Holman Christian Standard Bible (249 page)
Read Holman Christian Standard Bible Online
Authors: B&H Publishing Group
5
“Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:
6
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or come near a woman during her menstrual impurity.
7
He doesn't oppress anyone but returns his collateral to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
8
He doesn't lend at interest or for profit but keeps his hand from wrongdoing and carries out true justice between men.
9
He follows My statutes and keeps My ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
“Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:
6
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or come near a woman during her menstrual impurity.
7
He doesn't oppress anyone but returns his collateral to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
8
He doesn't lend at interest or for profit but keeps his hand from wrongdoing and carries out true justice between men.
9
He follows My statutes and keeps My ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
10
“Now suppose the man has a violent son, who sheds blood and does any of these things,
11
though the father has done none of them. Indeed, when the son eats at the mountain shrines and defiles his neighbor's wife,
12
and when he oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, and does not return collateral, and when he raises his eyes to the idols, commits detestable acts,
13
and lends at interest or for profit, will he live? He will not live! Since he has committed all these detestable acts, he will certainly die. His blood will be on him.
“Now suppose the man has a violent son, who sheds blood and does any of these things,
11
though the father has done none of them. Indeed, when the son eats at the mountain shrines and defiles his neighbor's wife,
12
and when he oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, and does not return collateral, and when he raises his eyes to the idols, commits detestable acts,
13
and lends at interest or for profit, will he live? He will not live! Since he has committed all these detestable acts, he will certainly die. His blood will be on him.
14
“Now suppose he has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, and though he sees them, he does not do likewise.
15
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife.
16
He doesn't oppress anyone, hold collateral, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
17
He keeps his hand from harming the poor, not taking interest or profit on a loan. He practices My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a person will not die for his father's iniquity. He will certainly live.
“Now suppose he has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, and though he sees them, he does not do likewise.
15
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife.
16
He doesn't oppress anyone, hold collateral, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
17
He keeps his hand from harming the poor, not taking interest or profit on a loan. He practices My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a person will not die for his father's iniquity. He will certainly live.
18
“As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity because he practiced fraud, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people.
19
But you may ask, ‘Why doesn't the son suffer punishment for the father's iniquity? ' Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will certainly live.
20
The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won't suffer punishment for the father's iniquity, and a father won't suffer punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him.
“As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity because he practiced fraud, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people.
19
But you may ask, ‘Why doesn't the son suffer punishment for the father's iniquity? ' Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will certainly live.
20
The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won't suffer punishment for the father's iniquity, and a father won't suffer punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him.
21
“Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die.
22
None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced.
23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “Instead, don't I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?
24
But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.
“Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die.
22
None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced.
23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “Instead, don't I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?
24
But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.
25
“But you say, ‘The Lord's way isn't fair.' Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair?
26
When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has practiced.
27
But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life.
28
He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die.
29
But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord's way isn't fair.' Is it My ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair?
“But you say, ‘The Lord's way isn't fair.' Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair?
26
When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has practiced.
27
But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life.
28
He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die.
29
But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord's way isn't fair.' Is it My ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair?
30
“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.
31
Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel?
32
For I take no pleasure in anyone's death.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “So repent and live!
“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.
31
Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel?
32
For I take no pleasure in anyone's death.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
. “So repent and live!
Ezekiel
A Lament for Israel's Princes
19
“Now, lament for the princes of Israel
2
and say:
“Now, lament for the princes of Israel
2
and say:
What was your mother? A lioness!
She lay down among the lions;
she reared her cubs among the young lions.
3
She brought up one of her cubs,
and he became a young lion.
After he learned to tear prey,
he devoured people.
4
When the nations heard about him,
he was caught in their pit.
Then they led him away with hooks
to the land of Egypt.
She lay down among the lions;
she reared her cubs among the young lions.
3
She brought up one of her cubs,
and he became a young lion.
After he learned to tear prey,
he devoured people.
4
When the nations heard about him,
he was caught in their pit.
Then they led him away with hooks
to the land of Egypt.
5
When she saw that she waited in vain,
that her hope was lost,
she took another of her cubs
and made him a young lion.
6
He prowled among the lions,
and he became a young lion.
After he learned to tear prey,
he devoured people.
7
He devastated their strongholds
and destroyed their cities.
The land and everything in it shuddered
at the sound of his roaring.
8
Then the nations from the surrounding provinces
set out against him.
They spread their net over him;
he was caught in their pit.
9
They put a wooden yoke on him with hooks
and led him away to the king of Babylon.
They brought him into the fortresses
so his roar could no longer be heard
on the mountains of Israel.
When she saw that she waited in vain,
that her hope was lost,
she took another of her cubs
and made him a young lion.
6
He prowled among the lions,
and he became a young lion.
After he learned to tear prey,
he devoured people.
7
He devastated their strongholds
and destroyed their cities.
The land and everything in it shuddered
at the sound of his roaring.
8
Then the nations from the surrounding provinces
set out against him.
They spread their net over him;
he was caught in their pit.
9
They put a wooden yoke on him with hooks
and led him away to the king of Babylon.
They brought him into the fortresses
so his roar could no longer be heard
on the mountains of Israel.
10
Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard,
planted by the water;
it was fruitful and full of branches
because of plentiful waters.
11
It had strong branches, fit for the scepters of rulers;
its height towered among the clouds.
So it was conspicuous for its height
as well as its many branches.
12
But it was uprooted in fury,
thrown to the ground,
and the east wind dried up its fruit.
Its strong branches were torn off and dried up;
fire consumed them.
13
Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty land.
14
Fire has gone out from its main branch
and has devoured its fruit,
so that it no longer has a strong branch,
a scepter for ruling.
Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard,
planted by the water;
it was fruitful and full of branches
because of plentiful waters.
11
It had strong branches, fit for the scepters of rulers;
its height towered among the clouds.
So it was conspicuous for its height
as well as its many branches.
12
But it was uprooted in fury,
thrown to the ground,
and the east wind dried up its fruit.
Its strong branches were torn off and dried up;
fire consumed them.
13
Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty land.
14
Fire has gone out from its main branch
and has devoured its fruit,
so that it no longer has a strong branch,
a scepter for ruling.
This is a lament and should be used as a lament.”
Ezekiel
Israel's Rebellion
20
In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, some of Israel's elders came to consult the
Lord
, and they sat down in front of me.
2
Then the word of the
Lord
came to me:
3
“Son of man, speak with the elders of Israel and tell them: This is what the Lord
God
says: Are you coming to consult Me? As I live, I will not be consulted by you.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, some of Israel's elders came to consult the
Lord
, and they sat down in front of me.
2
Then the word of the
Lord
came to me:
3
“Son of man, speak with the elders of Israel and tell them: This is what the Lord
God
says: Are you coming to consult Me? As I live, I will not be consulted by you.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
4
“Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their fathers to them.
5
Say to them: This is what the Lord
God
says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of Jacob's house and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying: I am
•Yahweh
your God.
6
On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7
I also said to them: Each of you must throw away the detestable things that are before your eyes and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
“Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their fathers to them.
5
Say to them: This is what the Lord
God
says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of Jacob's house and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying: I am
•Yahweh
your God.
6
On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7
I also said to them: Each of you must throw away the detestable things that are before your eyes and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
8
“But they rebelled against Me and were unwilling to listen to Me. None of them threw away the detestable things that were before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them, exhausting My anger against them within the land of Egypt.
9
But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made Myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt.
“But they rebelled against Me and were unwilling to listen to Me. None of them threw away the detestable things that were before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them, exhausting My anger against them within the land of Egypt.
9
But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made Myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt.
10
“So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11
Then I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them — the person who does them will live by them.
12
I also gave them My Sabbaths to serve as a sign between Me and them, so they will know that I am Yahweh who sets them apart as holy.
“So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11
Then I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them — the person who does them will live by them.
12
I also gave them My Sabbaths to serve as a sign between Me and them, so they will know that I am Yahweh who sets them apart as holy.
13
“But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances — the person who does them will live by them. They also completely profaned My Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them in the wilderness to put an end to them.
14
But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15
However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them — the most beautiful of all lands, flowing with milk and honey —
16
because they rejected My ordinances, profaned My Sabbaths, and did not follow My statutes. For their hearts went after their idols.
17
But I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.
“But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances — the person who does them will live by them. They also completely profaned My Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them in the wilderness to put an end to them.
14
But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15
However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them — the most beautiful of all lands, flowing with milk and honey —
16
because they rejected My ordinances, profaned My Sabbaths, and did not follow My statutes. For their hearts went after their idols.
17
But I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.
18
“Then I said to their children in the wilderness: Don't follow the statutes of your fathers, defile yourselves with their idols, or keep their ordinances.
19
I am Yahweh your God. Follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
20
Keep My Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between Me and you, so you may know that I am Yahweh your God.
“Then I said to their children in the wilderness: Don't follow the statutes of your fathers, defile yourselves with their idols, or keep their ordinances.
19
I am Yahweh your God. Follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
20
Keep My Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between Me and you, so you may know that I am Yahweh your God.
21
“But the children rebelled against Me. They did not follow My statutes or carefully keep My ordinances — the person who does them will live by them. They also profaned My Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them and exhausting My anger against them in the wilderness.
22
But I withheld My hand and acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out.
23
However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.
24
For they did not practice My ordinances but rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols.
25
I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances they could not live by.
26
When they made every firstborn pass through the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am Yahweh.
“But the children rebelled against Me. They did not follow My statutes or carefully keep My ordinances — the person who does them will live by them. They also profaned My Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them and exhausting My anger against them in the wilderness.
22
But I withheld My hand and acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out.
23
However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.
24
For they did not practice My ordinances but rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols.
25
I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances they could not live by.
26
When they made every firstborn pass through the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am Yahweh.
27
“Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them: This is what the Lord
God
says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by committing treachery against Me:
28
When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices and presented their offensive offerings there. They also sent up their pleasing aromas and poured out their
•drink
offerings there.
29
So I asked them: What is this
•high
place you are going to? And it is called High Place to this day.
“Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them: This is what the Lord
God
says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by committing treachery against Me:
28
When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices and presented their offensive offerings there. They also sent up their pleasing aromas and poured out their
•drink
offerings there.
29
So I asked them: What is this
•high
place you are going to? And it is called High Place to this day.
30
“Therefore say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord
God
says: Are you defiling yourselves the way your fathers did, and prostituting yourselves with their detestable things?
31
When you offer your gifts, making your children pass through the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live” — this is the declaration of the Lord
God
— “I will not be consulted by you!
“Therefore say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord
God
says: Are you defiling yourselves the way your fathers did, and prostituting yourselves with their detestable things?
31
When you offer your gifts, making your children pass through the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live” — this is the declaration of the Lord
God
— “I will not be consulted by you!
Israel's Restoration
32
“When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of other countries, worshiping wood and stone,' what you have in mind will never happen.
33
As I live” — the declaration of the Lord
God
— “I will rule over you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.
34
I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.
35
I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.
36
Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
37
“I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38
And I will also purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
“When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of other countries, worshiping wood and stone,' what you have in mind will never happen.
33
As I live” — the declaration of the Lord
God
— “I will rule over you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.
34
I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.
35
I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.
36
Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you.” This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
37
“I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38
And I will also purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
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