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<!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 CEV</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="../">CEV</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">Contemporary English Version</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s1">Israel Keeps On Rebelling</h3><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_1"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.1" class="v26_20_1">1</span>Seven years after King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been led away as prisoners to Babylonia, some of Israel's leaders came to me on the tenth day of the fifth month.<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.1!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> They sat down and asked for a message from the <span class="nd">Lord</span>. </span><span class="v26_20_2"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.2" class="v26_20_2">2</span>Just then, the <span class="nd">Lord</span> God said:</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_3"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.3" class="v26_20_3">3</span>Ezekiel, son of man, these leaders have come to find out what I want them to do. As surely as I live, I will not give them an answer of any kind.</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 willing to warn them, Ezekiel? Then remind them of the disgusting sins of their ancestors.</span></p><p class="par"><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 that long ago I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span> God, chose Israel to be my own. I appeared to their ancestors in Egypt and made a solemn promise that I would be their God and the God of their descendants. </span><span class="v26_20_6"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.6" class="v26_20_6">6</span>I swore that I would rescue them from Egypt and lead them to a land I had already chosen. This land was rich with milk and honey and was the most splendid 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 get rid of their disgusting idols and not to sin by worshiping the gods of Egypt. I reminded them that I was 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 still rebelled against me. They refused to listen and kept on worshiping their idols and foreign gods.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_8">In my anger, I decided to punish the Israelites in Egypt. </span><span class="v26_20_9"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.9" class="v26_20_9">9</span>But that would have made me look like a liar, because I had already promised in front of everyone that I would lead them out of Egypt. </span><span class="v26_20_10"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.10" class="v26_20_10">10</span>So I brought them out and led them 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 laws and teachings, so they would know how to live right. </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> And I commanded them to respect the Sabbath as a way of showing that they were holy and belonged to me. </span><span class="v26_20_13"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.13" class="v26_20_13">13</span>But the Israelites rebelled against me in the desert. They refused to obey my laws and teachings, and they treated the Sabbath like any other day.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_13">Then in my anger, I decided to destroy the Israelites in the desert once and for all. </span><span class="v26_20_14"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.14" class="v26_20_14">14</span>But that would have disgraced me, because many other nations had seen me bring the Israelites 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> Instead, I told them in the desert that I would not lead them into the beautiful, fertile land I had promised. </span><span class="v26_20_16"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.16" class="v26_20_16">16</span>I said this because they had not only ignored my laws and teachings, but had disgraced my Sabbath and worshiped idols.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_17"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.17" class="v26_20_17">17</span>Yet, I felt sorry for them and could not let them die in the desert. </span><span class="v26_20_18"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.18" class="v26_20_18">18</span>So I warned the children not to act like their parents or follow their evil ways or worship their idols. </span><span class="v26_20_19"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.19" class="v26_20_19">19</span>I reminded them that I was the <span class="nd">Lord</span> their God and that they should obey my laws and teachings. </span><span class="v26_20_20"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.20" class="v26_20_20">20</span>I told them to respect my Sabbath to show that they were my people and that I was the <span class="nd">Lord</span> their God. </span><span class="v26_20_21"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.21" class="v26_20_21">21</span>But the children also rebelled against me. They refused to obey my laws and teachings, and they treated the Sabbath as any other day.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_21">I became angry and decided to punish them in the desert. </span><span class="v26_20_22"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.22" class="v26_20_22">22</span>But I did not. That would have disgraced me in front of the nations that had seen me bring the Israelites 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 solemnly swore that I would scatter the people of Israel across the nations, </span><span class="v26_20_24"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.24" class="v26_20_24">24</span>because they had disobeyed my laws and ignored my teachings; they had disgraced my Sabbath and worshiped the idols their ancestors had made. </span><span class="v26_20_25"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.25" class="v26_20_25">25</span>I gave them laws that bring punishment instead of life, </span><span class="v26_20_26"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.26" class="v26_20_26">26</span>and I let them offer me unacceptable sacrifices, including their first-born sons. I did this to horrify them and to let them know that I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, was punishing them.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_27"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.27" class="v26_20_27">27</span>Ezekiel, tell the people of Israel that their ancestors also rejected and insulted me </span><span class="v26_20_28"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.28" class="v26_20_28">28</span>by offering sacrifices, incense, and wine to gods on every hill and under every large tree. I was very angry, because they did these things in the land I had given them! </span><span class="v26_20_29"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.29" class="v26_20_29">29</span>I asked them where they went to worship those gods, and they answered, “At the local shrines.”<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.29!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> And those places of worship are still called shrines.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v26_20_30"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.30" class="v26_20_30">30</span>Then ask the Israelites why they are following the example of their wicked ancestors </span><span class="v26_20_31"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.31" class="v26_20_31">31</span>by worshiping idols and by sacrificing their own children as offerings. They commit these sins and still think they can ask me for a message. As surely as I am the living <span class="nd">Lord</span> God, I will give them no answer. </span><span class="v26_20_32"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.32" class="v26_20_32">32</span>They may think they can be like other nations and get away with worshiping idols made of wood and stone. But that will never happen!</span></p><h3 class="s1">The <span class="nd">Lord</span> Promises To Restore Israel</h3><h5 class="sp">The <span class="nd">Lord</span> said to the people of Israel:</h5><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 am the living <span class="nd">Lord</span> God, I will rule over you with my powerful arm. You will feel my fierce anger </span><span class="v26_20_34"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.34" class="v26_20_34">34</span>and my power, when I gather you from the places where you are scattered </span><span class="v26_20_35"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.35" class="v26_20_35">35</span>and lead you into a desert surrounded by nations. I will meet you there face to face. Then I will pass judgment on you </span><span class="v26_20_36"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.36" class="v26_20_36">36</span>and punish you, just as I punished your ancestors in the desert near Egypt.<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.36!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v26_20_37"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.37" class="v26_20_37">37</span>I will force each of you to obey the regulations of our solemn agreement. </span><span class="v26_20_38"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.38" class="v26_20_38">38</span>I will separate the sinful rebels from the rest of you, and even though I will bring them from the nations where they live in exile, they won't be allowed to return to 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>Go ahead and worship your idols for now, you Israelites, because soon I will no longer let you dishonor me by offering gifts to them. You will have no choice but to obey me!<a href="#fn" id="link_Ezek.20.39!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v26_20_40"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.40" class="v26_20_40">40</span>When that day comes, everyone in Israel will worship me on Mount Zion, my holy mountain in Jerusalem. I will once again call you my own, and I will accept your sacred offerings and sacrifices. </span><span class="v26_20_41"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.41" class="v26_20_41">41</span>When I bring you home from the places where you are now scattered, I will be pleased with you, just as I am pleased with the smell of the smoke from your sacrifices. Every nation on earth 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>and you will know that I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, am the one who brought you back to Israel, the land I promised your ancestors. </span><span class="v26_20_43"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.43" class="v26_20_43">43</span>Then you will remember your wicked sins, and you will hate yourselves for doing such horrible things. They have made you unacceptable to me, </span><span class="v26_20_44"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.44" class="v26_20_44">44</span>so you deserve to be punished. But I will treat you in a way that will bring honor to my name, and you will know that I am the <span class="nd">Lord</span> God.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Fire from 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> said, </span><span class="v26_20_46"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.46" class="v26_20_46">46</span>“Ezekiel, son of man, turn toward the south and warn the forests </span><span class="v26_20_47"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.47" class="v26_20_47">47</span>that I, the <span class="nd">Lord</span> God, will start a fire that will burn up every tree, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put out the blaze of that fire as it spreads to the north and burns everything in its path. </span><span class="v26_20_48"><span class="reftext" id="Ezek.20.48" class="v26_20_48">48</span>Everyone will know that I started it, and that it cannot be stopped.”</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 complained, “<span class="nd">Lord</span> God, I don't want to do that! People already say I confuse them with my messages.”</span></p></div> </div> <a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.1 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Seven years … fifth month: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Probably August of 591 <char style="sc">b.c.</char></char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.29 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">where they went to worship those gods … local shrines: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">In Hebrew “where they went” sounds like “local shrines.” These were places to worship foreign gods.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.36 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the desert near Egypt: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The Sinai Desert.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">20.39 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">me: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 39.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 2006 American Bible Society. 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