1 And it came to pass in the seventh{H7637} year{H8141}, in the fifth{H2549} month, the tenth{H6218} day of the month{H2320}, that certain{H582} of the elders{H2205} of Israel{H3478} came{H935}{(H8804)} to enquire{H1875}{(H8800)} of the LORD{H3068}, and sat{H3427}{(H8799)} before{H6440} me.

2 Then came the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} unto me, saying{H559}{(H8800)},

3 Son{H1121} of man{H120}, speak{H1696}{(H8761)} unto the elders{H2205} of Israel{H3478}, and say{H559}{(H8804)} unto them, Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; Are ye come{H935}{(H8802)} to enquire{H1875}{(H8800)} of me? As I live{H2416}, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}, I will not be enquired{H1875}{(H8735)} of by you.

4 Wilt thou judge{H8199}{(H8799)} them, son{H1121} of man{H120}, wilt thou judge{H8199}{(H8799)} them? cause them to know{H3045}{(H8685)} the abominations{H8441} of their fathers{H1}:

5 And say{H559}{(H8804)} unto them, Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; In the day{H3117} when I chose{H977}{(H8800)} Israel{H3478}, and lifted up{H5375}{(H8799)} mine hand{H3027} unto the seed{H2233} of the house{H1004} of Jacob{H3290}, and made myself known{H3045}{(H8735)} unto them in the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}, when I lifted{H5375}{(H8799)} up mine hand{H3027} unto them, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, I am the LORD{H3068} your God{H430};

6 In the day{H3117} that I lifted up{H5375}{(H8804)} mine hand{H3027} unto them, to bring them forth{H3318}{(H8687)} of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714} into a land{H776} that I had espied{H8446}{(H8804)} for them, flowing{H2100}{(H8802)} with milk{H2461} and honey{H1706}, which is the glory{H6643} of all lands{H776}:

7 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} I unto them, Cast ye away{H7993}{(H8685)} every man{H376} the abominations{H8251} of his eyes{H5869}, and defile{H2930}{(H8691)} not yourselves with the idols{H1544} of Egypt{H4714}: I am the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}.

8 But they rebelled{H4784}{(H8686)} against me, and would{H14}{(H8804)} not hearken{H8085}{(H8800)} unto me: they did not every man{H376} cast away{H7993}{(H8689)} the abominations{H8251} of their eyes{H5869}, neither did they forsake{H5800}{(H8804)} the idols{H1544} of Egypt{H4714}: then I said{H559}{(H8799)}, I will pour out{H8210}{(H8800)} my fury{H2534} upon them, to accomplish{H3615}{(H8763)} my anger{H639} against them in the midst{H8432} of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}.

9 But I wrought{H6213}{(H8799)} for my name's{H8034} sake, that it should not be polluted{H2490}{(H8736)} before{H5869} the heathen{H1471}, among{H8432} whom they were, in whose sight{H5869} I made myself known{H3045}{(H8738)} unto them, in bringing them forth{H3318}{(H8687)} out of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}.

10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth{H3318}{(H8686)} out of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}, and brought{H935}{(H8686)} them into the wilderness{H4057}.

11 And I gave{H5414}{(H8799)} them my statutes{H2708}, and shewed{H3045}{(H8689)} them my judgments{H4941}, which if a man{H120} do{H6213}{(H8799)}, he shall even live{H2425}{(H8804)} in them.

12 Moreover also I gave{H5414}{(H8804)} them my sabbaths{H7676}, to be a sign{H226} between me and them, that they might know{H3045}{(H8800)} that I am the LORD{H3068} that sanctify{H6942}{(H8764)} them.

13 But the house{H1004} of Israel{H3478} rebelled{H4784}{(H8686)} against me in the wilderness{H4057}: they walked{H1980}{(H8804)} not in my statutes{H2708}, and they despised{H3988}{(H8804)} my judgments{H4941}, which if a man{H120} do{H6213}{(H8799)}, he shall even live{H2425}{(H8804)} in them; and my sabbaths{H7676} they greatly{H3966} polluted{H2490}{(H8765)}: then I said{H559}{(H8799)}, I would pour out{H8210}{(H8800)} my fury{H2534} upon them in the wilderness{H4057}, to consume{H3615}{(H8763)} them.

14 But I wrought{H6213}{(H8799)} for my name's{H8034} sake, that it should not be polluted{H2490}{(H8736)} before{H5869} the heathen{H1471}, in whose sight{H5869} I brought them out{H3318}{(H8689)}.

15 Yet also I lifted up{H5375}{(H8804)} my hand{H3027} unto them in the wilderness{H4057}, that I would not bring{H935}{(H8687)} them into the land{H776} which I had given{H5414}{(H8804)} them, flowing{H2100}{(H8802)} with milk{H2461} and honey{H1706}, which is the glory{H6643} of all lands{H776};

16 Because they despised{H3988}{(H8804)} my judgments{H4941}, and walked{H1980}{(H8804)} not in my statutes{H2708}, but polluted{H2490}{(H8765)} my sabbaths{H7676}: for their heart{H3820} went{H1980}{(H8802)} after{H310} their idols{H1544}.

17 Nevertheless mine eye{H5869} spared{H2347}{(H8799)} them from destroying{H7843}{(H8763)} them, neither did I make{H6213}{(H8804)} an end{H3617} of them in the wilderness{H4057}.

18 But I said{H559}{(H8799)} unto their children{H1121} in the wilderness{H4057}, Walk{H3212}{(H8799)} ye not in the statutes{H2706} of your fathers{H1}, neither observe{H8104}{(H8799)} their judgments{H4941}, nor defile{H2930}{(H8691)} yourselves with their idols{H1544}:

19 I am the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}; walk{H3212}{(H8798)} in my statutes{H2708}, and keep{H8104}{(H8798)} my judgments{H4941}, and do{H6213}{(H8798)} them;

20 And hallow{H6942}{(H8761)} my sabbaths{H7676}; and they shall be a sign{H226} between me and you, that ye may know{H3045}{(H8800)} that I am the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}.

21 Notwithstanding the children{H1121} rebelled{H4784}{(H8686)} against me: they walked{H1980}{(H8804)} not in my statutes{H2708}, neither kept{H8104}{(H8804)} my judgments{H4941} to do{H6213}{(H8800)} them, which if a man{H120} do{H6213}{(H8799)}, he shall even live{H2425}{(H8804)} in them; they polluted{H2490}{(H8765)} my sabbaths{H7676}: then I said{H559}{(H8799)}, I would pour out{H8210}{(H8800)} my fury{H2534} upon them, to accomplish{H3615}{(H8763)} my anger{H639} against them in the wilderness{H4057}.

22 Nevertheless I withdrew{H7725}{(H8689)} mine hand{H3027}, and wrought{H6213}{(H8799)} for my name's{H8034} sake, that it should not be polluted{H2490}{(H8736)} in the sight{H5869} of the heathen{H1471}, in whose sight{H5869} I brought them forth{H3318}{(H8689)}.

23 I lifted up{H5375}{(H8804)} mine hand{H3027} unto them also in the wilderness{H4057}, that I would scatter{H6327}{(H8687)} them among the heathen{H1471}, and disperse{H2219}{(H8763)} them through the countries{H776};

24 Because they had not executed{H6213}{(H8804)} my judgments{H4941}, but had despised{H3988}{(H8804)} my statutes{H2708}, and had polluted{H2490}{(H8765)} my sabbaths{H7676}, and their eyes{H5869} were after{H310} their fathers{H1}' idols{H1544}.

25 Wherefore I gave{H5414}{(H8804)} them also statutes{H2706} that were not good{H2896}, and judgments{H4941} whereby they should not live{H2421}{(H8799)};

26 And I polluted{H2930}{(H8762)} them in their own gifts{H4979}, in that they caused to pass through{H5674}{(H8687)} the fire all that openeth{H6363} the womb{H7356}, that I might make them desolate{H8074}{(H8686)}, to the end that they might know{H3045}{(H8799)} that I am the LORD{H3068}.

27 Therefore, son{H1121} of man{H120}, speak{H1696}{(H8761)} unto the house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}, and say{H559}{(H8804)} unto them, Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; Yet in this your fathers{H1} have blasphemed{H1442}{(H8765)} me, in that they have committed{H4603}{(H8800)} a trespass{H4604} against me.

28 For when I had brought{H935}{(H8686)} them into the land{H776}, for the which I lifted up{H5375}{(H8804)} mine hand{H3027} to give{H5414}{(H8800)} it to them, then they saw{H7200}{(H8799)} every high{H7311}{(H8802)} hill{H1389}, and all the thick{H5687} trees{H6086}, and they offered{H2076}{(H8799)} there their sacrifices{H2077}, and there they presented{H5414}{(H8799)} the provocation{H3708} of their offering{H7133}: there also they made{H7760}{(H8799)} their sweet{H5207} savour{H7381}, and poured out{H5258}{(H8686)} there their drink offerings{H5262}.

29 Then I said{H559}{(H8799)} unto them, What is the high place{H1116} whereunto ye go{H935}{(H8802)}? And the name{H8034} thereof is called{H7121}{(H8735)} Bamah{H1117} unto this day{H3117}.

30 Wherefore say{H559}{(H8798)} unto the house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}, Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; Are ye polluted{H2930}{(H8737)} after the manner{H1870} of your fathers{H1}? and commit ye whoredom{H2181}{(H8802)} after{H310} their abominations{H8251}?

31 For when ye offer{H5375}{(H8800)} your gifts{H4979}, when ye make your sons{H1121} to pass through{H5674}{(H8687)} the fire{H784}, ye pollute{H2930}{(H8737)} yourselves with all your idols{H1544}, even unto this day{H3117}: and shall I be enquired{H1875}{(H8735)} of by you, O house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}? As I live{H2416}, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}, I will not be enquired{H1875}{(H8735)} of by you.

32 And that which cometh{H5927}{(H8802)} into your mind{H7307} shall not be at all, that ye say{H559}{(H8802)}, We will be{H1961}{(H8799)} as the heathen{H1471}, as the families{H4940} of the countries{H776}, to serve{H8334}{(H8763)} wood{H6086} and stone{H68}.

33 As I live{H2416}, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}, surely with a mighty{H2389} hand{H3027}, and with a stretched out{H5186}{(H8803)} arm{H2220}, and with fury{H2534} poured out{H8210}{(H8803)}, will I rule{H4427}{(H8799)} over you:

34 And I will bring you out{H3318}{(H8689)} from the people{H5971}, and will gather{H6908}{(H8765)} you out of the countries{H776} wherein ye are scattered{H6327}{(H8738)}, with a mighty{H2389} hand{H3027}, and with a stretched out{H5186}{(H8803)} arm{H2220}, and with fury{H2534} poured out{H8210}{(H8803)}.

35 And I will bring{H935}{(H8689)} you into the wilderness{H4057} of the people{H5971}, and there will I plead{H8199}{(H8738)} with you face{H6440} to face{H6440}.

36 Like as I pleaded{H8199}{(H8738)} with your fathers{H1} in the wilderness{H4057} of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}, so will I plead{H8199}{(H8735)} with you, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}.

37 And I will cause you to pass{H5674}{(H8689)} under the rod{H7626}, and I will bring{H935}{(H8689)} you into the bond{H4562} of the covenant{H1285}:

38 And I will purge out{H1305}{(H8804)} from among you the rebels{H4775}{(H8802)}, and them that transgress{H6586}{(H8802)} against me: I will bring them forth{H3318}{(H8686)} out of the country{H776} where they sojourn{H4033}, and they shall not enter{H935}{(H8799)} into the land{H127} of Israel{H3478}: and ye shall know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I am the LORD{H3068}.

39 As for you, O house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}, thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; Go{H3212}{(H8798)} ye, serve{H5647}{(H8798)} ye every one{H376} his idols{H1544}, and hereafter{H310} also, if ye will not hearken{H8085}{(H8802)} unto me: but pollute{H2490}{(H8762)} ye my holy{H6944} name{H8034} no more with your gifts{H4979}, and with your idols{H1544}.

40 For in mine holy{H6944} mountain{H2022}, in the mountain{H2022} of the height{H4791} of Israel{H3478}, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}, there shall all the house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}, all of them in the land{H776}, serve{H5647}{(H8799)} me: there will I accept{H7521}{(H8799)} them, and there will I require{H1875}{(H8799)} your offerings{H8641}, and the firstfruits{H7225} of your oblations{H4864}, with all your holy things{H6944}.

41 I will accept{H7521}{(H8799)} you with your sweet{H5207} savour{H7381}, when I bring you out{H3318}{(H8687)} from the people{H5971}, and gather{H6908}{(H8765)} you out of the countries{H776} wherein ye have been scattered{H6327}{(H8738)}; and I will be sanctified{H6942}{(H8738)} in you before{H5869} the heathen{H1471}.

42 And ye shall know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I am the LORD{H3068}, when I shall bring{H935}{(H8687)} you into the land{H127} of Israel{H3478}, into the country{H776} for the which I lifted up{H5375}{(H8804)} mine hand{H3027} to give{H5414}{(H8800)} it to your fathers{H1}.

43 And there shall ye remember{H2142}{(H8804)} your ways{H1870}, and all your doings{H5949}, wherein ye have been defiled{H2930}{(H8738)}; and ye shall lothe{H6962}{(H8738)} yourselves in your own sight{H6440} for all your evils{H7451} that ye have committed{H6213}{(H8804)}.

44 And ye shall know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I am the LORD{H3068}, when I have wrought{H6213}{(H8800)} with you for my name's{H8034} sake, not according to your wicked{H7451} ways{H1870}, nor according to your corrupt{H7843}{(H8737)} doings{H5949}, O ye house{H1004} of Israel{H3478}, saith{H5002}{(H8803)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}.

45 Moreover the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} came unto me, saying{H559}{(H8800)},

46 Son{H1121} of man{H120}, set{H7760}{(H8798)} thy face{H6440} toward{H1870} the south{H8486}, and drop{H5197}{(H8685)} thy word toward the south{H1864}, and prophesy{H5012}{(H8734)} against the forest{H3293} of the south{H5045} field{H7704};

47 And say{H559}{(H8804)} to the forest{H3293} of the south{H5045}, Hear{H8085}{(H8798)} the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068}; Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}; Behold, I will kindle{H3341}{(H8688)} a fire{H784} in thee, and it shall devour{H398}{(H8804)} every green{H3892} tree{H6086} in thee, and every dry{H3002} tree{H6086}: the flaming{H3852} flame{H7957} shall not be quenched{H3518}{(H8799)}, and all faces{H6440} from the south{H5045} to the north{H6828} shall be burned{H6866}{(H8738)} therein.

48 And all flesh{H1320} shall see{H7200}{(H8804)} that I the LORD{H3068} have kindled{H1197}{(H8765)} it: it shall not be quenched{H3518}{(H8799)}.

49 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} I, Ah{H162} Lord{H136} GOD{H3069}! they say{H559}{(H8802)} of me, Doth he not speak{H4911}{(H8764)} parables{H4912}?