Study Desk

"Now then, mortal man, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign Lord , am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness.

Now tell the Israelites what I am saying: Why must you commit the same sins your ancestors did and go running after their idols?

Even today you offer the same gifts and defile yourselves with the same idols by sacrificing your children to them in the fire. And then you Israelites still come to ask what my will is! As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord , am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything.

"As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord , am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power.

I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord ."

After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy.

When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the Lord .

When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the Lord , because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve." The Sovereign Lord has spoken.

Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign Lord is saying: Look! I am starting a fire, and it will burn up every tree in you, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put it out. It will spread from south to north, and everyone will feel the heat of the flames.

that I, the Lord , am saying: I am your enemy. I will draw my sword and kill all of you, good and evil alike.

"Mortal man, prophesy. Tell the people what I, the Lord, am saying: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished.

I am testing my people, and if they refuse to repent, all these things will happen to them.

It makes my people lose courage and stumble. I am threatening their city with a sword that flashes like lightning and is ready to kill.

This then is what I, the Sovereign Lord , am saying: Your sins are exposed. Everyone knows how guilty you are. You show your sins in your every action. You stand condemned, and I will hand you over to your enemies.

"Mortal man, prophesy. Announce what I, the Sovereign Lord , am saying to the Ammonites, who are insulting Israel. Say to them: ‘A sword is ready to destroy; It is polished to kill, to flash like lightning.

Tell the city what I, the Sovereign Lord , am saying: Because you have murdered so many of your own people and have defiled yourself by worshiping idols, your time is coming.

Do you think you will have any courage left or have strength enough to lift your hand when I am finished with you? I, the Lord , have spoken, and I keep my word.

And so the other nations will dishonor you, but you will know that I am the Lord ."

So now I, the Sovereign Lord , am telling them that they are just as useless as that. I will bring them all together in Jerusalem

"Mortal man," he said, "tell the Israelites that their land is unholy, and so I am punishing it in my anger.