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom, and expose your wickedness.


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In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.


text:
the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n> There the hand of the Lord was on him.


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I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,


text:
and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.


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Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.


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Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.


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Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.


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The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.


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As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.


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This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.


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As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went.


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When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.


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Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.


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When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.


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Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.


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Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body.


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When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, <n>Hebrew [Shaddai]</n> like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.


text:
Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.


text:
I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.


text:
Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.


text:
He said to me, "Son of man, <n>The Hebrew phrase [ben adam] means [human being]. The phrase [son of man] is retained as a form of address here and throughout Ezekiel because of its possible association with "Son of Man" in the New Testament.</n> stand up on your feet and I will speak to you."


text:
He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.


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The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.'


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And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.


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And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.


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But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you."


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And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel."


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Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.


text:
You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel—


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not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.


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But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate.


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I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people."


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Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."


text:
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing. <n>Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text [sound—may the glory of the Lord be praised from his place]</n>


text:
It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound.


text:
The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me.


text:
I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed.


text:
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.


text:
When I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for <n>Or [in]; also in verses 19 and 20</n> their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.


text:
But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.


text:
"Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.


text:
But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself."


text:
The hand of the Lord was on me there, and he said to me, "Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you."


text:
So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.


text:
Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house.


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And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.


text:
I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people.


text:
But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.


text:
"Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it.


text:
Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it.


text:
Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.


text:
"Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. <n>Or [upon your side]</n> You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side.


text:
I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel.


text:
"After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year.


text:
I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.


text:
"Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side.


text:
Weigh out twenty shekels <n>That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams</n> of food to eat each day and eat it at set times.


text:
Also measure out a sixth of a hin <n>That is, about 2/3 quart or about 0.6 liter</n> of water and drink it at set times.


text:
Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel."


text:
The Lord said, "In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them."


text:
Then I said, "Not so, Sovereign Lord! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth."


text:
He then said to me: "Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair,


text:
for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of <n>Or [away in]</n> their sin.


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"Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair.


text:
When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword.


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Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.


text:
Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees.


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even <n>Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac [You have]</n> conformed to the standards of the nations around you.


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations.


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Because of all your detestable idols, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again.


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Therefore in your midst parents will eat their children, and children will eat their parents. I will inflict punishment on you and will scatter all your survivors to the winds.


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Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will shave you; I will not look on you with pity or spare you.


text:
A third of your people will die of the plague or perish by famine inside you; a third will fall by the sword outside your walls; and a third I will scatter to the winds and pursue with drawn sword.


text:
"Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside, and I will be avenged. And when I have spent my wrath on them, they will know that I the Lord have spoken in my zeal.


text:
"I will make you a ruin and a reproach among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by.


text:
You will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and an object of horror to the nations around you when I inflict punishment on you in anger and in wrath and with stinging rebuke. I the Lord have spoken.


text:
When I shoot at you with my deadly and destructive arrows of famine, I will shoot to destroy you. I will bring more and more famine upon you and cut off your supply of food.


text:
I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I the Lord have spoken."


text:
and say: 'You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.


text:
Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will slay your people in front of your idols.


text:
I will lay the dead bodies of the Israelites in front of their idols, and I will scatter your bones around your altars.


text:
Wherever you live, the towns will be laid waste and the high places demolished, so that your altars will be laid waste and devastated, your idols smashed and ruined, your incense altars broken down, and what you have made wiped out.


text:
"'But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations.


text:
Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Strike your hands together and stamp your feet and cry out "Alas!" because of all the wicked and detestable practices of the people of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine and plague.


text:
One who is far away will die of the plague, and one who is near will fall by the sword, and anyone who survives and is spared will die of famine. So will I pour out my wrath on them.


text:
And they will know that I am the Lord, when their people lie slain among their idols around their altars, on every high hill and on all the mountaintops, under every spreading tree and every leafy oak—places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols.


text:
And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah <n>Most Hebrew manuscripts; a few Hebrew manuscripts [Riblah]</n>—wherever they live. Then they will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel: "'The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land!


text:
The end is now upon you, and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.


text:
I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. "'Then you will know that I am the Lord.'


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Disaster! Unheard-of <n>Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac [Disaster after]</n> disaster! See, it comes!


text:
Doom has come upon you, upon you who dwell in the land. The time has come! The day is near! There is panic, not joy, on the mountains.


text:
I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.


text:
I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. "'Then you will know that it is I the Lord who strikes you.


text:
Violence has arisen, <n>Or [The violent one has become]</n> a rod to punish the wicked. None of the people will be left, none of that crowd— none of their wealth, nothing of value.


text:
The time has come! The day has arrived! Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller grieve, for my wrath is on the whole crowd.


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The seller will not recover the property that was sold— as long as both buyer and seller live. For the vision concerning the whole crowd will not be reversed. Because of their sins, not one of them will preserve their life.


text:
"'They have blown the trumpet, they have made all things ready, but no one will go into battle, for my wrath is on the whole crowd.


text:
Outside is the sword; inside are plague and famine. Those in the country will die by the sword; those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague.


text:
The fugitives who escape will flee to the mountains. Like doves of the valleys, they will all moan, each for their own sins.


text:
They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Every face will be covered with shame, and every head will be shaved.


text:
"'They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin.


text:
They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.


text:
I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile it.


text:
I will turn my face away from the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure. They will enter it and will defile it.


text:
I will bring the most wicked of nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated.


text:
Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will go searching for a vision from the prophet, priestly instruction in the law will cease, the counsel of the elders will come to an end.


text:
The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. "'Then they will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there.


text:
I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. <n>Or [saw a fiery figure]</n> From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal.


text:
He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.


text:
Then he said to me, "Son of man, look toward the north." So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy.


text:
And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable."


text:
So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and unclean animals and all the idols of Israel.


text:
In front of them stood seventy elders of Israel, and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan was standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising.


text:
He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.'"


text:
Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and I saw women sitting there, mourning the god Tammuz.


text:
He said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? You will see things that are even more detestable than this."


text:
He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east.


text:
He said to me, "Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse my anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose!


text:
Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them."


text:
Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, "Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand."


text:
And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.


text:
Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side


text:
and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it."


text:
As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion.


text:
Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple.


text:
Then he said to them, "Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!" So they went out and began killing throughout the city.


text:
While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, "Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?"


text:
He answered me, "The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, 'The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.'


text:
So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done."


text:
Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, "I have done as you commanded."


text:
I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne of lapis lazuli above the vault that was over the heads of the cherubim.


text:
The Lord said to the man clothed in linen, "Go in among the wheels beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city." And as I watched, he went in.


text:
Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court.


text:
Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord.


text:
The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty <n>Hebrew [El-Shaddai]</n> when he speaks.


text:
When the Lord commanded the man in linen, "Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim," the man went in and stood beside a wheel.


text:
Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand to the fire that was among them. He took up some of it and put it into the hands of the man in linen, who took it and went out.


text:
I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz.


text:
As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about <n>Or [aside]</n> as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went.


text:
Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels.


text:
Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.


text:
When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side.


text:
When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them.


text:
Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim.


text:
While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord's house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.


text:
These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim.


text:
Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. Each one went straight ahead.


text:
Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the Lord that faces east. There at the entrance of the gate were twenty-five men, and I saw among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people.


text:
The Lord said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in this city.


text:
They say, 'Haven't our houses been recently rebuilt? This city is a pot, and we are the meat in it.'


text:
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me to say: "This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: The bodies you have thrown there are the meat and this city is the pot, but I will drive you out of it.


text:
I will drive you out of the city and deliver you into the hands of foreigners and inflict punishment on you.


text:
You will fall by the sword, and I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
This city will not be a pot for you, nor will you be the meat in it; I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel.


text:
And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you."


text:
Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out in a loud voice, "Alas, Sovereign Lord! Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?"


text:
"Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, 'They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.'


text:
"Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.'


text:
"Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.'


text:
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.


text:
Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.


text:
But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.


text:
The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia <n>Or [Chaldea]</n> in the vision given by the Spirit of God. Then the vision I had seen went up from me,


text:
"Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.


text:
"Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people.


text:
During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.


text:
Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites."


text:
So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.


text:
"Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.'


text:
Say to them, 'I am a sign to you.' "As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.


text:
"The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.


text:
I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die.


text:
I will scatter to the winds all those around him—his staff and all his troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.


text:
"They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries.


text:
But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the Lord."


text:
Say to the people of the land: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there.


text:
The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: 'The days go by and every vision comes to nothing'?


text:
Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.' Say to them, 'The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.


text:
But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, the Israelites are saying, 'The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.'


text:
"Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the Lord!


text:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish <n>Or [wicked]</n> prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!


text:
You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.


text:
Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, "The Lord declares," and expect him to fulfill their words.


text:
Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The Lord declares," though I have not spoken?


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,


text:
therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.


text:
I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it <n>Or [the city]</n> falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, "The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it,


text:
those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord."'


text:
"Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them


text:
and say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?


text:
You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.


text:
I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives,


text:
therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?


text:
Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.


text:
I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.'


text:
"Therefore say to the people of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!


text:
"'When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I the Lord will answer them myself.


text:
I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
"'And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.


text:
Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals,


text:
even if these three men—Noah, Daniel <n>Or [Danel], a man of renown in ancient literature; also in verse 20</n> and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts,


text:
as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate.


text:
"Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, 'Let the sword pass throughout the land,' and I kill its people and their animals,


text:
as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.


text:
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath on it through bloodshed, killing its people and their animals,


text:
as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.


text:
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to kill its men and their animals!


text:
Yet there will be some survivors—sons and daughters who will be brought out of it. They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought on Jerusalem—every disaster I have brought on it.


text:
You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
"Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?


text:
And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?


text:
If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.


text:
I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
and say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.


text:
On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.


text:
No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.


text:
"'Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!" <n>A few Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts repeat [and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!"]</n>


text:
I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew and developed and entered puberty. Your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, yet you were stark naked.


text:
"'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.


text:
I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments.


text:
So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.


text:
And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.


text:
You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.</n>


text:
You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them.


text:
And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them.


text:
Also the food I provided for you—the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat—you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough?


text:
In all your detestable practices and your prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about in your blood.


text:
At every street corner you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, spreading your legs with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by.


text:
You engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your neighbors with large genitals, and aroused my anger with your increasing promiscuity.


text:
So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct.


text:
You engaged in prostitution with the Assyrians too, because you were insatiable; and even after that, you still were not satisfied.


text:
Then you increased your promiscuity to include Babylonia, <n>Or [Chaldea]</n> a land of merchants, but even with this you were not satisfied.


text:
"'I am filled with fury against you, <n>Or [How feverish is your heart,]</n> declares the Sovereign Lord, when you do all these things, acting like a brazen prostitute!


text:
When you built your mounds at every street corner and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were unlike a prostitute, because you scorned payment.


text:
All prostitutes receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors.


text:
So in your prostitution you are the opposite of others; no one runs after you for your favors. You are the very opposite, for you give payment and none is given to you.


text:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you poured out your lust and exposed your naked body in your promiscuity with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children's blood,


text:
therefore I am going to gather all your lovers, with whom you found pleasure, those you loved as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you in front of them, and they will see you stark naked.


text:
I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood; I will bring on you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger.


text:
Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you stark naked.


text:
They will burn down your houses and inflict punishment on you in the sight of many women. I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers.


text:
Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry.


text:
"'Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices?


text:
You are a true daughter of your mother, who despised her husband and her children; and you are a true sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.


text:
Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom.


text:
You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.


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As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done.


text:
"'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.


text:
They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.


text:
Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done.


text:
Bear your disgrace, for you have furnished some justification for your sisters. Because your sins were more vile than theirs, they appear more righteous than you. So then, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you have made your sisters appear righteous.


text:
"'However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them,


text:
And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before.


text:
before your wickedness was uncovered. Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom <n>Many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate [Aram]</n> and all her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant.


text:
Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.


text:
Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant with you.


text:
Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar,


text:
he broke off its topmost shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders.


text:
"'He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water,


text:
and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.


text:
"'But there was another great eagle with powerful wings and full plumage. The vine now sent out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water.


text:
It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.'


text:
"Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will it thrive? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers? All its new growth will wither. It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots.


text:
It has been planted, but will it thrive? Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it—wither away in the plot where it grew?'"


text:
"Say to this rebellious people, 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Say to them: 'The king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and carried off her king and her nobles, bringing them back with him to Babylon.


text:
Then he took a member of the royal family and made a treaty with him, putting him under oath. He also carried away the leading men of the land,


text:
so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to rise again, surviving only by keeping his treaty.


text:
But the king rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt to get horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the treaty and yet escape?


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"'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, he shall die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose treaty he broke.


text:
Pharaoh with his mighty army and great horde will be of no help to him in war, when ramps are built and siege works erected to destroy many lives.


text:
He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things, he shall not escape.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant.


text:
I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me.


text:
All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.


text:
On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.


text:
All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. "'I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.'"


text:
"What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: "'The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?


text:
For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.


text:
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.


text:
He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.


text:
He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties.


text:
He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things <n>Or [things to a brother]</n>


text:
(though the father has done none of them): "He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife.


text:
He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things.


text:
He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.


text:
"But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:


text:
"He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife.


text:
He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.


text:
He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live.


text:
But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.


text:
"Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.


text:
The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.


text:
"But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.


text:
None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.


text:
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?


text:
"But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.


text:
"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?


text:
If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die.


text:
But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.


text:
Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.


text:
Yet the Israelites say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?


text:
"Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.


text:
Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?


text:
and say: "'What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among them and reared her cubs.


text:
She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.


text:
The nations heard about him, and he was trapped in their pit. They led him with hooks to the land of Egypt.


text:
"'When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion.


text:
He prowled among the lions, for he was now a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.


text:
He broke down <n>Targum (see Septuagint); Hebrew [He knew]</n> their strongholds and devastated their towns. The land and all who were in it were terrified by his roaring.


text:
Then the nations came against him, those from regions round about. They spread their net for him, and he was trapped in their pit.


text:
With hooks they pulled him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They put him in prison, so his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.


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"'Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard <n>Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts [your blood]</n> planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water.


text:
Its branches were strong, fit for a ruler's scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches.


text:
But it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel, it was stripped of its fruit; its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.


text:
Fire spread from one of its main <n>Or [from under its]</n> branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler's scepter.' "This is a lament and is to be used as a lament."


text:
In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me.


text:
"Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord.'


text:
"Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors


text:
and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, "I am the Lord your God."


text:
On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.


text:
And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."


text:
"'But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.


text:
But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.


text:
I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.


text:
Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.


text:
"'Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness.


text:
But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.


text:
Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands—


text:
because they rejected my laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols.


text:
I said to their children in the wilderness, "Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols.


text:
Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."


text:
"'But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, "The person who obeys them will live by them," and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.


text:
But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.


text:
Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries,


text:
because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their parents' idols.


text:
I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.'


text:
"Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this also your ancestors blasphemed me by being unfaithful to me:


text:
When I brought them into the land I had sworn to give them and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that aroused my anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings.


text:
Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to?'" (It is called Bamah <n>[Bamah] means [high place.]</n> to this day.)


text:
"Therefore say to the Israelites: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves the way your ancestors did and lust after their vile images?


text:
When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.


text:
"'You say, "We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone." But what you have in mind will never happen.


text:
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.


text:
I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.


text:
I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you.


text:
As I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.


text:
I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
"'As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols.


text:
For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, <n>Or [and the gifts of your firstfruits]</n> along with all your holy sacrifices.


text:
I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations.


text:
Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors.


text:
There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done.


text:
You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland.


text:
Say to the southern forest: 'Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it.


text:
"Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuary. Prophesy against the land of Israel


text:
and say to her: 'This is what the Lord says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.


text:
Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.


text:
Then all people will know that I the Lord have drawn my sword from its sheath; it will not return again.'


text:
And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.' It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
"Son of man, prophesy and say, 'This is what the Lord says: "'A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished—


text:
sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! "'Shall we rejoice in the scepter of my royal son? The sword despises every such stick.


text:
"'The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped with the hand; it is sharpened and polished, made ready for the hand of the slayer.


text:
Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the princes of Israel. They are thrown to the sword along with my people. Therefore beat your breast.


text:
"'Testing will surely come. And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue? declares the Sovereign Lord.'


text:
"So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times. It is a sword for slaughter— a sword for great slaughter, closing in on them from every side.


text:
So that hearts may melt with fear and the fallen be many, I have stationed the sword for slaughter <n>Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n> at all their gates. Look! It is forged to strike like lightning, it is grasped for slaughter.


text:
"Son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same country. Make a signpost where the road branches off to the city.


text:
Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites and another against Judah and fortified Jerusalem.


text:
For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.


text:
Into his right hand will come the lot for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to give the command to slaughter, to sound the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp and to erect siege works.


text:
It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you people have brought to mind your guilt by your open rebellion, revealing your sins in all that you do—because you have done this, you will be taken captive.


text:
"'You profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax,


text:
this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.


text:
A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.'


text:
"And you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says about the Ammonites and their insults: "'A sword, a sword, drawn for the slaughter, polished to consume and to flash like lightning!


text:
Despite false visions concerning you and lying divinations about you, it will be laid on the necks of the wicked who are to be slain, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax.


text:
"'Let the sword return to its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your ancestry, I will judge you.


text:
I will pour out my wrath on you and breathe out my fiery anger against you; I will deliver you into the hands of brutal men, men skilled in destruction.


text:
You will be fuel for the fire, your blood will be shed in your land, you will be remembered no more; for I the Lord have spoken.'"


text:
"Son of man, will you judge her? Will you judge this city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her detestable practices


text:
and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You city that brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst and defiles herself by making idols,


text:
you have become guilty because of the blood you have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughingstock to all the countries.


text:
In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the foreigner and mistreated the fatherless and the widow.


text:
In you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.


text:
In you are those who dishonor their father's bed; in you are those who violate women during their period, when they are ceremonially unclean.


text:
In you one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor's wife, another shamefully defiles his daughter-in-law, and another violates his sister, his own father's daughter.


text:
In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst.


text:
Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.


text:
I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness.


text:
When you have been defiled <n>Or [When I have allotted you your inheritance]</n> in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver.


text:
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem.


text:
As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you.


text:
As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.'"


text:
"Son of man, say to the land, 'You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.'


text:
There is a conspiracy of her princes <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [prophets]</n> within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.


text:
Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.


text:
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.


text:
Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says'—when the Lord has not spoken.


text:
The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.


text:
"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.


text:
So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.


text:
The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.


text:
"Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors


text:
She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after.


text:
She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.


text:
They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.


text:
"Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.


text:
She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.


text:
"But she carried her prostitution still further. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans <n>Or [Babylonians]</n> portrayed in red,


text:
with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea. <n>Or [Babylonia]; also in verse 16</n>


text:
Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust.


text:
When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.


text:
Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt.


text:
There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.


text:
So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled. <n>Syriac (see also verse 3); Hebrew [caressed because of your young breasts]</n>


text:
"Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stir up your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side—


text:
the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, all of them governors and commanders, chariot officers and men of high rank, all mounted on horses.


text:
They will come against you with weapons, <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n> chariots and wagons and with a throng of people; they will take up positions against you on every side with large and small shields and with helmets. I will turn you over to them for punishment, and they will punish you according to their standards.


text:
I will direct my jealous anger against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and those of you who are left will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and daughters, and those of you who are left will be consumed by fire.


text:
So I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you began in Egypt. You will not look on these things with longing or remember Egypt anymore.


text:
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to deliver you into the hands of those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust.


text:
They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you stark naked, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity


text:
have brought this on you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols.


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "You will drink your sister's cup, a cup large and deep; it will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much.


text:
You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, the cup of ruin and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria.


text:
You will drink it and drain it dry and chew on its pieces— and you will tear your breasts. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution."


text:
The Lord said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices,


text:
for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them.


text:
They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths.


text:
On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house.


text:
"They even sent messengers for men who came from far away, and when they arrived you bathed yourself for them, applied eye makeup and put on your jewelry.


text:
You sat on an elegant couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed the incense and olive oil that belonged to me.


text:
"The noise of a carefree crowd was around her; drunkards were brought from the desert along with men from the rabble, and they put bracelets on the wrists of the woman and her sister and beautiful crowns on their heads.


text:
Then I said about the one worn out by adultery, 'Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is.'


text:
And they slept with her. As men sleep with a prostitute, so they slept with those lewd women, Oholah and Oholibah.


text:
But righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood, because they are adulterous and blood is on their hands.


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Bring a mob against them and give them over to terror and plunder.


text:
The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses.


text:
You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord."


text:
"Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.


text:
Tell this rebellious people a parable and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Put on the cooking pot; put it on and pour water into it.


text:
Put into it the pieces of meat, all the choice pieces—the leg and the shoulder. Fill it with the best of these bones;


text:
take the pick of the flock. Pile wood beneath it for the bones; bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it.


text:
"'For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now encrusted, whose deposit will not go away! Take the meat out piece by piece in whatever order it comes.


text:
"'For the blood she shed is in her midst: She poured it on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground, where the dust would cover it.


text:
To stir up wrath and take revenge I put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Woe to the city of bloodshed! I, too, will pile the wood high.


text:
So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred.


text:
Then set the empty pot on the coals till it becomes hot and its copper glows, so that its impurities may be melted and its deposit burned away.


text:
"'Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.


text:
"'I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.


text:
Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners."


text:
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.


text:
Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things have to do with us? Why are you acting like this?"


text:
Say to the people of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.


text:
And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.


text:
You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of <n>Or [away in]</n> your sins and groan among yourselves.


text:
Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.'


text:
"And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart's desire, and their sons and daughters as well—


text:
At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord."


text:
Say to them, 'Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you said "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile,


text:
therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.


text:
I will turn Rabbah into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel,


text:
therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will wipe you out from among the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, Judah has become like all the other nations,"


text:
therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns—Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim—the glory of that land.


text:
I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations;


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because Edom took revenge on Judah and became very guilty by doing so,


text:
therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill both man and beast. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.


text:
I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah,


text:
therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will wipe out the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast.


text:
I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.'"


text:
In the eleventh month of the twelfth <n>Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have [month of the twelfth].</n> year, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper,'


text:
therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves.


text:
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers; I will scrape away her rubble and make her a bare rock.


text:
Out in the sea she will become a place to spread fishnets, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. She will become plunder for the nations,


text:
and her settlements on the mainland will be ravaged by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.


text:
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar <n>Hebrew [Nebuchadrezzar,] of which [Nebuchadnezzar] is a variant; here and often in Ezekiel and Jeremiah</n> king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army.


text:
He will ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp up to your walls and raise his shields against you.


text:
He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and demolish your towers with his weapons.


text:
His horses will be so many that they will cover you with dust. Your walls will tremble at the noise of the warhorses, wagons and chariots when he enters your gates as men enter a city whose walls have been broken through.


text:
The hooves of his horses will trample all your streets; he will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground.


text:
They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea.


text:
I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets. You will never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands tremble at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan and the slaughter takes place in you?


text:
Then all the princes of the coast will step down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and take off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled at you.


text:
Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you: "'How you are destroyed, city of renown, peopled by men of the sea! You were a power on the seas, you and your citizens; you put your terror on all who lived there.


text:
Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; the islands in the sea are terrified at your collapse.'


text:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you,


text:
then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [return, and I will give glory]</n> in the land of the living.


text:
I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'You say, Tyre, "I am perfect in beauty."


text:
They made all your timbers of juniper from Senir <n>That is, Mount Hermon</n>; they took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.


text:
Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of cypress wood <n>Targum; the Masoretic Text has a different division of the consonants.</n> from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, adorned with ivory.


text:
Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was your sail and served as your banner; your awnings were of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah.


text:
Veteran craftsmen of Byblos were on board as shipwrights to caulk your seams. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to trade for your wares.


text:
"'Men of Persia, Lydia and Put served as soldiers in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, bringing you splendor.


text:
Men of Arvad and Helek guarded your walls on every side; men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they brought your beauty to perfection.


text:
"'Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise.


text:
"'Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze for your wares.


text:
"'The men of Rhodes <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [Dedan]</n> traded with you, and many coastlands were your customers; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony.


text:
"'Aram <n>Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac [Edom]</n> did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise.


text:
"'Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith and confections, <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n> honey, olive oil and balm for your wares.


text:
"'Damascus did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods. They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar


text:
"'Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers; they did business with you in lambs, rams and goats.


text:
"'The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold.


text:
In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.


text:
"'The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea.


text:
Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces far out at sea.


text:
Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, sailors and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck.


text:
All who handle the oars will abandon their ships; the mariners and all the sailors will stand on the shore.


text:
They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes.


text:
They will shave their heads because of you and will put on sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and with bitter mourning.


text:
As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament concerning you: "Who was ever silenced like Tyre, surrounded by the sea?"


text:
When your merchandise went out on the seas, you satisfied many nations; with your great wealth and your wares you enriched the kings of the earth.


text:
Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your wares and all your company have gone down with you.


text:
All who live in the coastlands are appalled at you; their kings shudder with horror and their faces are distorted with fear.


text:
The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'"


text:
"Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.


text:
Are you wiser than Daniel <n>Or [Danel], a man of renown in ancient literature</n>? Is no secret hidden from you?


text:
By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.


text:
By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god,


text:
I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.


text:
Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a mortal, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.


text:
You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.


text:
You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. <n>The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.</n> Your settings and mountings <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.</n> were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.


text:
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.


text:
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.


text:
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.


text:
By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.


text:
All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'"


text:
and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'I am against you, Sidon, and among you I will display my glory. You will know that I am the Lord, when I inflict punishment on you and within you am proved to be holy.


text:
I will send a plague upon you and make blood flow in your streets. The slain will fall within you, with the sword against you on every side. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
"'No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.


text:
They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.'"


text:
【Judgment on Pharaoh】<br/> In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.


text:
Speak to him and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, you great monster lying among your streams. You say, "The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself."


text:
But I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales. I will pull you out from among your streams, with all the fish sticking to your scales.


text:
I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and not be gathered or picked up. I will give you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the sky.


text:
Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord. "'You have been a staff of reed for the people of Israel.


text:
When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched. <n>Syriac (see also Septuagint and Vulgate); Hebrew [and you caused their backs to stand]</n>


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will bring a sword against you and kill both man and beast.


text:
Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord. "'Because you said, "The Nile is mine; I made it,"


text:
therefore I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolate waste from Migdol to Aswan, as far as the border of Cush. <n>That is, the upper Nile region</n>


text:
I will make the land of Egypt desolate among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.


text:
"'Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered.


text:
I will bring them back from captivity and return them to Upper Egypt, the land of their ancestry. There they will be a lowly kingdom.


text:
It will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations. I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations.


text:
Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
【Nebuchadnezzar's Reward】<br/> In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare and every shoulder made raw. Yet he and his army got no reward from the campaign he led against Tyre.


text:
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as pay for his army.


text:
I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"On that day I will make a horn <n>[Horn] here symbolizes strength.</n> grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord."


text:
"Son of man, prophesy and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'Wail and say, "Alas for that day!"


text:
A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. <n>That is, the upper Nile region; also in verses 5 and 9</n> When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.


text:
Cush and Libya, Lydia and all Arabia, Kub and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.


text:
"'This is what the Lord says: "'The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
"'On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt's doom, for it is sure to come.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.


text:
He and his army—the most ruthless of nations— will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain.


text:
I will dry up the waters of the Nile and sell the land to an evil nation; by the hand of foreigners I will lay waste the land and everything in it. I the Lord have spoken.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. No longer will there be a prince in Egypt, and I will spread fear throughout the land.


text:
I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will writhe in agony. Thebes will be taken by storm; Memphis will be in constant distress.


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The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis will fall by the sword, and the cities themselves will go into captivity.


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Dark will be the day at Tahpanhes when I break the yoke of Egypt; there her proud strength will come to an end. She will be covered with clouds, and her villages will go into captivity.


text:
【Pharaoh's Arms Are Broken】<br/> In the eleventh year, in the first month on the seventh day, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. It has not been bound up to be healed or put in a splint so that it may become strong enough to hold a sword.


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Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break both his arms, the good arm as well as the broken one, and make the sword fall from his hand.


text:
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a mortally wounded man.


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I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he brandishes it against Egypt.


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I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord."


text:
【Pharaoh as a Felled Cedar of Lebanon】<br/> In the eleventh year, in the third month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: "'Who can be compared with you in majesty?


text:
Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage.


text:
The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field.


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So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters.


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All the birds of the sky nested in its boughs, all the animals of the wild gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade.


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The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the junipers equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches— no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty.


text:
"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,


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I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,


text:
and the most ruthless of foreign nations cut it down and left it. Its boughs fell on the mountains and in all the valleys; its branches lay broken in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth came out from under its shade and left it.


text:
Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortals who go down to the realm of the dead.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day it was brought down to the realm of the dead I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.


text:
I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the realm of the dead to be with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.


text:
They too, like the great cedar, had gone down to the realm of the dead, to those killed by the sword, along with the armed men who lived in its shade among the nations.


text:
"'Which of the trees of Eden can be compared with you in splendor and majesty? Yet you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. "'This is Pharaoh and all his hordes, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
【A Lament Over Pharaoh】<br/> In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "'You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net.


text:
I will throw you on the land and hurl you on the open field. I will let all the birds of the sky settle on you and all the animals of the wild gorge themselves on you.


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I will drench the land with your flowing blood all the way to the mountains, and the ravines will be filled with your flesh.


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When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.


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All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you; I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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I will trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring about your destruction among the nations, among <n>Hebrew; Septuagint [bring you into captivity among the nations, / to]</n> lands you have not known.


text:
I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with horror because of you when I brandish my sword before them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life.


text:
"'For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "'The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you.


text:
I will cause your hordes to fall by the swords of mighty men— the most ruthless of all nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all her hordes will be overthrown.


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I will destroy all her cattle from beside abundant waters no longer to be stirred by the foot of man or muddied by the hooves of cattle.


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When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the Lord.'


text:
"This is the lament they will chant for her. The daughters of the nations will chant it; for Egypt and all her hordes they will chant it, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
【Egypt's Descent Into the Realm of the Dead】<br/> In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:


text:
"Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, along with those who go down to the pit.


text:
They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged off with all her hordes.


text:
From within the realm of the dead the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, 'They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.'


text:
"Assyria is there with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain, all who have fallen by the sword.


text:
Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave. All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword.


text:
"Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.


text:
A bed is made for her among the slain, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword. Because their terror had spread in the land of the living, they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are laid among the slain.


text:
"Meshek and Tubal are there, with all their hordes around their graves. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword because they spread their terror in the land of the living.


text:
But they do not lie with the fallen warriors of old, <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [warriors who were uncircumcised]</n> who went down to the realm of the dead with their weapons of war—their swords placed under their heads and their shields <n>Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text [punishment]</n> resting on their bones—though these warriors also had terrorized the land of the living.


text:
"You too, Pharaoh, will be broken and will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.


text:
"Edom is there, her kings and all her princes; despite their power, they are laid with those killed by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit.


text:
"All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.


text:
"Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord."


text:
"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,


text:
then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.


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Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.


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But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.'


text:
When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for <n>Or [in]; also in verse 9</n> their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.


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But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.


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"Son of man, say to the Israelites, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of <n>Or [away in]</n> them. How then can we live?"'


text:
Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'


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"Therefore, son of man, say to your people, 'If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person's former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person's former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.'


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If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.


text:
And if I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right—


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if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.


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None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.


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And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so.


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Yet you Israelites say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to your own ways."


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In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, "The city has fallen!"


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Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the Lord was on me, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent.


text:
"Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.'


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Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land?


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You rely on your sword, you do detestable things, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife. Should you then possess the land?'


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"Say this to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague.


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I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them.


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Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.'


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"As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, 'Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.'


text:
My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.


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Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.


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"When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them."


text:
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?


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You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.


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You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.


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So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.


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My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.


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As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,


text:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.


text:
As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.


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I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.


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I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.


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I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.


text:
"'As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.


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Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?


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"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.


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Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away,


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I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.


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I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.


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I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.


text:
"'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.


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I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.


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The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.


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They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.


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I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.


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Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.


text:
and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you and make you a desolate waste.


text:
"'Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax,


text:
therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.


text:
I will fill your mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines.


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I will make you desolate forever; your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
"'Because you have said, "These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them," even though I the Lord was there,


text:
therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.


text:
Then you will know that I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour."


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Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord.


text:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, "Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession."'


text:
Therefore prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people's malicious talk and slander,


text:
therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you—


text:
this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.'


text:
Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations.


text:
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.


text:
"'But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.


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and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.


text:
I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


text:
I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because some say to you, "You devour people and deprive your nation of its children,"


text:
therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"


text:
"Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman's monthly uncleanness in my sight.


text:
So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.


text:
I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions.


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And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, 'These are the Lord's people, and yet they had to leave his land.'


text:
I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.


text:
"Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.


text:
I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.


text:
"'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.


text:
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.


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I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.


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Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.


text:
I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you.


text:
I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.


text:
Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.


text:
I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!


text:
"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt.


text:
The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it.


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They will say, "This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited."


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Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.'


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"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel's plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep,


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as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord."


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The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.


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He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.


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Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!


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This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath <n>The Hebrew for this word can also mean [wind] or [spirit] (see verses 6-14).</n> enter you, and you will come to life.


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I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"


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So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.


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I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.


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Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'"


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So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.


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Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.'


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Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.


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Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.


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I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.'"


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"Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, 'Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.' Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, 'Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.'


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say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in Ephraim's hand—and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah's stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.'


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and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.


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I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.


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They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, <n>Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts [all their dwelling places where they sinned]</n> and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.


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"'My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.


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They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children's children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever.


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I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.


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Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.'"


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"Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of <n>Or [the prince of Rosh,]</n> Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him


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and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of <n>Or [Gog, prince of Rosh,]</n> Meshek and Tubal.


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I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.


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Persia, Cush <n>That is, the upper Nile region</n> and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets,


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also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.


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After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.


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You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme.


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You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.


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I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. <n>The Hebrew for this phrase means [the navel of the earth].</n>"


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Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages <n>Or [her strong lions]</n> will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?"'


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"Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it?


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You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.


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You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.


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This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.


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The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.


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I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother.


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I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.


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And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.'


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"Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of <n>Or [Gog, prince of Rosh,]</n> Meshek and Tubal.


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I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.


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On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.


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I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord.


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"'I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.


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It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord. This is the day I have spoken of.


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"'Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up—the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.


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They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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"'On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog. <n>[Hamon Gog] means [hordes of Gog.]</n>


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All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glory will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground. "'After the seven months they will carry out a more detailed search.


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As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog,


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"Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.


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You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fattened animals from Bashan.


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At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk.


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At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign Lord.


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"I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them.


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And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.


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"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob <n>Or [now bring Jacob back from captivity]</n> and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.


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They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid.


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When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.


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Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.


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I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord."


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In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me and he took me there.


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In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.


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He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.


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The man said to me, "Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see."


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【The East Gate to the Outer Court】<br/> I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man's hand was six long cubits, <n>That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verse 12. The long cubit of about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters is the basic unit of measurement of length throughout chapters 40–48.</n> each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.


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Then he went to the east gate. He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate; it was one rod deep.


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The alcoves for the guards were one rod long and one rod wide, and the projecting walls between the alcoves were five cubits <n>That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verse 48</n> thick. And the threshold of the gate next to the portico facing the temple was one rod deep.


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it <n>Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts [gateway facing the temple; it was one rod deep. [9] Then he measured the portico of the gateway; it]</n> was eight cubits <n>That is, about 14 feet or about 4.2 meters</n> deep and its jambs were two cubits <n>That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1 meter</n> thick. The portico of the gateway faced the temple.


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Inside the east gate were three alcoves on each side; the three had the same measurements, and the faces of the projecting walls on each side had the same measurements.


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Then he measured the width of the entrance of the gateway; it was ten cubits and its length was thirteen cubits. <n>That is, about 18 feet wide and 23 feet long or about 5.3 meters wide and 6.9 meters long</n>


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Then he measured the gateway from the top of the rear wall of one alcove to the top of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits <n>That is, about 44 feet or about 13 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 30, 33 and 36</n> from one parapet opening to the opposite one.


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He measured along the faces of the projecting walls all around the inside of the gateway—sixty cubits. <n>That is, about 105 feet or about 32 meters</n> The measurement was up to the portico <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [projecting wall]</n> facing the courtyard. <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.</n>


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The distance from the entrance of the gateway to the far end of its portico was fifty cubits. <n>That is, about 88 feet or about 27 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 33 and 36</n>


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The alcoves and the projecting walls inside the gateway were surmounted by narrow parapet openings all around, as was the portico; the openings all around faced inward. The faces of the projecting walls were decorated with palm trees.


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【The Outer Court】<br/> Then he brought me into the outer court. There I saw some rooms and a pavement that had been constructed all around the court; there were thirty rooms along the pavement.


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It abutted the sides of the gateways and was as wide as they were long; this was the lower pavement.


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Then he measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits <n>That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 23, 27 and 47</n> on the east side as well as on the north.


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【The North Gate】<br/> Then he measured the length and width of the north gate, leading into the outer court.


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Its alcoves—three on each side—its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as those of the first gateway. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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Its openings, its portico and its palm tree decorations had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.


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There was a gate to the inner court facing the north gate, just as there was on the east. He measured from one gate to the opposite one; it was a hundred cubits.


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【The South Gate】<br/> Then he led me to the south side and I saw the south gate. He measured its jambs and its portico, and they had the same measurements as the others.


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The gateway and its portico had narrow openings all around, like the openings of the others. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them; it had palm tree decorations on the faces of the projecting walls on each side.


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The inner court also had a gate facing south, and he measured from this gate to the outer gate on the south side; it was a hundred cubits.


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【The Gates to the Inner Court】<br/> Then he brought me into the inner court through the south gate, and he measured the south gate; it had the same measurements as the others.


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Its alcoves, its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as the others. The gateway and its portico had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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(The porticoes of the gateways around the inner court were twenty-five cubits wide and five cubits deep.)


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Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gateway; it had the same measurements as the others.


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Its portico faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.


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as did its alcoves, its projecting walls and its portico, and it had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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Its portico <n>Septuagint (see also verses 31 and 34); Hebrew [jambs]</n> faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.


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【The Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices】<br/> A room with a doorway was by the portico in each of the inner gateways, where the burnt offerings were washed.


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In the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings <n>Or [purification offerings]</n> and guilt offerings were slaughtered.


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By the outside wall of the portico of the gateway, near the steps at the entrance of the north gateway were two tables, and on the other side of the steps were two tables.


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So there were four tables on one side of the gateway and four on the other—eight tables in all—on which the sacrifices were slaughtered.


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There were also four tables of dressed stone for the burnt offerings, each a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit high. <n>That is, about 2 2/3 feet long and wide and 21 inches high or about 80 centimeters long and wide and 53 centimeters high</n> On them were placed the utensils for slaughtering the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices.


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And double-pronged hooks, each a handbreadth <n>That is, about 3 1/2 inches or about 9 centimeters</n> long, were attached to the wall all around. The tables were for the flesh of the offerings.


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【The Rooms for the Priests】<br/> Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, were two rooms, one <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [were rooms for singers, which were]</n> at the side of the north gate and facing south, and another at the side of the south <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [east]</n> gate and facing north.


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and the room facing north is for the priests who guard the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, who are the only Levites who may draw near to the Lord to minister before him."


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Then he measured the court: It was square—a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in front of the temple.


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He brought me to the portico of the temple and measured the jambs of the portico; they were five cubits wide on either side. The width of the entrance was fourteen cubits <n>That is, about 25 feet or about 7.4 meters</n> and its projecting walls were <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [entrance was]</n> three cubits <n>That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.6 meters</n> wide on either side.


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The portico was twenty cubits <n>That is, about 35 feet or about 11 meters</n> wide, and twelve <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [eleven]</n> cubits <n>That is, about 21 feet or about 6.4 meters</n> from front to back. It was reached by a flight of stairs, <n>Hebrew; Septuagint [Ten steps led up to it]</n> and there were pillars on each side of the jambs.


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Then the man brought me to the main hall and measured the jambs; the width of the jambs was six cubits <n>That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verses 3, 5 and 8</n> on each side. <n>One Hebrew manuscript and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts [side, the width of the tent]</n>


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The entrance was ten cubits <n>That is, about 18 feet or about 5.3 meters</n> wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were five cubits <n>That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verses 9, 11 and 12</n> wide. He also measured the main hall; it was forty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. <n>That is, about 70 feet long and 35 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 11 meters wide</n>


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Then he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the jambs of the entrance; each was two cubits <n>That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1.1 meters; also in verse 22</n> wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were seven cubits <n>That is, about 12 feet or about 3.7 meters</n> wide.


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And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the main hall. He said to me, "This is the Most Holy Place."


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Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits <n>That is, about 7 feet or about 2.1 meters</n> wide.


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The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple.


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The side rooms all around the temple were wider at each successive level. The structure surrounding the temple was built in ascending stages, so that the rooms widened as one went upward. A stairway went up from the lowest floor to the top floor through the middle floor.


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I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, forming the foundation of the side rooms. It was the length of the rod, six long cubits.


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The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick. The open area between the side rooms of the temple


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There were entrances to the side rooms from the open area, one on the north and another on the south; and the base adjoining the open area was five cubits wide all around.


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The building facing the temple courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits <n>That is, about 123 feet or about 37 meters</n> wide. The wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length was ninety cubits. <n>That is, about 158 feet or about 48 meters</n>


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Then he measured the temple; it was a hundred cubits <n>That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 14 and 15</n> long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long.


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The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits.


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Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The main hall, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court,


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as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and galleries around the three of them—everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered.


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In the space above the outside of the entrance to the inner sanctuary and on the walls at regular intervals all around the inner and outer sanctuary


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were carved cherubim and palm trees. Palm trees alternated with cherubim. Each cherub had two faces:


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the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple.


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From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the main hall.


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The main hall had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar.


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There was a wooden altar three cubits <n>That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.5 meters</n> high and two cubits square <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [long]</n>; its corners, its base <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [length]</n> and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, "This is the table that is before the Lord."


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And on the doors of the main hall were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and there was a wooden overhang on the front of the portico.


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On the sidewalls of the portico were narrow windows with palm trees carved on each side. The side rooms of the temple also had overhangs.


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Then the man led me northward into the outer court and brought me to the rooms opposite the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall on the north side.


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The building whose door faced north was a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide. <n>That is, about 175 feet long and 88 feet wide or about 53 meters long and 27 meters wide</n>


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Both in the section twenty cubits <n>That is, about 35 feet or about 11 meters</n> from the inner court and in the section opposite the pavement of the outer court, gallery faced gallery at the three levels.


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In front of the rooms was an inner passageway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits <n>Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew [and one cubit]</n> long. <n>That is, about 18 feet wide and 175 feet long or about 5.3 meters wide and 53 meters long</n> Their doors were on the north.


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Now the upper rooms were narrower, for the galleries took more space from them than from the rooms on the lower and middle floors of the building.


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The rooms on the top floor had no pillars, as the courts had; so they were smaller in floor space than those on the lower and middle floors.


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There was an outer wall parallel to the rooms and the outer court; it extended in front of the rooms for fifty cubits.


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While the row of rooms on the side next to the outer court was fifty cubits long, the row on the side nearest the sanctuary was a hundred cubits long.


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On the south side <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [Eastward]</n> along the length of the wall of the outer court, adjoining the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall, were rooms


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with a passageway in front of them. These were like the rooms on the north; they had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions. Similar to the doorways on the north


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were the doorways of the rooms on the south. There was a doorway at the beginning of the passageway that was parallel to the corresponding wall extending eastward, by which one enters the rooms.


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Then he said to me, "The north and south rooms facing the temple courtyard are the priests' rooms, where the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will put the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, the sin offerings <n>Or [purification offerings]</n> and the guilt offerings—for the place is holy.


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Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people."


text:
When he had finished measuring what was inside the temple area, he led me out by the east gate and measured the area all around:


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He measured the east side with the measuring rod; it was five hundred cubits. <n>See Septuagint of verse 17; Hebrew [rods]; also in verses 18 and 19.</n> <n>Five hundred cubits equal about 875 feet or about 265 meters; also in verses 17, 18 and 19.</n>


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He measured the north side; it was five hundred cubits <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [rods]</n> by the measuring rod.


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So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.


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and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.


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The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he <n>Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts [I]</n> came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.


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Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.


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He said: "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings <n>Or [the memorial monuments]; also in verse 9</n> for their kings at their death. <n>Or [their high places]</n>


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When they placed their threshold next to my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them, they defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger.


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Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.


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"Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider its perfection,


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and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design and all its regulations <n>Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts [regulations and its whole design]</n> and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.


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"This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.


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"These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits, <n>That is, about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters; also in verses 14 and 17. The long cubit is the basic unit for linear measurement throughout Ezekiel 40–48.</n> that cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth: Its gutter is a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span <n>That is, about 11 inches or about 27 centimeters</n> around the edge. And this is the height of the altar:


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From the gutter on the ground up to the lower ledge that goes around the altar it is two cubits high, and the ledge is a cubit wide. <n>That is, about 3 1/2 feet high and 1 3/4 feet wide or about 105 centimeters high and 53 centimeters wide</n> From this lower ledge to the upper ledge that goes around the altar it is four cubits high, and that ledge is also a cubit wide. <n>That is, about 7 feet high and 1 3/4 feet wide or about 2.1 meters high and 53 centimeters wide</n>


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The altar hearth is square, twelve cubits <n>That is, about 21 feet or about 6.4 meters</n> long and twelve cubits wide.


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The upper ledge also is square, fourteen cubits <n>That is, about 25 feet or about 7.4 meters</n> long and fourteen cubits wide. All around the altar is a gutter of one cubit with a rim of half a cubit. <n>That is, about 11 inches or about 27 centimeters</n> The steps of the altar face east."


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Then he said to me, "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and splashing blood against the altar when it is built:


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You are to give a young bull as a sin offering <n>Or [purification offering]; also in verses 21, 22 and 25</n> to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who come near to minister before me, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it.


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You are to take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the designated part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.


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"On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified as it was purified with the bull.


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When you have finished purifying it, you are to offer a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.


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You are to offer them before the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord.


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"For seven days you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering; you are also to provide a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.


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At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Sovereign Lord."


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Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut.


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The Lord said to me, "This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.


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The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the Lord. He is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way."


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Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the Lord filling the temple of the Lord, and I fell facedown.


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The Lord said to me, "Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations and instructions regarding the temple of the Lord. Give attention to the entrance to the temple and all the exits of the sanctuary.


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Say to rebellious Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough of your detestable practices, people of Israel!


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In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant.


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Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary.


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This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.


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"'The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin.


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They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.


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But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the people of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices.


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"'But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and serve me as guards.


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"'When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.


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They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.


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When they go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so that the people are not consecrated through contact with their garments.


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"'They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.


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They must not marry widows or divorced women; they may marry only virgins of Israelite descent or widows of priests.


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They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.


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"'In any dispute, the priests are to serve as judges and decide it according to my ordinances. They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed festivals, and they are to keep my Sabbaths holy.


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"'A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person; however, if the dead person was his father or mother, son or daughter, brother or unmarried sister, then he may defile himself.


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On the day he goes into the inner court of the sanctuary to minister in the sanctuary, he is to offer a sin offering <n>Or [purification offering]; also in verse 29</n> for himself, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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"'I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.


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They will eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings and the guilt offerings; and everything in Israel devoted <n>The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord.</n> to the Lord will belong to them.


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The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.


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"'When you allot the land as an inheritance, you are to present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits <n>That is, about 8 miles or about 13 kilometers; also in verses 3, 5 and 6</n> long and 20,000 cubits <n>That is, about 6 1/2 miles or about 11 kilometers</n> wide; the entire area will be holy.


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Of this, a section 500 cubits <n>That is, about 875 feet or about 265 meters</n> square is to be for the sanctuary, with 50 cubits <n>That is, about 88 feet or about 27 meters</n> around it for open land.


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In the sacred district, measure off a section 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits <n>That is, about 3 1/3 miles or about 5.3 kilometers; also in verse 5</n> wide. In it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place.


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It will be the sacred portion of the land for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and who draw near to minister before the Lord. It will be a place for their houses as well as a holy place for the sanctuary.


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An area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide will belong to the Levites, who serve in the temple, as their possession for towns to live in. <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [temple; they will have as their possession 20 rooms]</n>


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"'You are to give the city as its property an area 5,000 cubits <n>That is, about 1 2/3 miles or about 2.7 kilometers</n> wide and 25,000 cubits long, adjoining the sacred portion; it will belong to all Israel.


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"'The prince will have the land bordering each side of the area formed by the sacred district and the property of the city. It will extend westward from the west side and eastward from the east side, running lengthwise from the western to the eastern border parallel to one of the tribal portions.


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This land will be his possession in Israel. And my princes will no longer oppress my people but will allow the people of Israel to possess the land according to their tribes.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah <n>An ephah was a dry measure having the capacity of about 3/5 bushel or about 22 liters.</n> and an accurate bath. <n>A bath was a liquid measure equaling about 6 gallons or about 22 liters.</n>


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The ephah and the bath are to be the same size, the bath containing a tenth of a homer and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer is to be the standard measure for both.


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The shekel <n>A shekel weighed about 2/5 ounce or about 12 grams.</n> is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one mina. <n>That is, 60 shekels; the common mina was 50 shekels. Sixty shekels were about 1 1/2 pounds or about 690 grams.</n>


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"'This is the special gift you are to offer: a sixth of an ephah <n>That is, probably about 6 pounds or about 2.7 kilograms</n> from each homer of wheat and a sixth of an ephah <n>That is, probably about 5 pounds or about 2.3 kilograms</n> from each homer of barley.


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The prescribed portion of olive oil, measured by the bath, is a tenth of a bath <n>That is, about 2 1/2 quarts or about 2.2 liters</n> from each cor (which consists of ten baths or one homer, for ten baths are equivalent to a homer).


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Also one sheep is to be taken from every flock of two hundred from the well-watered pastures of Israel. These will be used for the grain offerings, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to make atonement for the people, declares the Sovereign Lord.


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It will be the duty of the prince to provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings at the festivals, the New Moons and the Sabbaths—at all the appointed festivals of Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, <n>Or [purification offerings]; also in verses 19, 22, 23 and 25</n> grain offerings, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to make atonement for the Israelites.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In the first month on the first day you are to take a young bull without defect and purify the sanctuary.


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The priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the upper ledge of the altar and on the gateposts of the inner court.


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You are to do the same on the seventh day of the month for anyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance; so you are to make atonement for the temple.


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"'In the first month on the fourteenth day you are to observe the Passover, a festival lasting seven days, during which you shall eat bread made without yeast.


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On that day the prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land.


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Every day during the seven days of the festival he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a burnt offering to the Lord, and a male goat for a sin offering.


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He is to provide as a grain offering an ephah for each bull and an ephah for each ram, along with a hin <n>That is, about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters</n> of olive oil for each ephah.


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"'During the seven days of the festival, which begins in the seventh month on the fifteenth day, he is to make the same provision for sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings and oil.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened.


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The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening.


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On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to worship in the presence of the Lord at the entrance of that gateway.


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The burnt offering the prince brings to the Lord on the Sabbath day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect.


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The grain offering given with the ram is to be an ephah, <n>That is, probably about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms; also in verses 7 and 11</n> and the grain offering with the lambs is to be as much as he pleases, along with a hin <n>That is, about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters; also in verses 7 and 11</n> of olive oil for each ephah.


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He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he wants to give, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.


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When the prince enters, he is to go in through the portico of the gateway, and he is to come out the same way.


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"'When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.


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At the feasts and the appointed festivals, the grain offering is to be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and with the lambs as much as he pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.


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"'When the prince provides a freewill offering to the Lord—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.


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"'Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord; morning by morning you shall provide it.


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You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah <n>That is, probably about 6 pounds or about 2.7 kilograms</n> with a third of a hin <n>That is, about 1 1/2 quarts or about 1.3 liters</n> of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the Lord is a lasting ordinance.


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So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.


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"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance.


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If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs.


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The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that not one of my people will be separated from their property.'"


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Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end.


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He said to me, "This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering <n>Or [purification offering]</n> and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people."


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He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court.


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In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n> courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide; <n>That is, about 70 feet long and 53 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 16 meters wide</n> each of the courts in the four corners was the same size.


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Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge.


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He said to me, "These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people."


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The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.


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He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.


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As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits <n>That is, about 1,700 feet or about 530 meters</n> and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.


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He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.


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He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.


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He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, <n>Or [the Jordan Valley]</n> where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.


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Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.


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Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.


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Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing."


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This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph.


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You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land will become your inheritance.


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"This is to be the boundary of the land: "On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad,


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Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran.


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The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, <n>Hebrew [Enon,] a variant of [Enan]</n> along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.


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"On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. <n>See Syriac; Hebrew [Israel. You will measure to the Dead Sea.]</n> This will be the eastern boundary.


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"On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary.


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"On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.


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You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.


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In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance," declares the Sovereign Lord.


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"These are the tribes, listed by name: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion; it will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo Hamath; Hazar Enan and the northern border of Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border from the east side to the west side.


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"Bordering the territory of Judah from east to west will be the portion you are to present as a special gift. It will be 25,000 cubits <n>That is, about 8 miles or about 13 kilometers; also in verses 9, 10, 13, 15, 20 and 21</n> wide, and its length from east to west will equal one of the tribal portions; the sanctuary will be in the center of it.


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"The special portion you are to offer to the Lord will be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits <n>That is, about 3 1/3 miles or about 5.3 kilometers; also in verses 10, 13 and 18</n> wide.


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This will be the sacred portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord.


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This will be for the consecrated priests, the Zadokites, who were faithful in serving me and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray.


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It will be a special gift to them from the sacred portion of the land, a most holy portion, bordering the territory of the Levites.


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"Alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites will have an allotment 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. Its total length will be 25,000 cubits and its width 10,000 cubits.


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They must not sell or exchange any of it. This is the best of the land and must not pass into other hands, because it is holy to the Lord.


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"The remaining area, 5,000 cubits <n>That is, about 1 2/3 miles or about 2.7 kilometers</n> wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for the common use of the city, for houses and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it


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and will have these measurements: the north side 4,500 cubits, <n>That is, about 1 1/2 miles or about 2.4 kilometers; also in verses 30, 32, 33 and 34</n> the south side 4,500 cubits, the east side 4,500 cubits, and the west side 4,500 cubits.


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The pastureland for the city will be 250 cubits <n>That is, about 440 feet or about 135 meters</n> on the north, 250 cubits on the south, 250 cubits on the east, and 250 cubits on the west.


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What remains of the area, bordering on the sacred portion and running the length of it, will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.


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The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits on each side. As a special gift you will set aside the sacred portion, along with the property of the city.


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"What remains on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and the property of the city will belong to the prince. It will extend eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the sacred portion to the eastern border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the western border. Both these areas running the length of the tribal portions will belong to the prince, and the sacred portion with the temple sanctuary will be in the center of them.


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So the property of the Levites and the property of the city will lie in the center of the area that belongs to the prince. The area belonging to the prince will lie between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin.


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"As for the rest of the tribes: Benjamin will have one portion; it will extend from the east side to the west side.


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"The southern boundary of Gad will run south from Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.


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"This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions," declares the Sovereign Lord.


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the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi.


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"On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin and the gate of Dan.


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"On the south side, which measures 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar and the gate of Zebulun.


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"On the west side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher and the gate of Naphtali.


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"The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. <n>That is, about 6 miles or about 9.5 kilometers</n> "And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there."


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In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.


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And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia <n>Hebrew [Shinar]</n> and put in the treasure house of his god.


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Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—


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young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n>


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The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.


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The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.


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But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.


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but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your <n>The Hebrew for [your] and [you] in this verse is plural.</n> food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you."


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Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,


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Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see."


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At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.


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So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.


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To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.


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At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.


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The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service.


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In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.


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In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep.


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So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verses 4, 5 and 10</n> to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king,


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he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means. <n>Or [was]</n>"


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Then the astrologers answered the king, <n>At this point the Hebrew text has [in Aramaic], indicating that the text from here through the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic.</n> "May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it."


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The king replied to the astrologers, "This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble.


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But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me."


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Then the king answered, "I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:


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If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me."


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The astrologers answered the king, "There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.


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What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans."


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This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon.


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So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.


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When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.


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He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.


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At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.


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Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.


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He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.


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During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven


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He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.


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I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."


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Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him."


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Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means."


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The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"


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Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,


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but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:


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"As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.


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As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.


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"Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance.


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The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,


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While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.


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Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.


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Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory;


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in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.


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"After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.


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Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.


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Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay.


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As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.


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And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.


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"In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.


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This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy."


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Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.


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The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."


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Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.


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Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.


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King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, <n>That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide</n> and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.


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He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.


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So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.


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Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:


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As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.


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Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


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Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,


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But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."


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Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,


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and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?


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Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"


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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.


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If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us <n>Or [If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and]</n> from Your Majesty's hand.


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But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."


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Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual


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and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.


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So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.


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The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,


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Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty."


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He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."


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Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,


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and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.


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Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.


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Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."


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King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly!


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It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.


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How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.


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I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.


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When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers <n>Or [Chaldeans]</n> and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.


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Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)


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I said, "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.


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These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.


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The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.


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Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.


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"In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, <n>Or [watchman]; also in verses 17 and 23</n> coming down from heaven.


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He called in a loud voice: 'Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.


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But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. "'Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.


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Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times <n>Or [years]; also in verses 23, 25 and 32</n> pass by for him.


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"'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.'


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"This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."


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Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you." Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!


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The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,


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with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds—


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Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.


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"Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.'


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"This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king:


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You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.


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The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.


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Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."


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he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"


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Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.


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You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes."


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Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.


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At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.


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All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"


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At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.


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Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.


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While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father <n>Or [ancestor]; or [predecessor]; also in verses 11, 13 and 18</n> had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.


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So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them.


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Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.


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His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.


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The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers <n>Or [Chaldeans]; also in verse 11</n> and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."


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Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.


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The queen, <n>Or [queen mother]</n> hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. "May the king live forever!" she said. "Don't be alarmed! Don't look so pale!


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There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.


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He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."


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So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?


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I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.


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The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.


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Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."


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Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.


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"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.


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Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.


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But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.


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He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.


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"But you, Belshazzar, his son, <n>Or [descendant]; or [successor]</n> have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.


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Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.


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"Here is what these words mean: <i>Mene</i> <n>[Mene] can mean [numbered] or [mina] (a unit of money).</n>: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.


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<i>Tekel</i> <n>[Tekel] can mean [weighed] or [shekel.]</n>: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.


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<i>Peres</i> <n>[Peres] (the singular of [Parsin]) can mean [divided] or [Persia] or [a half mina] or [a half shekel.]</n>: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians."


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Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.


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with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.


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Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.


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At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.


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Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."


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So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: "May King Darius live forever!


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The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions' den.


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Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."


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Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.


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So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions' den?" The king answered, "The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."


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Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day."


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When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.


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Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, "Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."


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So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"


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A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.


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Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.


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When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"


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My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."


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The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.


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At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.


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Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: "May you prosper greatly!


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"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.


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He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."


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So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus <n>Or [Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus]</n> the Persian.


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In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.


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Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.


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"The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.


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"And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'


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"After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.


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"After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.


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"While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.


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"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.


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A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.


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"Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.


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(The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)


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"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, <n>The Aramaic phrase [bar enash] means [human being]. The phrase [son of man] is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.</n> coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.


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He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.


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I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. "So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:


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But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.'


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"Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.


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I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.


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until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.


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"He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.


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The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.


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He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. <n>Or [for a year, two years and half a year]</n>


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Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'


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"This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."


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In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me.


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In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal.


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I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later.


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I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great.


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As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.


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It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage.


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I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power.


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The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.


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Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.


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It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.


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It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.


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Because of rebellion, the Lord's people <n>Or [rebellion, the armies]</n> and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.


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Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, "How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord's people?"


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He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."


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While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.


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And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."


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As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. "Son of man," <n>The Hebrew phrase [ben adam] means [human being]. The phrase [son of man] is retained as a form of address here because of its possible association with "Son of Man" in the New Testament.</n> he said to me, "understand that the vision concerns the time of the end."


text:
While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.


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He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. <n>Or [because the end will be at the appointed time]</n>


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The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.


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"In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise.


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He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.


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He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.


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"The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future."


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I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.


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In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes <n>Hebrew [Ahasuerus]</n> (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian <n>Or [Chaldean]</n> kingdom—


text:
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.


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So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.


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I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: "Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,


text:
we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.


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We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.


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"Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.


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We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.


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All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.


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You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.


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Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.


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The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.


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"Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.


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Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.


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"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.


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Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.


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Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."


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While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill—


text:
while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.


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As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:


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"Seventy 'sevens' <n>Or ['weeks']; also in verses 25 and 26</n> are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish <n>Or [restrain]</n> transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. <n>Or [the most holy One]</n>


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"Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, <n>Or [an anointed one]; also in verse 26</n> the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.


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After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. <n>Or [death and will have no one]; or [death, but not for himself]</n> The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.


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He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' <n>Or ['week']</n> In the middle of the 'seven' <n>Or ['week']</n> he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple <n>Septuagint and Theodotion; Hebrew [wing]</n> he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. <n>Or [it]</n>" <n>Or [And one who causes desolation will come upon the wing of the abominable temple, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city]</n>


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In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. <n>Or [true and burdensome]</n> The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.


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I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.


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On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,


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I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.


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His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.


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I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.


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So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.


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Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.


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He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.


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Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.


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But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.


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Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."


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Then one who looked like a man <n>Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint [Then something that looked like a human hand]</n> touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.


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"Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."


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So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;


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but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.


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"Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.


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After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.


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"The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.


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After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power <n>Or [offspring]</n> will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father <n>Or [child] (see Vulgate and Syriac)</n> and the one who supported her.


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"One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.


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He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.


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Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.


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His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress.


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"Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.


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When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant.


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For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.


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"In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.


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Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand.


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The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.


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He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans <n>Or [but she]</n> will not succeed or help him.


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Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.


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After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.


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"His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.


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"He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.


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Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.


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After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.


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When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.


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"With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.


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Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.


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The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.


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The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.


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"At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.


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Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.


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"His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.


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With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.


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"Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.


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Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.


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"The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.


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He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.


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Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.


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He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. <n>Or [land for a reward]</n>


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"At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.


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He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.


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He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites <n>That is, people from the upper Nile region</n> in submission.


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But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many.


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He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at <n>Or [the sea and]</n> the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.


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"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.


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Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.


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Those who are wise <n>Or [who impart wisdom]</n> will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.


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But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."


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Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.


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One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"


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The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. <n>Or [a year, two years and half a year]</n> When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."


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He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.


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Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.


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"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.


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"As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."


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The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash <n>Hebrew [Joash,] a variant of [Jehoash]</n> king of Israel:


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When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord."


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Then the Lord said to Hosea, "Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.


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Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, "Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means "not loved"), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them.


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Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them."


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Then the Lord said, "Call him Lo-Ammi (which means "not my people"), for you are not my people, and I am not your God. <n>Or [your I am]</n>


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"Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'children of the living God.'


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The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.


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"Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.


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Otherwise I will strip her naked and make her as bare as on the day she was born; I will make her like a desert, turn her into a parched land, and slay her with thirst.


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Their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my olive oil and my drink.'


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Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.


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She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.'


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She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold— which they used for Baal.


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"Therefore I will take away my grain when it ripens, and my new wine when it is ready. I will take back my wool and my linen, intended to cover her naked body.


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So now I will expose her lewdness before the eyes of her lovers; no one will take her out of my hands.


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I will stop all her celebrations: her yearly festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbath days—all her appointed festivals.


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I will ruin her vines and her fig trees, which she said were her pay from her lovers; I will make them a thicket, and wild animals will devour them.


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I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals; she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but me she forgot," declares the Lord.


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"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.


text:
There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor <n>[Achor] means [trouble.]</n> a door of hope. There she will respond <n>Or [sing]</n> as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.


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"In that day," declares the Lord, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master. <n>Hebrew [baal]</n>'


text:
In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.


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I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in <n>Or [with]</n> righteousness and justice, in <n>Or [with]</n> love and compassion.


text:
"In that day I will respond," declares the Lord— "I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth;


text:
and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. <n>[Jezreel] means [God plants.]</n>


text:
I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'"


text:
The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."


text:
So I bought her for fifteen shekels <n>That is, about 6 ounces or about 170 grams</n> of silver and about a homer and a lethek <n>A homer and a lethek possibly weighed about 430 pounds or about 195 kilograms.</n> of barley.


text:
Then I told her, "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you."


text:
For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods.


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Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.


text:
Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.


text:
There is only cursing, <n>That is, to pronounce a curse on</n> lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.


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Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.


text:
"But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.


text:
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.


text:
The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God <n>Syriac (see also an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition); Masoretic Text [me; / I will exchange their glory]</n> for something disgraceful.


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And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.


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"They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not flourish, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves


text:
My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner's rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.


text:
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.


text:
"I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes— a people without understanding will come to ruin!


text:
"Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. "Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. <n>[Beth Aven] means [house of wickedness] (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means [house of God]).</n> And do not swear, 'As surely as the Lord lives!'


text:
The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow?


text:
Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways.


text:
"Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen, royal house! This judgment is against you: You have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.


text:
I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt.


text:
"Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.


text:
Israel's arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them.


text:
When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.


text:
They are unfaithful to the Lord; they give birth to illegitimate children. When they celebrate their New Moon feasts, he will devour <n>Or [Now their New Moon feasts / will devour them and]</n> their fields.


text:
"Sound the trumpet in Gibeah, the horn in Ramah. Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven <n>[Beth Aven] means [house of wickedness] (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means [house of God]).</n>; lead on, Benjamin.


text:
Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain.


text:
Judah's leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water.


text:
Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols. <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n>


text:
"When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores.


text:
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.


text:
Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me."


text:
"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.


text:
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.


text:
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."


text:
"What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.


text:
Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun. <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.</n>


text:
As at Adam, <n>Or [Like Adam]; or [Like human beings]</n> they have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there.


text:
As marauders lie in ambush for a victim, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, carrying out their wicked schemes.


text:
whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets;


text:
but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.


text:
They are all adulterers, burning like an oven whose fire the baker need not stir from the kneading of the dough till it rises.


text:
On the day of the festival of our king the princes become inflamed with wine, and he joins hands with the mockers.


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Their hearts are like an oven; they approach him with intrigue. Their passion smolders all night; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.


text:
All of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. All their kings fall, and none of them calls on me.


text:
Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.


text:
Israel's arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him.


text:
"Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.


text:
When they go, I will throw my net over them; I will pull them down like the birds in the sky. When I hear them flocking together, I will catch them.


text:
Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.


text:
They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves, <n>Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts [They gather together]</n> appealing to their gods for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.


text:
They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.


text:
"Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.


text:
They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction.


text:
Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?


text:
They are from Israel! This calf—a metalworker has made it; it is not God. It will be broken in pieces, that calf of Samaria.


text:
"They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.


text:
For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.


text:
Although they have sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them together. They will begin to waste away under the oppression of the mighty king.


text:
Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the Lord is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.


text:
Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses."


text:
Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor.


text:
They will not remain in the Lord's land; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.


text:
They will not pour out wine offerings to the Lord, nor will their sacrifices please him. Such sacrifices will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat them will be unclean. This food will be for themselves; it will not come into the temple of the Lord.


text:
Even if they escape from destruction, Egypt will gather them, and Memphis will bury them. Their treasures of silver will be taken over by briers, and thorns will overrun their tents.


text:
The days of punishment are coming, the days of reckoning are at hand. Let Israel know this. Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac.


text:
The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, <n>Or [The prophet is the watchman over Ephraim, / the people of my God]</n> yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.


text:
They have sunk deep into corruption, as in the days of Gibeah. God will remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.


text:
"When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.


text:
Even if they rear children, I will bereave them of every one. Woe to them when I turn away from them!


text:
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But Ephraim will bring out their children to the slayer."


text:
"Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.


text:
Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay their cherished offspring."


text:
Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.


text:
Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.


text:
Then they will say, "We have no king because we did not revere the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?"


text:
They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.


text:
The people who live in Samaria fear for the calf-idol of Beth Aven. <n>[Beth Aven] means [house of wickedness] (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means [house of God]).</n> Its people will mourn over it, and so will its idolatrous priests, those who had rejoiced over its splendor, because it is taken from them into exile.


text:
It will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced; Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.


text:
The high places of wickedness <n>Hebrew [aven,] a reference to Beth Aven (a derogatory name for Bethel); see verse 5.</n> will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"


text:
"Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel, and there you have remained. <n>Or [there a stand was taken]</n> Will not war again overtake the evildoers in Gibeah?


text:
When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin.


text:
Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will drive Ephraim, Judah must plow, and Jacob must break up the ground.


text:
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.


text:
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,


text:
the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated— as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.


text:
So will it happen to you, Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.


text:
But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. <n>Septuagint; Hebrew [them]</n> They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.


text:
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.


text:
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.


text:
A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans.


text:
My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.


text:
"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.


text:
I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.


text:
They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.


text:
They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes," declares the Lord.


text:
Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.


text:
Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.


text:
The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob <n>[Jacob] means [he grasps the heel], a Hebrew idiom for [he takes advantage of] or [he deceives].</n> according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.


text:
He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there—


text:
Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin."


text:
"I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed festivals.


text:
Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.


text:
Jacob fled to the country of Aram <n>That is, Northwest Mesopotamia</n>; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.


text:
But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger; his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.


text:
When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.


text:
Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, "They offer human sacrifices! They kiss <n>Or ["Men who sacrifice / kiss]</n> calf-idols!"


text:
Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.


text:
"But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.


text:
When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.


text:
Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open; like a lion I will devour them— a wild animal will tear them apart.


text:
Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'?


text:
Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he doesn't have the sense to come out of the womb.


text:
"I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? "I will have no compassion,


text:
even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.


text:
The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open."


text:
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. <n>Or [offer our lips as sacrifices of bulls]</n>


text:
Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."


text:
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;


text:
his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.


text:
People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.


text:
Ephraim, what more have I <n>Or Hebrew; Septuagint [What more has Ephraim]</n> to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me."


text:
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.


text:
Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors?


text:
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.


text:
What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts <n>The precise meaning of the four Hebrew words used here for locusts is uncertain.</n> have eaten.


text:
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips.


text:
A nation has invaded my land, a mighty army without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness.


text:
It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white.


text:
Grain offerings and drink offerings are cut off from the house of the Lord. The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord.


text:
The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the olive oil fails.


text:
Despair, you farmers, wail, you vine growers; grieve for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field is destroyed.


text:
The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple <n>Or possibly [apricot]</n> tree— all the trees of the field—are dried up. Surely the people's joy is withered away.


text:
Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.


text:
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.


text:
Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. <n>Hebrew [Shaddai]</n>


text:
The seeds are shriveled beneath the clods. <n>The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.</n> The storehouses are in ruins, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up.


text:
How the cattle moan! The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering.


text:
To you, Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.


text:
Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness.


text:
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—


text:
a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come.


text:
Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste— nothing escapes them.


text:
With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle.


text:
They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course.


text:
They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks.


text:
They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows.


text:
Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine.


text:
The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?


text:
"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."


text:
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.


text:
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.


text:
Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.


text:
Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"


text:
The Lord replied <n>Or [Lord will be jealous … / and take pity … / [19] The Lord will reply]</n> to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.


text:
"I will drive the northern horde far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land; its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea. And its stench will go up; its smell will rise." Surely he has done great things!


text:
Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.


text:
Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.


text:
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm <n>The precise meaning of the four Hebrew words used here for locusts is uncertain.</n>— my great army that I sent among you.


text:
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.


text:
Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.


text:
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.


text:
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.


text:
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.


text:
I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. <n>[Jehoshaphat] means [the Lord judges]; also in verse 12.</n> There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.


text:
"Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done.


text:
For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples. <n>Or [palaces]</n>


text:
You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.


text:
"See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done.


text:
I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away." The Lord has spoken.


text:
Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.


text:
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!"


text:
"Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.


text:
Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!"


text:
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.


text:
The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.


text:
"Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.


text:
"In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord's house and will water the valley of acacias. <n>Or [Valley of Shittim]</n>


text:
But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.


