Ezekiel 20:3-26
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 20
3Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: 'Do you yourselves come to inquire of Me? As I live,' declares the Lord God, 'I certainly will not be inquired of by you.'?’ 4Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make known to them the abominations of their fathers; 5and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: 'On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the Lord your God, 6on that day I swore to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had selected for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all the lands. 7And I said to them, ‘Throw away, each of you, the detestable things of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.’
8But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not throw away, each of them, the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they abandon the idols of Egypt. 'Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to use up My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9But I acted for the sake of My name, that it would not be defiled in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
10So I took them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
11I gave them My statutes and informed them of My ordinances, which, if a person follows them, then he will live by them.
12Also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, so that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
13But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not walk in My statutes and they rejected My ordinances, which, if a person follows them, then he will live by them; and they greatly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness, to annihilate them.
14But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be defiled before the eyes of the nations, before whose eyes I had brought them out.
15Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all the lands,
16because they rejected My ordinances, and as for My statutes, they did not walk in them; they also profaned My Sabbaths, because their heart continually followed their idols.
17Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not bring about their annihilation in the wilderness.
18Instead, I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
19I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and follow them.
20Sanctify My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, so that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
21But the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to follow My ordinances which, if a person follows them, then he will live by them; they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to use up My anger against them in the wilderness.
22But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be defiled in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
23Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands,
24because they had not complied with My ordinances, but had rejected My statutes and had profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were on the idols of their fathers.
25I also gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances by which they could not live;
26and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they made all their firstborn pass through the fire so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the Lord.'?’
King James Version
4Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the Lord your God;
6In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
12Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
16Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
19I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.
21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
26And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible
4"Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their fathers to them.
5Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of Jacob’s house and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying, "I am the Lord your God."
6On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7I also said to them, "Throw away, each of you, the abhorrent things that you prize, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
8"‘But they rebelled against me and were unwilling to listen to me. None of them threw away the abhorrent things that they prized, and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them, exhausting my anger against them within the land of Egypt.
9But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt.
10"‘So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11Then I gave them my statutes and explained my ordinances to them—the person who does them will live by them.
12I also gave them my Sabbaths to serve as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I am the Lord who consecrates them.
13"‘But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my statutes and they rejected my ordinances—the person who does them will live by them. They also completely profaned my Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them in the wilderness to put an end to them.
14But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—the most beautiful of all lands, flowing with milk and honey—
16because they rejected my ordinances, profaned my Sabbaths, and did not follow my statutes. For their hearts went after their idols.
17Yet I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.
18"‘Then I said to their children in the wilderness, "Don’t follow the statutes of your fathers, defile yourselves with their idols, or keep their ordinances.
19I am the Lord your God. Follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them.
20Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you, so you may know that I am the Lord your God."
21"‘But the children rebelled against me. They did not follow my statutes or carefully keep my ordinances—the person who does them will live by them. They also profaned my Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them and exhausting my anger against them in the wilderness.
22But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out.
23However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.
24For they did not practice my ordinances but rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols.
25I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances they could not live by.
26When they sacrificed every firstborn in the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am the Lord.’
New Living Translation
4Son of man, bring charges against them and condemn them. Make them realize how detestable the sins of their ancestors really were.
5Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: When I chose Israel — when I revealed myself to the descendants of Jacob in Egypt — I took a solemn oath that I, the Lord, would be their God.
6I took a solemn oath that day that I would bring them out of Egypt to a land I had discovered and explored for them — a good land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the best of all lands anywhere.
7Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, get rid of the vile images you are so obsessed with. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt, for I am the Lord your God.’
8But they rebelled against me and would not listen. They did not get rid of the vile images they were obsessed with, or forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I threatened to pour out my fury on them to satisfy my anger while they were still in Egypt.
9But I didn’t do it, for I acted to protect the honor of my name. I would not allow shame to be brought on my name among the surrounding nations who saw me reveal myself by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.
10So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them.
12And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy.
13But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life. They also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the wilderness.
14But again I held back in order to protect the honor of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt.
15But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful place on earth.
16For they had rejected my regulations, refused to follow my decrees, and violated my Sabbath days. Their hearts were given to their idols.
17Nevertheless, I took pity on them and held back from destroying them in the wilderness.
18Then I warned their children not to follow in their parents’ footsteps, defiling themselves with their idols.
19‘I am the Lord your God,’ I told them. ‘Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations,
20and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’
21But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So again I threatened to pour out my fury on them in the wilderness.
22Nevertheless, I withdrew my judgment against them to protect the honor of my name before the nations that had seen my power in bringing them out of Egypt.
23But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would scatter them among all the nations
24because they did not obey my regulations. They scorned my decrees by violating my Sabbath days and longing for the idols of their ancestors.
25I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life.
26I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I had given them, and I allowed them to give their firstborn children as offerings to their gods — so I might devastate them and remind them that I alone am the Lord.
English Standard Version
Chapter 20
3"Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you. 4Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Let them know the abominations of their fathers, 5and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: On the day when I chose Israel, I swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, making myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I swore to them, saying, I am the Lord your God. 6On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands. 7And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.’ 8But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. None of them cast away the detestable things their eyes feasted on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. "Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
10So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
11I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live.
12Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. "Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to make a full end of them.
14But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
15Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands,
16because they rejected my rules and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
17Nevertheless, my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or make a full end of them in the wilderness.
18"And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
19I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules,
20and keep my Sabbaths holy that they may be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
21But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; they profaned my Sabbaths. "Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.
22But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
23Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries,
24because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers ' idols.
25Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life,
26and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the Lord.
New International Version
4"Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors
5and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, "I am the Lord your God."
6On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
8" ‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.
9But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
10Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
11I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.
12Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.
13" ‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness.
14But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands—
16because they rejected my laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols.
17Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the wilderness.
18I said to their children in the wilderness, "Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols.
19I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
20Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."
21" ‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, "The person who obeys them will live by them," and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.
22But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
23Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries,
24because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their parents’ idols.
25So I gave them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live;
26I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.’
New King James Version
Chapter 20
3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live,” says the Lord God, “I will not be inquired of by you.” ’ 4Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Then make known to them the abominations of their fathers.
5“Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day when I chose Israel and raised My hand in an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, I raised My hand in an oath to them, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God.’
6On that day I raised My hand in an oath to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ the glory of all lands.
7Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
8But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, ‘I will pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.’
9But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles among whom they were, in whose sight I had made Myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
10“Therefore I made them go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
11And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them.’
12Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
13Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes; they despised My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’; and they greatly defiled My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.
15So I also raised My hand in an oath to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ the glory of all lands,
16because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
17Nevertheless My eye spared them from destruction. I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.
18“But I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
19I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them;
20hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
21“Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’; but they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the wilderness.
22Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.
23Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries,
24because they had not executed My judgments, but had despised My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols.
25“Therefore I also gave them up to statutes that were not good, and judgments by which they could not live;
26and I pronounced them unclean because of their ritual gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate and that they might know that I am the Lord.” ’
