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Ezekiel 20 GNT
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Ezekiel 20 GNT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/ezekiel/20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/ezekiel/20-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">GNT</a> > Ezekiel 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../ezekiel/19.htm" title="Ezekiel 19">◄</a> Ezekiel 20 <a href="../ezekiel/21.htm" title="Ezekiel 21">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Good News Translation</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s">The <span class="nd">Lord</span>'s Will and Human Defiance</h3><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_1"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.1" class="v26_20_1">1</span>It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the <span class="nd">Lord</span>'s will, and they sat down in front of me. </span><span class="v26_20_2"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.2" class="v26_20_2">2</span>Then the <span class="nd">Lord</span> spoke to me. </span><span class="v26_20_3"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.3" class="v26_20_3">3</span>“Mortal man,” he said, “speak to these leaders and tell them that the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span> is saying: You have come to ask my will, have you? As surely as I am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. I, the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span>, have spoken.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_4"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.4" class="v26_20_4">4</span>“Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did. </span><span class="v26_20_5"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.5" class="v26_20_5">5</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.5!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Tell them what I am saying. When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God. </span><span class="v26_20_6"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.6" class="v26_20_6">6</span>It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. </span><span class="v26_20_7"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.7" class="v26_20_7">7</span>I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt, because I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span> their God. </span><span class="v26_20_8"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.8" class="v26_20_8">8</span>But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt. </span><span class="v26_20_9"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.9" class="v26_20_9">9</span>But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_10"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.10" class="v26_20_10">10</span>“And so I led them out of Egypt into the desert. </span><span class="v26_20_11"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.11" class="v26_20_11">11</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.11!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. </span><span class="v26_20_12"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.12" class="v26_20_12">12</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.12!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, make them holy. </span><span class="v26_20_13"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.13" class="v26_20_13">13</span>But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them. </span><span class="v26_20_14"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.14" class="v26_20_14">14</span>But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt. </span><span class="v26_20_15"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.15" class="v26_20_15">15</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.15!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. </span><span class="v26_20_16"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.16" class="v26_20_16">16</span>I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath—they preferred to worship their idols.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_17"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.17" class="v26_20_17">17</span>“But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. </span><span class="v26_20_18"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.18" class="v26_20_18">18</span>Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols. </span><span class="v26_20_19"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.19" class="v26_20_19">19</span>I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God. Obey my laws and my commands. </span><span class="v26_20_20"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.20" class="v26_20_20">20</span>Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_21"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.21" class="v26_20_21">21</span>“But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all. </span><span class="v26_20_22"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.22" class="v26_20_22">22</span>But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. </span><span class="v26_20_23"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.23" class="v26_20_23">23</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.23!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> So I made another vow in the desert. I vowed that I would scatter them all over the world. </span><span class="v26_20_24"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.24" class="v26_20_24">24</span>I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_25"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.25" class="v26_20_25">25</span>“Then I gave them laws that are not good and commands that do not bring life. </span><span class="v26_20_26"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.26" class="v26_20_26">26</span>I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span>.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_27"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.27" class="v26_20_27">27</span>“Now then, mortal man, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span>, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness. </span><span class="v26_20_28"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.28" class="v26_20_28">28</span>I brought them to the land I had promised to give them. When they saw the high hills and green trees, they offered sacrifices at all of them. They made me angry by the sacrifices they burned and by the wine they brought as offerings. </span><span class="v26_20_29"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.29" class="v26_20_29">29</span>I asked them: What are these high places where you go? So they have been called ‘High Places’<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.29!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> ever since. </span><span class="v26_20_30"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.30" class="v26_20_30">30</span>Now tell the Israelites what I am saying: Why must you commit the same sins your ancestors did and go running after their idols? </span><span class="v26_20_31"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.31" class="v26_20_31">31</span>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 <span class="nd">Lord</span>, am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. </span><span class="v26_20_32"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.32" class="v26_20_32">32</span>You have made up your minds that you want to be like the other nations, like the people who live in other countries and worship trees and rocks. But that will never be.</span></p><h3 class="s">God Punishes and Forgives</h3><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_33"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.33" class="v26_20_33">33</span>“As surely as I, the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span>, am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power. </span><span class="v26_20_34"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.34" class="v26_20_34">34</span>I will show you my power and my anger when I gather you together and bring you back from all the countries where you have been scattered. </span><span class="v26_20_35"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.35" class="v26_20_35">35</span>I will bring you into the ‘Desert of the Nations,’ and there I will condemn you to your face. </span><span class="v26_20_36"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.36" class="v26_20_36">36</span>I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert,” says the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span>.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_37"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.37" class="v26_20_37">37</span>“I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant. </span><span class="v26_20_38"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.38" class="v26_20_38">38</span>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 <span class="nd">Lord</span>.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_39"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.39" class="v26_20_39">39</span>The Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span> says, “And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols. </span><span class="v26_20_40"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.40" class="v26_20_40">40</span>There in the land, on my holy mountain,<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.40!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts. </span><span class="v26_20_41"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.41" class="v26_20_41">41</span>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. </span><span class="v26_20_42"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.42" class="v26_20_42">42</span>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 <span class="nd">Lord</span>. </span><span class="v26_20_43"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.43" class="v26_20_43">43</span>Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did. </span><span class="v26_20_44"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.44" class="v26_20_44">44</span>When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve.” The Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span> has spoken.</span></p><h3 class="s">Fire in the South</h3><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_45"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.45" class="v26_20_45">45</span>The <span class="nd">Lord</span> spoke to me. </span><span class="v26_20_46"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.46" class="v26_20_46">46</span>“Mortal man,” he said, “look toward the south. Speak against the south and prophesy against the forest of the south. </span><span class="v26_20_47"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.47" class="v26_20_47">47</span>Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span> 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. </span><span class="v26_20_48"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.48" class="v26_20_48">48</span>They will all see that I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, set it on fire and that no one can put it out.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_49"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.49" class="v26_20_49">49</span>But I protested, “Sovereign <span class="nd">Lord</span>, don't make me do it! Everyone is already complaining that I always speak in riddles.”</span></p><a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.29: </char><char style="fk" closed="false">High Places: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Pagan places of worship which the Hebrews were forbidden to use. The Hebrew word translated “High Places” sounds like the Hebrew for “where you go.”</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.40: </char><char style="fk" closed="false">holy mountain: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Mount Zion, the hill in Jerusalem which formed part of the Temple and palace area.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 1992 American Bible Society. 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