THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel Chapter 13

1 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and tell those who prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear the word of the LORD;

3 The Lord GOD says this; Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

4 O Israel, your prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

5 You did not go up into the gaps, or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in the battle on the day of the LORD.

6 They have seen illusions and lie in God’s name, saying, The LORD says: when the LORD did not send them: and yet they hope that what they say will come true.

7 Are you not the ones who see false visions, and predict what does not come true, for you say, The LORD said it; although I have not spoken?

8 Therefore the Lord GOD says this; Because you have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, know that I am against you, says the Lord GOD.

9 And my hand will be upon the prophets who see illusions, and who divine lies: they will not sit in the assembly of my people, or be recorded in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter into the land of Israel; and you will know that I am the Lord GOD.

10 ¶ The reason is because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; when there was no peace; and one builds a flimsy wall, others whitewash it:

11 Tell those who whitewash it, that it will fall: there will be a pouring rain; and you, O great hailstones, will fall; and a stormy wind will tear it apart.

12 Now, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, Where is the whitewash you smeared on it?

13 Therefore the Lord GOD says; I will tear it apart with a stormy wind in my fury; and there will be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in my fury to destroy it.

14 So will I break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be exposed, and when it falls, you will be crushed under it: and you will know that I am the LORD.

15 Thus will I spend my fury on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash, and will say to you, The wall is gone, and so are those who whitewashed it;

16 As well as the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, when there is no peace, says the Lord GOD.

17 ¶ Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and you prophesy against them,

18 And say, Thus says the Lord GOD; Woe to the women who tie charms on every wrist, and make veils for the heads of people of every height in order to ensnare! Will you ensnare the souls of my people, but preserve your own?

19 You have made me unholy among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, slaying persons who should not die, and sparing those who should not live, by lying to my people who believe your lies?

20 Therefore the Lord GOD says this; Behold, I am against your charms, which you use to ensnare people like birds, and I will rip them from your arms, and will free the people that you are hunting like birds.

21 I will also tear off your veils, and deliver my people from your hands, and it will no longer be in your power to hunt them down; and you will know that I am the LORD.

22 Because you have with your lies made the righteous despair, when I did not make him despair; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he would not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

23 Therefore you will see no more illusions, or make predictions: for I will deliver my people from your hand: and you will know that I am the LORD.