English Bible Presentation Sharing - Ezekiel Book, chapter 20, verse 19 in Hcsb Version

Ezekiel 20 : 1 (HCSB)

In the seventh year, in the fifth *month , on the tenth day of the month, some of Israel's elders came to consult the LORD, and they sat down in front of me.

Ezekiel 20 : 2 (HCSB)

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 20 : 3 (HCSB)

"Son of man, speak with the elders of Israel and tell them: This is what the Lord God says: Are you coming to consult Me? As I live, I will not be consulted by you." *This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Ezekiel 20 : 4 (HCSB)

"Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain to them the abominations of their fathers.

Ezekiel 20 : 5 (HCSB)

Say 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.

Ezekiel 20 : 6 (HCSB)

On 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.

Ezekiel 20 : 7 (HCSB)

I also said to them: Each of you must throw away the detestable things that are before your eyes and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 20 : 8 (HCSB)

"But they rebelled against Me and were unwilling to listen to Me. None of them threw away the detestable things that were before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them, exhausting My anger against them within the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20 : 9 (HCSB)

But 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.

Ezekiel 20 : 10 (HCSB)

"So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20 : 11 (HCSB)

Then I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them-- the person who does them will live by them.

Ezekiel 20 : 12 (HCSB)

I also gave them My Sabbaths to serve as a sign between Me and them, so they will know that I am the LORD who sets them apart as holy.

Ezekiel 20 : 13 (HCSB)

"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.

Ezekiel 20 : 14 (HCSB)

But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20 : 15 (HCSB)

However, 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--

Ezekiel 20 : 16 (HCSB)

because they rejected My ordinances, profaned My Sabbaths, and did not follow My statutes. For their hearts went after their idols.

Ezekiel 20 : 17 (HCSB)

But I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20 : 18 (HCSB)

"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.

Ezekiel 20 : 19 (HCSB)

I am the LORD your God. Follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.

Ezekiel 20 : 20 (HCSB)

Keep My Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between Me and you, so you may know that I am the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 20 : 21 (HCSB)

"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.

Ezekiel 20 : 22 (HCSB)

But I withheld My hand and acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out.

Ezekiel 20 : 23 (HCSB)

However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.

Ezekiel 20 : 24 (HCSB)

For they did not practice My ordinances but rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols.

Ezekiel 20 : 25 (HCSB)

I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances that did not bring them life.

Ezekiel 20 : 26 (HCSB)

When they made every firstborn pass through *the fire , I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 20 : 27 (HCSB)

"Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them: This is what the Lord God says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by committing treachery against Me:

Ezekiel 20 : 28 (HCSB)

When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices and presented their offensive offerings there. They also sent up their pleasing aromas and poured out their drink offerings there.

Ezekiel 20 : 29 (HCSB)

So I asked them: What is this high place you are going to? And it is called High Place to this day.

Ezekiel 20 : 30 (HCSB)

"Therefore say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: Are you defiling yourselves the way your fathers did, and prostituting yourselves with their detestable things?

Ezekiel 20 : 31 (HCSB)

When you offer your gifts, making your children pass through the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live"-- *this is the declaration of the Lord God-- "I will not be consulted by you!

Ezekiel 20 : 32 (HCSB)

"When you say: Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of *other countries, worshiping wood and stone, what you have in mind will never happen.

Ezekiel 20 : 33 (HCSB)

As I live"-- the declaration of the Lord God-- "I will rule over you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.

Ezekiel 20 : 34 (HCSB)

I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath.

Ezekiel 20 : 35 (HCSB)

I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.

Ezekiel 20 : 36 (HCSB)

Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you." *This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Ezekiel 20 : 37 (HCSB)

"I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

Ezekiel 20 : 38 (HCSB)

And I will also purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 20 : 39 (HCSB)

"As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord God says: Go and serve your idols, each of you. But afterwards you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.

Ezekiel 20 : 40 (HCSB)

For on My holy mountain, Israel's high mountain"-- the declaration of the Lord God-- "there the entire house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your contributions and choicest gifts, all your holy offerings.

Ezekiel 20 : 41 (HCSB)

When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will demonstrate My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.

Ezekiel 20 : 42 (HCSB)

When I lead you into the land of Israel, the land I swore to give your fathers, you will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 20 : 43 (HCSB)

There you will remember your ways and all your deeds you have defiled yourselves with, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil things you have done.

Ezekiel 20 : 44 (HCSB)

You will know that I am the LORD, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you because of My name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts." *This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Ezekiel 20 : 45 (HCSB)

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 20 : 46 (HCSB)

"Son of man, face the south and preach against it. Prophesy against the forest land in the Negev,

Ezekiel 20 : 47 (HCSB)

and say to the forest there: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord God says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.

Ezekiel 20 : 48 (HCSB)

Then all people will see that I, Yahweh, have kindled it. It will not be extinguished."

Ezekiel 20 : 49 (HCSB)

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God, they are saying of me: Isn't he *just posing riddles?"