Study Desk

His mother waited for him to return. But soon she lost all hope and raised another cub, who also became fierce.

He destroyed fortresses and ruined towns; his mighty roar terrified everyone.

They put him in a cage and took him to Babylonia. The lion was locked away, so that his mighty roar would never again be heard on Israel's hills.

Ezekiel, son of man, mark two roads for the king of Babylonia to follow when he comes with his sword. The roads will begin at the same place, but be sure to put up a signpost where the two roads separate and go in different directions.

When the Babylonian king stands at that signpost, he will decide which way to go by shaking his arrows, by asking his idols, and by carefully looking at the liver of a sacrificed animal.

His right hand will pull out the arrow marked "Jerusalem." Then he will immediately give the signal to shout the battle cry, to build dirt ramps to the top of the city walls, to break down its walls and gates with large wooden poles, and to kill the people.

He will command some of his troops to use large wooden poles to beat down your walls, while others use iron rods to knock down your watchtowers.

He will have so many horses that the dust they stir up will seem like a thick fog. And as his chariots and cavalry approach, even the walls will shake, especially when he proudly enters your ruined city.

His troops will ride through your streets, killing people left and right, and your strong columns will crumble to the ground.

Ezekiel, son of man, condemn the king of Egypt. Tell him and his people

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia has attacked the city of Tyre. He forced his soldiers to carry so many heavy loads that their heads were rubbed bald, and their shoulders were red and sore. Nebuchadnezzar and his army still could not capture the city.

So now I will hand over the nation of Egypt to him. He will take Egypt's valuable treasures and give them to his own troops.

Egypt will be his reward, because he and his army have been following my orders. I, the Lord God, have spoken.

He and his cruel troops will invade and destroy your land and leave your dead bodies piled everywhere.

Ezekiel, son of man, I, the Lord , have defeated the king of Egypt! I broke his arm, and no one has wrapped it or put it in a sling, so that it could heal and get strong enough to hold a sword.

So tell him that I am now his worst enemy. I will break both his arms—the good one and the broken one! His sword will drop from his hand forever,

Ezekiel, son of man, tell the king of Egypt and his people that I am saying: You are more powerful than anyone on earth. Now listen to this.

The Lord God says: When your king of Egypt sees all of these graves, he and his soldiers will be glad they are not the only ones suffering.

I sent him to terrify people all over the earth. But he and his army will be killed and buried alongside other godless soldiers in the world of the dead. I, the Lord God, have spoken.

The Lord God said to his sheep, the people of Israel: I will carefully watch each one of you to decide which ones are the strong sheep and which ones are weak.