Study Desk

"As surely as I live, says the Lord God , this is true: You will not use this saying in Israel anymore.

He lives by my rules and obeys my laws faithfully. Whoever does these things is good and will surely live, says the Lord God .

I do not really want the wicked to die, says the Lord God . I want them to stop their bad ways and live.

"So I will judge you, people of Israel; I will judge each of you by what you do, says the Lord God . Change your hearts and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring your ruin.

I do not want anyone to die, says the Lord God , so change your hearts and lives so you may live.

"Human, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Did you come to ask me questions? As surely as I live, I will not let you ask me questions.'

Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: When I chose Israel, I made a promise to the descendants of Jacob. I made myself known to them in Egypt, and I promised them, "I am the Lord your God."

I said to them, "Each one of you must throw away the hateful idols you have seen and liked. Don't make yourselves unclean with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

I am the Lord your God. Live by my rules, obey my laws, and follow them.

Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."

"So, human, speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Your ancestors spoke against me by being unfaithful to me in another way.

"So say to the people of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Are you going to make yourselves unclean as your ancestors did? Are you going to be unfaithful and desire their hateful idols?

When you offer your children as gifts and sacrifice them in the fire, you are making yourselves unclean with all your idols even today. So, people of Israel, should I let you ask me questions? As surely as I live, says the Lord God , I will not accept questions from you.

As surely as I live, says the Lord God , I will use my great power and strength and anger to rule over you.

I will judge you the same way I judged your ancestors in the desert of the land of Egypt, says the Lord God .

"‘This is what the Lord God says: People of Israel, go serve your idols for now. But later you will listen to me; you will not continue to dishonor my holy name with your gifts and gods.

On my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all Israel will serve me in the land, says the Lord God . There I will accept you. There I will expect your offerings, the first harvest of your offerings, and all your holy gifts.

I will deal with you for the sake of my name, not because of your evil ways or unclean actions. Then you will know I am the Lord , people of Israel, says the Lord God .'"

Say to that forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord . This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you that will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flames that burn will not be put out. Every face from south to north will feel their heat.

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God ! The people are saying about me, ‘He is only telling stories.'"