The Lord Judges Sinful Israel
1It was the seventh year since King Jehoiachin had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. On the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to ask the Lord for advice. They sat down with me.
2Then a message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said, 3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “Have you come to ask me for advice? I will not let you do that,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive.” ’
4“Are you going to judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Tell them the evil things done by their people of long ago. I hate those things. 5Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “I chose Israel. On that day I raised my hand and made a promise. I made a promise to the members of Jacob’s family line. I made myself known to them in Egypt. I raised my hand and told them, ‘I am the Lord your God.’ 6On that day I promised I would bring them out of Egypt. I told them I would take them to a land I had found for them. It had plenty of milk and honey. It was the most beautiful land of all. 7I said to them, ‘Each of you must get rid of the statues of the evil gods you worship. Do not make yourselves “unclean” by worshiping the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
8“ ‘ “But they refused to obey me. They would not listen to me. They did not get rid of the evil gods they worshiped. And they did not turn away from Egypt’s gods. So I said I would pour out all my great anger on them in Egypt. 9I wanted my name to be honored. So I brought my people out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being treated as if it were not holy. I didn’t want this to happen in front of the nations around my people. I had made myself known to Israel in the sight of those nations. 10So I led them out of Egypt. I brought them into the Desert of Sinai. 11I gave them my rules. I made my laws known to them. The person who obeys them will live by them. 12I also told them to observe my Sabbath days. That is the sign of the covenant I made with them. I wanted them to know that I made them holy. I am the Lord.
13“ ‘ “But in the desert the people of Israel refused to obey me. They did not follow my rules. They turned their backs on my laws. The person who obeys them will live by them. They totally misused my Sabbath days. So I said I would pour out my great anger on them. I would destroy them in the desert. 14But I wanted my name to be honored. I kept it from being treated as if it were not holy. I did not want that to happen in front of the nations. They had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 15I also raised my hand and made a promise in the desert. I told my people I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It had plenty of milk and honey. It was the most beautiful land of all. 16But they turned their backs on my laws. They did not obey my rules. They misused my Sabbath days. Their hearts were committed to worshiping the statues of their gods. 17Then I felt sorry for them. So I did not destroy them. I did not put an end to them in the desert. 18I spoke to their children there. I said, ‘Do not follow the rules your parents gave you. Do not obey their laws. Do not make yourselves “unclean” by worshiping their gods. 19I am the Lord your God. So follow my rules. Be careful to obey my laws. 20Keep my Sabbath days holy. That is the sign of the covenant I made with you. You will know that I am the Lord your God.’
21“ ‘ “But their children refused to obey me. They did not follow my rules. They were not careful to keep my laws. The person who obeys them will live by them. They misused my Sabbath days. So I said I would pour out all my great anger on them in the desert. 22But I kept myself from punishing them at that time. I wanted my name to be honored. So I kept it from being treated as if it were not holy. I did not want that to happen in front of the nations. They had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 23I also raised my hand and made a promise in the desert. I told my people I would scatter them among the nations. I would send them to other countries. 24They had not obeyed my laws. They had turned their backs on my rules. They had misused my Sabbath days. They only wanted to worship the statues of their parents’ gods. 25So I let them follow other rules. Those other rules were not good. I let them have laws they could not live by. 26I let them become ‘unclean’ by offering sacrifices to other gods. They even sacrificed the first male child born in each family. I wanted to fill them with horror. Then they would know that I am the Lord.” ’
27“Son of man, speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “Your people spoke evil things against me long ago. They were unfaithful to me. 28But I brought them into the land. I had promised to give the land to them. Then they offered sacrifices that made me very angry. They did it on every high hill and under every green tree. There they brought their sweet-smelling incense. And there they poured out their drink offerings. 29Then I said to them, ‘What is this high place you go to?’ ” ’ ” That high place is called Bamah to this day.
The Lord Makes Israel New Again
30The Lord said to me, “Speak to the Israelites. Tell them, ‘Here is what the Lord and King says. “Are you going to make yourselves ‘unclean’ the way your people of long ago did? Are you also going to want to worship the statues of their evil gods? 31You make yourselves ‘unclean’ by offering sacrifices to other gods. You even sacrifice your children in the fire. You continue to do these things to this day. People of Israel, should I let you ask me for advice? I will not let you do that,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive.
32“ ‘ “You say, ‘We want to be like the other nations. We want to be like all the other people in the world. They serve gods made out of wood and stone.’ But what you have in mind will never happen. 33I will rule over you by reaching out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my great anger out on you,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive. 34I will bring you back from the nations. I will gather you together from the countries where you have been scattered. I will reach out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my great anger out on you. 35I will send you among the nations. There I will judge you face to face. It will be as if I were judging you in the desert again. 36Long ago, I judged your people in the desert of Egypt. In the same way, I will judge you,” announces the Lord and King. 37“I will take note of you as you pass under my shepherd’s stick. I will separate those who obey me from those who do not. And I will give the blessings of the covenant to those of you who obey me. 38I will get rid of those among you who turn against me. They refuse to obey me. I will bring them out of the land where they are living. But they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
39“ ‘ “People of Israel, the Lord and King says, ‘Go, every one of you! Serve your gods. But later you will listen to me. You will no longer treat my name as if it were not holy. You will not offer sacrifices to other gods anymore. 40People of Israel, you will all serve me,’ announces the Lord and King. ‘You will serve me on my high and holy mountain in Jerusalem. There I will accept you. I will require your offerings and your finest gifts. I want you to bring them along with all your other holy sacrifices. 41I will bring you back from the nations. I will gather you together from the countries where you have been scattered. Then I will accept you as if you were sweet-smelling incense. I will show that I am holy among you. The nations will see it. 42I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Long ago I raised my hand and made a promise. I promised to give that land to your people of long ago. 43There you will remember your conduct. You will think about everything you did that made you “unclean.” And you will hate yourselves because of all the evil things you have done. 44People of Israel, I will deal with you for the honor of my name. I will not deal with you based on your evil conduct and sinful practices. Then you will know that I am the Lord,’ announces the Lord and King.” ’ ”
Ezekiel Prophesies Against the South
45A message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said, 46“Son of man, turn your attention to Judah in the south. Preach against it. Prophesy against its forests. 47Tell them, ‘Listen to the Lord’s message. The Lord and King says, “I am about to set you on fire. The fire will destroy all your trees. It will burn down green trees and dry trees alike. The blazing flame will not be put out. The faces of everyone from south to north will be burned by it. 48Everyone will see that I started the fire. It will not be put out. I am the Lord.” ’ ”
49Then I said, “Lord and King, people are talking about me. They are saying, ‘Isn’t he just telling stories?’ ”
Ìwà ọlọ́tẹ̀ tí Israẹli hù
1Ní ọjọ́ kẹwàá, oṣù karùn-ún ọdún keje, ní díẹ̀ nínú àwọn àgbàgbà Israẹli wá wádìí lọ́wọ́ Olúwa, wọn jókòó níwájú mi.
2Nígbà náà ni ọ̀rọ̀ Olúwa tọ̀ mí wá wí pé: 3“Ọmọ ènìyàn, sọ fún àwọn àgbàgbà Israẹli, kì ó sì wí fún wọn pé, ‘Báyìí ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Ṣe ki ẹ lè wádìí lọ́dọ̀ mi ni ẹ ṣe wá? Bí mo ti wà láààyè, ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí, Èmi kì yóò gbà kí ẹ wádìí lọ́dọ̀ mi.’
4“Ìwọ fẹ́ dájọ́ wọn bí? Ìwọ fẹ́ dájọ́ wọn bí ọmọ ènìyàn? Nítorí náà fi gbogbo ìwà ìríra baba wọn kò wọ́n lójú, 5kí ó sì sọ fún wọn pé: ‘Báyìí ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Ní ọjọ́ tí mo yàn Israẹli, mo gbé ọwọ́ mi sókè nínú ìbúra sí àwọn ọmọ ilé Jakọbu, mo sì fi ara mi hàn wọn ní Ejibiti, mo gbé ọwọ́ mi sókè nínú ẹ̀jẹ́ wí pé, “Èmi ni Olúwa Ọlọ́run yín.” 6Ní ọjọ́ náà mo lọ búra fún wọn pé, èmi yóò mú wọn jáde kúrò ni ilẹ̀ Ejibiti lọ sí ilẹ̀ ti mo ti wá sílẹ̀ fún wọn, ilẹ̀ tí ó ń sàn fún wàrà àti oyin, ilẹ̀ tí ó lẹ́wà jùlọ láàrín àwọn ilẹ̀ yòókù. 7Mo sì wí fún wọn pé, “Kí olúkúlùkù nínú yín gbé ìríra ojú rẹ̀ kúrò, kí ẹ sì má bá sọ ara yín di àìmọ́ pẹ̀lú àwọn òrìṣà Ejibiti, èmi ni Olúwa Ọlọ́run yín.”
8“ ‘Ṣùgbọ́n wọn ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí mi wọn kò sì gbọ́rọ̀, wọn kò gbé àwòrán ìríra tí wọ́n dojúkọ kúrò níwájú wọn bẹ́ẹ̀ ni wọn kò si kọ̀ àwọn òrìṣà Ejibiti sílẹ̀, torí náà mo sọ pé èmi yóò tú ìbínú gbígbóná mi lé wọn lórí, èmi yóò sì jẹ́ kí ìbínú mi sẹ̀ lórí wọn ní ilẹ̀ Ejibiti. 9Ṣùgbọ́n nítorí orúkọ mi, mo ṣe ohun tí kò ní jẹ́ kí orúkọ mi bàjẹ́ lójú àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè tí wọn ń gbé láàrín wọn, lójú àwọn ẹni tí mo ti fi ara hàn fún ara Israẹli nípa mímú wọn jáde ní ilẹ̀ Ejibiti. 10Nítorí náà, mo mú wọn jáde ní ilẹ̀ Ejibiti mo sì mú wọn wá sínú aginjù. 11Mo sì fún wọn ni òfin mi, mo sì fi àwọn òfin mi hàn wọ́n; nítorí pé ẹni tó bá ṣe wọ́n yóò yè nípa wọn. 12Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni mo fún wọn ní ọjọ́ ìsinmi gẹ́gẹ́ bí ààmì láàrín àwọn àti èmi, kí wọn lè mọ̀ pé èmi ni Olúwa tó sọ wọn di mímọ́.
13“ ‘Síbẹ̀; ilé Israẹli ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí mí nínú aginjù. Wọn kò tẹ̀lé àṣẹ mi, wọn sì kọ àwọn òfin mi sílẹ̀ bí ó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé ẹni tó bá pa á mọ́ yóò yè nínú rẹ̀. Wọn sì sọ ọjọ́ ìsinmi mi di aláìmọ́ lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀. Nítorí náà, mo sọ pé èmi yóò tú ìbínú gbígbóná mi sórí wọn, èmi yóò sì pa wọ́n run nínú aginjù. 14Ṣùgbọ́n nítorí orúkọ mi, mo ṣe ohun tí kò ní mú kí orúkọ mi bàjẹ́ lójú àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè tí mo kó wọn jáde. 15Nítorí náà, mo tún gbọ́wọ́ mi sókè ní ìbúra fún wọn nínú aginjù pé, èmi kì yóò mú wọn dé ilẹ̀ tí mo fi fún wọn—ilẹ̀ tí ó ń sàn fún wàrà àti oyin, ilẹ̀ tí ó lẹ́wà jùlọ láàrín àwọn ilẹ̀ yòókù. 16Nítorí pé, wọn kọ òfin mi sílẹ̀, wọn kò sì tẹ̀lé àṣẹ mi, wọn sọ ọjọ́ ìsinmi mi dí aláìmọ́. Nítorí pé tọkàntọkàn ni wọn ń tẹ̀lé òrìṣà wọn. 17Síbẹ̀síbẹ̀ mo wò wọ́n pẹ̀lú àánú, ń kò sì pa wọ́n run tàbí kí òpin dé bá wọn nínú aginjù. 18Ṣùgbọ́n mo sọ fún àwọn ọmọ wọn nínú aginjù pé, “Ẹ má ṣe rìn ní ìlànà àwọn baba yín, ẹ má ṣe pa òfin wọn mọ́, ẹ má ṣe bá ara yín jẹ́ pẹ̀lú òrìṣà wọn. 19Èmi ni Olúwa Ọlọ́run yín, ẹ tẹ̀lé àṣẹ mi, kí ó sì pa òfin mi mọ́. 20Ẹ ya ọjọ́ ìsinmi mi sí mímọ́ kí ó lè jẹ́ ààmì láàrín wa: ki ẹ lè mọ̀ pé èmi ní Olúwa Ọlọ́run yín.”
21“ ‘Ṣùgbọ́n àwọn ọmọ náà ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí mi. Wọn kò tẹ̀lé àṣẹ mi, wọn kò sì pa òfin mi mọ́ bí o tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé ẹni tó bá tẹ̀lé àwọn òfin yìí, yóò yè nínú rẹ̀, wọ́n sì tún sọ ọjọ́ ìsinmi mi di aláìmọ́. Nítorí náà, mo sọ pé èmi yóò tú ìbínú mi lórí wọn, Èmi yóò sì mú kí ìbínú gbígbóná mi wá sórí wọn ni aginjù. 22Síbẹ̀síbẹ̀ mo dáwọ́ dúró, nítorí orúkọ mi, mo sì ṣe ohun tí kò ní ba orúkọ mi jẹ́ lójú àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè ti mo kó wọn jáde lójú wọn. 23Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ ti mo gbé sókè sí wọn, mo búra fún wọn nínú aginjù pé èmi yóò tú wọn ka sì àárín àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè, èmi yóò sì fọ́n wọn káàkiri ilẹ̀ gbogbo, 24nítorí pé wọn kò pa òfin mi mọ́, wọn sì tún kọ àṣẹ mi sílẹ̀, wọn tún sọ ọjọ́ ìsinmi mi di aláìmọ́. Ojú wọn sì wà ní ara òrìṣà baba wọn. 25Èmi náà sì fi wọn fún ìlànà tí kò dára àti òfin tí wọn kò le e yè nípa rẹ̀; 26Mo jẹ́ kí ó sọ wọn di aláìmọ́ nípa ẹ̀bùn nípa fífi àkọ́bí ọmọ wọn rú ẹbọ sísun, àkọ́bí wọn la iná kọjá, kí èmi sọ wọ́n di ahoro, kí wọn le mọ̀ pé èmi ni Olúwa.’
27“Nítorí náà, Ọmọ ènìyàn, sọ fún ilé Israẹli kí ó sì wí fún wọn pé, ‘Èyí ní ohun ti Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Nínú èyí tí baba yín ti sọ̀rọ̀-òdì sí mi, nípa kíkọ̀ mí sílẹ̀. 28Nítorí nígbà tí mo mú wọn dé ilẹ̀ náà, tí mo gbé ọwọ́ mi sókè láti fi í fún wọn, Nígbà náà ni wọ́n rí olúkúlùkù òkè gíga, àti gbogbo igi bíbò, wọ́n sì rú ẹbọ wọn níbẹ̀, wọ́n sì gbé ìmúnibínú ọrẹ wọ́n kalẹ̀ níbẹ̀; níbẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ni wọ́n ṣe òórùn dídùn wọn, wọ́n sì ta ohun ọrẹ mímu sílẹ̀ níbẹ̀, 29Nígbà náà ni mo wí fún wọn pé: Kí ní ibi gíga tí ẹ̀yin lọ yìí?’ ” (Orúkọ rẹ̀ ni a sì ń pè ní Bama di òní yìí.)
Ìdájọ́ Àti Ìmúpadàbọ̀sípò
30“Nítorí náà sọ fún ilé Israẹli pé: ‘Èyí ní ohun tí Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Ṣé o fẹ́ ba ara rẹ jẹ́ bi àwọn baba rẹ ṣe ṣe, tiwọn ń ṣe àgbèrè nípa títẹ̀lé àwọn àwòrán ìríra? 31Nígbà tí ẹ̀yin bá san ọrẹ yìí, ìrúbọ ọmọkùnrin ọmọ yín, tí ẹ mú ọmọ yin la iná kọjá, ẹ̀yin ń tẹ̀síwájú láti ba ara yín jẹ́ pẹ̀lú àwọn òrìṣà yín títí di òní yìí, ẹ̀yin yóò ha jẹ wádìí lọ́dọ̀ mi, ìwọ ilé Israẹli? Bí mo ti wà láààyè, ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí, Èmi ki yóò jẹ́ kí ẹ wádìí lọ́dọ̀ mi.
32“ ‘Ẹ̀yin wí pé, “Àwa fẹ́ dàbí àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè yòókù, bí àwọn ènìyàn ayé, tó ń bọ igi àti òkúta.” Ṣùgbọ́n ohun ti ẹ ni lọ́kàn kò ní ṣẹ rárá. 33Bí mo ti wà láààyè, ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí, Èmi yóò jẹ ọba lórí yín pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ agbára tí èmi yóò nà jáde pẹ̀lú ìtújáde ìbínú gbígbóná mi. 34Èmi yóò si mú yín jáde kúrò láàrín àwọn ènìyàn, èmi yóò sì ṣà yín jọ láàrín àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè tí a fọ́n yín sí pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ agbára àti apá nínà tí èmi yóò nà jáde àti pẹ̀lú ìtújáde ìbínú gbígbóná ni. 35Èmi yóò si mú yín wá sí aginjù àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè, níbẹ̀ ni ojúkójú ni èmi yóò ṣe ìdájọ́ lé e yín lórí. 36Bí mo ṣe ṣe ìdájọ́ àwọn baba yín nínú aginjù nílẹ̀ Ejibiti, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni èmi yóò ṣe ìdájọ́ yín ní Olúwa Olódùmarè wí. 37Èmi yóò kíyèsi i yín bí mo ti mú un yín kọjá lábẹ́ ọ̀pá, èmi yóò sì mú yín wá sí abẹ́ ìdè májẹ̀mú 38Èmi yóò si ṣa àwọn ọlọ̀tẹ̀ kúrò láàrín yín, àti àwọn o lù re òfin kọjá, èmi yóò mu wọn jáde kúrò ni ilẹ̀ tiwọn gbé ṣe àtìpó, wọn ki yóò si wọ ilẹ̀ Israẹli: Nígbà náà ní ẹ̀yin yóò mọ̀ pé, èmi ní Olúwa.
39“ ‘Ní tí ẹ̀yin, ilé Israẹli, èyí ni ohun tí Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Kí olúkúlùkù yín lọ máa sìn òrìṣà rẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n lẹ́yìn èyí, ẹ̀yin yóò gbọ́ tèmi, ẹ̀yin kò sí ní i bá orúkọ mímọ́ mi jẹ́ pẹ̀lú ọrẹ àti àwọn òrìṣà yín mọ́. 40Nítorí lórí òkè mímọ́ mi, lórí òkè gíga Israẹli, ni Olúwa Olódùmarè wí, níbẹ̀ ni ilẹ̀ náà ní gbogbo ilé Israẹli yóò sìn mí; èmi yóò sì tẹ́wọ́ gba wọ́n níbẹ̀. Níbẹ̀ èmi yóò béèrè ọrẹ àti ẹ̀bùn nínú àkọ́so yín pẹ̀lú gbogbo ẹbọ mímọ́ yín 41Èmi yóò tẹ́wọ́ gbà yín gẹ́gẹ́ bí tùràrí olóòórùn dídùn nígbà tí mo ba mú yín jáde láàrín àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè tí a fọ́n yín ká sí, èmi yóò sì fi ìwà mímọ́ mi hàn láàrín yín lójú àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè. 42Nígbà náà ni ẹ o mọ̀ pé èmi ní Olúwa, nígbà tí mo bá mú yín wa sí ilẹ̀ Israẹli; sí ilẹ̀ tí mo gbọ́wọ́ mí sókè nínú ẹ̀jẹ́ láti fún àwọn baba yín. 4320.43: El 6.9; 36.31.Níbẹ̀ ni ẹ ó wa rántí ìwà àti gbogbo ìṣesí yín, èyí tí ẹ̀yin fi sọ ara yín di aláìmọ́, ẹ̀yin yóò sì kórìíra ara yín fún gbogbo ibi tí ẹ̀yin ti ṣe. 44Nígbà náà ní ẹ̀yin yóò mọ̀ pé, Èmi ni Olúwa, nígbà tí mo bá hùwà sí yín nítorí orúkọ mi ni, tí ń kò hùwà sí yín gẹ́gẹ́ bí ọ̀nà ibi àti ìwà ìríra yín. Ẹ̀yin Ilé Israẹli, ni Olúwa Olódùmarè wí.’ ”
Sọtẹ́lẹ̀ lòdì sí ìhà gúúsù
45Ọ̀rọ̀ Olúwa tọ̀ mí wá: 46“Ọmọ ènìyàn, dojúkọ ìhà gúúsù; wàásù lòdì sí gúúsù kí ìwọ sì sọtẹ́lẹ̀ sí igbó ilẹ̀ gúúsù. 47Sọ fún igbó ìhà gúúsù pé: ‘Gbọ́ ọ̀rọ̀ Olúwa. Èyí ní ohun tí Olúwa Olódùmarè wí: Kíyèsi í, èmi yóò dá iná kan nínú rẹ̀, yóò sì jó olúkúlùkù igi tútù nínú rẹ̀, àti olúkúlùkù igi gbígbẹ, Jíjò ọwọ́ iná náà ní kí yóò ṣé é pa, àti gbogbo ojú láti gúúsù dé àríwá ni a ó sun nínú rẹ̀. 48Gbogbo ènìyàn yóò sì mọ̀ pé Èmi Olúwa ni ó dá a, a kì yóò sì le è pa á.’ ”
49Nígbà náà ni mo wí pé, “Háà! Olúwa Olódùmarè! Wọn ń wí fún mi pé, ‘Kì í wa ṣe pé òwe lo ń pa bí?’ ”
