# verses

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Their face is blacker than night. In the streets no one has knowledge of them. Their skin is hanging on their bones, and they are dry, they have become like wood.


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Those killed by the sword are better off than those who died of starvation. For these die slowly and waste away from lack of food from the field.


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The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children. They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.


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Jehovah has given full vent to his rage. He has poured out his burning anger. He set a fire in Zion causing the destruction of its foundation.


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To the kings of the earth and to all the people of the world it did not seem possible that the attackers and the enemy would enter the gates of Jerusalem.


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It is because of the sins of her prophets and the evil doing of her priests. They have drained the blood of the upright out from her.


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They are wandering like blind men in the streets. They are polluted with blood. Men may not touch their robes.


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»Get away! Unclean!« They were cried out to them, »Away! Away! Let no one touch.« They went away in flight and wandering, men said among the nations, »There is no further resting-place for them.«


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Jehovah has sent them in all directions. He will no longer take care of them. They had no respect for the priests and gave no honor to the elders.


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Our eyes are still wasting away in looking for our false help. We watch for a nation unable to give salvation.


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They go after our steps so that we may not go in our streets. Our end is near. Our days are numbered. Our end has come.


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Those who went after us were quicker than the eagles of the heaven. They drive us before them on the mountains. They wait secretly for us in the wasteland.


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The breath of our nostrils, Jehovahs anointed have been captured in their pits.« We said, »Under the shadow we live among the nations.«


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Have joy and be glad, O daughter of Edom, living in the land of Uz. The cup will be given to you in your turn, and you will be overcome with wine and your shame will be seen.


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The punishment of your evil doing is complete, O daughter of Zion; never again will he take you away as a prisoner. He has turned his attention to your error, O daughter of Edom. He has uncovered your sin.


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Our heritage is turned over to men of strange lands, our houses to those who are not our countrymen.


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Make us come back to you, O Jehovah, and let us be restored. Make our days new again as in the past.


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I was living among the exiles by the Chebar River. On the fifth day of the fourth month in the thirtieth year the <i>figurative</i> heaven opened and I saw visions from God.


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The word of Jehovah spoke to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi. It was in Babylon by the Chebar River. The power of Jehovah came upon him.


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I saw a storm coming from the north. There was an immense cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by a bright light. The center of the lightning looked like glowing metal.


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In the center of the cloud I saw what looked like four living creatures. They were shaped like humans.


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Their legs were straight. Their feet were like those of calves and they glittered like polished copper.


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They had human hands under their wings on each of their four sides. All four of them had faces and wings.


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Their wings touched each other. The creatures went straight ahead and they did not turn as they moved.


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Their faces looked like this: From the front, each creature had the face of a human. From the right side, each one had the face of a lion. From the left, each one had the face of a bull. And from the back, each one had the face of an eagle.


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That is what their faces looked like. Their wings were spread out and pointed upward. Each creature had two wings with which they touched each other. The other two wings covered their bodies.


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Each of the creatures went straight ahead. They went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn as they moved.


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The living creatures looked like burning coals and torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures. The fire was bright and lightning came out of the fire.


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As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each of them, with its four faces.


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This is how the wheels looked and how they were made: They looked like beryl <i>chrysolite precious stones</i> . All four wheels looked the same. They looked like a wheel within a wheel.


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When the living creatures moved the wheels moved with them. When the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose.


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Wherever the spirit wanted to go the creatures went. The wheels rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.


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When the creatures moved, the wheels moved. When the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still. And when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose with them. This is because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.


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Something like a dome was spread over the heads of the living creatures. It looked like dazzling crystal.


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Under the dome, each creature had two wings that were stretched out straight, touching one another. Each creature had two wings that covered its body.


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When the creatures moved I heard the sound of their wings. The sound was like the noise of rushing water. It was like the thunder <i>voice</i> of the Almighty. It was like the commotion in an army camp. When the creatures stood still, they lowered their wings.


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Above the dome over their heads was something that looked like a throne made of sapphire. On the throne was a figure that looked like a human.


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Then I saw what he looked like from the waist up. He looked like glowing copper with fire all around it. From the waist down he looked like fire. A bright light surrounded him.


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The brightness all around him looked like a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. It was the likeness of Jehovahs glory. When I saw it I immediately fell down with my face to the ground. I heard someone speaking.


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He said: »Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are people from a nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day.


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»I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn children.« Tell them: This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says:


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Whether these rebellious people listen or not, they will realize that a prophet has been among them.


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»Son of man, do not be afraid of them or the things they say. Do not be afraid, even though thorns and thistles are around you and you live among scorpions. Do not let the things they say frighten you. Do not be terrified in their presence even though they are rebellious people.


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»But you, son of man, listen to what I say. Do not be rebellious like those rebellious people. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.«


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He slowly spread the scroll in front of me. There was writing on the front and back. There were funeral songs <i>dirges</i> , songs of mourning and horrible things written on it.


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Jehovah said to me: »Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll. Then speak to the people of Israel.«


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He said: »Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you, and fill your stomach with it.« So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.


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»I am not sending you to people whose language is hard to understand or difficult to speak. I am sending you to Israel.


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»I am not sending you to nations whose language is hard to understand, difficult to speak, or whose words you cannot understand. If I send you to those nations they will certainly listen to you.


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»But the people of Israel will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to me. All the people of Israel are very stubborn and hardheaded.


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»I will make you as hard as a diamond, harder than flint stone. Do not be afraid of them. Do not be terrified in their presence, even though they are rebellious people.«


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»Go to the exiles, to your people. Whether they listen or not, tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says.«


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Then the Spirit lifted me, and behind me I heard a loud thundering voice say: »Blessed is Jehovahs glory from this place.«


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I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures touching one another and the noise of the wheels beside them as well as a loud rumbling.


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The Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went away feeling bitter and angry. The strong power of Jehovah came over me.


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I went to Tel Abib, to the exiles that lived by the Chebar River. I sat there among them for seven days. I was stunned among them.


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»Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the people of Israel. Listen to what I say, and warn them for me.


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»When I tell a wicked man that he will surely die, but you do not warn him or speak out so that he can change his wicked way in order to save his life; that wicked man will die because of his sin. I will hold you responsible for his death.


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»When you warn the wicked man, and he does not turn from his wicked way; he will die because of his sin, but you will save yourself.


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»If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble and they will die. If you do not warn them, they will die because of their sin. The right things they did will not be remembered. I will hold you responsible for their deaths.


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»If you warn righteous people not to sin, and they do not sin, they will certainly live because they listened to the warning and you will save yourself.«


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The power of Jehovah came over me. He said: »Get up, and go to the plain. I will speak to you there.«


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I got up and went to the plain. Jehovahs glory was standing there like the glory I saw by the Chebar River. So I immediately bowed down.


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The Spirit entered me and stood me on my feet. He talked to me. He said: »Go shut yourself in your home.


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»I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you cannot talk or criticize them, even though they are rebellious people.


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»But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth. You will tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says. Some will listen and some will refuse to listen for they are a rebellious people.


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»Then lay siege to it. Erect siege works against it. Build a ramp up to it. Set up camps against it and put battering rams around it.


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»Take an iron pan and place it as an iron wall between you and the city. Then turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.


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»Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side.


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»I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for three hundred and ninety days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel.


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»After you have finished this lie down again. This time lie on your right side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah. I have assigned you forty days, a day for each year.


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»I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.


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»Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the three hundred and ninety days you lie on your side.


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»You are to build a fire out of dried human excrement, bake bread on the fire, and eat it where everyone can see you.«


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Jehovah said: »This represents the way the Israelites will have to eat food which the Law forbids when I scatter them to foreign countries.«


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But I replied: »No, O Lord Jehovah! I have never defiled myself. From childhood on I have never eaten meat from any animal that died a natural death or was killed by wild animals. I have never eaten any food considered unclean.«


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And he added: »Mortal man, I am going to cut off the supply of bread for Jerusalem. The people there will be distressed and anxious as they measure out the food they eat and the water they drink.


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»They will run out of bread and water. They will be in despair. They will waste away because of their sins.


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»As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword. Take and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair.


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»You should burn one-third of the hair in the fire at the center of the city when the siege is over. Take one third and strike it with the sword all around the city. The remaining one third you shall scatter to the wind. I will unsheathe a sword behind them.


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»Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire. Fire will spread from there to all the house of Israel.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: This is Jerusalem. I have set her at the center of the nations with countries all around her.


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»She has rebelled against my ordinances more wickedly than the nations and against my statutes more than the lands that surround her. My people have rejected my ordinances and have not walked in my statutes.


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»Therefore, Jehovah says: You have more turmoil than the nations that surround you. You have not walked in my statutes, nor observed my ordinances, nor observed the ordinances of the nations that surround you.


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: Behold, I, even I, am against you! I will execute judgments against you in the sight of the nations.


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»Because of all your abominations, I will do among you what I have not done before, and the like of which I will never do again.


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»Fathers will eat their sons among you and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter your entire remnant to every wind.«


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»As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable idols and with all your abominations I will withdraw, and my eye will have no pity and I will not spare you.


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»One third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine! One third will fall by the sword! One third I will scatter to every wind! I will unsheathe a sword behind them <i>war will follow them</i> .


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»I will unleash my anger. I will use my fury against you, and I will get revenge. When my fury is unleashed against you, you will know that I, Jehovah, spoke to you with all my zeal.


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»I will turn you into a wasteland and an object of ridicule among the nations around you and in the presence of everyone who passes by you.


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»The nations that are around you will ridicule you and laugh at you. When I punish you because of my anger, fury, and fierce revenge, you will become something ridiculed and something horrible. I, Jehovah, have spoken.


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»When I shoot my destructive arrows of famine at you, I will shoot to kill you. I will bring more and more famine into your land. I will cut off your food supply.


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»I will send famine and wild animals against you. They will rob you of your children. I will send plagues, violence, and wars to kill you. I, Jehovah, have spoken!«


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»Say this: You mountains of Israel listen to the word of the Lord Jehovah! This is what the Lord Jehovah says to the mountains and hills and to the ravines and valleys: »I am going to attack you with a sword and destroy your worship sites.


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»Your altars will be destroyed! Your incense burners will be smashed. I will kill your people in front of your idols.


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»I will lay the dead bodies of the people of Israel in front of your idols. I will even scatter their bones around your altars.


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»Your dwelling places in the cities will be ruined, and the worship sites will be wrecked. Your altars will be ruined and demolished. Your idols will be smashed and completely destroyed. Your incense burners will be cut down. Everything you have done will be wiped out.


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»However, I will let some people live. Some people will escape the battle among the nations and be scattered throughout the countries.


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»Then those who escape will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive. I was hurt by their adulterous hearts, which turned away from me, and by their eyes, which lusted after idols. They will hate themselves for the evil and disgusting things that they have done.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and say, How sad! The people of Israel have done evil and disgusting things. So they will die in wars, famines, and plagues.


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»Plagues will kill those who are far away. Those who are near will die in wars. Anyone who is left and has escaped will die of famine. This is how I will unleash my rage.


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»Then you will know that I am Jehovah. Those who are killed will lie beside the idols around their altars. They will lie on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every large tree and every leafy oak. These are the places where they made offerings to their disgusting idols.


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»I will stretch out my hand <i>use my power</i> against them and destroy the land from the desert to Diblah. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM JEHOVAH!«


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»Son of man, the Lord Jehovah says to the land of Israel: The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.


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»The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.


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»I will not look on you with pity or spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM JEHOVAH.


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»Doom has come upon you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near. There is panic, not joy, upon the mountains.


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»I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.


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»I will not look on you with pity or spare you <i>my eye will not feel sorry for you</i> . I will repay you in accordance with your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that it is I, Jehovah, who strikes the blow.


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»The day is here! It has come! Doom has burst forth. The rod has budded, and arrogance has blossomed!


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»Violence has grown into a weapon for punishing wickedness. None of the people will be left. None of that crowd, none of their wealth, and nothing of value will be left.


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»The time is coming. The day is near. Buyers will not rejoice, and sellers will not mourn, because my fury will be against the whole crowd.


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»Sellers will not live long enough to buy back what they have sold. The visions against that crowd will not change. Because of their sins, none of the people will live.


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»They have blown a ram's horn and everything is ready. But no one will go into battle, because my fury is against their whole crowd.


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»Outside are swords and inside are plagues and famines. He who is in a field will die in battle. He who is in the city will be devoured by famines and plagues.


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»Some will escape to the mountains like doves frightened from the valleys. All of them will moan over their sins.


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»They will put on sackcloth and they will tremble all over. Their heads will be shaved, and they will all be disgraced.


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»They will throw their gold and silver away in the streets like garbage <i>like an abhorrent thing</i> , because neither silver nor gold can save them when Jehovah pours out his fury. They cannot use it to satisfy their desires or fill their stomachs. Gold and silver led them into sin.


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»Once they were proud of their beautiful jewels, but they used them to make disgusting idols. That is why Jehovah has made their wealth repulsive to them.


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»I will hand it all over as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, and they will defile it.


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»I will turn my face away from them. They will desecrate my treasured place. Robbers will enter it and desecrate it.


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»I will bring the wicked of the nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated.


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»Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet. The teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders.


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»The king will mourn. The prince will be clothed with despair and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct. By their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.«


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On the fifth day of the sixth month in the sixth year, I was sitting in my home. Judah's older men were sitting in front of me. The power of the Lord Jehovah came over me.


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As I looked, I saw something that looked like a human. From the waist down its body looked like fire, and from the waist up its body looked like bright glowing metal.


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It stretched out what looked like a hand and grabbed me by the hair on my head. In these visions from God, the Spirit carried me between heaven and earth. He took me in vision to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.


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God said to me: »Son of man, look toward the north.« So I looked toward the north. There in the entrance to the north gate beside the altar, I saw the idol that provokes jealousy and stirs up God's anger.


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He asked me: »Son of man, do you see what the people of Israel are doing? The people of Israel are doing very disgusting things here, things that will force me to go far away from my holy place. But you will see even more disgusting things.«


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So I entered and looked, and behold, every form of creeping things and beasts and detestable things. There were all the idols of the house of Israel. They were carved on the wall all around.


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Standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel. Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan stood among them. Each man had his censer in his hand and the fragrance of the cloud of incense was rising.


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Then he said: »Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are committing in the dark, each man in the room of his carved images? For they say: Jehovah does not see us! Jehovah has forsaken the land!«


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Then he brought me to the entrance of the gate of Jehovahs house toward the north; and I saw women sitting there weeping for Tammuz <i>the god</i> .


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He said to me: »Do you see this, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations than these.«


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So he took me to the inner courtyard of the Temple. There near the entrance of the sanctuary, between the altar and the porch, were about twenty-five men. They turned their backs to the sanctuary and were bowing low toward the east, worshiping the rising sun.


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Jehovah said to me: »Mortal man, do you see that? These people of Judah are not satisfied with merely doing all the disgusting things you have seen here and with spreading violence throughout the country. No, they must come and do them right here in the Temple and make me even angrier. Look how they insult me in the most offensive way possible by thrusting the shoot to my nose! <i>an obsene reference or jesture to Jehovah</i>


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»They will feel all the force of my anger. I will not spare them or show them any mercy <i>my eye will not feel sorry</i> . They will shout prayers to me as loud as they can. But I will not listen to them«


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God shouted with a loud voice: »Come here, you men who are going to punish the city. Bring your weapons with you!«


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Six men came from the direction of the upper gate that faces north. Each had his shattering weapon in his hand. Among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case <i>secretarys inkhorn</i> at his side. They went in and stood beside the copper altar.


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Then the dazzling light of the presence of the God of Israel rose up from the winged creatures where it had been. It moved to the entrance of the Temple. Jehovah called to the man dressed in linen:


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»Go through the whole city of Jerusalem and put a mark <i>signature</i> on the forehead of everyone who is distressed and troubled because of all the disgusting things being done in the city.«


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I heard God say to the other men: »Follow him through the city and kill. Spare no one! Have mercy on no one.


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»Kill the old men, young men, young women, mothers, and children. But do not touch anyone who has the mark on his forehead. Start here at my Temple.« So they began with the elders who were standing there at the Temple.


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He said to them: »Dishonor the Temple! Fill its courtyards with dead people, and then leave.« So they went out and killed the people in the city.


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While they were killing people, I was left alone. So I immediately bowed down. I cried: »Help me O Lord Jehovah. Will you destroy everyone who is left in Israel while you pour out your anger on Jerusalem?«


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He answered me: »The wickedness of the nations of Israel and Judah is terrible! The land is filled with murder, and the city is filled with wrongdoing. They think that Jehovah has abandoned the land and that he does not see.


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»But <i>my eye will not feel sorry</i> I will not have compassion or feel sorry. I will do to them what they have done to others.«


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Then the person dressed in linen who was carrying the writing case <i>inkhorn</i> reported: »I did everything you commanded.«


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I looked at the dome over the heads of the angels. And I saw something that looked like a throne made of sapphire.


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Jehovah said to the person dressed in linen: »Go between the wheels under the angels and fill your hands with burning coals. Then scatter them over the city.« So he went between the wheels as I watched.


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The angels <i>cherubs</i> were standing on the south side of the Temple as the person went. A cloud filled the inner courtyard.


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Jehovahs glory rose from the angels to the entrance of the Temple. The cloud filled the Temple, and the brightness of Jehovahs glory filled the courtyard.


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The sound of the angels' wings was heard as far as the outer courtyard. It was like the sound of the Almighty God when he speaks.


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After Jehovah had commanded the person dressed in linen to take burning coals from between the wheels beside the angels, the person went in and stood beside one of the wheels.


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One of the angels reached into the fire that was between the angels and took out some coals. This angel put them in the hands of the person dressed in linen. The person took them and left.


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Then I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the angels. There was one wheel beside each angel. The appearance of the wheels was like the gleam of a chrysolite stone.


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When they moved, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. They followed in the direction that they faced, without turning as they went.


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Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around. The wheels belonged to all four of them.


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Each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub angel, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.


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When the angels moved, the wheels moved beside them. When the angels lifted their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side.


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When the angels stood still, the wheels stood still. When the angels rose, the wheels rose with them. The spirit of the living creatures was in them <i>the wheels</i> .


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The angels lifted their wings and rose from the ground. I was watching them as they left with the wheels beside them. The angels stood at the door to the east gate of Jehovahs Temple, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.


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These are the living creatures that I saw under the God of Israel at the Chebar River. I realized that they were angels <i>cherubs</i> .


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Their faces looked exactly like the faces that I saw by the Chebar River. Each one went straight ahead.


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The Spirit lifted me and took me to the east gate of Jehovahs Temple. It is the gate that faces east. Twenty-five men were at the entrance of the gate. I saw among them Azzur's son Jaazaniah and Benaiah's son Pelatiah. They were leaders of the people.


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Jehovah said to me: »Son of man, these are the men who plan evil and give bad advice in this city <i>Jerusalem</i> .


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Jehovahs Spirit came to me and told me to say: »This is what Jehovah says: You are saying these things, nation of Israel. But I know what is going through your mind.


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»I, the Lord Jehovah, say to you: This city is a cooking pot all right, but what is the meat? The corpses of those you have killed! You will not be here. I will throw you out of the city!«


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»Are you afraid of swords? I will bring soldiers with swords to attack you, is the utterance of Jehovah.


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I will take you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners. I will execute judgments against you.


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»You will be killed in battle in your own country. I will judge you on the border of Israel. Then everyone will know that I am Jehovah.


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»This city will not protect you the way a cooking pot protects the meat in it. I will punish you wherever you may be in the land of Israel.


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»You will know that I am Jehovah! While you were keeping the laws of the neighboring nations, you were breaking my laws and disobeying my commands.«


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»It happened while I prophesied, that Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said: Alas, O Lord Jehovah! Will you bring the remnant of Israel to a complete end?«


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»Son of man, your brothers, your relatives, your fellow exiles and the whole house of Israel, all of them are those to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: Go far from Jehovah. This land has been given us as a possession.


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»Therefore say: Thus says the Lord Jehovah: »Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary <i>holy place shelter protection</i> for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.« 


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»Therefore say, The Lord Jehovah says: »I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered. I will give you the land of Israel.


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»When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.


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»I will give them one <i>united</i> heart, and put a new spirit within them. I will take the heart of stone <i>unkind attitude</i> out of them and give them a heart of flesh <i>loving disposition</i> .


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»In this way they may walk in my statutes and obey my ordinances. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God.


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»Concerning those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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Then the cherubim <i>angels</i> lifted up their wings with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them.


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The glory of Jehovah went up from within the city and stood over the mountain that is east of the city.


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The Spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God to the exiles in Chaldea. So the vision that I had seen left me.


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»Son of man, you are living among rebellious people. They have eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but they cannot hear because they are rebellious people.


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»Son of man, pack your bags as if you were going into exile. Let the people see you leave in the daylight. March like a captive from your place to another place as they watch. Maybe they will understand, even though they are a rebellious people <i>house</i> .


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»Bring out your bags as if you were going into exile. Let them see this in the daylight. In the evening let them see you leave like a captive going into exile.


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»Let them see you put your bags on your shoulders and carry them out in the dark. Cover your face so that you won't see the land. I have made you a sign to warn the nation of Israel.«


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I did what I was ordered to do. During the day I brought out bags as if I were going into exile. In the evening I dug a hole through the wall. I brought out my bags in the dark. I let the people see me as I carried my bags on my shoulders.


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»Tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: This is the divine revelation about the prince from Jerusalem and about all the people of Israel who live there.«


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»Tell them: I am your warning sign. What I have done will happen to you. You will go into exile and into captivity.


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»The prince who is among you will put his bags on his shoulders in the dark and leave. People will dig holes in the wall to go through. The prince will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.«


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»I will also spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon in the land of the Chaldeans. Yet he will not see it, though he will die there.


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»I will scatter to every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops. I will draw out a sword after them.


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»So they will know that I am Jehovah when I scatter them among the nations and spread them among the countries.


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»I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am Jehovah.«


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»Then say to the people of the land: The Lord Jehovah says concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel, They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror, because their land will be stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it.


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»The inhabited cities will be laid waste and the land will be a desolation. So you will know that I am Jehovah.« 


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»Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel. You say: The days are long and every vision fails?


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»Therefore say to them: The Lord Jehovah says: I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel. Tell them: The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.


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»I Jehovah will speak. Everything that I say will happen without any more delay. I will say something, and it will happen during your rebellious lifetime,« declares the Almighty God Jehovah.


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»Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, The vision that Ezekiel sees will not happen for a long time. What he prophecies will happen in the distant future.


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»Tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »Everything that I say will no longer be delayed. Whatever I say will happen, declares the Lord Jehovah.« «


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»Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own heart <i>inspiration</i> : Listen to the word of Jehovah!


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The Lord Jehovah said: »Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing.


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»You have not gone up into the gaps <i>broken places</i> of the wall around the house of Israel. You did not build the wall to stand in the battle on the day of Jehovah.«


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»They see falsehood and lying divination. They are saying: Jehovah declares, when Jehovah has not sent them. Yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.


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»Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said Jehovah declares, but it is not I who has spoken?« 


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: »Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of my people. They will not be written down in the register of the house of Israel. And they will not enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord Jehovah.


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»It is definitely because they have misled my people by saying, »Peace!« When there is no peace. And when anyone builds a wall they plaster it over with whitewash.


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»So tell those who plaster it over with whitewash, that it will fall. A flooding rain will come, and you, O hailstones, will fall; and a violent wind will break out.


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»When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked: Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: In my fury I will cause a storm to break out. In my anger rain will pour down, and hailstones will destroy the wall.


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»I will tear down the wall that the prophets covered up with whitewash. I will level it and expose its foundation. When the wall falls, they will be destroyed by it. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.


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»I will unleash my rage on the wall and on those who covered it up with paint. Then I will say to you: The wall is gone, and so are those who painted it.


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»The prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem are gone. Those who said that everything was all right, when it was not all right, are gone, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»Tell them, This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »How horrible it will be for women who sew magic charms for people's wrists and make magic veils of every size for people's heads. You want to trap people. You want to control the lives of my people for your own profit.


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»You dishonor me in front of my people for a few handfuls of barley and a few pieces of bread. You kill people who should not die. You spare the lives of people who should not live. You lie to my people who are willing to listen.« 


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I am against the magic charms that you use to trap people like birds. I will tear them from your arms and free the people that you have trapped.


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»I will tear off your magic veils and rescue my people from your power so that they will no longer be under your control. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.


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»You have discouraged righteous people with your lies, even though I had not brought them any grief. You encouraged wicked people not to turn from their wicked ways to save their lives.


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»That is why you will no longer see false visions or make predictions. I will rescue my people from your power. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, these people are devoted to their idols. They allow themselves to sin. Should they be allowed to ask me for anything?


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»Speak to them. Tell them, This is what Jehovah says: Suppose an Israelite is devoted to idols and allows himself to sin. Suppose he goes to a prophet to ask for my help. I, Jehovah, will give that Israelite an answer, the answer that his many idolaters deserve.


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»I will do this to recapture the hearts of the nation of Israel. They have deserted me because of their disgusting idols.«


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»Therefore tell the nation of Israel: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »Change the way you think and act! <i>Repent!</i> Turn away from your idols, and do not return to any of your disgusting things.


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»Suppose an Israelite or a foreigner who lives in Israel deserts me by devoting himself to idols and by allowing himself to sin. If he goes to a prophet to ask for my help, I, Jehovah, will give him an answer.


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»I will set my face against him <i>reject him</i> , and I will make an example of him. I will exclude him from my people. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.«


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»If a prophet is tricked into giving a prophecy, it is I, Jehovah, who tricked the prophet. I will use my power against you and destroy you from among my people Israel.


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»Both of you will suffer for your sins. The prophet will be as guilty as you are when you ask for his help.


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»The people of Israel will no longer wander away from me. They will no longer dishonor me with all their sins. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, suppose a country sins against me by being unfaithful to me. I will stretch out my hand <i>use my power</i> against it, cut off its food supply, send a famine to it, and destroy its people and animals.«


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»Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in that country, they would, by their righteousness, rescue only themselves, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»If I send wild animals through that country and they make it childless and turn it into such a wasteland that no one travels through it because of the animals.


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»As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could rescue their own sons or daughters. They could rescue only themselves and the country would become a wasteland.«


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»What if I bring a war against that country by saying I will let a war go throughout this country. And then I destroy the people and the animals in it.


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»As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could rescue their sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.«


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»Let us say I send a plague into that country or pour out my fury on it by killing people and destroying animals.


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As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could, by their righteousness, rescue their sons or daughters. They could rescue only themselves.« 


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will surely send four terrible punishments against Jerusalem. I will send wars, famines, wild animals, and plagues. They will destroy people and animals.


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»And yet some people will survive. Some of your sons and daughters will be brought out. When they come out to you, you will see how they live. Then you will be comforted after the disasters that I will bring on Jerusalem, after every disaster that I will bring against it.«


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»You will be comforted when you see how they live. Then you will know that everything I have done was done for a reason, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch among the trees of the forest?


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»Can wood be taken from it to make anything? Can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel?


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»After it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for anything?


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»While it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything?«


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: Just like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given as fuel for the fire, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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I will set my face against them <i>turn against them</i> . Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am Jehovah, when I set my face against them.«


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»Say this, The Lord Jehovah says this to Jerusalem: »Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.


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»»On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.


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»»No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.


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»»When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, Live! Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, Live!


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»I made you numerous like plants of the field. You grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments. Your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare.« 


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»Then I passed by you and saw that you were at the time for love. So I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became mine, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet. I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.


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»You were adorned with gold and silver. Your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.


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»You became famous in every nation because of your beauty. Your beauty was perfect because I gave you my glory, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»But you trusted your beauty. You used your fame to become a prostitute. You had sex with everyone who walked by.


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»You took some of your clothes and made your worship sites colorful. This is where you acted like a prostitute. Such things should not happen. They should not occur.


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»You took your beautiful gold and silver jewelry that I had given you and made male idols for yourself. Then you committed adultery with them.


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»You took off your embroidered clothes and covered the idols with them. You offered my olive oil and incense in their presence.


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»You also offered them sweet and fragrant sacrifices. You gave flour, olive oil, and honey-all the food that I gave you to eat. This is what happened, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»You took your sons and daughters, who belonged to me, and you sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?


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»During your disgusting life as a prostitute you never once remembered your childhood, when you were naked, squirming in your own blood.«


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»You dragged your beauty through the mud. You offered yourself to everyone who came by, and you were more of a prostitute every day.


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»You let your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, go to bed with you, and you used your prostitution to make me angry.


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»Now I have raised my hand to punish you and to take away your share of my blessing. I have handed you over to the Philistines, who hate you. They are also disgusted with your immoral actions.


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»The others did not satisfy you so you ran after the Assyrians. You were their prostitute, but they did not satisfy you either.


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»You were also a prostitute for the Babylonians, that nation of merchants, but they did not satisfy you either.


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»I, the Lord Jehovah am furious with you. You were so disgusting that you would have done anything to get what you wanted.


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»You had sex on every street corner, and when you finished, you refused to accept money. That is worse than being a prostitute!


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»You chased after lovers, then took off your clothes and had sex. You even worshiped disgusting idols and sacrificed your own children as offerings to them.


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»So I, the Lord Jehovah, will gather every one of your lovers, those you liked and those you hated. They will stand around you, and I will rip off your clothes and let all of those lovers stare at your nakedness.


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»I will judge you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged. I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.


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»I will also give you into the hands of your lovers. They will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare.


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»They will incite a crowd against you and they will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords.


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»They will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. Then I will stop you from playing the harlot. You will also no longer pay your lovers.


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»I will calm my fury against you and my indignation will depart from you. I will be pacified and angry no more.


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»You have not remembered the days of your youth but have enraged me by all these things. I will therefore bring your conduct down on your own head, declares the Lord Jehovah. That way you will not commit this lewdness on top of all your other abominations.


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»Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb concerning you: »Like mother, like daughter.«


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»You are the daughter of your mother, who loathed her husband and children. You are also the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.


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»Now your older sister is Samaria, who lives north of you with her daughters. Your younger sister, who lives south of you, is Sodom with her daughters.


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»Yet you have not merely walked in their ways or done according to their abominations; but, as if that were too little, you acted more corruptly in all your conduct than they.


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»As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, Sodom, your sister and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done.


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»This was the guilt of your sister Sodom. She and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.


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»They were arrogant and did disgusting things in front of me. So I did away with them when I saw this.


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»Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done many more disgusting things than they ever did. Because of all the disgusting things that you have done, you make your sisters look innocent.


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»You will have to suffer disgrace because you accused your sisters. Yet, your sins are more disgusting than theirs. They look like they are innocent compared to you. Be ashamed of yourself and suffer disgrace, because you have made your sisters look like they are innocent.


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»I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and Samaria and her daughters. I will also restore your fortune along with theirs.


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»You will have to suffer disgrace and be ashamed of everything you have done, including comforting them.


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»When Sodom and her daughters and Samaria and her daughters return to what they once were, you and your daughters will return to what you once were.


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»You did not mention her before your wickedness was revealed. Now the daughters of Aram and their neighbors despise you. The daughters of the Philistines also despise you. Those around you hate you.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: I will treat you the way you deserve, because you ignored your promises and broke the covenant.


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»I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young. I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.


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»You will remember how you have acted, and be ashamed of it when you get your older sister and your younger sister back. I will let them be like daughters to you, even though this was not part of my covenant with you.


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»I will forgive all the wrongs you have done, but you will remember them and be too ashamed to open your mouth. The Lord Jehovah has spoken.«


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Say The Lord Jehovah says: »A large eagle came to Lebanon. It had large wings with long, colorful feathers. It took hold of the top of a cedar tree.


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»»It broke off the highest twig and carried it to a country of merchants. It planted the twig in a city of merchants.


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»»Then it took a seedling from that country and planted the seedling in fertile soil. The eagle planted the seedling like a willow where there was plenty of water.


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»»The plant sprouted and grew into a low vine that spread over the ground. Its branches turned upward toward the eagle. Its roots grew downward. Thus it became a vine, producing branches and growing shoots.


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»»There was another large eagle with large wings and many feathers. Now, the vine stretched its roots toward this eagle and sent its branches toward the eagle so that the eagle could water it. The vine turned away from the garden where it was planted.


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»»It was planted in good soil beside plenty of water so that it could grow branches, bear fruit, and become a wonderful vine.« 


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»Say, The Lord Jehovah says: »Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it and all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again.


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»»Though it is transplanted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it, wither on the beds where it grew?« «


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»Say now to the rebellious house: Do you not know what these things mean? Say, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and princes and brought them to him in Babylon.


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»He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land,


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that the kingdom might be in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant that it might continue.


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»But he rebelled against him! He sent his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?


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»»As I am alive, says the Lord Jehovah, this king will die in Babylon because he broke his oath and the treaty with the one who put him on the throne the king of Babylon.


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»Even the powerful army of the king of Egypt will not be able to help him fight when the Babylonians build earthworks and dig trenches in order to kill many people.


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»He broke his oath and the treaty he had made. He did all these things, and now he will not escape.« 


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»The Lord Jehovah says: »As surely as I am the living God, I will punish him for breaking the treaty that he swore in my name to keep.


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»I will spread out a hunter's net and catch him in it. I will take him to Babylon and punish him there, because he was unfaithful to me.


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»His best troops will be killed in battle, and the survivors will be scattered in every direction. I Jehovah have spoken.« 


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»Someday, I, Jehovah, will cut a tender twig from the top of a cedar tree. I will then plant it on the peak of Israel's tallest mountain, where it will grow strong branches and produce large fruit.


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»All kinds of birds will find shelter under the tree, and they will rest in the shade of its branches.


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»Every tree in the forest will know that I, Jehovah, can bring down tall trees and help short ones grow. I dry up green trees and make dry ones green. I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I will keep my word.« «


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»What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, but the children's teeth are set on edge?


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»As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah: You are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore.


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»The life of every person belongs to me. The life of the father as well as the life of the son is mine. The person who sins will die.


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and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period;


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»if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.


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»If he does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man,


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»if he lives by my rules and obeys my laws faithfully this person is righteous. He will certainly live, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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that his father never did. He eats at the illegal mountain worship sites. He dishonors his neighbor's wife.


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»He oppresses the poor and needy. He robs. He does not return the security for a loan. He looks to idols for help. He does disgusting things.


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»He lends money for interest and makes excessive profits. Will this person live? He will not live. He has done all these disgusting things. So he must die, and he will be responsible for his own death.


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»Now suppose this son has a son. The son sees all the sins that his father does. He is afraid, so he does not do such things.


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»He does not eat at the illegal mountain worship sites or look for help from the idols of the nation of Israel. He does not dishonor his neighbor's wife.


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»He does not oppress anyone. He does not keep the security for a loan. He does not rob anyone. He gives food to people who are hungry, and he gives clothes to those who are naked.


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»He keeps his hand from the poor and does not take interest or increase, but executes my ordinances, and walks in my statutes. He will not die for his father's iniquity. He will surely live.


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»As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity.


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»Yet you say: »Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?« When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all my statutes and done them, he shall surely live.


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»The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself. And the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.


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»If the wicked man turns from all his sins and observes all my statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall live; he shall not die.


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»All his transgressions he has committed will not be remembered against him. He will live because of his righteousness he has practiced.


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»Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord Jehovah, that he should turn from his ways and live?


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»But suppose a righteous person turns away from doing right and he does evil things. He does all the disgusting things that the wicked person did. Will he live? All the right things that he has done will not be remembered because of his unfaithfulness and because of his sin. He will die because of them.


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»But you say: »Jehovahs way is unfair.« Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair?


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»When a righteous person turns away from doing right and does evil things, he will die. He will die because of the evil things he has done.


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»When a wicked person turns away from the wicked things that he has done and does what is fair and right, he will live.


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»He realized what he was doing and turned away from all the rebellious things that he had done. He will certainly live. He will not die.


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»But the nation of Israel says: Jehovahs way is unfair. Is my way not fair, nation of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unfair?


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»That is why I will judge each of you by what you have done, people of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah. Change the way you think and act. <i>Repent!</i> Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin.


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»Give up all the evil you have been doing. Get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?


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»I do not want anyone to die, says the Lord Jehovah. Turn away from <i>repent of</i> your sins and live.«


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»Say: What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among the young lions and reared her cubs.


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»She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he devoured men.


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The nations heard about him. He was trapped in their pit. They led him with hooks to the land of Egypt.


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»When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion.


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»He prowled among the lions, for he was now a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he devoured men.


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»He broke down their strongholds and devastated their towns. His roaring terrified the residents of the land.


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»Then the nations came against him, those from regions round about. They spread their net for him, and he was trapped in their pit.


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»With hooks they pulled him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They put him in prison. Therefore his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.


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»Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water. It was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water.


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»Its branches were strong and fit for a rulers scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches.


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»It was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel. It was stripped of its fruit. Its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.


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»Fire spread from one of its main branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a rulers scepter. This is a song of grief and is to be used as a song of grief.«


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Seven years after King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been led away as prisoners to Babylon, some of Israel's leaders came to me on the tenth day of the fifth month. They sat down and asked for a message from Jehovah.


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»Son of man, these elders 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.


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»Tell them what the Lord Jehovah said: When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am Jehovah your God.


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»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.


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»I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt. I am Jehovah their God.


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»»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.


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»»But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name. 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.


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»»I also gave them certain days to worship me as a sign between us so that they would know that I, Jehovah, made them holy.


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»»But the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not live by my laws. They rejected my rules. If people obey them, they will live. They dishonored the days to worship me. So I was going to pour out my fury on them in the desert and completely wipe them out.


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»»I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out of Egypt.


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»»I also swore an oath to them in the desert. I swore that I would not bring them into the land that I had promised to give them. This land is the most beautiful land, a land flowing with milk and honey.


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»»They rejected my rules. They did not live by my laws. They dishonored the days to worship me, because their hearts chased disgusting idols.


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»»I said to their children in the desert: Do not live by the laws of your ancestors. Do not obey their rules or dishonor yourselves with their disgusting idols.


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»»Sanctify my Sabbaths. They shall be a sign between you, and me that you may know that I am Jehovah your God.


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»»But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes. They were not careful to obey my ordinances. If a man obeys them, he will live. They profaned my Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.


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»»But I withdrew my hand <i>assistance</i> and acted for the sake of my name. That way it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.


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»I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands.


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»I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served.


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»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 Jehovah.« 


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»Now then, son of man, tell the Israelites what I, the Lord Jehovah, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness.


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»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.


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»Then I asked them: What is this worship site you are going to? So it is still called a worship site today.«


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»Tell the nation of Israel: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »Will you dishonor yourselves the way your ancestors did? Will you chase their detestable idols like a prostitute?


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»You offer your children as sacrifices by burning them alive. You dishonor yourselves with all your disgusting idols to this day. Should you be allowed to ask me for help, nation of Israel? As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, you will not be allowed to ask me for help.« 


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»What you have in mind <i>heart</i> will never happen. You think that you want to be like other nations, like the different people in other countries. You want to serve wood and stone.« 


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»As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, I will rule you with a mighty hand and a powerful arm. I will pour out my fury.


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»I will bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where I have scattered you with my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour out my fury.


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I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert, says the Lord Jehovah.


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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 Jehovah.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: The Lord Jehovah tells all you Israelites to 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.


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»There in the land, on my holy mountain, 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.


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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.


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»When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, you will know that I am Jehovah.


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»There you will remember the way you lived and everything you did to dishonor yourselves. You will be disgusted by every wrong thing that you did.


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»You will know that I am Jehovah, because I will deal with you for the sake of my name. I will not deal with you based on the evil and corrupt things that you have done, O nation of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah!


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»Son of man, turn to the south, preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest in the Negev.


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»Tell the forest in the Negev: Listen to the word of Jehovah. This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »I am about to set fire to you to destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The blazing fire will not be put out. It will burn the whole land from the south to the north.


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Then I said: Oh no! Lord Jehovah, no! The people already say that I am only telling stories <i>a figure of speech or a parable</i> .


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»Son of man, turn to Jerusalem and preach against the holy places. Prophesy against the land of Israel.


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»Tell the land of Israel: This is what Jehovah says: »I am against you. I will take my sword out of its sheath and kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you.


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»I am going to kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. That is why my sword will come out of its sheath to be used against everyone from the south to the north.


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»Then everyone will know that I, Jehovah, have taken my sword from its sheath, and I will not put it back again.« 


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»When they ask why you are groaning tell this: News has come that will discourage everyone. People's hands will hang limp, their hearts will lose courage, and their knees will become as weak as water. It is coming! It will surely take place! Declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, prophecy and say, this is what Jehovah says: »A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished!


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»It is sharpened to make a slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Shall we rejoice in the rod of my son despising every tree?« «


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»The sword was given to be polished, that it might be handled. The sword is sharpened and polished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.


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»Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the officials of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Therefore strike your thigh.


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»For there is testing. And what if even the rod that despises will be no more?« Declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together. Let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword for the slain. It is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them,


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that their hearts may melt <i>lose their courage</i> , and many fall at all their gates. I have given the glittering sword. Ah! It is made for striking like lightning. It is wrapped up in readiness for slaughter.


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»Show yourself sharp, go to the right, set yourself, go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed.


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»Son of man, mark two roads that the king of Babylon and his sword can take. Both of these roads should start from the same country. Make a signpost and put it at the fork of the roads that go toward the cities.


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»Mark the road that the king and his sword can take to the Ammonite city of Rabbah. Then mark the road that leads to Judah and the fortified city of Jerusalem.


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»The king of Babylon will stand where the roads branch off, at the fork in the road. Then he will look for omens. The king will stand at the branch of the roads where he will use divination. He will shake the arrows and ask the teraphim and look into the liver.


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»The divination <i>omens</i> will indicate that he should go to the right, to Jerusalem. So he will set up his battering rams there, and give the order to kill. He will raise a battle cry and aim the battering rams against the city gates. He will put up ramps and set up blockades <i>siege walls</i> .


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»The people will think it is false divination and not believe this because they have made treaties with other nations. But the king of Babylon will remind them of their sins, and they will be captured.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: People remember how sinful you are because you openly do wrong. You show your sins in everything you do. Because of this you will be taken captive.


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»I, the Lord Jehovah, have spoken. Take off your crown and your turban. Nothing will be the same again. Raise the poor to power! Bring down those who are ruling! Bring low the high one.


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»A ruin, a ruin, a ruin! Yes, I will make the city a ruin. But this will not happen until the one comes whom I have chosen and who has the legal right to punish the city. To him I will give it.


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»O son of man, prophesy. Announce what I, the Lord Jehovah, am saying to the Ammonites, who are insulting Israel. Say to them: A sword is ready to destroy. It is polished to kill and to flash like lightning.


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»The visions that you see are false. The predictions you make are lies. You are wicked and evil. Your day is coming, the day of your final punishment. The sword is going to fall on your necks.


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»Put up the sword <i>return it to its sheath</i> ! I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born.


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»You will feel my anger when I turn it loose on you like a blazing fire. And I will hand you over to brutal men, experts at destruction.


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»You will be destroyed by fire. Your blood will be shed in your own country. No one will remember you any more. Jehovah has spoken!«


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Son of man will you judge? Will you judge the city of murderers <i>the bloodguilty</i> ? Then tell it about all the disgusting things that it has done.


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»Tell it: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »Jerusalem, you are the city that murders people who live in you. Your time has come. You dishonor yourself with disgusting idols.


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»»You are guilty because of the blood you have shed <i>people you have killed</i> . You are unclean <i>dishonored</i> because of the disgusting idols you have made. You have brought an end to your days, and you have come to the end of your years. That is why I will make you a disgrace to the nations and a joke in every land.


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»»Those near and those far away will mock you. Your name will be dishonored, and you will be filled with confusion.


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»»See how all the princes of Israel who live in you have used their power to shed blood <i>murder people</i> .


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»»People in you hate their fathers and mothers. They oppress foreigners in you. They oppress orphans and widows in you.« «


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»Your people tell lies about others in order to have them put to death. They eat sacrifices offered to idols. They always satisfy their lusts.


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»Some of them sleep with their father's wife. Some force women to have intercourse with them during their period.


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»Some of your people murder for pay. Some charge interest on the loans they make to other Israelites and get rich by taking advantage of them. They have forgotten me. The Lord Jehovah has spoken.


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»Can your heart endure? Will your hands be strong in the days that I will deal with you? I, Jehovah, have spoken and will act.


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»I will scatter you among the nations and I will disperse you through the lands, and I will consume your uncleanness from you.


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»Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead in the furnace. They are the dross of silver.


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: I am going to gather you into Jerusalem. This is because all of you have become dross <i>impure worthless</i> .


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»As they gather silver and copper and iron and lead and tin into the furnace to blow fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath and I will lay you there and melt <i>liquefy</i> you.


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»I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of my wrath. You will be melted in the midst of it.


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»As silver is melted in the furnace, you will be melted in the midst of her. You will know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath on you.« 


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»Son of man, say to her: You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation <i>outrage revulsion</i> .


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»There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives. They have taken treasure and precious things. They have made many widows in the midst of her.


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»Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the profane. They have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean. They hide their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.


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»Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain.


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»Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them. They see false visions and divine lies for them. They say: »This is what the Lord Jehovah says, when Jehovah has not spoken.«


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»The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery. They have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.


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»I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.


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»Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them! I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath <i>intense anger</i> . / Their way I have brought upon their heads, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»They played the prostitute in Egypt. They played the prostitute in their youth. There their breasts were pressed and there their virgin bosom was handled.


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»Their names were Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah and Jerusalem is Oholibah.


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»Oholah played the prostitute while she was mine; and she lusted after her lovers, after the Assyrians, her neighbors.


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»The Assyrians were clothed in purple, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.


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»She gave her acts of fornication to them, all of whom were the choicest men of Assyria; and with all whom she lusted after, with all their idols she defiled herself.


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»She did not forsake her acts of fornication from the time in Egypt. In her youth men had lain with her. They handled her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.


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»Therefore, I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted.


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»They uncovered her nakedness. They took her sons and her daughters, but they killed her with the sword. Thus she became a byword among women, and they executed judgments on her.


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»Now her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more corrupt in her lust than she. Her prostitution was more than the fornication of her sister.


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»She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and officials, the ones near, magnificently dressed, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men.


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»So she increased her acts of fornication. And she saw men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion <i>reddish-orange color</i> ,


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girded with belts on their loins, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like officers, like the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.


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»The Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and defiled her with their acts of prostitution. When they had defiled her, she became disgusted with them.


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»She uncovered her acts if prostitution and uncovered her nakedness. I became disgusted with her, as I had become disgusted with her sister.


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»Yet she multiplied her acts of prostitution. She remembered the days of her youth, when she prostituted herself in the land of Egypt.


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»She lusted after their paramours, whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose genital organ is like the genital organ of horses.


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»Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom because of the breasts of your youth.


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»Therefore, O Oholibah, the Lord Jehovah says: Behold I will arouse your lovers against you, from whom you were alienated. I will bring them against you from every side:


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the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and officials all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.


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»They will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons, and with a company of peoples. They will set themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet. I will commit the judgment to them, and they will judge you according to their customs.


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»I will set my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in wrath. They will remove your nose and your ears. Your survivors will fall by the sword. They will take your sons and your daughters. The fire will consume your survivors.


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»I will make your lewdness and your fornication brought from the land of Egypt to cease from you, so that you will not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Behold, I will give you into the hand of those whom you hate, into the hand of those from whom you were alienated.


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»They will deal with you in hatred, take all your property, and leave you naked and bare. And the nakedness of your fornications will be uncovered, both your lewdness and your acts of prostitution.


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»These things will be done to you because you have played the prostitute with the nations, because you have defiled yourself with their idols.


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»The Lord Jehovah says this: You will drink your sister's cup, which is deep and wide. You will be laughed at and held in derision; it contains much.


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»You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, the cup of horror and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria.


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»You will drink it and drain it. Then you will gnaw its fragments and tear your breasts. »I have spoken,« declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, bear now the punishment of your lewdness and your acts of prostitution.«


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Jehovah said to me: »Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.


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»For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them as food.


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»Again, they have done this to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths.


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»For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, they entered my sanctuary on the same day to profane it. Then they did within my house.


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»Furthermore, they have even sent for men who come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent. They came and you bathed, painted your eyes and decorated yourselves with ornaments for them.


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»You sat on a splendid couch with a table arranged before it on which you had set my incense and my oil.


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»The sound of a carefree multitude was with her. Drunkards were brought from the wilderness with men of the common sort. And they put bracelets on the hands of the women and beautiful crowns on their heads.


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»Then I said concerning her who was worn out by adultery: »Will they now commit adultery with her when she is thus?


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»But they went into her as they would go into a prostitute. Thus they went into Oholah and into Oholibah, the lewd women.


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»But they, righteous men, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.


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»The company will stone them with stones and cut them down with their swords. They will slay their sons and their daughters and burn their houses with fire.


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»Thus I will make lewdness cease from the land. All women will be admonished and not commit lewdness as you have done.


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»Your lewdness will be repaid upon you. You will bear the penalty of worshiping your idols. You will know that I am the Lord Jehovah!«


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The word of Jehovah came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth of the month, He said:


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»Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.


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»Speak a parable to the rebellious house. Say to them: The Lord Jehovah says, »Put on the cooking pot, put it on and also pour water in it.


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»Take the choicest of the flock. Also pile wood under the pot. Make it boil vigorously. Also boil its bones in it.« «


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»Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: Woe to the bloody city, To the cooking pot in which there is rust and whose rust has not gone out of it! Take out of it piece after piece, without making a choice.


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»»Her blood is in her midst. She placed it on the bare rock. She did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust.


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»That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock, that it may not be covered.


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»Heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Boil the flesh well and mix in the spices and let the bones be burned.


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»Then set it empty on its coals so that it may be hot and its copper may glow and its filthiness may be melted in it. Let its rust be consumed.


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»She has made me tire with toil, yet her great rust has not gone from her. Let her rust be in the fire!


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»In your filthiness is lewdness. Because I would have cleansed you, yet you are not clean. You will not be cleansed from your filthiness again until I have spent my anger on you.


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»I, Jehovah, have spoken. It is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry! I will judge you according to your ways and according to your deeds. This is a declaration of the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow. You will, however, not mourn and you will not weep, and your tears will not come.


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»Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet. Do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.«


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»So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.


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»Speak to the house of Israel. Tell them Jehovah says: I am about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and your delight. Your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.


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»You will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and you will not eat the bread of men.


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« Your turbans will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet. You will not mourn and you will not weep. You will rot away in your iniquities and you will groan to one another.


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»So Ezekiel will be a sign to you. You will do according to all that he has done. Then you will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.« 


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»As for you, O son of man, will it not be on the day when I take from them their stronghold, the joy of their pride, the desire of their eyes and their heart's delight, their sons and their daughters,


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»On that day your mouth will be opened to him who escaped. You will speak and be mute no longer. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am Jehovah.«


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»Tell the Ammonites: Hear the word of the Lord Jehovah! The Lord Jehovah says: »Because you said, Aha! Against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile,


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»»I am going to give you to the sons of the east for a possession. They will set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk.


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»»I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and the Ammonites a resting place for flocks. So you will know that I am Jehovah.« «


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced in your scorn against the land of Israel,


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»I have stretched out my hand against you and I will give you for spoil to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from the lands. I will destroy you. Therefore, you will know that I am Jehovah.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Because Moab and Seir say, »Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations,


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therefore, I am going to deprive the flank of Moab of its cities, of its cities which are on its frontiers, the glory of the land, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon and Kiriathaim,


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and I will give it for a possession along with the Ammonites to the sons of the east, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them,


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therefore the Lord Jehovah says: I will also stretch out my hand <i>exert my power</i> against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. I will lay it waste! From Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword.


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I will lay my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. They will know my vengeance, declares the Lord Jehovah.« 


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and scorn and have taken vengeance to destroy with everlasting enmity,


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therefore the Lord Jehovah says: I will stretch out my hand <i>exert power</i> against the Philistines. I will even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.


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»»I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. They will know that I am Jehovah when I lay my vengeance on them.« «


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»Son of man, because Tyre has said concerning Jerusalem, Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken; it has opened to me. I will be filled, now that she is laid waste.


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»Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.


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»They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers. I will scrape her debris from her and make her a bare rock.


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»She will be a place for the spreading of nets in the middle of the sea. I have spoken, declares the Lord Jehovah. She will become spoil for the nations.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: I will bring upon Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He is king of kings. He has many horses, chariots, cavalry and a great army.


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»He will slay your daughters on the mainland with the sword. He will make siege walls against you, cast up a ramp against you and raise up a large shield against you.


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»He will direct the blow of his battering rams against your walls. He will break down your towers with his axes.


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»Dust raised by the vast number of his horses will cover you. The noise of cavalry, wagons and chariots will shake your walls. He will enter your gates as men enter a city that is breached.


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»The hoofs of his horses will trample all your streets. He will slay your people with the sword and your strong pillars will come down to the ground.


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»They will make a spoil of your riches and a prey of your merchandise. They will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses. They will throw your stones and your timbers and your debris into the water.


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»I will make you a bare rock. You will be a place for the spreading of nets. You will be built no more, for I Jehovah have spoken, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»The Lord Jehovah says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands shake at the sound of your fall when the wounded groan, when the slaughter occurs in your midst?


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»Then all the princes of the sea will go down from their thrones and remove their robes and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling. They will sit on the ground, tremble every moment and be appalled at you.


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»They will take up a lamentation over you and say to you: »»How you have perished, O inhabited one, from the seas, O renowned city. You were mighty on the sea. She and her inhabitants imposed her terror on all her inhabitants!


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»»Now the coastlands will tremble on the day of your fall. Yes, the coastlands by the sea will be terrified at your passing.« 


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»The Lord Jehovah says: When I make you a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I bring up the deep over you and the great waters cover you,


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then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit <i>grave</i> , to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lower parts of the earth. It will be like the ancient waste places, with those who go down to the pit <i>grave</i> , so that you will not be inhabited; but I will set glory in the land of the living.


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»I will bring terrors on you and you will be no more. Though you will be sought, you will never be found again, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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Say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrance to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord Jehovah: »O Tyre, you have said, I am perfect in beauty.


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»They have made all your planks of fir trees from Senir. They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.


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»Of oaks from Bashan they have made your oars. With ivory they have inlaid your deck with cypress wood from the coastlands of Cyprus.


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»Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt. It became your distinguishing mark. Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah.


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»»The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men, O Tyre, were aboard. They were your pilots.


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»»The elders of Gebal and her wise men were with you repairing your seams. All the ships of the sea and their sailors were with you in order to deal in your merchandise.


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»»Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung shield and helmet in you. They set forth your splendor.


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»»People from Arvad and Helech were tower guards all around your walls. They made your beauty perfect.


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People from Tarshish traded with you because you were so very rich. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise.


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»»Japan, Tubal and Meshech were your traders. They paid for your merchandise with the lives of men and vessels of bronze.


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»»The sons of Dedan were your traders. Many coastlands were your market; ivory tusks and ebony they brought as your payment.


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»»Aram was your customer because of the abundance of your goods. They paid for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies.


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»»Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded with the wheat of Minnith. Cakes, honey, oil and balm were paid for your merchandise.


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»»Damascus was your customer because of the abundance of your goods, because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth, because of the wine of Helbon and white wool.


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»»Vedan and Javan paid for your wares from Uzal. Wrought iron, cassia and sweet cane were among your merchandise.


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»»The traders of Sheba and Raamah traded with you. They paid for your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, and with all kinds of precious stones and gold.


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»»They traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of many colors and tightly wound cords, which were among your merchandise.


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»»The ships of Tarshish were the carriers for your merchandise. And you were filled and were very glorious in the heart of the seas.


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»»Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.


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»»Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your sailors and your pilots, your repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise and all your men of war who are in you, with all your company that is in your midst, will fall into the heart of the seas on the day of your overthrow.


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»»All who handle the oars, the sailors and all the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships. They will stand on the land,


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»»And they will make their voice heard over you and will cry bitterly. They will cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes.


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»»They will make themselves bald for you and gird themselves with sackcloth. They will weep for you in bitterness and with painful mourning.


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»»In their wailing they will take up a lamentation for you and lament over you: Who is like Tyre, Like her who is silent in the midst of the sea?


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»»When your wares went out from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. With the abundance of your wealth and your merchandise you enriched the kings of earth.


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»»In the very depths of the waters, you are broken by the sea. Your merchandise and all your company have fallen in the midst of you.


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»»All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you. Their kings are horribly afraid. They are troubled in countenance.


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»»The merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have become terrified and you will cease to be forever.« «


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»Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »»In your arrogance you say, I am a god <i>strong deity</i> . I sit on God's throne in the sea. But you are only human and not a god, although you think you are a god. (2 Thes 2:4)


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»Because you are wise and understanding, you have made yourself rich. You saved gold and silver in your treasuries.


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»Because of your great skill in trading, you have made yourself very wealthy. You have become arrogant because of your wealth.«


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»Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: Because you have made your heart like <i>consider yourself to be like</i> the heart of God,


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»I will bring strangers, ruthless nations, upon you. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor.


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»You will no longer say that you are a god when you face those who kill you. You will be a human, not a god, in the hands of those who kill you.« 


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»Son of man, sing a funeral song for the ruler of Tyre. Tell him: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »»You were the perfect example, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.


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»»You were in Eden, God's garden. You were covered with every kind of precious stone: red quartz, topaz, crystal, beryl, jade, onyx, gray quartz, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your settings and your sockets were made of gold when you were created.


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»»I appointed an angel to guard you. You were on God's holy mountain. You walked among fiery stones.


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»»By the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. Therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God. I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.


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»»Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground. I put you before kings, that they may see you.


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»»By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you. It has consumed you. I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you.


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»»All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you. You have become terrified. You will cease to be forever.« «


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»You must say,,The Lord Jehovah says: »I am against you, O Sidon! I will be glorified in your midst. Then they will know that I am Jehovah when I execute judgments in her. I will manifest my holiness in her.


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»For I will send pestilence to her and blood to her streets. The wounded will fall in her midst by the sword upon her on every side. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.


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»There will be no more prickling brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from any round about them who scorned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: »When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, I will make known my holiness in them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob.


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»»They will live in it securely. They will build houses, plant vineyards and live securely when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah their God!« «


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»Son of man set your face <i>present yourself</i> against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.


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»Say this, The Lord Jehovah says: »I am against you Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great monster <i>Egypt</i> (Psalm 74:13,14) that lies in the midst of his rivers. You have said: My Nile is mine! I have made it!«


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»I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your rivers cling to your scales. I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers. All the fish of your rivers will cling to your scales.


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»I will abandon you to the wilderness and all the fish of your rivers. You will fall on the open field. You will not be brought together or gathered. I have given you for food to the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the sky.


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»Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Jehovah. This is because they have been only a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.


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»When they took hold of you with the hand, you broke and tore all their hands. When they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins quake.«


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»Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: »I will bring upon you a sword and I will cut off from you man and beast.


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»The land of Egypt will become a desolation and waste. Then they will know that I am Jehovah. Because you said: The Nile is mine, and I have made it.


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»I am against you and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene and even to the border of Ethiopia.


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»A man's foot will not pass through it, and the foot of a beast will not pass through it, and it will not be inhabited for forty years.


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»So I will make the land of Egypt desolation in the midst of desolated lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.«


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»The Lord Jehovah says: »At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered.


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»»I will turn the fortunes of Egypt and make them return to the land of Pathros, to the land of their origin. They will be a lowly kingdom.


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»»It will be the lowest of the kingdoms, and it will never again lift itself up above the nations. I will make them so small that they will not rule over the nations.


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»»It will never again be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing to mind the iniquity of their having turned to Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.« «


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Now in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me. He said:


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»Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald and every shoulder was rubbed bare. But he and his army had no wages from Tyre for the labor that he had performed against it.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her wealth and capture her spoil and seize her plunder. It will serve as wages for his army.


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»I have given him the land of Egypt for the labor he performed, because they acted for me, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»On that day I will make a horn sprout for the house of Israel <i>make the people of Israel strong again</i> , and I give you, Ezekiel, something to say among them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.«


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»The day is near. The Day of Jehovah is near. It will be a gloomy day, a time of trouble for the nations.


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»There will be war in Egypt and anguish in Ethiopia. Many Egyptians will fall dead. People will take away Egypt's wealth, and its foundations will be torn down.


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»Sudan, Put, Lud, all the Arabs, the Libyans, and people from the promised land will die in battle.«


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»This is what Jehovah says: All Egypt's allies will die. Egypt's strength will disappear. People will die in war from Migdol to Syene, declares the Lord Jehovah!


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»Egypt will become the most desolate country in the world! Egypt's cities will lie in ruins. They will be ruined more than other cities.


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»Then they will know that I am Jehovah, because I will set fire to Egypt and all her defenders will be killed.


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»On that day I will send messengers in ships to terrify those who live in safety in Sudan. The people of Sudan will be in anguish when Egypt is in trouble. That day is coming!


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to bring an end to Egypt.


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»He and his troops, the most ruthless troops among the nations, will be brought to destroy the land. They will draw their swords to attack Egypt and fill the land with dead bodies.


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»I will dry up the Nile River and sell the land to wicked people. I will have foreigners destroy the land and everything in it. I, Jehovah, have spoken.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will destroy the statues and put an end to the idols in Memphis. A prince will never rise again in Egypt. I will spread fear throughout Egypt.


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»I will set fire to Egypt. Sin will be in much pain. Thebes will be broken into pieces, and Memphis will be in trouble every day.


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»The young men from Heliopolis and Bubastis will die in battle, and people from these cities will go into exile.


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»At Tahpanhes the day will turn dark when I break Egypt's power. Egypt's strong army will be defeated. Clouds will cover Egypt, and people from its villages will go into exile.«


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»Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. His arm is not bandaged, so it cannot heal and be strong enough to hold a sword.«


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»The Lord Jehovah says: I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong and the broken. I will make the sword fall from his hand.


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»For I will strengthen the arms <i>the power</i> of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand. I will break the arms of Pharaoh. He will groan before him with the groanings of a wounded man.


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»I will strengthen the arms <i>the power</i> of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall. Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.


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»When I scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands, then they will know that I am Jehovah.«


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In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me:


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»Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches and forest shade, and very high, and its top was among the clouds.


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»The waters made it grow, the deep made it high. With its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place, and sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.


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Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field. « Its boughs became many and its branches long because of many waters as it spread them out.


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»All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs. Under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth and all great nations lived under its shade.


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»So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its roots extended to many waters.


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»The cedars in God's garden could not match it. The cypresses could not compare with its boughs. The plane trees could not match its branches. No tree in God's garden could compare with it in its beauty.


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»I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches. All the trees of Eden in the garden of God were jealous of it.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness,


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»I will give it into the hand of a despot of the nations. He will thoroughly deal with it. According to its wickedness I have driven it away.


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»Alien tyrants of the nations have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land. All the peoples of the earth have gone down from its shade and left it.


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»On its ruin all the birds of the heavens will dwell. All the beasts of the field will be on its fallen branches


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so that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: On the day when it went down to the grave I caused cries of sorrow. I closed the deep over it and held back its rivers. Its many waters were stopped up, and I made Lebanon mourn for it. All the trees of the field wilted away on account of it.


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»I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I made it go down to the grave with those who go down to the pit. All the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, were comforted in the earth beneath.


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»They also went down with it to the grave to those who were slain by the sword. Those who were its strength lived under its shade among the nations.


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»Which of the trees of Eden are you equal to in glory and greatness? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth beneath. You will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who were slain by the sword. So is Pharaoh and all his hordes! Declares the Lord Jehovah.« 


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In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me:


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»Son of man, take up a cry of sorrow and grief over Pharaoh king of Egypt. Say to him: You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations. »You are really like the monster in the seas. You burst forth in your rivers and muddied the waters with your feet and fouled their rivers.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Now I will spread my net over you with a company of many peoples. They will lift you up in my net.


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»I will leave you on the land. I will cast you on the open field. I will cause all the birds of the heavens to dwell on you. And I will satisfy the beasts of the entire earth with you.


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»I will also make the land drink the discharge of your blood as far away as the mountains. The ravines will be full of you.


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»When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud and the moon will not give its light.


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»All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you. And I will set darkness on your land, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.


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»I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring your destruction among the nations, into lands you have not known.


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»I will make many peoples astonished at you. Their kings will be dreadfully afraid of you when I brandish my sword before them. They will tremble every moment, every man for his own life, on the day of your fall.


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»I will cut down your people with the swords of warriors. All of them will be the most ruthless warriors among the nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt and destroy its many people.


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»I will also destroy all the animals beside its many water sources. The feet of humans and the hoofs of animals will not stir up the water anymore.


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»I will turn Egypt into a wasteland. I will take everything in the land, and I will kill all the people who live there. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.


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»This is a funeral song. The people from the nations will sing this song. They will sing it as they mourn for Egypt and its many people, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, cry for the many people of Egypt. Bring them down along with the other mighty nations. Send them down below the earth to be with those who have gone down to the pit.


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»The Egyptians will lie among those who were killed in battle. A sword has been drawn. Drag Egypt and its many people away.


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»The mightiest warriors will say to Pharaoh from the grave: You and your defenders have come down. You now lie with the godless people who were killed in battle.


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»Assyria is there with its whole army. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle.


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»Their graves are in the deepest parts of the pit. Assyria's army lies around its grave. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle. They once terrified people in the land of the living.


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»Elam is there with all its soldiers. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle. They went down below the earth as godless people. They once terrified people in the land of the living. Now they suffer disgrace with those who have gone down to the pit.


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»A bed has been made for Elam among the dead. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. The soldiers were godless people. They were killed in battle because they terrified others in the land of the living. They suffer disgrace with those who have gone down to the pit. They lie among the dead.


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»Meshech and Tubal are there with all their soldiers. The graves of their soldiers are all around them. Their soldiers were all godless people. They were killed in battle because they terrified others in the land of the living.


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»They do not lie with the godless warriors who died and went down to the grave with their weapons of war. Their swords were placed under their heads. Their iniquity rested on their bones because they terrified others in the land of the living.


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You Egyptians will be crushed with the godless people. You will lie with those who were killed in battle.


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»Edom is there with its kings and its princes. They used to be powerful, but now they lie with those who were killed in battle. They lie there with the godless people and with those who have gone down to the pit.


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»All the rulers from the north and all the people from Sidon are there. They also went down with the dead. They are disgraced because they terrified people with their power. They were godless people. Now they lie with those who were killed in battle. They suffer disgrace with those who went down to the pit.


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»Pharaoh and his army will see these things and be comforted over all the soldiers who have been killed in battle, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.


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»I terrified people in the land of the living. Pharaoh and all his soldiers will be laid among the godless people who were killed in battle, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them: Suppose I bring war on this country and the people of this country choose one of their men and make him their watchman.


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»If the people hear the horn and ignore the warning and the enemy comes and takes them, they will be responsible for their own deaths.


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»They heard the sound of the horn but ignored its warning. In that case they are responsible for their own deaths. If they had taken the warning they would have saved themselves.


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»But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not blow his horn to warn the people and the enemy comes and kills someone, that watchman must die because of his sin. I will hold him responsible for their deaths.


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»Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the people of Israel. Listen to what I say and warn them for me.


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»Suppose I say to a wicked person, You wicked person, you will certainly die. And you say nothing to warn him to change his ways. That wicked person will die because of his sin. I will hold you responsible for his death.


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»But if you warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.


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»Son of man, say to the house of Israel: You people have said: »Our transgressions and our sins are upon us. We are rotting away in them. How can we survive?« 


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Say to them: »As I am alive!« Declares the Lord Jehovah. »I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Only that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back! Turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?« 


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»Son of man, tell the Israelites that when someone good sins, the good he has done will not save him. If an evil person stops doing evil he will not be punished, and if a good man starts sinning, his life will not be spared.


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»I may promise life to someone good, but if he starts thinking that his past goodness is enough and begins to sin, I will not remember any of the good he did. He will die because of his sins.


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»I may warn someone evil that he is going to die, but if he stops sinning and does what is right and good,


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and if he returns the security he took for a loan or gives back what he stole, if he stops sinning and follows the laws that give life, he will not die, but he will live.


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»None of the sins that he has done will be remembered. He has done what is fair and right. He will certainly live.


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»If the righteous person turns from the right things that he has done and does evil, he will die because of it.


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»If the wicked person turns from his wickedness and does what is fair and right, he will live because of it.


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»The people of Israel say: Jehovahs way is not right. I will judge each of you by your own ways, people of Israel.«


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On the fifth day of the tenth month in the twelfth year of our captivity, a refugee from Jerusalem came to me. He said: »The city has been captured.«


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The evening before the refugee arrived, the power of Jehovah came over me. On the morning the refugee arrived, Jehovah made me speak. So I spoke, and I was no longer quiet.


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»Son of man, those who live in the ruined cities in Israel are saying: Abraham was only one person, and he was given the land. But we are many. Certainly the land has been given to us.


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»»Tell them: The Lord Jehovah says: »You eat meat with blood in it. You look to your idols for help. You murder people. Should the land be given to you?


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»»You rely on your swords <i>military power</i> . You do disgusting things. You dishonor your neighbor's wife. Should the land be given to you?« 


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»Tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »As I am alive, whoever is in the ruined cities will be killed in battle. Whoever is in the open field will become food for wild animals. Whoever is in fortified places and caves will die from plagues.


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»I will turn the land into a barren wasteland. People will no longer brag about its power. The mountains of Israel will become so ruined that no one will travel through them.


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»Then people will know that I am Jehovah, when I make the land a barren wasteland. This is because of all the disgusting things that they have done.« 


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»Son of man, your people are talking about you by the walls and in the doorways of their homes. They are saying to each other: Let's go and hear the word that has come from Jehovah.


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»Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they do not do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits.


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»To them you are nothing more than a singer with a beautiful voice who sings love songs or a musician who plays an instrument. They listen to your words, but they do not do them.


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»When all your words come true, and they certainly will come true, these people will know that a prophet has been among them.«


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»Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy to these shepherds. Tell them: The Lord Jehovah says: »How horrible it will be for the shepherds of Israel who have been taking care of only themselves. Should shepherds take care of the sheep?


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»»You eat the best parts of the sheep, dress in the wool, and butcher the finest sheep. Yet, you do not take care of the sheep.


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»»You have not strengthened those that were weak, healed those who were sick, or bandaged those who were injured. You have not brought back those who strayed away or looked for those who were lost. You have ruled them harshly and violently.


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»»They were scattered because there was no shepherd. They became food for every wild animal at the time they were scattered.


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»»My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered throughout the entire earth. No one searched or looked for them.


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»As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, because there is no shepherd, my sheep have become prey. My sheep have become food for wild animals. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep. They have taken care of only themselves, not my sheep.« 


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»The Lord Jehovah says: I am against the shepherds! I will demand my sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore. I will deliver my flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.«


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»As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for my sheep and will deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.


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»I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel. I will feed them by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land.


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»I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.«


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»I will seek the lost. I will bring back the scattered. I will bind up the broken and strengthen the sick. The fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.«


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»As for you, my sheep, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: »I will judge disputes between one sheep and another, between rams and male goats.


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»Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? You drink clean water. Must you muddy the rest of the water with your feet?


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says to them: I will judge disputes between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep.


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»You fat sheep push the skinny sheep with your sides and shoulders. You knock down all the sick sheep with your horns. You have scattered them all over.


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»So I will rescue my sheep, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another.


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»I will place one shepherd over them, my servant David. He will take care of them. He will take care of them and be their shepherd.


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»I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David will be their prince. I, Jehovah, have spoken!


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»»I will promise them peace. I will remove the wild animals from the land so that my sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.


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»»I will bless them and the places around my hill. I will send rain at the right time. These showers will be a blessing to them.


text:
»»Then the trees in the field will produce fruit, the land will yield crops, and my sheep will live safely in their land. Then they will know that I am Jehovah, because I will break off the bars on their yokes and rescue them from the people who made them slaves.


text:
»»They will no longer be prey to the nations. Wild animals will no longer eat them. They will live safely, and no one will frighten them.


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»»I will give them a place that is known for its good crops. They will no longer experience hunger in the land. They will no longer suffer the insults of other nations.


text:
Then they will know that Jehovah their God is with them. They will know that the people of Israel are my people, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.« 


text:
»You are my sheep, the sheep in my pasture. You are mortal, and I am your God, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


text:
»Say this, the Lord Jehovah says: »I am against you, Mount Seir! I will stretch out my hand <i>exert my power</i> against you and make you a desolation and a waste.


text:
»»I will lay waste your cities and you will become desolated. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.


text:
»»Because you have had everlasting enmity and have delivered the sons of Israel to the power of the sword <i>to die by warfare</i> at the time of their calamity, at the time of the punishment of the end.« 


text:
»Therefore as I live, declares the Lord Jehovah: I will give you over to bloodshed <i>death</i> , and bloodshed <i>death</i> will pursue you. Since you have not hated bloodshed, therefore bloodshed will pursue you.


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»I will make Mount Seir a waste and desolation. I will cut off from it the one who passes through and returns.


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»I will fill its mountains with those who have been killed. Those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and ravines.


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»I will make you an everlasting desolation! Your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Jehovah!


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»For the reason that you have said: These two nations and these two lands will be mine, and we will possess them, although Jehovah was there.


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Therefore as I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, I will deal with you according to your anger and according to your envy, what you showed because of your hatred against them. I will make myself known among them when I judge you.


text:
»Then you will know that I, Jehovah, have heard all your insults you have spoken against the mountains of Israel. You said: They are laid desolate. They are given to us for food.


text:
»You have spoken arrogantly against me and have continuously spoken against me. And I have heard it!


text:
»As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be desolated, O Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.«


text:
»Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah.


text:
»The Lord Jehovah says: »Because the enemy has spoken against you, aha! And the everlasting heights have become our possession.


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»Therefore prophesy and say: The Lord Jehovah says: For good reason they have made you desolate and crushed you from every side. That way you would become a possession of the rest of the nations and you have become a subject of conversation for the people.


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»Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah. The Lord Jehovah says to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the forsaken cities that have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations that are round about,


text:
»The Lord Jehovah says: Surely in the fire of my jealousy I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who appropriated my land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn, to drive it out for a prey.« 


text:
»Prophesy about Israel and tell the mountains and hills and the ravines and valleys: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »I am speaking in my anger and fury because you have been insulted by the nations.


text:
»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I raise my hand and swear that the nations that surround you will be insulted.


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»But you, mountains of Israel, will grow branches and bear fruit for my people Israel. My people will come home soon.


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»I will increase the number of people who live on you. All the people of Israel, all of them, will live on you. The cities will be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt.


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»I will increase the number of people and animals that live on you. They will grow and become many. I will let people live on you as in the past, and I will make you better off than ever before. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.


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»I will bring people, my people Israel, to you. They will take possession of you, and you will be their inheritance. You will no longer take their children away from them.«


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»The Lord Jehovah says: People say that you devour your people and take the children away from your nation.« 


text:
You will no longer devour your people or take the children away from your nation, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.


text:
I will no longer let you hear the insults from the nations. You will no longer suffer the disgrace of the people. You will never again take the children away from your own nation, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they dishonored it by the way they lived and by everything they did. Their ways were as unclean as a woman's menstrual period.


text:
»Therefore I poured out my fury on them because they poured out blood on the land and they dishonored the land with their idols.


text:
»I forced them into other nations. They became scattered among the nations. I judged them based on the way that they lived and based on everything that they had done.


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»Wherever they went among the nations, they dishonored my holy name. People said about them: These are Jehovahs people, yet they had to leave his land.


text:
»I became concerned about my holy name because my people dishonored it among the nations wherever they went.« (Romans 2:21-24)


text:
»So tell the people of Israel, the Lord Jehovah says: »I am about to do something, people of Israel. I will not do this for your sake but for the sake of my holy name, which you have dishonored among the nations wherever you have gone.« 


text:
»I will reveal the holiness of my great name, which has been dishonored by the nations. It is the name that you have dishonored among them. Then the nations will know that I am Jehovah. This is because I will reveal my holiness among you as they watch, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»I will take you from the nations and gather you from every country. I will bring you back to your own land.


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»I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean instead of unclean. Then I will cleanse you from all your idols.


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»I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts.


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»Then you will live in the land that I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God.


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»I will rescue you from all your uncleanness. I will make the grain grow so that you will never again have famines.


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»I will make fruit grow on the trees and crops grow in the fields so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famines.


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»Then you will remember your evil ways and the bad things that you did. You will hate yourselves for all these wicked and disgusting things.


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»I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, proclaims the Lord Jehovah. Be ashamed and disgraced because of your ways, people of Israel.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: On the day that I cleanse you from all your wickedness, I will cause your cities to be lived in again, and your ruins will be rebuilt.


text:
People will say: »This wasteland has become like the Garden of Eden. The cities were destroyed. They were empty and ruined, but now they are fortified and have people living in them.


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The surrounding nations that are left will know that I, Jehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted crops in the land that was empty. I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I have done it.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will also let the people of Israel ask me to make them as numerous as sheep.


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»They will be like the sheep for sacrifices, like the sheep in Jerusalem during the appointed festivals. Their ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.«


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The hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of Jehovah and set me down in the middle of the valley. The valley was full of bones.


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He caused me to pass among them round about. There were very many on the surface of the valley and they were very dry.


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»Again he said: »Prophesy over these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah.


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»The Lord Jehovah says to these bones: »I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.


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»I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive. You will know that I am Jehovah.« «


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So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling. The bones came together, bone to its bone.


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I looked, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them. But there was no breath in them.


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Then Jehovah said to me: »Prophesy to the wind <i>ruach: air, breath, spirit, life</i> ! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the wind, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.« «


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So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath of life entered them. Then they came to life and stood on their feet. There were enough of them to form a very large army.


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Jehovah also said: »Son of man, all the people of Israel are like these bones. The people say: Our bones are dry, and our hope has vanished. We are completely destroyed.


text:
Prophesy and tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »My people, I will open your graves and take you out of them. I will bring you to Israel.


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Then, my people, you will know that I am Jehovah, because I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves.« 


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I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I have done it, declares Jehovah.«


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»Son of man, take a stick and write on it: For Judah and for the Israelites who are associated with it. Then take another stick and write on it: The stick of Ephraim, for Joseph and for all the people of Israel associated with it.


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Then say to them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will take Joseph's stick, which is in Ephraim's hand, and the tribes of Israel associated with it, and I will put them with Judah's stick. I will make them into one stick. They will be one in my hand.« 


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»Tell them: The Lord Jehovah says: »I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from everywhere and bring them to their own land.


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I will form them into one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule all of them. They will no longer be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.


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They will no longer dishonor themselves with their idols, with their detestable things, or with their rebellious acts. I will forgive them for all the times they turned away from me and sinned. I will cleanse them so that they will be my people, and I will be their God.


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»»My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws.


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»»They will live in the land that I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They, their children, and their grandchildren will live in it for a very long time. My servant David will be their prince for a very long time.


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»»I will promise them peace. This will be a long lasting promise. I will establish them and make them increase in number. I will put my holy place among them for a very long time.


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»»Then the nations will know that I, Jehovah, have set Israel apart as holy, because my holy place will be among them permanently.« «


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»Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.


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»I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws. I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords.


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»Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops and many peoples with you.«


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»»Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them.


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»»After many days you will be summoned. In the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel that had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the nations, and all of them are living securely.


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»You will go up like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land. You your troops will have many peoples with you.« 


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»The Lord Jehovah says: It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan.


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»»You will say: »I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are securely at rest. They live without walls and have no bars or gates.«


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»I will go to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.


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»Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you: Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?« 


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»Prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog: The Lord Jehovah says: »On that day when my people Israel are living securely, will you not know it?


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»You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army.


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»You will come up against my people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.« 


text:
»The Lord Jehovah says: Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them?


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»It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah, that my fury will mount up in my anger.


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»In my zeal and in my blazing wrath I proclaim that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.


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»The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the people who are on the face of the earth will shake at my presence! The mountains will be thrown down! The steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.


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»I will call for a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord Jehovah. Every man's sword will be against his brother.


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»With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment on him. I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.


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»I will magnify myself, sanctify myself, and make myself known in the sight of many nations! Then they will know that I am Jehovah. (Matthew 6:9)


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Son of man, denounce Gog, the chief ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. »Tell him that I am his enemy.


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»I will turn him in a new direction and lead him out of the far north until he comes to the mountains of Israel.


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»Gog and his army and his allies will fall dead on the mountains of Israel. I will let their bodies be food for all the birds and wild animals.« 


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»I will start a fire in the land of Magog and along all the seacoasts where people live undisturbed. Everyone will know that I am Jehovah!


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I will make sure that my people Israel know my holy name. I will not let my name be disgraced any more. Then the nations will know that I, Jehovah, am the holy God of Israel.


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»The people who live in the cities of Israel will go out and collect the abandoned weapons for firewood. They will build fires with the shields, bows, arrows, spears, and clubs, and have enough to last for seven years.


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»They will not have to gather firewood in the fields or cut down trees in the forest, because they will have the abandoned weapons to burn. They will loot and plunder those who looted and plundered them. The Lord Jehovah has spoken.


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»On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea. It will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with his entire horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog <i>Multitude of God</i> .


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»Even all the people of the land will bury them. It will be to their renown on the day that I glorify myself, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.


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»They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search.


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»As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.


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»As for you, son of man, the Lord Jehovah says: Speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: »Assemble and come, gather from every side to my sacrifice that I am going to sacrifice for you. It is a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood.


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»You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as though they were rams, lambs, goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan.« 


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»You will eat fat until you are glutted, and drink blood until you are drunk; from my sacrifice I have sacrificed for you.« 


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»You will be glutted at my table with horses and charioteers, with mighty men and all the men of war, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»I will show my greatness among the nations. All the nations will see how I will turn my power against them to punish them.


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»Then the nations will know that the people of Israel went into captivity because they did wrong and rebelled against me. I hid my face <i>withdrew my support</i> from them and handed them over to their enemies. They were killed in battle.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: Now I will bring back Jacob's captives and have compassion for the whole nation of Israel. I will stand up for <i>show exclusive devotion for</i> my holy name.


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»When they live safely in a land where no one will frighten them, they will forget their shame and all the unfaithful things they have done against me.


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»I will bring them back from the other nations and gather them from the countries of their enemies. Many nations will see that I am holy.


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»My people will know that I am Jehovah their God. I sent them into captivity among the nations, and I brought them back again to their land. I left none of them behind.


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»I will no longer hide my face <i>withdraw my support</i> from them. I will pour out my Spirit on the nation of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


text:
It was the tenth day of the month in the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of our captivity and fourteen years after Jerusalem was captured. At that time Jehovahs power came over me, and he brought me to Jerusalem.


text:
In visions, God brought me to Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. On the south side of the mountain were buildings that looked like those in a city.


text:
He brought me closer. I saw a man who looked like he was covered with bronze. The man was holding a linen tape measure and a measuring stick, and he stood in a gateway.


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He said to me: »Son of man, look with your eyes, and listen with your ears. Pay close attention to everything I am going to show you. The reason you were brought here is to see these things. Tell the nation of Israel about everything that you see.«


text:
I saw a wall that surrounded the Temple. The man had a measuring stick that was ten and one half feet long. He measured the wall. It was ten and one half feet thick and ten and one half feet high.


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The man went to the gateway that faced east. He went up its steps and measured the entrance to the gateway. It was ten and one half feet wide.


text:
There were also guardrooms. Each guardroom was ten and one half feet long and ten and one half feet wide. The space between the guardrooms was nine feet thick. And the entrance to the gateway by the entrance hall of the temple was ten and one half feet wide.


text:
It extended fourteen feet from the Temple. Its recessed walls were three and one half feet thick. The gateway's entrance hall faced the Temple.


text:
There were three guardrooms on each side of the eastern gateway. All three rooms on each side were the same size, and the recessed walls on each side were the same size.


text:
The man measured the width of the entrance to the gateway. It was seventeen and one half feet wide, and the gateway was twenty-three feet long.


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There was a barrier about twenty-one inches in front of each guardroom. The guardrooms were ten and one half feet square.


text:
He measured the gateway from the top of one guardroom to the top of the opposite guardroom. It was forty-four feet wide from one door to the opposite door.


text:
He also measured the entrance hall. It was thirty-five feet wide. In front of the entrance hall to the gateway was a courtyard on all sides.


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The total length of the gateway from the front of the outer part to the front of the inner part of the entrance hall was eighty-seven and one half feet.


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The guardrooms and recessed walls inside the gateway had small windows all around. The entrance hall also had windows all around on the inside. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls.


text:
Then the man brought me into the outer courtyard. I saw rooms there and pavement all around the courtyard. There were thirty rooms along the edge of the pavement.


text:
The man measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner courtyard. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet from the east and to the north.


text:
The man measured the length and width of the gateway, leading to the outer courtyard. This was the gateway that faced north.


text:
Its three guardrooms, its recessed walls, and its entrance hall were the same size as those in the east gateway. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide.


text:
Its windows, recessed walls, and palm tree pictures were the same size as those in the east gateway. Seven steps went up to it and led to its entrance hall.


text:
The inner courtyard had a gateway opposite the north gate just like the east gateway. The man measured the distance from one gate to the other gate. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet.


text:
The man led me to the south side, and I saw a gateway that faced south. He measured its recessed walls and its entrance hall. They were the same size as those of the other gateways.


text:
The gateway and its entrance hall had windows on all sides like the windows in the other gateways. It was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide.


text:
Seven steps went up to it and led to its entrance hall. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, one picture on each side.


text:
The inner courtyard had a gateway facing south. The man measured the distance from the gateway on the south side to its opposite gateway. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet.


text:
The man brought me to the inner courtyard through the south gateway. He measured the south gateway. It was the same size as the others.


text:
Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance hall were the same size as the other gateways. The guardrooms and the entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide.


text:
There were entrance halls all around the inner courtyard. They were all forty-four feet long and nine feet wide.


text:
The entrance halls faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to each gateway.


text:
The man brought me to the east side of the inner courtyard. He measured the gateway. It was the same size as the others.


text:
Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance halls were the same size as those of the other gateways. Its guardrooms and entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide.


text:
Its entrance hall faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to the gateway.


text:
Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide.


text:
Its recessed walls faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to the gateway.


text:
There was a room with a door that opened toward the entrance hall of the gateway. This is the room where the priests washed the animals for the burnt offerings.


text:
There were two tables on each side of the entrance hall of the gateway. On these tables the animals were slaughtered for burnt offerings, offerings for sin, and guilt offerings.


text:
On each side of the entrance to the north gateway there were two tables, and on the other side of the entrance hall of the gateway there were two tables.


text:
So there were four tables on each side of the gateway, eight tables in all, on which they slaughtered animals.


text:
There were four tables made of cut stone for burnt offerings. They were three feet long, three feet wide, and twenty-one inches high. On these tables the priests laid the utensils that were used to slaughter animals for burnt offerings and sacrifices.


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Double-pronged hooks, three inches long, were attached to the wall all around the room, and the tables were for the meat of the animals.


text:
Outside the gateways to the inner courtyard were the rooms for the singers in the inner courtyards. One room was at the side of the north gateway. It faced south. The other room was at the side of the south gateway. It faced north.


text:
The room that faces north is for the priests who serve at the altar. These priests are Zadok's descendants. They are the only Levites who are able to come near Jehovah and serve him.«


text:
The man measured the courtyard. It was a perfect square: one hundred and seventy-five feet long and one hundred and seventy-five feet wide. The altar was in front of the Temple.


text:
The man brought me to the entrance hall of the Temple and measured its recessed walls. They were nine feet on each side. The gateway was twenty-four and one half feet wide, and the walls on each side were five feet wide.


text:
The entrance hall was thirty-five feet long and twenty-one feet wide. Steps led up to it. Pillars stood by the recessed walls, one on each side of the entrance hall.


text:
The man brought me into the Holy Place in the Temple and measured the recessed walls. They were ten and one half feet wide on each side.


text:
The entrance was seventeen and one half feet wide, and on each side of the entrance the walls were nine feet wide. Then he measured the length of the holy place. It was seventy feet long and thirty-five feet wide.


text:
He went inside and measured the passageway. It was three and one half feet thick. The entrance was ten and one half feet high and twelve feet wide.


text:
He measured the room at the end of the holy place. It was thirty-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide. The man said: »This is the Most Holy Place <i>Holy of Holies</i> .«


text:
Next, the man measured the Temple wall. It was ten and one half feet wide, and each side room around the Temple was seven feet.


text:
The rooms were arranged on three different stories. There were thirty rooms on each story. These rooms had supports all the way around the Temple wall, but these supports were not fastened to the Temple wall.


text:
The side rooms grew wider all the way around as they went up, story after story. The surrounding structure went from story to story all around the Temple. The structure grew wider as it went higher. A stairway went from the first story through the second story to the third story.


text:
I also saw a raised base all around the Temple. This base was the foundation for the side rooms. It measured the full length of the measuring rod, ten and one half feet.


text:
The outer wall of the side rooms was nine feet thick. There was an open area between the side rooms connected to the Temple


text:
The doors in the side rooms were entrances into the open area. There was one door to the north and another to the south. The base of the open area was nine feet wide all the way around.


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At the far end of the open area, on the west side of the temple, was a building one hundred twenty-two and one-half feet wide. The wall of the building was nine feet thick all the way around, and it was one hundred fifty seven and one half feet long.


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The man measured the Temple. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet long. This included the open area with the building and its walls. All together it was one hundred and seventy-five feet long.


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The eastern side of the Temple, including the open area, was also one hundred and seventy-five feet wide.


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He also measured the length of the building facing the courtyard on the west side along with its corridors on both sides. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet long. The holy place and the Most Holy Place were paneled.


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The doorposts, the small windows, and the corridors of all three stories were paneled. The walls, from the floor up to the windows, were paneled.


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there were pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees. Palm trees were positioned between each of the angels, and each angel had two faces:


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the face of a man, which was turned toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion, which was turned toward a palm tree on the other side. These pictures were carved all around the Temple.


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Pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees were carved on the walls from the floor to the space above the door.


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The doorframes in the Holy Place were square. In front of the Most Holy Place was something similar.


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There was a wooden altar. It was five feet high and three and one half feet wide. Its corners, its base, and its sides were made of wood. Then the man told me: This is the table that is in the presence of Jehovah.


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Pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees were carved on the doors of the Holy Place as on the walls. There was a wooden roof hanging over the outer entrance hall.


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There were small windows and palm trees on both sides of the entrance hall, on the side rooms of the Temple, and on the roofs.


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The man led me out to the north to the outer courtyard. He brought me to the side rooms opposite both the open area and the northern building.


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The building that faced north was one hundred and seventy-five feet long and eighty-seven and one half feet wide.


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Opposite the inner courtyard was an area that was thirty-five feet wide, and opposite the pavement of the outer courtyard were corridors facing corridors on all three stories.


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In front of the side rooms was a walkway. It was seventeen and one half feet wide and one hundred and seventy-five feet long. The doors of these side rooms faced north.


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The side rooms on the third story were narrower than those on the first or second stories of the building because the corridors took space away from them.


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The rooms were in three stories. They did not have pillars like the pillars in the courtyards. That is why the rooms on the third story were set farther back than those on the first and second stories.


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There was a wall that ran parallel to the side rooms and the outer courtyard. It ran alongside the side rooms for eighty-seven and one half feet.


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The row of rooms in the outer courtyard was eighty-seven and one half feet long. The rooms that faced the temple were one hundred and seventy-five feet long.


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These lower side rooms had an entrance on the east side. A person was able to enter the outer courtyard through them.


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There were side rooms parallel to the wall of the courtyard on the south side. They faced the open area and the building.


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There was a walkway in front of them. It was like the one that was in front of the side rooms on the north side. These side rooms were as long and as wide as the northern rooms. They had similar exits, dimensions, and doors.


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The doors to the south rooms were the same as the doors to the north rooms. There was a doorway at the other end of the walkway that was parallel to the corresponding wall that ran eastward. People entered through that doorway.


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The man said: »The northern and southern side rooms that face the open area are holy rooms. These rooms are where the priests who come near Jehovah eat the holiest offerings. Because these rooms are holy, the priests keep the holiest offerings there: the grain offerings, the offerings for sin, and the guilt offerings.


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Once the priests enter the Holy Place, they must not go out of the Holy Place into the outer courtyard until they leave behind the clothes that they wore as they served. These clothes are holy. The priests must put on other clothes. Then they can go into the area that is for the people.


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When the man had finished measuring the inner part of the temple area, he led me out through the east gate. Then he measured all the way around the outer area.


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He measured the east side with a measuring stick. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick.


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He measured the north side. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick.


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He measured the south side. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick.


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He came around to the west side and measured it. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick.


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He measured all four sides. There was a wall all around it. The wall was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long and eight hundred and seventy-five feet wide. It separated what was holy from what was unholy.


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I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the sound of rushing water, and the earth was shining because of his glory.


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This vision was like the one I saw when he came to destroy Jerusalem and like the one I saw by the Chebar River. I immediately bowed down.


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The Spirit lifted me and brought me into the inner courtyard. I saw Jehovahs glory fill the Temple.


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The voice said: »Son of man, this is the place where my throne is and the place where my feet rest. This is where I will live among the Israelites for a very long time. Then the people of Israel and their kings will no longer dishonor my holy name by acting like prostitutes. They will not dishonor it with the dead bodies of their kings.


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»They put their doorway by my doorway and their doorposts by my doorposts. Only a wall separated me from them. They dishonored my holy name because of the disgusting things that they have done. So I destroyed them in my anger.


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»They must stop acting like prostitutes and take the dead bodies of their kings far away from me. Then I will live among them for a very long time.


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»Son of man, describe this Temple to the people of Israel. Then they will be ashamed because of their sins. Let them study the plans.


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»Suppose they are ashamed of everything that they have done. Then show them the design of the Temple, its arrangements, its exits and entrances-its entire design. Tell them about all its rules and regulations. Then write these things down for them so that they can remember its design and follow all its rules.


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»This is a regulation of the Temple: The whole area all the way around the top of the mountain is most holy. Indeed, this is a regulation of the Temple.


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»These are the measurements of the altar, using royal measurements. The royal measuring stick was twenty-one inches long. The base of the altar was twenty-one inches high and twenty-one inches wide. All around the edge of the altar was a rim measuring nine inches wide. This was the height of the altar:


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»From the base on the ground to the lower ledge it was three and one half feet high, and from the lower ledge to the upper ledge it was seven feet high and twenty-one inches wide.


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»The upper ledge was also square. It was twenty-four and one half feet long and twenty-four and one half feet wide. It had a rim all the way around that was ten and one half inches wide. Its base was twenty-one inches. »The steps to the altar faced east.«


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The man said: »Son of man, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: These are the rules for sacrificing burnt offerings and for sprinkling blood on the altar after the altar is built.


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»Jehovah said: Give a young bull to the priests as an offering for sin. These priests are Zadok's descendants. They are men from the tribe of Levi, who can come near me and serve me.


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»Take some of the bull's blood, and put it on the altars four horns, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim all the way around the altar. When you do this, you will remove sin from the altar and make peace with Jehovah.


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»Take a young bull as an offering for sin, and burn it in the place appointed near the temple, outside the holy place.


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»On the second day bring a male goat that has no defects as an offering for sin. Remove sin from the altar as you did with the young bull.


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»Offer them to Jehovah. The priests must throw salt on them and offer them as burnt offerings to Jehovah.


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»Every day for seven days you must sacrifice a goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock as an offering for sin. They must be animals that have no defects.


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»For seven days the priests should pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah at the altar, purify it, and consecrate it.


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»When those days are over, on the eighth day, the priests must sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. Then I will accept them, declares the Lord Jehovah.«


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Jehovah said to me: »This gate will stay shut and will not be opened. No one may enter through it because the Lord Jehovah of Israel entered through it. It must be kept shut.


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»Only the prince may sit there and eat food in the presence of Jehovah. He will enter through the entrance hall of the gateway and leave the same way.«


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The man brought me through the north gate in front of the Temple. When I looked, I saw Jehovahs Temple was filled with Jehovahs glory. At once I bowed down.


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Jehovah said to me: »Son of man, pay close attention. Look, and listen to everything I tell you. Listen to all the rules and regulations for Jehovahs Temple. Pay close attention to everyone who enters the Temple and leaves from the Holy Place.


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»Tell the rebellious people of Israel: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I have had enough of all the disgusting things that you have done, people of Israel.


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»You brought godless foreigners into my holy place. You dishonored my temple when you offered fat and blood to me. You rejected my promise so that you could do all your disgusting things.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: »No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter my sanctuary.« 


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»But the Levites, who went far from me when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, will bear the punishment for their iniquity.


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»They will be ministers in my sanctuary and having oversight at the gates of the house. They will slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they will stand before them to minister to them.


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»I have sworn against them because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah. They will bear the punishment for their iniquity.


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»They will not serve as a priest to me, nor come near to any of my holy things, to the things that are most holy. They will bear their shame for their abominations that they have committed.


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»Even so I will appoint them to keep charge of the house, of all its service and of all that will be done in it.


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»But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of my sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me. They shall stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»They must wear linen clothes when they enter the gateways to the inner courtyard. They must have no wool on them while they serve in the gateways to the inner courtyard and in the Temple.


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»They must wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that makes them sweat.


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»When they go out among the people in the outer courtyard, they must take off the clothes that they wore as they served. They must leave their clothes in the side rooms of the holy place and put on other clothes so that they do not transfer the holiness from their clothes to the people.


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»They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long. They must keep the hair on their heads trimmed.


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»They must not marry widows or women who have been divorced. They may marry only virgins from the nation of Israel or widows of priests.


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»They must teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is unholy. They must show the people how to tell the difference between what is clean and what is unclean.


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»In all disputes the priests must act as judges and make decisions based on my Laws. They must obey my rules and my regulations at all my festivals. They must observe holy days to worship me.


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»A priest must not make himself unclean by going near a dead body. But a priest may become unclean if the dead person is his father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or unmarried sister.


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»When he enters the inner courtyard of the holy place to serve in the holy place, he must bring his offering for sin, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»The priests will have no inheritance. I am their inheritance. Do not give them any possessions in Israel. The priests belong to me.


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»They will eat grain offerings, offerings for sin, and guilt offerings. Everything in Israel that is devoted to Jehovah will belong to them.


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»The priests should have the best of all the first ripened fruits. The best of every gift from all your contributions must go to the priests. The best of your dough must go to the priests. This will cause a blessing to rest on your home.


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»The priests must never eat any bird or animal that has died naturally or was killed by other wild animals.


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»Divide the land by drawing lots for the property you will inherit. Set aside an area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and thirty-five thousand feet wide for Jehovah. The entire area will be holy.


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»An area of eight hundred and seventy-five feet square will be for the holy place with an open area eighty-seven and one half feet wide.


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»Measure off an area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. The Holy Place, that is, the Most Holy Place, will be in this area.


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»This holy part of the land will belong to the priests who serve in the Holy Place, the priests who come near to serve Jehovah. They will use this place for their homes, and it will be the location for the Holy Place.


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»An area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide will belong to the Levites who serve in the Temple. It will be given to them so that they have cities to live in.


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»You must designate an area eight thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide and forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long as the city's property. It will be located alongside the holy area. It will belong to all the people of Israel.


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»The prince will have all the land on both sides of the holy area and on both sides of the property belonging to the city. From the western boundary of the holy area, his land will extend to the Mediterranean Sea. From the eastern boundary of the holy area, his land will extend to the eastern border of the country. His territory will be as large as the territory of one of the tribes.


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»This land will belong to the prince in Israel. Then my princes will no longer oppress my people. They will give land to each tribe of the nation of Israel.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I have had enough of you, you princes of Israel. »Stop your violence and looting, and do what is fair and right. Stop evicting my people, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»The dry and liquid measures must always be the same: The ephah and the bath should hold the same as one-tenth of a homer. The homer must be the standard measure.


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»This is the contribution you must give to Jehovah: seventeen percent of your wheat and seventeen percent of your barley.


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»You must take one sheep out of every two hundred from the well-watered pastures of Israel. You must sacrifice them with grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to make peace with Jehovah, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»Then the prince is responsible to provide burnt offerings, grain offerings, and wine offerings at the annual festivals, the New Moon Festivals, the weekly days of worship, and all the other appointed festivals of the nation of Israel. He must prepare offerings for sin, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah for the nation of Israel.


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: On the first day of the first month, take a young bull that has no defects and remove sin from the holy place.


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»The priest must take some blood from the offering for sin and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the doorposts of the gateways of the inner courtyard.


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»You must do the same on the seventh day of the month for everyone who unintentionally does something wrong and is unaware of it. So you must pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah for the Temple.


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»On the fourteenth day of the first month, you will celebrate the Passover, a festival lasting seven days when unleavened bread is eaten.


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»At that time the prince must prepare for himself and for all the common people a young bull as an offering for sin.


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»Every day during the seven days of the festival, he must prepare burnt offerings for Jehovah: seven young bulls that have no defects, seven rams that have no defects, and one male goat as an offering for sin.


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»He must also give as a grain offering a half-bushel for each young bull and a half-bushel for each ram. He must also give one gallon of olive oil for every half-bushel of grain.


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»On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, at the Festival of Booths, he must do the same as on those seven days. He must prepare the same offerings for sin, burnt offerings, grain offerings, and olive oil.«


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»This is what the Lord Jehovah says: The east gate of the inner courtyard must be closed during the six working days, but it must be opened on the weekly day of worship. It must also be opened on the New Moon Festival.


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»The prince must enter from the outside through the entrance hall of the gateway. He must stand by the doorposts of the gateway. Then the priests must prepare the prince's burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He must worship at the entrance of the gateway and then leave. The gate must not be closed until evening.


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»The common people must worship at the door of the gateway in the presence of Jehovah on the weekly days of worship and on New Moon Festivals.


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»The prince must offer to Jehovah six lambs that have no defects and one ram that has no defects as a burnt offering on the day of worship.


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»The grain offering that is to be brought with the ram must be a half-bushel, and the grain offering that is to be brought with the lambs must be whatever the prince can bring. One gallon of olive oil must be brought with each half-bushel of grain.


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»On the first day of the month, the burnt offering must be one young bull, six lambs, and one ram-all animals that have no defects.


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»With each young bull and each ram the offering must include a half-bushel of grain, and with each lamb the offering must be whatever the prince wants to bring. One gallon of olive oil must be offered with each half-bushel of grain.


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»When the prince enters, he must enter through the entrance hall of the gateway. He must enter and leave the same way.


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»The people will enter Jehovahs presence at the time of the appointed festivals. Those entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate. Those entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. They must not leave through the same gate they entered. They must leave through the opposite gate.


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On festival days and at appointed festivals, a grain offering of a half-bushel must be brought with each young bull, and a half-bushel must be brought with each ram. But with the lambs, the prince may bring whatever he wants to bring. One gallon of olive oil must be brought with each half-bushel of grain.


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»When the prince prepares a freewill burnt offering, either a burnt offering or a fellowship offering to Jehovah, the east gate must be opened for him. He must sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings as he does on the day of worship. When he leaves, the gate must be shut after him.


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»Prepare a year-old lamb that has no defects every day as a burnt offering to Jehovah. Do this every morning.


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»Also, prepare a grain offering with it every morning: three-and-a-third quarts of grain and one-and-a-third quarts of olive oil to moisten the flour. It will be a grain offering dedicated to Jehovah. These rules are to be followed always.


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»The Lord Jehovah says: Suppose the prince offers one of his sons a gift from his property. The gift will belong to his descendants because it is their inheritance.


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»Suppose the prince offers a gift from his property to one of his servants. The gift will belong to the servant only until the year of freedom. Then the gift will go back to the prince. Only his sons can inherit his property.


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»The prince must not take any of the people's property. He must not force them to give up their property. He must give his own property as an inheritance to his sons so that none of my people will be separated from their property.«


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The man brought me through a passage beside the gateway to the side rooms that faced north. These rooms were reserved for the priests. He showed me a place on the west side of the rooms.


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He said to me: »This is the place where the priests must boil the meat for the guilt offering and the offering for sin. This is the place where they must bake grain offerings so that they do not have to bring the offerings into the outer courtyard. This way they will not transfer holiness to the people.«


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The man led me to the outer courtyard and took me past the four corners of the courtyard. I saw that in each corner of the courtyard there was a smaller courtyard.


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The smaller courtyards that were in each of the four corners of the courtyard were sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide. All four of the smaller courtyards in the corners of the courtyard were the same size.


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The man said to me: »These are the kitchens where the Temple servants must boil the people's sacrifices.«


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The man took me back to the door of the Temple. I saw water flowing from under the entrance of the Temple toward the east. The Temple faced east. The water was flowing under the south side of the Temple, south of the altar.


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Then he led me through the north gate and around to the outer east gate. The water was flowing down the south side of the gate.


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With a measuring line in his hand, the man went eastward. He measured off fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my ankles.


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He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my knees. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my waist.


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He measured another fifteen hundred feet. But the water had risen so much that it became a river that I could not cross. The river was too deep to cross except by swimming.


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The man then led me back along the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw many trees on both sides of the river.


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He said: »This water flows through the land to the east, down into the Jordan Valley, and into the Dead Sea. When the water flows into the Dead Sea, it will replace the salt water there with fresh water.


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»Wherever the river flows, there will be many fish and animals. The river will make the water in the Dead Sea fresh. Wherever the river flows, it will bring life.


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»From En Gedi to En Eglaim people will be standing on the shore of the sea with their fishing nets spread out. As many kinds of fish will be there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea.


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»All kinds of fruit trees will grow on both sides of the river. Their leaves will not wither, and they will not fail to produce fruit. Each month they will produce fresh fruit because this water flows from the Holy Place. The fruit will be good food, and the leaves will be used for healing.«


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This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »These are the borders of the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph gets two parts.


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»Divide the land equally. I raised my hand and swore that I would give the land to your ancestors. So this land will be your inheritance.


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»This is the northern border for the land: On the north side the border will run from the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Hethlon and Hamath Pass. It will run through the city of Zedad and through


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»Berothah and Sibraim, which are between the borders of Damascus and Hamath. It will run to Hazer Hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran.


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»So the border will run from the Mediterranean Sea to Hazar Enon on the border of Damascus. The border of Hamath will lie to the north. This is the north side.


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»On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus. The Jordan River will serve as the border between Gilead and the land of Israel. The border will continue from the Dead Sea down to Tamar. This is the east side.


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»On the south side the border will run from Tamar to the oasis at Meribah in Kadesh along the ravine to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the southern border.


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»On the west side the Mediterranean Sea is the border up to a point opposite Hamath Pass. This is the west side.«


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»Divide it by drawing lots. This land will be for you. It will also be for the foreign residents who live among you and have given birth to children while they lived with you. Think of them as Israelites. They will draw lots with you for their inheritance among the tribes of Israel.


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»Foreign residents will receive their share of the inheritance with the people of the tribe among whom they are living,« declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»These are the names of the tribes. Beginning at the northern border, Dan will have one part of the land. It will extend from the road to Hethlon to Hamath Pass and Hazar Enon, on the northern border of Damascus near Hamath, from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Asher will have one part of the land and border Dan on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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Naphtali will have one part of the land and border Asher on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Manasseh will have one part of the land and border Naphtali on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Ephraim will have one part of the land and border Manasseh on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Reuben will have one part of the land and border Ephraim on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Judah will have one part of the land and border Reuben on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»The land that you set aside as a special gift for Jehovah will border Judah on the south. It will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide, and it will be as long as one of the sections of the tribes. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border, and the holy place will be in the middle of it.


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»This special land that you set aside for Jehovah will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide.


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»This holy area will belong to the priests. On the north side it will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long. On the west side it will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. On the east side it will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. On the south side it will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long. Jehovahs holy place will be in the middle of it.


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»This land that has been set apart will belong to the priests who are descendants of Zadok. They took care of my holy place. They did not wander away with the Israelites as the Levites did.


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»So they will have a special portion from the land. It will be the holiest part of land, next to the land belonging to the Levites.


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»Alongside the land belonging to the priests will be the land belonging to the Levites. It will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide.


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»They must not sell any of it or trade any of it. They must not let others have the best part of the land, because the land is Jehovahs and it is holy.


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»A strip of land, eight thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide by forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long, will be left for cities, homes, and pastures. The city will be in the middle of it.


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»These will be the measurements for the city: On the north side it will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. On the south side it will be the same length. On the east side it will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet wide. And on the west side it will be same width.


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»The city's pastureland will be the same on all four sides, four thousand three hundred and seventy-five feet.


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»The rest of the land borders the holy area and runs lengthwise. This land will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet on both east and west sides. It will be used to provide food for the city workers.


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»The whole area will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet square. You must give this land as a special gift to Jehovah along with the city property.


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»Whatever is left on the east side and west side of the holy area and the city property will belong to the prince. This land will extend eastward from the holy area to the eastern border, and it will extend westward to the western border. Both of these areas are as long as one of the sections of the tribes. These areas belong to the prince, and the holy area with the Holy Place of the Temple will be between them.


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»The Levites' property and the city's property will be between the prince's part of the land. What is between Judah's and Benjamin's boundaries will belong to the prince.


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»This is what the rest of the tribes will receive: Benjamin will have one part of the land. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Simeon will have one part of the land and border Benjamin on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Issachar will have one part of the land and border Simeon on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Zebulun will have one part of the land and border Issachar on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»Gad will have one part of the land and border Zebulun on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border.


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»The southern border of Gad will run south from Tamar to the oasis at Meribah in Kadesh, and it will run along the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.


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»This is the land you will divide as your inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their areas, declares the Lord Jehovah.


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»These will be the exits for the city: The north side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long.


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»The gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be Reuben Gate, Judah Gate, and Levi Gate.


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»The east side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the east side will be Joseph Gate, Benjamin Gate, and Dan Gate.


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»The south side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the south side will be Simeon Gate, Issachar Gate, and Zebulun Gate.


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»The west side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the west side will be Gad Gate, Asher Gate, and Naphtali Gate.


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»The city will measure about thirty-one thousand five hundred feet all the way around. From then on the city's name will be: Jehovah Is There.«


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Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah. It was in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah.


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Jehovah allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jehoiakim king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar carried part of the vessels of the house of God into the Plain of Shinar <i>in Babylon</i> . He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.


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The king ordered Ashpenaz the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles.


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These were young people who had no defects. They were good looking and intelligent, with knowledge. They showed wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of science. They had ability to serve in the king's court and were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans.


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The king assigned a daily amount of the king's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years. At the end of that time they would serve the king.


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The officer in charge gave names to them: To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego.


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Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself.


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The officer in charge said to Daniel: »I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king?«


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»You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the kings special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see.«


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They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the kings special food.


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God gave these young people knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of all types of literature and learning. Daniel had understanding and wisdom in all visions and dreams.


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The king interviewed them and found out that none was found to be like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served the king.


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The king found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm. This was in every matter of wisdom and understanding.


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It was the second year of his reign. He was troubled and could not sleep. Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and was disturbed by them.


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The king summoned the magicians, enchanters <i>conjurers</i> , sorcerers, and the Chaldeans and commanded them to tell the king about his dreams. They came in and stood before the king.


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The Chaldeans spoke in the Syrian language: »O king, may you live for a very long time. Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.«


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The king answered: »I have decided. If you do not make the dream known to me and its interpretation you will be cut in pieces, and your houses will be made a dunghill <i>foul smelling pile of rubbish</i> .


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»But if you tell me the dream and what it means you will receive gifts and rewards and great honor from me. Therefore tell me the dream and the interpretation of it.«


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They answered the second time. They said: »Let the king tell his servants the dream. Then we will tell the interpretation.«


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»If you do not tell me my dream, the law will apply to you. You are stalling by speaking lies to me until I change my requirements. Tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me the interpretation of it.«


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The Chaldeans answered: »There is no man on earth who can do what the king requires. No king, lord, or ruler, has asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean.


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»It is a rare thing that the king requires. There is no other person who can show it to the king, except the gods, and they do not live with humans.«


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This caused the king to be angry. In fact he became furious! He commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.


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So the decree was delivered. The wise men were to be executed. They searched for Daniel and his companions to execute them.


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Daniel sent an answer tempered with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon.


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He asked Arioch the king's captain: »Why is the decree so urgent from the king?« Then Arioch explained it to Daniel.


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Then Daniel went back to his house, and explained everything to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:


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that they would request mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret. And they would request that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.


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»He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning.


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»He reveals the deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.


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»I thank you, and praise you, O God of my fathers. You have given me wisdom and might. You have made known to me what we desired from you. For you have made known to us the king's situation.«


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Therefore Daniel went to Arioch. Arioch was appointed by the king to destroy the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him: »Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king and I will show the king the interpretation.«


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Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said: »I have found a man of the captive children of Judah who will make the interpretation known to the king.«


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The king said to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar: »Are you able to tell me about my dream and interpret it?«


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Daniel answered: »Wise men, enchanters, magicians, and soothsayers cannot show the secret the king demanded.


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»There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets. He made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in days to come. Your dream and visions are these:


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»As for you, O king, your thoughts while you were in bed were about what will happen in the future. He who reveals secrets revealed the future to you.


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»Concerning me, this secret is not revealed to me to give me more wisdom than anyone else. It is for the purpose that the interpretation may be made known to the king; that you may know the thoughts of your mind.


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»You, O king, saw a large statue. This statue was in fact very large. It was very bright as it stood before you. Its appearance was awesome.


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»You watched while a stone was cut out without hands. It struck the statue upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.


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»The iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broke in pieces together. It became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors. The wind carried them away and no place was found for them. The stone that struck the statue became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.


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»You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory.


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»He gave the children of men, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens to your hand. He made you the ruler over them all! You are the head of gold.


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»After you another inferior kingdom will arise and another third kingdom of brass, which will rule over all the earth.


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»The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, since iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things. It is iron that crushes all these. It will break in pieces and crush.


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»The feet and toes you saw, part of potters' clay, and part of iron will be a divided kingdom. It will have the strength of iron. However, you saw the iron mixed with clay.


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»As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong, and partly broken.


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»The iron mixed with clay will mingle with the seed of men. But they will not adhere to one another. For iron does not stick to clay.


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»In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Its sovereignty will not be entrusted to another people. It will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it will stand forever!


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»You saw a stone cut out of the mountain without hands. It broke the iron, brass, clay, silver, and the gold to pieces. The great God made known to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain, and the interpretation of it is sure.«


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King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and worshipped Daniel. He commanded that they present an offering and burn incense to him.


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The king spoke to Daniel: »It is true, your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing you were able to reveal this secret.«


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The king made Daniel great! He gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. He was appointed chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.


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Daniel requested that the king appoint Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel sat in the court of the king.


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Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold. He set it up in the plain of Dura, the province of Babylon. It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide.


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Then Nebuchadnezzar the king gathered the satraps, deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces. They came to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up.


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The satraps, deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces were gathered together at the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. They stood before the image.


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Then the herald proclaimed: »You are commanded to do this, O peoples, nations, and men of every language.


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»When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes <i>bagpipe</i> , and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up.


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»Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace.«


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When all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up.


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»You, O king, made a decree, that every man that hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.


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»The Jews whom you appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego have not listened to you. They do not serve your gods. They do not worship the golden image that you set up.«


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Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. They brought these men before the king.


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Nebuchadnezzar said to them: »Is it true Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that you do not serve my god, nor worship the golden image that I set up?


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»Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, good! But if you do not worship it you will be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace that same hour. What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?«


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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king: »O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.


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»If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the blazing furnace. He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.


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»If not you should know O king that we will not serve your gods. We will not worship the golden image that you set up!«


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Nebuchadnezzar was furious. The expression on his face changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than its required heat.


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He commanded the mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to throw them into the blazing furnace.


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Then these men were bound in their coats, caps and their other garments. They were thrown into the midst of the blazing furnace.


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Because of the urgency of the king's commandment and the exceeding hot furnace, the flame of the fire killed the men who delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.


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These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the blazing furnace.


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Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished. He hurried to speak to his counselors: / »Did we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?« They answered: »True O king.«


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He said: »Look, I see four men walking in the midst of the fire. They are not hurt! The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!«


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Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning blazing furnace. He called out: »Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God come here!« Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.


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The satraps, deputies, governors, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men. They saw that the fire had no power upon their bodies. Not a single hair on their head was singed. Neither were their clothes changed and they did not smell like fire.


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Nebuchadnezzar said: »Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king's command and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.


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»Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut into pieces. Their houses shall be made a dunghill. There is no other god that is able to deliver like this.«


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»Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.


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»How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.


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»The magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came to me. I told the dream to them. They did not explain the dream to me.


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»Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, finally came to me. He has the spirit of the holy gods. So I told the dream to him saying:


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»O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you! Tell me the visions I have seen in my dream. Give me the interpretation.


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»The tree grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven. It could be seen from distant parts of the earth.


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»The leaves were beautiful and the fruit abundant. In it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shadow under it. The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches. All flesh was fed by it.


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»He cried aloud: Chop down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.


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»Leave the stump and roots in the earth. Apply to it a band of iron and copper in the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven. Let its portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.


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»Let its heart be changed from a man's, and let a beast's heart be given to it. Seven times should pass over it.


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»The decision is by the decree of the watchers. The sentence by the word of the holy ones! It is to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets over it the lowest of men.«


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»I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen this dream and you O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation! For all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make the interpretation known to me. You are able for the spirit of the holy gods is in you!


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»Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king said, Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation trouble you. Belteshazzar answered: My lord, the dream may be to them that hate you and the interpretation to your adversaries.


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»The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to heaven, and was seen in the distant parts of the earth;


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whose leaves were beautiful and fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens lived:


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It is you O king! You have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown, and reaches to heaven. Your dominion is to the end of the earth.


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»Since the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven saying: Chop down the tree, and destroy it. Leave the stump and the roots in the earth. With a band of iron and brass leave it in the tender grass of the field and let it be wet with the dew of heaven. Let its portion be with the beasts of the field till seven times pass over it.«


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This is the interpretation, O king. It is the decree from the Most High that has come to my lord the king.


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You will be driven from men. Your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like oxen and will be wet with the dew of heaven. Seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.


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»Because they commanded to leave the stump and the roots of the tree your kingdom will be sure to you. After that you will know that the heavens do rule.


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»Let my counsel be acceptable to you O King. Stop your sins by being righteous and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. May there be a lengthening of your prosperity.«


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The king spoke: »Is this not great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?«


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While the word was in the king's mouth a voice came from heaven, saying: »O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from you.


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»You will be driven from men. Your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You will have to eat grass like bulls. Seven times shall pass over you until you know the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.«


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That same hour it was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men and did eat grass like bulls. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair grew like eagles' feathers, and his fingernails like birds' claws.


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»At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me. I blessed the Most High and I praised and honored the one who lives forever. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.


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All the inhabitants of the earth are considered as nothing. He does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. None can stop him, or say to him: What do you do?


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»My understanding returned to me at that time. The glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords came to me. I was established in my kingdom with excellent greatness.


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»Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol and honor the King of heaven. All his works are truth, and his ways justice. He is able to abase <i>humble subdue</i> those who walk in pride.«


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While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar commanded to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the Temple in Jerusalem. This way the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them.


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Then they brought the gold vessels that were taken out of the Temple of the House of God that was at Jerusalem. The king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.


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In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared, and wrote above the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king saw the part of the hand that wrote.


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Then the king's countenance <i>appearance</i> changed in him. His thoughts troubled him. The joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees struck one against the other.


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The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. / The king spoke to the wise men of Babylon: »Whoever reads this writing, and shows me the interpretation of it will be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck. He will be the third ruler in the kingdom«.


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All the kings wise men came. But they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.


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The queen came into the banquet hall. She said: »O king, may you live for a very long time: do not let your thoughts trouble you or change your countenance.


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»There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In your fathers day, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.


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»Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding for interpreting dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving doubts. Let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.«


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Daniel was brought before the king. The king spoke to Daniel: »Are you that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?


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»I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.


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»The wise men and the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing, and make known the interpretation of it. But they could not show the interpretation.


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»I have heard that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. If you can read the writing and make the interpretation known to me you will be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.«


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Daniel answered the king: »Keep your gifts and give your rewards to another. I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.


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»O you king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.


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»Because of the greatness he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he chose he killed and whom he chose he kept alive. Whom he chose he raised up, and whom he chose he put down.


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»But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened with pride he dealt proudly. He was deposed from his kingly throne and they took his glory from him:


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»He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts. His dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.


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»You lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of his house before you and your lords, wives and concubines. They drank wine from them. You praise the gods of silver and gold, of copper, iron, wood, and stone, which you do not see, nor hear, nor know. You have not glorified the God whose hand holds your breath and life.


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»This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end;


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Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.


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It pleased Darius to appoint a hundred and twenty governors over the kingdom. They were to be located throughout the whole kingdom.


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Three commissioners were placed over them. Daniel was one of the commissioners. These governors were to give account to them so that the king would not suffer loss.


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Daniel was distinguished above the other commissioners and the governors because an excellent spirit <i>mind</i> was in him. Therefore the king thought to set him over the whole realm.


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Then the commissioners and the governors sought to find a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom. They could find no charge, nor error, nor fault, for he was faithful.


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These men said: »We shall not find any charge against Daniel, unless we find it against him in the Law of his God.«


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Then these commissioners and governors assembled before the king, and said: »King Darius, may you live for a very long time.«


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»All the governors of the kingdom, the deputies and the governors, the counselors consulted together to establish a royal statute. They made a strong decree, that whoever prays to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions.


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»Now, O king, establish the decree by signing the document. That it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered.


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Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He went into his house. His windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, like he did before.


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They approached the king about his decree: »Did you sign a decree stating that every man that shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions?« The king answered: »The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered.«


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Then they said: »Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, does not show you respect, O king, nor the decree that you signed. He offers his prayer three times a day.«


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Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased with himself. He was determined that Daniel not be delivered to him; and he labored all day to rescue him.


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Then these men assembled before the king and said: »Know, O king that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king establishes may be changed.«


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Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and threw him into the den of lions. The king spoke to Daniel: »Your God whom you serve will deliver you.«


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A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.


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The king went to his palace and did not eat. He refused musical entertainment and he could not sleep.


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He came near to the den and cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel: »O Daniel, servant of the living God, did the God you serve deliver you from the lion?«


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« My God sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. They did not hurt me. I was found innocent before him. I have done no wrong before you, O king.«


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The king was very happy. He commanded that they take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was taken out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found on him, because he trusted in his God.


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The king commanded that the men that accused Daniel and had him thrown into the den of lions be thrown into the den of lions. They cast them into the den of lions, their children, and their wives; and the lions killed them and broke their bones in pieces before they reached the bottom of the den.


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Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: »Peace is multiplied to you.


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»I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble with respect before the God of Daniel. He is the living God, and steadfast forever! His kingdom will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even unto the end.


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»He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, which has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.«


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Daniel had a dream and visions. He wrote the summery of the dream that came to his mind while he was in bed. It was the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon.


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»The first was like a LION. It had eagle's wings. I watched till the wings were pulled off. It was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet like a man. A man's heart and mind was given to it.


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»Look, a second beast, like a BEAR. It was raised up on one side. Three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said to it, Arise and devour much flesh.


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»I saw another beast. It was like a LEOPARD. It had four wings as a bird on its back. The beast also had four heads. Dominion <i>ruling authority</i> was given to it.


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»After this I saw more visions in the night. I saw a FOURTH BEAST terrible and powerful, and exceedingly strong! It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from the beasts that came before it. It had ten horns!


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»I looked at the horns and another one, a little horn came. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man. It had a mouth that spoke great <i>domineering boastful</i> things. The three first horns were plucked up roots and all.


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»I watched as thrones were placed. The ANCIENT OF DAYS sat on one throne. His clothing was white as snow. His hair was like pure wool. His throne was like fiery flames, and the wheels on it were like burning fire.


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»A fiery stream issued from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened.


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»I paid attention because of the sound of the great <i>boastful</i> words the horn spoke. I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed. It was burned with fire.


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»The dominion <i>authority</i> was taken away from the other beasts. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season.


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»I saw in the night-visions someone like a SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days. They brought him near before him.


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»He was given legal power and a kingdom. Out of his glory all the peoples, nations, and languages will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. (Revelation 11:15) (Daniel 2:44) (Psalm 45:6)


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I came near to one of them that stood nearby, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me. HE MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION OF EVERYTHING.


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»The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom. They will possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.


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»I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast that was different from the others. This beast was exceeding terrible. It had teeth made of iron. Its claws were made of copper. It devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet.


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»There were ten horns on its head. Three horns fell and another horn came up. The horn that had eyes and a mouth spoke great <i>domineering boastful</i> things. Its appearance was greater than the others.


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»I watched that same horn as it made war with the holy ones. It prevailed against <i>defeated</i> them.


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»Then the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom. (Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:6)


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»He said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth. It will trample it down and break it in pieces.


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»The ten horns are ten kings that will arise out of this kingdom! Another will arise after them. He will be different from the former, and he will subdue three kings.


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»He will speak words against the Most High <i>Supreme God</i> and wear down <i>afflict cause great distress</i> the holy ones of the Most High. He will think to change the times and law and will have control until a time and times and half a time. <i>Three and one-half years</i>


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»The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people who are the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom! All dominions <i>legal authorities</i> will serve and obey him.


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»This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were very troubled. My appearance was changed. I kept the matter in my heart.«


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A vision appeared to me, Daniel, in the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar. It appeared after the first vision.


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I saw in the vision: I was in Shushan the castle <i>palace</i> , which is in the province of Elam by the River Ulai.


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A ram with two horns stood next to the river. The two horns were tall, but one was taller than the other, and the taller one came up last.


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I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward. No beasts could stand before him. Neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand. He did what ever he wanted and boasted about himself.


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As I observed a he-goat came from the west over the face of the whole earth. It did not touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes.


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He approached the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing next to the river. He charged him with the full fury of his power.


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I saw him come close to the ram. He was driven with anger and he struck the ram and broke his two horns. The ram had no power to stand before him. He threw him down to the ground, and trampled upon him. No one could deliver the ram out of his hand.


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The he-goat promoted <i>boasted about</i> himself exceedingly. He was strong. The great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.


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A little horn cam out of one of them. The little horn became very great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land.


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It grew great, even to the host of heaven. It threw down to the ground some of the host and it trampled them.


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It magnified itself, even to the prince of the host. It took the continual burnt offering from him and the place of his sanctuary was thrown down.


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The host was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through transgression. It cast down truth to the ground, and whatever it wanted to do and prospered.


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Then I heard a holy one speak and another holy one said to it: »How long will the vision be concerning the continual burnt-offering and the transgression that makes desolate to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?«


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He said to me: »Two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.«


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After I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision I sought to understand it. Behold, there appeared before me a man standing.


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I heard a man's voice from the banks of the Ulai River. He called to Gabriel: »Make this man understand the vision of the time of the end.«


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He came near where I stood. I was afraid and fell to my face. But he said to me: »Understand, O son of man the vision belongs to the time of the end.«


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He spoke to me while I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground. He touched me, and set me upright.


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He said: I will make you know what will happen in the final time of indignation for the vision is for the appointed time of the end.


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»The ram that you saw that had the two horns symbolizes <i>represents</i> the kings of MEDIA and PERSIA.


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»And the rough he-goat is the king of GREECE. The great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.


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»As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.


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»Toward the end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a FIERCE KING will arise who will understand sinister schemes.


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»He will be mighty, but not by his own power. He will destroy excessively <i>cause great devistation</i> and will prosper and do anything he wants to do. He will destroy the mighty ones and the holy people.


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»Through his policy he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand. He will boast about himself in his heart. In their security they will destroy many. He will even stand up against the prince of princes; but he will be destroyed without human power.


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»The vision told about the evenings and mornings is true: but seal up the vision. It belongs to the future.«


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I, Daniel, fainted from exhaustion, and was sick for days. Then I rose up, and did the king's business. I wondered about the vision, but none understood it.


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In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus <i>Xerxes</i> , of the lineage of the Medes. He was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans.


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It was the first year of his reign. I, Daniel, understood from The Books <i>Holy Scriptures</i> the number of the years in the word of Jehovah to Jeremiah the prophet. It was seventy years since the destruction of Jerusalem.


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And I prayed to Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, »Oh, Jehovah, the great and fear-inspiring <i>awesome</i> God, who keeps his covenant and loving kindness for those who love him and keep his commandments.


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»We have sinned. We have dealt perversely. We have acted wickedly and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances.


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»We have not listened to your servants the prophets who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.


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»O Jehovah, righteousness belongs to you! Shame belongs to us this day! To the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.


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»O Jehovah, to us belongs shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.


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»We have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.


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»Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law and turned aside, that they should not obey your voice. Therefore the curse has been poured out upon us. It is the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God. We have sinned against you.


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»He confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who ruled us. He brought a great evil on us. Nothing under heaven has been done like what was done to Jerusalem.


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»As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this evil has come upon us. Yet we have not earnestly requested the favor of Jehovah our God. We should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in your truth.


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»Therefore Jehovah watched over the evil and brought it upon us. Jehovah our God is righteous in all his works. We have not obeyed his voice.


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»And now, O Jehovah our God, you brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made a name for yourself that day. We have sinned! We have done wickedly.


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»O Jehovah, according to all your righteousness, let your anger, I pray you, be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all those who are round about us.


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»Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his supplications, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for Jehovahs sake.


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»O my God, incline your ear, and hear! Open your eyes, and behold our desolations and the city that is called by your name. We do not present our supplications before you because of our righteous merits, but according to your many mercies.


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»O Jehovah, hear; O Jehovah, forgive; O Jehovah, pay attention and act! Do not delay for your own sake, O my God! Because your city and your people are called by your name.«


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While I was speaking, in prayer, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God;


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While I was speaking in prayer, the spirit person <i>who looked like a man</i> Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, was inspired to come quickly and touch me. It was about the time of the evening offering.


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He instructed me: »O Daniel,« he said, »I have now come to give you wisdom <i>insight</i> and understanding.


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»At the beginning of your supplications the commandment went forth. I came to report to you for you are greatly loved. Consider the matter, and understand the vision.


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»Seventy weeks <i>seventy sets of seven time periods</i> are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgression and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.


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»Know and discern, that from the utterance of the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One <i>Messiah</i> , the Leader: there shall be seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks. It shall be built again with a public square and moat, even in terrible times.


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»And after the sixty-two weeks the anointed one will be cut off <i>destroyed killed</i> and shall have nothing. The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be by the flood of war and desolations.


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»He will make a firm covenant with many for one week <i>time period of seven</i> . In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offerings to cease. The one that makes desolate will come upon the wing of abominations. At the end that which is decreed will be poured out upon the one lying desolate.«


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In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a matter was revealed to Daniel. Daniels name was also Belteshazzar. The matter was true. There was a great military movement. He understood the matter. He also understood the vision.


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I ate no pleasant bread; neither flesh nor wine entered my mouth. I did not anoint myself at all until three whole weeks were completed.


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I was on the shore of the great river, Hiddekel <i>Tigris River</i> on the twenty-fourth day of the first month.


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I looked up to see a man clothed in linen. His loins were girded with pure gold of the Uphaz region.


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His body also was like chrysolite and his face as the appearance of lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches and his arms and his feet like burnished copper. The sound of his words was like the sound of a crowd.


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I, Daniel, saw the vision alone, for the men that were with me did not see the vision. A great quaking fell upon them and they ran away to hide.


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I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me. My appearance turned deathlike <i>pallor livid pale</i> and I had no strength.


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Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard the sound of his words I fell with my face toward the ground into a deep sleep.


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He said to me: »O Daniel, you are greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you. Stand upright for I have been sent to you.« When he spoke these words I stood trembling.


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Then he said: »Do not fear Daniel! From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your prayer.


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»The prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.


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»Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the future for the vision is yet for many days.«


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Then one who looked like a human touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke to him: »O my lord, by reason of the vision I have convulsions and I have no strength.


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He said, »O man greatly beloved, do not fear, peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.« And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, »Let my lord speak for you have strengthened me.«


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Then he said: »Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. The prince of Greece will also come.


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»But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one standing firmly with me against these, but Michael your prince.«


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»Now I will tell you the truth. Look, there will be three more kings in Persia. Then the fourth will be richer than the others. When he is strong because of his riches he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.


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»After he appears his kingdom will be broken. It will be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion as he ruled. His kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.


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»The king of the south will be strong along with one of his princes. His prince will be stronger than him, and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion.


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»At the end of years they will become allies <i>form an allience</i> . The daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she will not retain the strength of her arm <i>power</i> ; neither will he stand, nor his arm <i>power</i> ; but she will be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in those times.


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»But out of a shoot from her roots will one stand up in his place. He will come with the army and enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and will fight against them, and will prevail.


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He will carry captive into Egypt their gods, with their molten images, and with their valuable vessels of silver and of gold. He will stand off some years from the king of the north.


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»The king of the north will come into the realm of the king of the south, but he will return into his own land.


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»And his sons will be warlike and will assemble a multitude of great forces, which will come on, and overflow, and pass through; and they will return and fight, even to his fortress.


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»And the king of the south will be moved with anger, and will come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north. He will assemble a large army, and the army will be defeated.


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»The army will be lifted up, and his heart will be filled with pride. He will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.


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»The king of the north will return, and will set forth an army greater than the former. He will come on at the end of the times with a great army that is well supplied with much equipment.


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»In those times there will many who stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will rebel up to establish the vision, but they will fall.


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»So the king of the north will come, and cast up a siege ramp, and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand, neither his chosen people, neither will there be any strength to stand.


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»But he that comes against him will do according to his own will, and none will stand against him. He will stand in the glorious land, and in his hand will be destruction.


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»And he will be determined to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions. He will perform them. He will give him the daughter of women, to corrupt her; but she will not stand or be on his side.


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»He will turn back to the coastlands and will capture many. However, a prince will cause the reproach offered by him to cease. He will cause his reproach to turn upon him.


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»Then he will turn his attention toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and will not be found.


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»Then one will stand up in his place who will send an oppressor <i>tax collecter</i> to pass through the glory of the kingdom. However, he will be destroyed within a few days, neither in anger, nor in battle.


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»A contemptible person will stand in his place. He will be one whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom. He will come in time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries.


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»The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken after the prince of the covenant is destroyed.


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»And after the alliance made with him he will work deceitfully. He will come up, and will become strong, with a small nation of people.


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»In time of security he will come even upon the richest places of the province. He will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers. He will scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance. He will devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.


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»He will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army. The king of the south will war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army, but he will not stand. This is because they will devise schemes against him.


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»Those who eat of his rich foods will destroy him. His army will overflow and many will fall down slain.


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»And as for both these kings, their hearts will be inclined to do bad things. They will speak lies at one table and nothing will succeed. The end will come at the time appointed.


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»Then king of the north will return to his land with great wealth. His heart will be against the holy covenant. He will do what he pleases and return to his own land.


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»At the time appointed he will invade the south again. But the outcome will not be the same as it was at the earlier time.


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»For ships of Kittim will come against him. He will be grieved and will return. He will have indignation against the holy covenant and will do what he pleases. He will even return, and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.


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»His armed forces will stand with him, and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. They will set up the abomination that makes desolate.


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»Those who act wickedly against the covenant will be perverted by flatteries. However, the people who know their God will be strong and act effectively.


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»Those who are wise among the people will instruct many. Yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, for many days.


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»When they fall, they will be helped with a little help; but many will join them in their flatteries.


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»Some of them who are wise <i>have insight</i> will fall. This will refine them, and purify them, and make them clean, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed.


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»The king will do according to his will. He will exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god. He will speak horrable <i>atrocious</i> things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the indignation is accomplished for that which is determined will be done.


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»Neither will he honor the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god for he will magnify himself above them all.


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»He will honor the god of military fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know. He will honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and expensive gifts.


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»He will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. Whoever acknowledges him will increase with glory. He will make them rulers over many, and will divide the land for a price.


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»The king of the south will contend with him at the time of the end. The king of the north will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with a large fleet of ships. He will enter into the countries and overflow and pass through them.


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»He will also invade the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown. These will be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.


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»He will stretch forth his power and authority over many countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape.


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»He will exercise power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and the Ethiopians will be under his control.


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»News from the east and the north will trouble him. He will go forth with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.


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»He will plant the tents of his palace <i>dwell in and control</i> between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. But he will come to his end, and none will help him.


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»At that time Michael will stand up. He is the great prince who stands for the children of your people. There will be a time of trouble that has not happened since the beginning of nations. Then your people will be delivered, every one whos name is found written in the book.


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»Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.


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»Those who have wisdom <i>insight</i> will shine like the brightness of the firmament. They turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


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»But you, O Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.«


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Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood two others, one on the bank of the river on this side, and the other on the bank of the river on that side.


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One said to the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river: »How long will it be to the end of these wonders?«


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I heard the man clothed in linen, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives forever: »It will be for three and one half years; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.«


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»Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined. The wicked will do wickedly and none of the wicked will understand. Those who are wise will understand!


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»From the time that the continual burnt offering will be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days.


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»Go toward the end, for you will enter into rest. Then you will rise for your determined condition in life at the end of the days.«


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The word of Jehovah that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.


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When Jehovah first spoke through Hosea, Jehovah said to Hosea, »Go and marry an adulterous wife and have children with her for the land commits flagrant adultery. They have abandoned Jehovah.«


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Jehovah said to Hosea: »Name him Jezreel. In a little while I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu. I will cause the kingdom of Israel to cease.


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Gomer conceived again, and gave birth to a daughter. Jehovah said to Hosea: »Name her Loruhamah for I will no longer have mercy upon the house of Israel and I will not pardon them.


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»However I will have mercy <i>compassion love</i> on the house of Judah. I will not save them by bow, or by sword. I will not save them by battle, not by horses, nor by horsemen. However, I will save them by Jehovah their God.«


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»Yet the number of the children of Israel will be like the grains of the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. It will be said: You are the sons of the living God in the place where it was said you are not my people!


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»The children of Judah and the children of Israel will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves one leader, and will leave the land of Jezreel. It will be a great day for Jezreel.«


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»Plead with your mother <i>your nation</i> , for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband. Let her put away her acts of adultery from her face, and her adulteries from between her breasts!


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»I will strip her naked and make her as in the day that she was born. I will make her as a wilderness, and make her like a dry land, and kill her with thirst.


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Their mother played the harlot. She that conceived them acted shamefully! For she said, I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.


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»Behold, I <i>Jehovah</i> will fence her way with thorns. I will build a wall against her that she will not find her path.


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»She will follow after her lovers but she will not reach them. She will seek them, but will not find them! She will say: I will return to my first husband for it was better for me then.


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»She did not know that I gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.


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»Therefore I will take back my grain at that time, and my new wine in the season. I will pluck away my wool and my flax that should have covered her nakedness.


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»Now I will uncover her lewdness <i>obscene behavior</i> in the sight of her lovers, and none will deliver her out of my hands.


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»I will also cause all her exaltation to cease, her feasts, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies.


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»I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees. Of this she said: These are my loose womans hire that my lovers have given me. I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field will eat them.


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»I will punish her for the days in which she burned incense to the Baals, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers, and forgot me,« said Jehovah.


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»I will give her vineyards from there and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. She will sing there as in the days of her youth and in the day when she came up out of Egypt.


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»It will be at that day,« said Jehovah; »you will call me husband <i>Ishi</i> . You will no longer call me my master <i>baali</i> .


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»For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they will no more be mentioned by their name.


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»At that time I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down in safety.


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»I will engage you to me for a very long time! Yes I will engage you to me in righteousness, and in justice, and in loving kindness, and in mercies.


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»It will happen in that day. I will answer,« said Jehovah, »I will answer the heavens, and they will answer the earth!


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»And I will sow her to me in the earth! I will have mercy <i>compassion</i> on her who had not obtained mercy. I will say to those who were not my people: You are my people! They will answer: You are my God!«


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Jehovah said to me: »Go again and love a woman beloved by her friend. Love an adulteress, even as Jehovah loves the children of Israel. Though they turn to other gods, and love cakes of raisins for feasts.«


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I said to her: »You will live with me many days. You must not play the harlot <i>commit fornication</i> and you must not be any mans wife. I will also be with you.«


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For the children of Israel will live many days without king, without prince, without sacrifice, without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim.


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Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek Jehovah their God. David their king will come with trembling to Jehovah and to his goodness in the last days.


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Hear the word of Jehovah, you children of Israel! For Jehovah has a legal case against the inhabitants of the land. There is no truth! There is no goodness. There is no knowledge of God in the land.


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They do nothing but swear, deceive, kill, steal and commit adultery! There is violence and bloodshed in the land.


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Therefore the land will mourn. All the inhabitants are weak. The beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea will also perish.


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Let no man find fault and let no man reprove. After all your people are the ones who debate <i>argue</i> with a priest.


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You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will stumble with you in the night. I will destroy your mother.


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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you! You will not be a priest to me since you have forgotten the Law of your God. Therefore, I will forget your children.


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It will be like people, like the priests. I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their actions.


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They will eat, and not have enough! They will play the harlot, and will not increase! They do not listen to Jehovah.


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My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declares to them; for the spirit of adultery caused them to go astray. They have played the harlot, departing from their God.


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They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains! They burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars <i>storax</i> and the strong tree, because it has good shade. Your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery.


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I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery. The men go out with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes. The people that do not understand will fall <i>be overthrown</i> .


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Though you, Israel, play the harlot, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not go to Gilgal, neither go to Bethaven, nor swear, »As Jehovah lives.«


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For Israel behaved stubbornly like a stubborn heifer. Will Jehovah now feed them as a lamb in a large place.


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Their drink <i>wheat beer</i> has become sour. They play the harlot continually. Her rulers dearly love shame.


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»Hear this, O you priests and pay attention, O house of Israel. Give ear <i>listen</i> ! O house of the king the judgment is about you. You have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread upon Tabor.


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»I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me. O Ephraim, you have played the harlot and Israel is defiled.


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»They will not consecrate their deeds to their God because the spirit of fornication is in them. They do not know Jehovah.


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»The pride of Israel testifies about them. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah will also stumble with them.


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»They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah. But they will not find him. He has withdrawn from them.


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»They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah! They have borne strange children: now the new moon will devour them with their fields.


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»Blow the horn in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: sound an alarm at Bethaven behind you, O Benjamin.


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»Ephraim will become desolation in the day of rebuke among the tribes of Israel. I made known that which will surely be.


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»The princes of Judah are like them that remove the landmark. I will pour my wrath upon them like water.


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»Ephraim is oppressed. He is crushed in judgment because he was content to walk after man's command.


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»When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. He is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.


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»For I will be to Ephraim as a lion. And I will be like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away. I will carry off and there will be none to deliver.


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»I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek me. They will seek me earnestly in their affliction.«


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»Come, and let us return to Jehovah. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us. He has wounded us but he will bandage us.


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»He will revive us after two days. He will raise us up on the third day that we will live before him.


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»Let us get to know Jehovah! Let us press on <i>run after follow</i> to get to know him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.«


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»What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.


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»Therefore I cut you in pieces by my prophets. I have killed you with the words of my mouth. My judgments flashed like lightning upon you.


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»I desire loving-kindness <i>mercy</i> , not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.


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»As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests. They murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.


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»I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.


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»When I want to heal my people Israel and make them prosperous again, all I can see is their wickedness and the evil deeds of Samaria. They cheat one another. They break into houses and steal. They actually rob people in the streets.


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»It never enters their hearts that I will remember all this evil. But their sins surround them, and I cannot avoid seeing them.


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»They make kings happy with the wicked things they do. They make officials happy with the lies they tell.


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»They all commit adultery. They are like a heated oven, an oven so hot that a baker does not have to fan its flames when he makes bread.


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»On the day of the king's celebration, the officials become drunk from the heat of wine, and the king joins mockers.


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»They become hot inside like an oven while they lie in ambush. All night long their anger smolders, but in the morning it burns like a raging fire.


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»They are all as hot as an oven. They consume their rulers like a fire. All their kings die in battle, and none of them calls to me.


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»Foreigners are using up your strength, but you do not realize it. You have become a gray-haired, old man, but you do not realize it.


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»Israel, your arrogance testifies against you. Even after all this, you do not return to Jehovah your God or look to him for help.


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»Ephraim, you are like a simpleminded, senseless dove. You call to Egypt and run to Assyria for help.


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»When you go, I will spread my net over you. I will snatch you out of the air like a bird. I will punish you for all the evil things you have done.


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»Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me.


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»And they do not cry to me from their heart when they wail on their beds. For the sake of grain and new wine they assemble, but they turn away from me.


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»Although I trained <i>disciplined</i> and strengthened their arms <i>might power</i> , yet they devise evil against me.


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»They do not turn upward <i>to God</i> . They are like a loose bow. Their princes will fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.«


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»Sound the alarm on the trumpet. The enemy swoops down on Jehovahs Temple like an eagle. The people of Israel have rejected my covenant promise and rebelled against my Law.


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»They chose their own kings. I did not approve. They chose their own princes. Princes I did not know. They made idols with their own silver and gold. Because of this, they will be destroyed!


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»Get rid of your calf-shaped idol, Samaria. My anger burns against these people! How long will they remain unclean?


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»Samaria's calf-shaped idol was made in Israel. Skilled workers made it. It is not God. It will be smashed to pieces!


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»The people of Israel plant the wind, but they harvest a storm. A field of grain that does not ripen will never produce any grain. Even if it did produce grain, foreigners would eat it all.


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The people of Israel went to Assyria. They were like wild donkeys wandering off alone. The people of Ephraim sold themselves to their lovers.


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»Even though they sold themselves among the nations, I will gather them now. They will suffer for a while under the burdens of kings and princes.


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»The more altars that the people of Ephraim build to make offerings to pay for their sins, the more places they have for sinning.


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»They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat of sacrifices, but I, Jehovah, do not accept these sacrifices. Now I will remember their wickedness and punish them because of their sins. They will go back to Egypt.


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»The people of Israel have built palaces, and they have forgotten their maker. The people of Judah have built many fortified cities. I will send a fire on their cities and burn down their palaces.«


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»O Israel, do not rejoice. Do not celebrate as pagan nations do. You have been unfaithful to your God. You have sold sex on every threshing floor.


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»The people of Ephraim will not stay in Jehovahs land. They will return to Egypt and they will eat unclean food in Assyria.


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»They will not pour wine offerings to Jehovah. Their food will only satisfy their hunger. All who eat it will be defiled. It will not be brought as an offering to Jehovahs Temple.


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»Even if they escape without being destroyed, Egypt will capture them and Memphis will bury them. Weeds will grow over their silver treasures. Thorns will grow over their tents.


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The time for them to be punished will come. The time for them to pay for their sins will come. When this happens, Israel will know it. They think that prophets are fools and that spiritual people are crazy. They have sinned a lot, and are filled with hostility.«


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Prophets are Gods watchmen over Ephraim. Yet, traps are set on every prophets path and people are hostile in the Temple of their God.


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They have gone deep in depravity as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish their sins.


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»I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. They came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to shame. They became as detestable as that which they loved.


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»Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them until no man is left. Yes, woe to them even when I depart from them!


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»I have seen Ephraim planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.«


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»All Ephraim's wickedness began in Gilgal. I hated the people there. I will force them out of my Temple because of their wickedness. I will not love them anymore. All their officials are rebellious.


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»The people of Ephraim are like sick plants. Their roots are dried up. They have no fruit. Even if they were to have children, I would kill their dear children.«


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»The people of Israel were like a grapevine that used to produce grapes. The more prosperous they were, the more altars they built. The more productive their land was, the more beautiful they made the sacred stone pillars they worship.


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»The peoples hearts are deceitful. They must suffer for their sins. Jehovah will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.


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»These people will soon say: We have no king because we did not respect Jehovah. What could a king do for us anyway?


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»They utter empty words and make false promises and useless treaties. Justice has become injustice, growing like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.


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»The people who live in the city of Samaria will be afraid and will mourn the loss of the gold bull at Bethaven. They and the priests who serve the idol will weep over it. They will wail when it is stripped of its golden splendor.


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»The idol will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the great emperor. The people of Israel will be disgraced and put to shame because of the advice they followed.


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»The hilltop shrines of Bethaven, where the people of Israel worship idols, will be destroyed. Thorns and weeds will grow up over their altars. The people will call out to the mountains: Hide us! And to the hills, cover us!


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Jehovah says: »The people of Israel have not stopped sinning against me since the time of their sin at Gibeah. So at Gibeah war will catch up with them.


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»I will attack this sinful people and punish them. Nations will join together against them, and they will be punished for their many sins.


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»Ephraim was once like a well-trained young cow, ready and willing to thresh grain. But I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck and harness her for harder work. I made Judah pull the plow and Jacob pull the harrow.


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»I said: Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessings that your devotion to me will produce. It is time for you to turn to me, Jehovah, and I will come and pour out righteousness on you.


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»But instead you plowed evil and harvested unrighteousness. You have eaten the fruit produced by your lies. This is because you trusted in your way and in the large number of your soldiers.


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Tumult will come to your people and all your fortresses will be destroyed. It will be like the day when King Shalman destroyed the city of Betharbel <i>house of Arbel</i> in battle and mothers and their children were crushed to death.


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»That is what will happen to you, people of Bethel, because of the terrible evil that you have done. As soon as the battle begins, the king of Israel will die.«


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»But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.


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»It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.


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»I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.


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»My people are determined to turn <i>apostatize</i> from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.


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»How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me. All my compassion is aroused.


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»I will not carry out my fierce anger. I will not turn and devastate Ephraim. I am not man. I am God, the Holy One among you. I will not come against my city in wrath.


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»They will follow Jehovah! He will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.


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»They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes,« declares Jehovah.


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»Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. Yet Judah is unruly against God, even against the Holy One who is faithful.«


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»The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very dishonest, violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt.


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»Jehovah brings legal charges against Judah and punishes Jacob because of the way their people act. He will pay them back for what they have done.


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»Their ancestor Jacob held on to his brother's heel while the two of them were in their mother's womb. When Jacob became a man, he struggled with God.


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He struggled with the angel and won. Jacob cried and pleaded with him. Jacob found him at Bethel, and he talked with him there.


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»Return to your God. Constantly express loving kindness and justice. Always wait with hope in your God.


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»The people of Ephraim say: We are rich. We have made a fortune. With all this wealth, no one will find us guilty of any sin.


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»I am Jehovah your God. I brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again as you did during your appointed festivals.


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»The people of Gilead are evil. They are worthless. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal. But their altars will become like piles of rubble beside a plowed field.


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»Jacob fled to the country of Syria. Israel worked to get a wife. He took care of sheep to pay for her.


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»Jehovah used a prophet to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. He used a prophet to take care of them.


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»The people of Ephraim made Jehovah bitter. He will hold them guilty of murder. Jehovah will pay them back for their insults.«


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»When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, people trembled. The people of Ephraim were important in Israel. Then they became guilty of worshiping Baal, so they must die.


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»They sin more and more. They make idols from silver for themselves. These idols are skillfully made. All of them are the work of craftsmen. People say this about the Israelites: They offer sacrifices and kiss calf-shaped idols.


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»That is why they will be like fog in the morning and like morning dew that disappears quickly. They will be like straw blown away from threshing floors. They will be like smoke rising from chimneys.


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»I AM JEHOVAH YOUR GOD. I brought you out of Egypt. You have known no god besides me. There is no savior except me.


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»Like a bear that has lost her cubs, I will attack you. I will rip you open. Like a lion I will devour you. Like a wild animal I will tear you apart.


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»Where, now, is your king, the one who is supposed to save you? Where in all your cities are your judges? You said: Give us kings and officials!


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»They have the opportunity to live again, but they are not smart enough to take it. They are like a baby who is about to be born but will not come out of its mother's womb.


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»I will ransom them from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death! O death, where are your stings <i>plagues</i> ? O grave, where is your destruction <i>devastation</i> ? Compassion will be concealed from my eyes. (1 Co 15:54-57)


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»The people of Ephraim have become important among their relatives. However, Jehovahs scorching wind will come from the east. It will blow out of the desert. Then their springs will run dry, and their wells will dry up. The wind will destroy every precious thing in their storehouses.


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»The people of Samaria are guilty as charged because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed in war, their children will be smashed to death, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.«


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»Return to Jehovah and say to him: Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit <i>young bulls</i> of our lips. (Hebrews 13:15)


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»Assyria will not save us and we will not ride on horses. We will not say again: Our god, to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.


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»I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.


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»His shoots will sprout and his beauty will be like the olive tree. His fragrance will be like the cedars of Lebanon.


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»Those who live in his shadow will raise grain again. They will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.


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»O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress and fruit comes from me.«


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Let the wise understand these things. Let the discerning know them. For the ways of Jehovah are right. And the righteous will walk in them. But transgressors will stumble in them.


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»Hear this, you older men! Listen all you inhabitants of the land. Did this take place in your days, or in the days of your fathers?


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»Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to each new generation.


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»That which the gnawing locust left the swarming locust ate. That which the swarming locust left the creeping locust ate. That which the creeping locust left other locusts ate.


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»Awake, you drunkards, and weep! Wail you drinkers of wine. The sweet wine is removed from your mouth.


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»A nation has invaded my land. It is strong and very large. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the jaw-teeth of a lioness.


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»He has laid my vine waste and stripped off the bark of my fig tree. He stripped its branches white and clean and threw it away.


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»The meal offering and the drink offering are removed from the house of Jehovah. The priests and Jehovah's ministers mourn.


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»The field is laid waste, the land mourns. The grain is destroyed, the new wine dried up, the oil fails.


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»Be ashamed you farmers. Cry you vinedressers. The wheat, the barley and the harvest of the field have perished.


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»The vine and the fig tree fails. The pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, even all the trees of the field have dried up. Joy has withered away from the sons of men.


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»Gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament, you priests! Wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, lie all night in sackcloth you ministers of my God! The meal offering and the drink offering are withheld from the House of your God.


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»Sanctify a fast! Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the House of Jehovah your God. Call out to Jehovah.


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»The seeds rot under dirt clods. The storehouses are desolate. The barns are torn down because the grain has dried up.


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»How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander about because they have no pasture. The flocks of sheep suffer.


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»I cry to you Jehovah! For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame burned all the trees of the field.


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»Yes, the beasts of the field pant for you. The water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.«


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Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of Jehovah comes. It is near!


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»It is a day of darkness and gloom! It is a day of clouds and thick darkness! The dawn spreads upon the mountains. This great and mighty people have never seen anything like this. Nor will it be like this again even to the years of many generations.


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»A fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns! The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness. Yes, none have escaped them.


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»Like the noise of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains. It is like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble. They are a strong people set in battle array.


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»They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like men of war. They march every one on his way and do not break their ranks.


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»They do not crowd each other. They march every one in his path. They burst through the weapons and do not break ranks.


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»They rush to the city. They run on the wall. They climb into the houses. They enter in at the windows like a thief.


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»The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble! The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars cease to shine.


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»Jehovah speaks before his army. His camp is very great! He is strong that executes his word. The Day of Jehovah is great and very terrible! Who can endure it?«


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»Even now,« said Jehovah, »turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning!


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»Rip apart your heart, and not your garments. Turn to Jehovah your God! He is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. He will turn back from doing harm.


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»Who knows whether he will turn back, feel regret and leave a blessing behind him, a meal offering and a drink offering to Jehovah your God?


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»Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.


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»Let the priests and the ministers of Jehovah weep between the Temple porch and the altar! Let them say: Spare your people, O Jehovah, and do not give reproach to your heritage. That the nations should rule over them and say among the peoples, where is their God?« 


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Jehovah answered his people: »Behold, I will send you grain, new wine and oil. You will be satisfied with it. I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.«


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»I will remove the northern army far from you. I will drive it into a land barren and desolate. Its advance troops into the eastern sea and its rearguard into the western sea. It has done great things so its stench shall arise and its foul smell shall come up.


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»Do not be afraid you beasts of the field. The pastures of the wilderness have turned green. The tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.


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»Be glad you children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God! For he gives you the early rain in just measure, and he causes it to rain, the early rain and the latter rain, in the first month.


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»You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of Jehovah your God. He has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame.


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»You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God! There is none else and my people shall never be put to shame.


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»In the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions! (Ac 2:17; Isa 44:3)


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»I will also pour out my Spirit upon the male and female servants in those days. (Ac 10:45; Zec 12:10; Eze 36:27)


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»The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible <i>awesome</i> Day of Jehovah comes!


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»It will happen that who ever calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. There will be those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem that will escape, even among the survivors whom Jehovah calls.«


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»I will gather all nations! I will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage, Israel. They have scattered my people among the nations and they have divided up my land.


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»They cast lots for my people, and traded a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.


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»What are you to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Will you pay recompense <i>compensation</i> to me? If you pay recompense to me swiftly and speedily, will I return your recompense upon your own head?


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»You sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the sons of the Greeks. You remove them far from their border.


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»Behold, I will arouse them out of the place where you sold them and will return your recompense upon your head.


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»I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah. And they will sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off: for Jehovah has spoken it.


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»Proclaim this among the nations! Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near let them come up.


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Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears! Let the weak say, I am strong.


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»Hurry and come all you nations round about. Gather yourselves there and cause your mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah.


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»Let the nations be aroused and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat <i>Jehovahs Judgment</i> ! I will sit there to judge all the nations round about.


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»Thrust in the sickle for the harvest is ripe! Come and tread for the winepress is full and the vats overflow. Their wickedness is great.


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»Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! The day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.


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»Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem. The heavens and the earth will shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.


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»You will know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy and no strangers will pass through <i>invade</i> her any more.


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»It will happen in that day that the mountains will drop sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the brooks of Judah will flow with water. A fountain will come forth from the house of Jehovah and water the valley of Shittim.


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»Egypt will be desolation, and Edom will be a desolate wilderness. This is because of the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.


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»I will cleanse <i>forgive</i> their blood <i>guilt</i> that which I have not cleansed. Jehovah dwells in Zion!«


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The words of Amos concerning Israel. He was among the herdsmen of Tekoa in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel. It was two years before the earthquake.


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He said: »Jehovah roars from Zion! He utters his voice from Jerusalem! The pastures of the shepherds mourn for lack of water. The top of Carmel withers.«


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»I will not hold back punishment,« said Jehovah, »For the many transgressions of Damascus. This is because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron.


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»I will destroy the lock <i>bar</i> at the gate of Damascus, and annihilate the inhabitant from the valley of Aven. He who holds the scepter <i>imperial authority</i> from the house of Eden and the people of Syria will go into captivity to Kir,« said Jehovah.


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Jehovah said: »I will not withdraw punishment from Gaza for they transgressed many times. They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom.


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»I will destroy the inhabitant of Ashdod. I will kill the king of Ashkelon <i>who holds the scepter</i> . I will direct my power against Ekron. The remnant of the Philistines will perish,« said the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.


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Jehovah continued: »For the many transgressions of Tyre I will not withdraw punishment! They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. They did not remember the brotherly covenant.


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Jehovah declared: »For three and four transgressions of Edom, I will not withdraw punishment. He pursued his brother with the sword. He showed no compassion but was driven with anger and eternal wrath.


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Jehovah also said: »For the many transgressions of the children of Ammon I will not withdraw the punishment. They have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.


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»I will kindle a fire on the wall of Rabbah and devour its palaces. The battle cry in the day of battle will be heard and a storm in the day of the windstorm.


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Jehovah said: »I will not withdraw punishment for the many transgressions of Moab. He burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.


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»I will send a fire to Moab, and it will devour the palaces of Kerioth. Moab will die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet!


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Jehovah continued: »I will not withdraw punishment for the many transgressions of Judah. For they have rejected the Law of Jehovah! They have not kept his statutes. Their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked.


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Jehovah said: »I will not withdraw punishment for <i>three sins of Israel, even for four</i> the many transgressions of Israel! They sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.


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»They pant after the dust of the earth on the head of lowly <i>meek</i> persons. They reject the humble! A man and his father have sexual relations with the same maiden, to profane my holy name.


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»They lie down beside every altar on clothes taken from indebtedness. In the house of their God they drink the wine they have confiscated.


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»Before them I destroyed the Amorite. His height was like the height of the cedars. He was strong like the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath!


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»I brought you out of the land of Egypt. I led you forty years in the desert wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.


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»I ordained some of your sons for prophets and some of your young men for Nazirites <i>dedicated ones</i> . Is this true, O you children of Israel?« : said Jehovah.


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»Flight will perish from the swift! The strong will not increase his strength. The mighty will not save himself.


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»The archer will not stand. The swift of foot will not save himself. The horseman will not deliver himself.


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Hear this word Jehovah spoke against you, O children of Israel! It is against the whole family that I brought out of the land of Egypt:


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»Of all the families of the earth I have chosen <i>known</i> only you. Therefore I will punish you for all your sins.


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»Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out from his den if he has captured nothing?


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»Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where there is no trap for him? Will a trap spring up from the ground when nothing at all sprung it?


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»Will the trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Will disaster happen to a city and Jehovah not cause it?


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»Publish it in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt. Proclaim and assemble on the mountains of Samaria, and observe the great trouble and oppression there.


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»Those who store up violence and robbery in their dwellings do not know how to do what is right,« declared Jehovah.


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The Lord Jehovah spoke these words: »An adversary will surround the land. He will defeat and tear down your defenses. He will plunder your dwellings.«


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Jehovah said: »As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so the children of Israel will be rescued. They sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed.


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»The day that I punish Israel because of her sins I will also punish those at the altars of Bethel! The horns of the altar will be cut off, and fall to the ground.


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»I will strike <i>destroy</i> the winter house and the summer house. The houses of ivory will perish, and the great houses will come to an end,« said Jehovah.


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»Hear this word you cows of Bashan who live on the mountain of Samaria. You oppress the poor. You crush the needy. You say to your masters <i>husbands lords</i> , »Bring us drink.«


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»The Lord Jehovah has sworn by his holiness that the day will come when they will take you away with meat hooks, and those who remain with fish-hooks.


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»You will go out through the holes in the city wall straight before her. You will be thrown into Harmon <i>a place of exile</i> ,« said Jehovah.


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»Come to Bethel and transgress! Come to Gilgal and multiply transgression! Bring your sacrifices every morning and your tithes every three days.


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»Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened. Proclaim freewill-offerings and make them known. This pleases you, O you children of Israel,« said the Lord Jehovah.


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»I also gave you cleanness of teeth <i>kept food from your teeth</i> in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places. Yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.


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»I withheld rain from you three months before the harvest. I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One received rain. The other did not receive rain and it dried up.


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»Two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water. They were not satisfied and yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.


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»I struck you with scorching and mildew. The caterpillar has devoured the multitudes of your gardens, your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive-trees. Yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.


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»I sent a plague among you just as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword and I captured your horses. I made the stench of your camp come up even into your nostrils and yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.


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»I overthrew your cities as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire. Yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.


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»This is what I will do to you, O Israel. Because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!


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»Behold he who formed the mountains and created the wind and declared to man his thoughts, also made the morning darkness and treads upon the high places of the Earth: Jehovah, the God of Hosts, is his name.«


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Hear this word that I take up for a cry of sorrow <i>lamentation dirge</i> over you, O house of Israel.


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The virgin of Israel has fallen. She will not rise again. She has been thrown down upon her own land. There is none to raise her up.


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The <i>Sovereign and Almighty</i> Lord Jehovah declared: »The city that went forth a thousand will have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred will have ten left, for the house of Israel.«


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»Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity <i>exile</i> , and Bethel will come to nothing.


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»Seek Jehovah, and you will live. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it will devour, and there will be none to quench it in Bethel.


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seek the creator of the cluster of stars named Pleiades and the star constellation Orion. He turns the shadow of death into morning, and makes the day dark with night. He calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name!


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You hate the one who reproves in the gate, and abhor him who speaks the truth <i>with integrity</i> .


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You impose unfair rent on the poor and defraud a tribute of grain from them. You haave built houses of hewn stone yet you will not live in them. You planted pleasant vineyards, but you will not drink the wine from them.


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I know you have many transgressions and your sins are great. You afflict the righteous. You take bribes. You refuse to help the needy at the gate.


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»Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have said.


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»Hate evil, and love good! Establish justice in the gate. It may be that Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.«


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Listen to Jehovah the God of Hosts, the Almighty: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. They will say in all the streets, »Alas! Alas!« They will call the farmer to mourning, and the professional mourner to lamentation and crying.


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»Woe to you who desire the day of Jehovah! What will the day of Jehovah mean to you? It is darkness, and not light.


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»Like a man who ran from a lion, and a bear met him! So he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.


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»Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them. Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.


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»You have carried the tabernacle of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves.


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»Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity <i>exile</i> beyond Damascus,« said the God of Hosts, whose name is Jehovah.


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»Those who are at ease in Zion and are secure in the mountain of Samaria will have trouble. You are the notable men of the foremost nations to whom the house of Israel comes!


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»Travel to Calneh and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory?


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»You lie on beds of ivory, and stretch on couches. You eat the the best lambs out of the flock and the fattest calves out of the stall.


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»You drink wine in bowls, and anoint yourselves with the finest oils. But you are not grieved because of the affliction of Joseph.


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»Therefore you will be captured with the first that go captive. Your feasting and lounging will pass away.«


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The Lord Jehovah has sworn by himself. Jehovah, the God of Hosts declares: »I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his palaces. Therefore I will deliver up the city with all that is in it.


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»When a man's uncle takes the body to be burned and brings the bones out of the house he will say to the innermost parts of the house: Is there yet any one here? And he will say, No. Then he will say: Hold your peace. We may not make mention of the name of Jehovah.


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»For, behold, Jehovah commanded, and the great house will be struck to pieces and the little house to tiny bits.


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»Do horses run upon the rock? Will one plow there with cattle? You have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood <i>bitterness</i> !


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»For, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel,« said Jehovah, the God of Hosts. »They will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of the Arabah.«


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This is what the Lord Jehovah showed me: Behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the sprouting of the second crop. It was the later growth <i>second crop</i> after the kings mowing.


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It happened when they quit eating the grass of the land. I said, »O Lord Jehovah, forgive, I entreat you: how shall Jacob stand? Since he is so small.«


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The Lord Jehovah showed me and, behold, the Lord Jehovah called for judgement <i>contention</i> by fire and it devoured the great deep. It would have eaten up the land.


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He showed me: and, behold, Jehovah stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.


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And Jehovah asked me, »Amos, what do you see?« I said: »A plumb line.« Then Jehovah said: »Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not spare them any more.


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»The high places of Isaac will be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste. I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.«


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Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: »Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.«


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Amos said: »Jeroboam will die by the sword. Israel will surely be led away captive <i>in exile</i> out of his land.«


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Amaziah said to Amos: »Go, run away, you seer. Go into the land of Judah. Eat bread and prophesy there.


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Amos told Amaziah, »I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son. I was a herdsman, and a grower of sycamore figs.


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»Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said to me: Go prophesy to my people Israel.«


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Now hear the word of Jehovah: »You say, do not prophesy against Israel, and do not speak against the house of Isaac.«


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Jehovah proclaims: »Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided by measuring line. You will die in a land that is unclean. Israel will surely be led away captive out of his land.«


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He said: »Amos, what do you see?« And I said, »A basket of summer fruit.« Then Jehovah said to me: »The end has come to my people Israel. I will spare them no longer.


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»The songs of the Temple will be weeping in that day,« said the Lord Jehovah: »the dead bodies shall be many. They will observe silence in every place.


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»You say: When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit.


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»We may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the wheat?


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»Will the land not tremble for this, and every one who dwells there mourn? I will rise up like the river. It will be troubled and sink again, like the River of Egypt.


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»It will happen in that day,« said the Lord Jehovah, »that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.


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»I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation <i>dirges</i> . I will bring sackcloth on all loins and baldness on every head. I will make it as the mourning for an only son like the end of a bitter day.


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»Behold, the day is coming,« said the Lord Jehovah, »that I will send a famine in the land. Not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.


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»They will wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east. They will run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and will not find it.


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»They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives. They will fall and never rise up again.«


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I saw Jehovah standing beside the altar. He said: »Strike the capitals that the thresholds may shake! Break them in pieces on the head of all of them and I will slay the last of them with the sword. Not one of them will get away. Not one of them will escape!


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»Though they dig into the grave my hand will take them. Though they climb to heaven I will bring them down.


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»Though they hide on top of Mount Carmel I will search and find them and take them from there. Though they hide from my sight on the bottom of the sea I will command the serpent to bite them.


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»Though they go into the captivity of their enemies I will command the sword, and it will slay them. I will set my eyes against them for evil, and not for good.


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»For the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, is he who touches the land and it melts. All who live there will mourn. It will rise up like the River Nile, and will subside again, like the River of Egypt.


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»He builds his chambers in the heavens. He founded his dome over the earth. He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name.


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»Are you not as the children of the Ethiopians to me, O children of Israel?« Said Jehovah. »Have I not brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?


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»Behold, the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are upon the sinful kingdom! Yet, I will destroy it from off the face of the earth! I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,« said Jehovah.


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I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations! Like grain is sifted in a sieve, yet the least kernel will not fall on the earth.


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»All the sinners of my people will die by the sword. They say: The evil will not overtake nor meet us.


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»In that day I will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David and close up the breaches. I will raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old.


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»They may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by my name,« said Jehovah.


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»Behold, the days are coming,« said Jehovah, »that the plowman will overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes by the one who sows seed. The mountains will drop sweet wine, and all the hills will melt.


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»I will bring my people Israel back from captivity. They will rebuild the cities and inhabit them. They will plant vineyards, and drink the wine. They will also make gardens and eat their fruit.


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»I will plant them upon their own land and they will no more be plucked up out of their land that I have given them.« Jehovah your God has spoken.


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The vision of Obadiah. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah spoke concerning Edom: »We have heard news from Jehovah. An ambassador is sent to the nations, saying, we must stand up against her <i>Edom</i> in battle.«


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»Your proud heart has deceived you. You reside in the refuge of the rock. Your habitation is high above others and you say in your heart: Who will bring me down to the ground?«


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»Even though you place yourself as high as the eagle, and though you nest among the stars, I will bring you down from there,« said Jehovah!


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»If thieves and robbers came to you by night you would be destroyed. Would they steel only till they had enough? If grape-gatherers came to you, would they leave some grapes for gleaning?


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»All the men allied with you have brought you to the border. The men that were at peace with you have deceived you and prevailed against you! They eat your bread and lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him <i>Edom</i> .


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»Shall I not in that day,« said Jehovah, »destroy the wise men out of Edom, and destroy understanding out of the mountain of Esau?


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»Your mighty men, O Teman, will be dismayed, to the end that every one may be destroyed <i>removed</i> from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.


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»You will be covered with shame for the violence done to your brother Jacob. You will be destroyed and disgraced for a very long time.


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»In that day you stood on the other side! In that day strangers carried away his wealth. Foreigners entered his gates, and cast lots for Jerusalem! It was as if you were one of them!


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Do not look on the day of your brothers disaster. Do not rejoice over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction! Do not speak proudly in the day of distress.


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»Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity! Do not look on their affliction in the day of their tragedy! Do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster.


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»Do not stand in the way of those who escape and do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.


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»The Day of Jehovah draws near upon all the nations. It will be done to you just as you have done. Your dealings will return upon you head!


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»Just as you have drunk upon my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink! Continually: Yes they will drink, and swallow down, and will be as though they had never existed.


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»There will be those who escape in Mount Zion. It will be holy, and the house of Jacob will take <i>confiscate</i> their possessions.


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»The house of Jacob will be a fire! The house of Joseph will be a flame! The house of Esau will be for stubble and they will burn among them, and devour them. There will be no survivors of the house of Esau: for Jehovah has spoken!


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»And they of the South will possess the mount of Esau! They of the lowland, the Philistines, will possess the field of Ephraim and the field of Samaria! Benjamin will possess Gilead.


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»The captives of this host of the children of Israel among the Canaanites, will possess Zarephath. The captives of Jerusalem in Sepharad will possess the cities of the South.


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»Saviors will come up on Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau; and the kingdom will be Jehovah's.«


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»Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim against her that Jehovah has seen their terrible wickedness.«


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Jonah tried to run away from the presence of Jehovah. He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of Jehovah.


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The sailors were so afraid that each man cried out to his own god. They threw the cargo that was on the ship into the sea to lighten the load. At that time Jonah was fast asleep down in the innermost parts of the ship.


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So the captain came to him, and said: »Why are you sleeping? Get up and call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.«


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The sailors said to each other, »Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know whom to blame for this evil.« So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.


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Then they said to him, »Please tell us who is the cause of this evil? What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? What people are they?«


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He replied: »I am Hebrew and I respect Jehovah, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.«


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Then the men were very afraid, and they asked: »What is this you have done?« For the men knew that he was running away from the presence of Jehovah, because he told them.


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Then they said: »What shall we do to you to make the sea calm for us?« But the sea grew more and more stormy.


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He replied: »Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you. I know that it is my fault the great storm came upon you.«


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The men rowed hard to get back to the land; but they could not! The sea grew more and more stormy against them.


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So they cried to Jehovah, and said: »We earnestly request that you, O Jehovah, do not let us perish because of this man. Do not allow the loss of innocent blood! For you, O Jehovah, have done as you pleased.«


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However, Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.


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He said: »I called to Jehovah because of my affliction. And he answered me! Out of the belly of the grave I cried and you heard my voice.


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»For you threw me into the deep, in the heart of the seas. The current was all around me. All your waves, your huge breakers passed over me!


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»The waters encompassed me and threatened my life. The deep sea surrounded me. The sea weeds were wrapped about my head.


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»I went down to the bottom of the mountains! The earth with its bars closed upon me for a very long time. Yet you have brought my life up from the pit, O Jehovah my God?


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»But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving! I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is from Jehovah!«


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So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Jehovah. Nineveh was a very important and large city, a three days' walk <i>from one side to the other</i> .


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Jonah began to enter into the city, a day's journey walking, and he shouted: »Nineveh will be overthrown in Forty days.«


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The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.


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The news reached the king of Nineveh. He left his throne, and took off his robe and covered himself with sackcloth. Then he sat in ashes.


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He made proclamation and published it in Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying: »Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not eat, nor drink water.


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»Let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast. Let them sincerely call on God! Let them turn away each one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.


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»Who knows whether God will turn back and change his mind, and turn away from his fierce anger that we will not perish?«


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God saw their works! That they turned from their evil way. God turned back from the deed that he said he would do to them. He did not do it.


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He prayed to Jehovah: »I pray to you, O Jehovah, was this what I said, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish. Because I knew that you are a gracious God. You are merciful, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness, and one who takes pity over calamity <i>tragedy catastrophe disaster</i> .


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Then Jonah went out of the city. He sat on the east side of the city. He made a booth, and sat under it in the shade. He wanted to see what would become of the city.


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And Jehovah God prepared a gourd plant. He made it grow up over Jonah. That way it would be a shade over his head. It would deliver him from his disastrous <i>fateful</i> attitude. So Jonah was very glad to have the gourd plant.


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When the sun rose God prepared a sultry <i>burning hot</i> east wind. So the sun beat upon the head of Jonah and he grew faint. He requested for himself that he might die. He said: »It is better for me to die than to live!«


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However God replied to Jonah: »Do you have good reason to be angry at the plant?« He said to God: »I have good reason to be angry even unto death.«


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Jehovah said: »You have compassion for the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow. It came up overnight and perished in a night.


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»Should I not then have regard for Nineveh, that great city, where there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand people that do not know the difference between their right and their left hand, and also many animals?«


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The word of Jehovah that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. This is the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem:


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»Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all who are in it! Let the Sovereign Lord Jehovah be a witness against you, Jehovah from his Holy Temple.


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»For, behold, Jehovah comes out of his place! He comes down and treads upon the high places of the earth.


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»The mountains melt under him. The valleys split like wax before the fire! Like waters poured down a steep place.


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»This is because of the transgression of Jacob and the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not <i>the idol worship of</i> Samaria? What is Judahs high place? Is it not Jerusalem?


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»I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the field. It will be a place for planting vineyards. I will tumble down her stones into the valley! I will uncover her foundations.


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»All her images will be broken to pieces! All that she has earned will be burned with fire. I will destroy all her idols. She gathered them for the price of a prostitute and for the price of a prostitute they will return.«


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I <i>Micah</i> will lament and wail. I will go barefoot and naked. I will make a howling like the jackals, and a lamentation like the ostriches.


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Samarias wound is incurable! It came as far as Judah. It even reached to the gate of my people, Jerusalem.


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»Do not announce it at Gath, Philistia. Do not weep or show grief. At the house of Ophrah <i>house of dust</i> roll in the dust!


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»Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan has not come forth! The wailing of Bethezel takes away from you the place where it stands.


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»The inhabitant of Maroth waits anxiously for good, because bad came down from Jehovah to the gate of Jerusalem.


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»Bind the chariot to the swift steed, O lady inhabitant of Lachish! You were the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion. The transgressions of Israel were found in you.


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»Therefore you should give a parting gift to <i>Micahs hometown</i> Moresheth-gath. The houses of Achzib shall be a place of deceit to the kings of Israel.


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»I will yet bring a conqueror against you, O inhabitant of Mareshah! He will possess you. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.


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»Make yourself bald. Cut off your hair for the children of your delight! Enlarge your baldness as the eagle. For your children are gone into exile <i>captivity</i> from you.«


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»Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! When the morning comes they do it because they are able to <i>it is in the power of their hands</i> .


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»They covet fields and seize them. They covet houses and confiscate them! They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.«


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Therefore Jehovah says: »Behold, against this family I plan bad things, from which you will not remove the burden. You will not be able to show pride for it is an evil time.


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»In that day they will taunt you and speak mournfully with sorrow and much grief: We are utterly ruined! He exchanged the portion of my people and removed it from me. He divided our fields and gave them to the apostate.« 


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»Will it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the Spirit of Jehovah impatient? Are these his doings? Do my words not do good for he who walks uprightly?


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»Lately my people have become an enemy! You strip the robe off the garment from passersby, from men returning from war.


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»You evict the women of my people from their pleasant houses. You remove the glory of their young children from generation to generation.


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»Get up and go because this is not your resting-place. Uncleanness brings on destruction, a painful destruction.


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»If a man who is a constant liar tells a lie saying: I will prophesy to you about wine and of strong drink; he would be the prophet of this people.


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»I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of you. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel! I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the midst of their pasture. They will make great noise because of the crowd of men.


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»The breaker <i>one who opens the breach one that breaks through</i> has gone ahead of them. They will pass through the gate and go out by it. Their king will lead them with Jehovah at the head of them.«


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I said: »Please listen, you heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: is it not your responsibility to know justice?


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»You eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them! You break their bones, and chop them in pieces similar to the contents of a pot or a caldron.


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»They will cry to Jehovah but he will not answer them. In fact, he will hide his face from them at that time because they have done evil things.«


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Jehovah spoke concerning the prophets: »They make my people stray. They bite with their teeth and cry, »Peace,« but receive nothing in their mouths. They declare holy war on him.


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»Therefore you will have night. You will have no vision! It will be dark to you. You will not perform divination. The sun will go down on the prophets and they will be in the dark.


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»The visionaries will be shamed. The diviners confounded! They will all cover their mouths for there is no answer from God.«


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Jehovahs Spirit fills me with power! I have judgment and mightiness to declare to Jacob, his evil behavior, to tell Israel about his sin!


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Please hear this you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel. You who abhor justice, and pervert honesty!


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The leaders judge for a bribe, and the priests teach for wages! The prophets predict for money yet they rely on Jehovah when they say: »Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us.«


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It is your fault that Zion will be plowed like a field. Jerusalem will become heaps of ruin, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.


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It will happen in the last days! The mountain of the house of Jehovah will be established above the top of the mountains. It will be exalted above the hills. Peoples will flow to it.


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Many nations will come. They will say: »Come you people, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths!« For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.


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He will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations far away. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks! Nation will not lift up sword against nation and they will not learn war any more!


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Each man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree. No one will make them afraid! The mouth of Jehovah of Hosts has spoken.


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All the nations walk every one in the name of their god. We will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever.


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»In that day,« said Jehovah, »I will assemble the lame, and I will gather the outcasts, and those I have afflicted.


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»I will make the lame a remnant and the outcast far off a strong nation. Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from now on and forever.


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»You, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, it will come to you. The former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.


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»Why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished? Has pain taken hold of you like a woman in childbirth?


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»Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in childbirth! For now you will go out of the city and dwell in the field. You will go to Babylon where you will be rescued. Jehovah will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.


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»They do not know Jehovahs thoughts. Neither do they understand his counsel. He has gathered them like the sheaves of cut grain to the threshing floor.


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»Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion! I will make your horn like iron and I will make your hoofs like brass. You will pulverize many nations into pieces. I will devote their profit and wealth to Jehovah the Lord of the whole earth.«


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»Now you will gather in troops, O daughter of troops! He has attacked us. They will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod.


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»You Bethlehem Ephrathah who are little to be among the thousands of Judah. Out of you one will come to me who is to be ruler in Israel! His origin is from of old, from everlasting <i>days of antiquity ancient times</i> .


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»He will give them up, until the time that she who is giving birth delivers. Then the remainder of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.


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»He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Jehovah. They will abide in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God! Now he will be great to the ends of the earth.


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»This man will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and tramples our palaces we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men.


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»They will rule the land of Assyria and the entrances to the land of Nimrod with the sword. When he comes to our land and treads inside our borders he will deliver us from the Assyrian.


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»Like dew from Jehovah the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples. It will be like showers upon the grass that do not wait for man or for sons of men.


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»The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples. It will be like a lion among the beasts of the forest. Should he go through he will be like a young lion among the flocks of sheep. He treads down and tears to pieces. There is none to rescue.


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»Let your hand <i>power</i> be lifted up <i>exalted</i> above your adversaries, and let all your enemies be destroyed.«


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»It will happen,« said Jehovah: »I will remove and destroy your horses and your chariots from among you.


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»I will remove your graven images and your sacred pillars from you. You will no longer worship the work of your hands.


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Listen to what Jehovah said: Arise, plead your case before the mountains. Let the hills hear your voice.


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Hear Jehovahs indictment you mountains and you enduring foundations of the earth! Jehovah argues a case against his people. He will contend with Israel:


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»I brought you out of the land of Egypt. I redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.


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»O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.«


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With what shall I come before Jehovah? Shall I bow down before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with year old calves?


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Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my sin?


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He told you, O lowly man, what is good and what Jehovah requires of you. You should display justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God!


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The voice of Jehovah calls to the city. The man of wisdom will see <i>respect</i> your name! Hear the rod and who appointed it.


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The rich men are full of violence! Her inhabitants speak lies. Their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.


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»You will eat and not be satisfied. Your stomach will still be empty. You will put away and yet will not save. That which you save I will give to the sword.


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»You will sow and not reap. You will tread the olives, but will not be anointed with oil! And you will grow the grapes but you will not drink the wine.


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»The statutes of Omri and the works of the house of Ahab are observed. You walk in their counsels. I will make you desolation! The inhabitants will be hissed. You will bear the reproach of my people.«


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Too bad for me! For I am like the gathered summer fruit, as the grape gleanings of the vintage. There is no cluster to eat. I desire the first ripe fig.


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The godly <i>loyal holy</i> man has perished from the earth. There is none upright among men! They all lie in wait for blood. Every man hunts his own brother with a net.


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They diligently seek to do evil with their hands. The prince asks and the judge is ready for a bribe. The great man utters his own evil desire. They weave it together.


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The best of them is as a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge! Your watchmens day has come. Your visitation has come. Now you will be perplexed.


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Do not put your faith in your neighbor. Do not trust a friend! Guard your lips from her who lies in your bosom <i>is your intimate companion</i> .


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The son dishonors the father. The daughter rises up against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies are the men of his own house.


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But as for me, I will look to Jehovah! I will wait for the God of my salvation! My God will hear me.


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Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light to me.


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I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him. He will plead my cause, and execute judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light and I will see his righteousness.


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My enemy will see it and she will be filled with shame. She will ask: »Where is Jehovah your God?« My eyes will look upon her and she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets.


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Then they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt. They will come from Egypt even to the River, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.


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Shepherd your people, the flock of your heritage, with your staff. They dwell alone in the forest in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.


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»The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might! They will cover their mouth with their hand and their ears will be deaf.


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»They will lick up the dust like a serpent. They will come trembling out of their hole like crawling things of the earth. They will approach Jehovah our God with fear and be afraid because of you.«


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Who is a God like you who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in loving-kindness <i>unchanging love</i> .


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You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our iniquities under foot. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea.


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You will give truth to Jacob, and show loving-kindness <i>unchanging love</i> to Abraham. For you have sworn this to our fathers from the days of old.


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Jehovah is a zealous God requiring exclusive devotion <i>tolerates no rivals</i> . Jehovah takes vengeance <i>punishment</i> against his adversaries. He reserves <i>maintains</i> wrath <i>indignation displeasure</i> against his enemies.


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Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power! He will by no means reprieve the guilty <i>leave them unpunished</i> . Jehovah has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm. The clouds are the dust of his feet.


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He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry. He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel become dry and the flower of Lebanon withers.


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The mountains quake because of him, and the hills melt. The earth trembles <i>shakes heaves</i> at his presence, yes, the world, and all that dwells in it.


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Who can stand before his indignation <i>displeasure</i> ? Who can resist <i>withstand endure</i> the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken to pieces by him.


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Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble! He knows <i>protects takes care of</i> those who take refuge in him.


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He will exterminate adversaries with an over flowing flood and will pursue his enemies into darkness.


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What do you fabricate <i>impute</i> against Jehovah? He will exterminate it! Affliction will not rise up a second time.


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There is one who comes out from you <i>O Nineveh</i> . He counsels wickedness and devises evil against Jehovah.


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Jehovah declares: »Though they are strong and are many they will be destroyed! They will pass away. Though I have afflicted you <i>O Judah</i> I will not afflict you any more.


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»Jehovah has given command concerning you <i>Nineveh</i> . Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will throw your gods, graven and molten images out of your house. I despise you! You are contemptible! I will prepare your grave.


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»Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings. Who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah and perform your vows! The wicked will no more pass through <i>invade</i> you. They will be completely destroyed.«


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He who breaks in pieces has come up against you: Safeguard the fortress, watch the way, make your loins strong, and reinforce your power.


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Jehovah will restore the pride of Jacob just like the pride of Israel. The devastators have emptied them out and destroyed their vine-branches.


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The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are dressed in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress tree <i>spears</i> are brandished.


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The chariots wildly race through the streets. They rush to and fro in the broad ways. They look like torches and they run like lightning.


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He remembers his majestic ones. They stumble as they march. They hurry to the wall to prepare the barricade.


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It is decreed: she is uncovered! She is carried away and her handmaids moan like the sound of doves, beating on their chests.


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Nineveh has been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. »Stand, stand,« they cry; but none looks back.


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Take the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold for there is no limit to the amount of desirable things.


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She is empty and void, a city laid waste! The hearts melt and the knees knock together. There is pain in all the hips and their faces have all grown pale.


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Where is the lions den, the feeding-place of young lions? Where have the lion and the lioness walked where none have made them afraid?


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The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses. He filled his caves and dens with prey.


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»I am against you,« said Jehovah of Hosts! »I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will destroy your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers will be heard no more.«


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There is the noise of the whip and the sound of the rattling wheel; the sound of the dashing horse and the bounding chariot.


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The horseman is mounting. There is the flashing sword and the glittering spear! The multitudes of slain ones produce a great heap of corpses. There is no end of the bodies! They stumble upon their bodies.


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This is because of Nineveh's constant prostitution, this very charming mistress of evil magic. She used to sell nations by her prostitution and people by her evil magic.


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»I am against you, Nineveh,« declares Jehovah of Hosts. »I will lift up your dress over your face. I will show nations your naked body and kingdoms your disgrace.


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»And it will come about that all who see you will go in flight from you and say, Nineveh is devastated: who will weep for her? Where will I get comforters for her?


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»Are you better than Noamon, which sits by the streams of the Nile with water surrounding her? The sea was her defense. The water was her wall.


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»She went into captivity and was exiled. Her children were smashed to death at every street corner. Soldiers tossed dice for her important men, and all her best men were bound in chains.


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»Nineveh, you will stagger like a drunk. You will disappear. You will look for a fortress to escape from the enemy.


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»All your defenses will be like fig trees with the ripe figs. When shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.


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»Look! Your soldiers are like women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies. Fire will destroy the bars of your gates.


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»Draw <i>pump</i> water for the siege! Strengthen your defenses! Step into the clay pits and trample the clay! Grab hold of the brick mold!


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»You will be burned to death or killed in battle. You will be devoured like crops eaten by locusts. You grew in number like locusts!


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»You multiplied your merchants like the stars in the sky! But now they are gone, like locusts that spread their wings and fly away.


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»Your princes are as the locusts, and your officers as the swarms of grasshoppers. They encamp in the hedges on a cold day, but when the sun shines they flee away and no one knows where they go.


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»Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; your nobles are at rest. Your people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.


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»There is no relief for your pain. Your wound is grievous! All who hear the report about you applaud for your wickedness affected everyone.«


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How long, O Jehovah, will I call for help and you do not hear? I cry out to you, save me from violence! And yet you do not save.


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Why do you make me see wickedness and immorality? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife exists and contention arises.


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The law is paralyzed and justice is never delivered. The wicked surround the righteous and deliver perverted justice.


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»Look among the nations, watch, and be amazed. Though you are told you will not believe the work I do today.


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»Behold, I bring the Chaldeans to power, that bitter and impetuous nation. They march through the expanse of the earth to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.


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»Their horses are swifter than leopards. They are fiercer than the evening wolves. Their horsemen proudly press on. Yes, their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle in a hurry to eat.


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»They scoff at kings, and princes are derision to them. They laugh at every stronghold, for they build earthen ramps and capture them.


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You are from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One, You are eternal. O Jehovah, you have appointed them <i>the Chaldean</i> to execute judgment. You, O Rock, have established them for correction.


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Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You cannot look at perversity. Why do you look at treacherous persons and not act? Why do you keep quiet when the wicked destroy the man who is more righteous?


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He brings them all up with the hook. He gathers them away in his net. He gladly gathers them and rejoices.


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He offers sacrifices and burns incense to his fishing net. For it is through this their catch is great and the food is plentiful.


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I will stand at my guard post at the tower on the wall. I will watch <i>and wait</i> to see what he will say to me and what I will answer when I am reproved.


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»The vision is yet for the appointed time. It moves quickly to the end. It will not lie! If it delays, wait for it for it will surely come. It will not be late!


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»Wine is treacherous and never allows an arrogant man to rest. He never stays home. He has a large appetite like the grave. Like death he is never satisfied. He gathers all nations and collects all the people.


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»Will they all taunt him by directing clever sayings and riddles at him? They will say: How horrible it will be for the one who makes himself rich with what is not his own <i>by extortion</i> and makes himself wealthy on loans. How long will this go on?


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»Will your creditors and collection agents suddenly arise and make you tremble? Then you will become their prize.


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»The people who remain will plunder you because you have plundered many nations. It is because of the blood you shed and the violence you brought on the land, the city and all who dwell there.


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»He who receives a dishonest profit for his house will have trouble. He may set his nest on high in order to be delivered from the hand of evil!


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»You have purposed a shameful thing for your house. You have sinned against yourself by destroying many people.


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»Is it for Jehovah of Hosts that the peoples labor for the fire? Do the nations weary themselves for vanity?


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»Woe to anyone who gives his neighbors drink and empties his bottle. He makes them drunk and then looks on their nakedness.


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»You are filled with shame and not glory. You drink also as one who is uncircumcised. The cup of Jehovah's right <i>strong</i> hand will come around to you. Intense shame will tarnish your glory.


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»The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you. The destruction of the animals and shedding of blood will frighten you. The violence done to the inhabitants of the land and the city will terrify you.


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»What is an idol worth after the carver is done? It is merely a false god. Why trust a speechless image made by human hands from wood or metal?


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»Woe to anyone who says to an idol of wood or stone get up! You can learn nothing from idols covered with silver or gold? They cannot breathe or talk.


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O Jehovah, I heard the report about you and I am afraid of your actions. O Jehovah, make it live in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known! When you are angry remember mercy.


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God came from Teman. He is the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens! The earth is full of his praise.


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His brightness is like the sun. He has rays of power coming from his hand! There was protection in his power.


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He stood and measured the earth. He looked and agitated the nations. The everlasting mountains were shattered! The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are eternal!


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Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers? Or is your fury against the sea? You rode upon the horses and your chariots are salvation.


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Your bow was made quite bare. The oaths to the tribes were a sure word. You split the earth with your rivers.


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The mountains saw you and were afraid. The tempest of waters passed by. The deep <i>water</i> uttered its voice, and lifted up its hands <i>power</i> on high.


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The sun and moon stood still in their habitation. They went away at the light of your arrows and the shining of your glittering spear.


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You went forth for the salvation of your people even for the salvation of your anointed. You wounded the head of the wicked man in the house of the evil. You laid bare the foundation even to the neck.


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You pierced the head of his warriors. They came as a whirlwind to scatter me. They secretly devour the oppressed.


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I heard and my body trembled! My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness entered into my bones and I tremble. I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the people who invade us.


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The fig tree will not flourish. There will be no fruit on the vines. The labor of the olive will fail and the fields will yield no food! The flock will be cut off from the fold and there will be no herd in the stalls.


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Jehovah, the Sovereign Lord, is my strength! He makes my feet like a deers feet. He will make me walk upon high places.


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This is the word Jehovah spoke to Zephaniah. Zephaniah was the son of Cushi, the grandson of Gedaliah, and the great-grandson of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. Jehovah spoke his word in the days of Judah's King Josiah, son of Amon.


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»I will destroy <i>take away remove consume</i> everything on the face of the earth!« declared Jehovah. (Zephaniah 2:3)


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»I will terminate both man and beast. I will put an end to the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea. I will eliminate the sins that make people fall, together with the sinners. I will remove people from the face of the earth,« declared Jehovah.


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»I will use my power against Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will destroy followers of Baal in this place. I will remove the names of the pagan <i>idolatrous</i> priests along with my priests.


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»I will remove those who bow down to worship the host of heaven on the housetops and those who bow down and swear to Jehovah and yet swear by Malcolm.


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»The same for those who have turned back from following Jehovah, and those who have not sought Jehovah or inquired of Him.«


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Be silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah! For the day of Jehovah is near! Jehovah has prepared a sacrifice. He has sanctified His guests.


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»On that day of Jehovahs sacrifice,« said Jehovah, »I will punish the officials, the king's sons, and all who practice foreign customs.


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»I will punish all who worship false gods and who steal and kill in order to fill their master's house with violence.«


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»On that day,« said Jehovah, »you will hear the sound of crying at the Fish Gate in Jerusalem. You will hear wailing in the newer part of the city and a loud crash from the hills.


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»Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! The people of Canaan have perished. Those wealthy with silver will be destroyed.


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»At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish the men that are satisfied with their wayward lifestyle. They say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good and he will not do evil.


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»Their wealth will be looted. Their homes will be demolished. They will build houses. However they will not live in them! They will plant vineyards. But they will not drink their wine!


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»The great Day of Jehovah is near. It is near and coming quickly. Listen! The mighty man will cry out bitterly on the Day of Jehovah.


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»That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish. That day will be a day of trouble, devastation and desolation! It will be a day of darkness and gloom. Indeed that day will be a day of clouds and overcast skies.


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»That day will be a day of alarm signals and battle cries against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers.


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»I will bring distress on humans and they will walk like they are blind! They have sinned against Jehovah! Their blood will be poured out like dust and their intestines like manure.


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»Their silver and their gold will not be able to keep them safe in the Day of Jehovahs anger <i>rage wrath</i> . He will devour all the nations by the fire of his zeal! He will exterminate all the inhabitants of the earth!«


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Before the decree takes effect. Before the day passes like the chaff. Before the fierce anger of Jehovah comes upon you. Yes, before the Day of Jehovah's anger comes upon you.


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Seek Jehovah all you meek ones of the earth, you who have obeyed his Law! Seek righteousness! Seek meekness that you may be hidden in the Day of Jehovah's anger. <i>Hebrew: ulay-ulay, may-be; Septuagint: »you may be hid.«  Hebrew: sathar: concealed, hidden, protected</i> (Zephaniah 1:2) (Amos 5:15)


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For Gaza will be abandoned. Ashkelon will be a desolate waste. They will drive out Ashdod at high noon. Ekron will be exterminated.


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»Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you and you will not be inhabited.


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»The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. They will feed their flocks there. They will rest at night in the houses of Ashkelon. Jehovah their God will visit them and gather back the captive ones.«


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»I have heard the reproach of Moab and the taunting by the children of Ammon. They have reproached my people. They behave arrogantly at the border.«


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»Just as I live,« said Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, »Moab will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah. They will be possessions of nettles and salt pits. They will be deserted forever! My people will plunder them and the remnant of my nation will take possession of their land.


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»They will have this instead of their pride. This is because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts.


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»Jehovah will fill them with fear for he will starve <i>emaciate</i> all the gods of the earth! Men will worship him, each one from his place, even the coastlands of the nations.


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»He will stretch out his hand <i>exercise his power</i> against the north, and destroy Assyria. He will make Nineveh a desolation. It will be barren like the desert wilderness.


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»And herds will lie down in her midst, all the beasts of the nations. The pelican and the porcupine will lodge on the top of her pillars. Their voice will sing <i>hoot croak</i> in the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds for he will lay bare that which is built with cedar.


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»This is the joyous city that dwelled in security. She said in her heart, I am! There is no one else! She has become an object of desolation, a place for wild animals to lie down in. Every one who passes by her will hiss, and wag his hand.«


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She did not obey the voice of Jehovah. She would not accept correction <i>discipline</i> . She did not trust Jehovah and draw close to her God.


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Her princes <i>rulers</i> within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing till the morning.


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Her prophets are insolent and treacherous persons. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary! They have done violence to the law.


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Jehovah is righteous within her. He will do no wrong. He brings justice to the dawn of the morning. He does not fail! Yet the unjust know no shame.


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»I have destroyed nations! Their battlements are completely destroyed! I have made their streets waste so that none pass by. I destroyed the people and the cities so that there is no inhabitant.


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»I said, show me respect and receive discipline <i>instruction correction</i> ! That way she would not loose her dwelling. This is according to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.«


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»Wait for me,« said Jehovah, »until the day that I rise up as a witness. I am determined to gather the nations. I will assemble the kingdoms to pour out upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger! All the earth will be devoured with the fire of my zeal.


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»I will give the peoples a pure language. They may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him <i>united in total agreement and purpose</i> shoulder to shoulder.


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»The daughter of my scattered ones <i>my people my worshippers</i> will bring an offering to me from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.


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»At that time you will no longer be ashamed of your transgression against me. I will remove everyone who is proud and arrogant. You will never again be haughty on my holy mountain.


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»I will leave a faithful few, a humble and lowly people with you. They will seek refuge in the name of Jehovah.


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»The faithful few <i>remnant</i> in Israel will not do wrong, tell lies, or use their tongues to deceive others. They will feed their sheep and lie down, and there will be no one making trouble for them.«


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Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout <i>and sing</i> in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!


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Jehovah has removed his judgments against you. He has turned aside your enemies. The King of Israel, Jehovah, is in your midst! You will fear calamity no more.


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»Jehovah your God is with you! He is a mighty one. He will exult over you with joy. He will refresh you with his love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.


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»I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts. They came from Jerusalem. The reproach of exile is a burden to them.


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»I will deal at that time with all your oppressors. I will save the lame and gather the outcast. I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.


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»At that time I will bring you in! At that time I will gather you together. I will give you a name <i>honor</i> and praise among all the peoples of the earth! This will happen when I gather back your captive ones before your very eyes,« declares Jehovah.


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It was the second year that Darius was king of Persia. Jehovah spoke through Haggai the prophet in the sixth month, on the first day of the month. The message was delivered to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and to the High Priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak.


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Jehovah of Hosts said to Haggai: »These people say that this is not the right time to rebuild the Temple.«


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»You sow much and reap little. You eat but you do not have enough! You drink and yet you are not filled. You clothe yourselves but you are not warm. You earns wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.«


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»Go up to the mountain and bring lumber, and rebuild my house. I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified,« said Jehovah.


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»You looked for much harvest and you received little. When you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?« Said Jehovah of Hosts. »Because my house lies in waste, while each of you run to his house.


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»It is because of you that the sky above you withholds the dew, and the earth below withholds its produce.


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»I brought drought on the land and its hills, grain fields, vineyards, and olive orchards. Yes drought on every crop the ground produces, on people and animals, on everything you try to grow.«


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Governor Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest and all the people who returned from the exile in Babylon did what Jehovah God told them to do. They were afraid and obeyed Jehovahs messenger, Haggai the prophet.


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Jehovah inspired everyone to work on the Temple. That included: Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah; Joshua, the High Priest, and all the people who had returned from the exile. They worked on the house of Jehovah of Hosts, their God.


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On the twenty-first day of the seventh month of that same year, Jehovah spoke again through the prophet Haggai:


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»Speak to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying:


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Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it nothing in your eyes?


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»Be strong Zerubbabel,« said Jehovah. »Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, said Jehovah. Work! I am with you,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»I will shake all the nations and make them afraid. The treasures of all the nations will be brought here. I will fill this house with glory.


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»The glory of this house will be greater than it was before. I will give my people peace.« Jehovah of Hosts has spoken.


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On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of the second year that Darius was king, Jehovah spoke again to the prophet Haggai.


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»A man takes a piece of consecrated meat from a sacrifice and carries it in a fold of his robe. He then lets his robe touch any bread, cooked food, wine, olive oil, or any kind of food at all. Will it make that food consecrated also?« When the question was asked, the priests answered, »No.«


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Then Haggai asked: »This person is defiled because he has touched a dead body. If he then touches any of these foods, will that make them defiled too?« The priests answered, »Yes.«


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Then Haggai said: »Jehovah declared that the same thing applies to the people of this nation and to everything they produce; and so everything they offer on the altar is defiled.«


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»You would go to a pile of grain looking for twenty bushels, but there would be only ten. You would go to draw fifty gallons of wine from a vat and find only twenty.


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»I struck you with scorching winds, mildew and hail to ruin everything you tried to grow,« declared Jehovah, »but you still did not repent.


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»Today is the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, the day that the foundation of the Temple of Jehovah was completed. See what is going to happen from now on.


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»There is no grain left. The grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced. However from now on I will bless you.«


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»I will overthrow kingdoms and end their power. I will overturn chariots and their drivers; the horses will die, and their riders will kill one another.«


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»On that day,« declared Jehovah of Hosts, »I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,« declared Jehovah. »I will make you important like a signet <i>signature</i> ring, because I have chosen you,« proclaimed Jehovah of Hosts.


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The word of Jehovah came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet. It was in the eighth month, in the second year of Darius the king:


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Tell them, Jehovah of Hosts has said: »Jehovah of Hosts says return to me and I will return to you.«


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»Do not be like your fathers! The former prophets declared: Jehovah of Hosts said, I implore you, return from your evil ways, and from your wicked activities! But they did not listen, they paid no attention to me,« said Jehovah.


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»I commanded my servants the prophets to obey my words and my statutes. They disregarded them and suffered greatly. Then they repented and admitted that I, Jehovah of Hosts, corrected them as they deserved according to their deeds.«


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In the second year that Darius was king, on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month <i>the month of Shebat</i> , Jehovah gave me a message in a vision at night.


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He said: »I had a vision in the night. I saw someone riding a red horse. He stopped among some myrtle trees in a valley, and behind him were other horses, red, speckled, and white.«


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They spoke to the Messenger <i>Angel</i> of Jehovah who stood among the myrtle-trees: »We have patrolled the earth and the entire world is at rest.«


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Then the Messenger <i>Angel</i> of Jehovah said: »Jehovah of Hosts, how much longer until you show compassion to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah? You have been angry with them for seventy years.«


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The angel said: »Call out, say, this is what Jehovah of Hosts has said: I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with intense ardor.


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And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease <i>secure</i> . I was but a little angered and they caused my anger to grow into fury.«


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»Therefore,« said Jehovah: »I will return to Jerusalem with compassion. My house will be built in it,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.«


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»Pronounce again, Jehovah of hosts: My cities will again overflow with prosperity. Jehovah will comfort Zion and yet choose Jerusalem.«


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I questioned the angel: »What are these?« And he answered me, »These are the horns <i>governments</i> that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.«


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I asked: »What did these come to do?« He answered: »These are the horns that scattered Judah! No man lifted up his head for these came to terrify them. They will cast down the horns <i>power authority</i> of the nations that lifted up their horn <i>power authority</i> against the land of Judah to scatter it.«


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Then I asked: »Where are you going?« He said to me: »To measure Jerusalem, to see the width and the length of it.«


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He said to him: »Run and speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle there.«


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Jehovah said: »I will become to her a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in the midst of her.«


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»Flee from the land of the north,« said Jehovah. »I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens,« continued Jehovah.


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»Jehovah of Hosts proclaims: He sent me after glory! He sent me to the nations that plundered you. For he that touches you touches the pupil of his eye.


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»Behold! I will shake my hand <i>power</i> over them, and they will be a spoil to those who served them.« Then you will know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me.


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»Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For I am coming, and I will dwell in the midst of you,« said Jehovah.


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»Many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and will be my people! I will dwell in the your midst, and you will know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me to you.«


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He showed me Joshua the high priest. Joshua was standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan was standing at his right hand to be his adversary.


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Jehovah said to Satan: »Jehovah rebukes you, O Satan; yes, Jehovah, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. Is this a brand plucked out of the fire?«


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He spoke to those who stood before him: »Take the filthy garments from him. Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel.«


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I said: »Let them set a clean headdress upon his head.« So they set a clean headdress upon his head, and clothed him with garments. The angel of Jehovah was standing nearby.


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»Jehovah of Hosts said: If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my ordinance you will judge my house and take care of my courts. I will give you free access among these that stand by.


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»Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you. They are men that are a sign. I will bring forth my servant the Branch <i>Sprout</i> !


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»Look at the stone I set before you Joshua. There are seven eyes on one stone. I will engrave the inscription on it,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.«


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»In that day,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »you will invite every man and his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.«


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He asked: »What do you see?« I answered: »I see a gold lamp stand, with a bowl on top and seven lamps. There are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top.


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»There are two olive trees beside it. One is on the right side of the bowl and the other is on the left side of the bowl.«


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He answered: »This is the word of Jehovah to Zerubbabel.« Then Jehovah of Hosts said: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.«


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»Who are you, O Great Mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring the head stone with shouts of blessing.«


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»The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands will also finish it! You should know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me to you.


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»For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven will rejoice, and will see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth.«


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I said to him: »What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side of it?«


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I spoke a second time: »What are these two olive branches, that are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil from themselves?«


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He asked me: »What do you see?« I said: »I see a flying scroll. It is thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide.«


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He continued: »This is the curse that is upon the land. Every one who steals will be acquitted. Every one who swears falsely will be innocent.«


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»I will cause it to happen,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »and it will enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of he who swears falsely by my name. The curse will abide in the midst of his house and will consume it with the timber and the stones of the house.«


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I asked: »What is it?« And he replied: »This is the ephah measure that goes forth. This is their appearance in all the land«


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A round flat weight made of lead was lifted up. There was a woman sitting in the midst of the ephah measure.


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He said: »This is Wickedness.« He tossed her down into the middle of the ephah measure. He threw the weight of lead on the opening.


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Two women came out with the wind in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork. They lifted up the ephah measure between earth and heaven.


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He answered: »To build her a house <i>temple</i> in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will be moved there to her own place.«


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I opened my eyes again and saw four chariots. They came out from between two mountains. The mountains were mountains of copper.


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The angel answered: »These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.


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»The chariot with the black horses goes toward the North Country. The white went forth after them; and the grizzled went forth toward the South Country.


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»The strong ones went forth, and sought to go that they might inspect the earth.« He said: »Go inspect the earth. Search back and forth through out the earth.« So they inspected the earth. They searched back and forth through out the earth.


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Then he cried out to me: »Behold! Those who go toward the North Country have quieted my spirit <i>of anger</i> in the North Country.«


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»Take them into captivity, even Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah. The same day go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. They came from Babylon.


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»Take silver and gold and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.


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»Say to him: Jehovah of Hosts says, »See here, the man whose name is the Branch <i>Sprout Shoot Bud</i> . For he will branch out <i>sprout</i> from where he is and he will build the Temple of Jehovah.


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»Yes, he will build the Temple of Jehovah. He will receive the glory, and will sit and rule upon his throne. He will be a priest upon his throne and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.


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»And the crowns will be given to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah. This will be for a memorial in the Temple of Jehovah.


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»Those who are far off will come and build in the Temple of Jehovah.« You will know that Jehovah of Hosts sent me to you. This will come to pass if you will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God.«


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The word of Jehovah came to Zechariah in the fourth year of King Darius. It was the fourth day of the ninth month that is Chislev.


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Now they of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to request the favor of Jehovah.


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Therefore speak to the priests of the house of Jehovah of Hosts, and say to the prophets: »Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these many years?«


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»Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying: For the past seventy years did you fast for me when you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months?


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»Should you hear the words that Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities near her and the South and the lowland were inhabited?«


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»Jehovah of Hosts has spoken: Every man should execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion to his brother!


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»Do not oppress the widow. Do not oppress the fatherless. Do not oppress the stranger and do not oppress the poor. And you should not devise evil in your heart against your brother.


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»They refused to pay heed, turned a stubborn shoulder <i>resisted</i> , and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.


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»They made their hearts hard like flint and would not listen to the law, and the words that Jehovah of Hosts sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Great anger came from Jehovah of Hosts!«


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»I cried, and they would not listen. Now they will cry, and I will not listen, said Jehovah of Hosts!


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I will scatter them with a whirlwind among the nations that they have not known. Thus the land was desolate after them, so that no man passed through nor returned. They tread down the pleasant land and made it desolate.«


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Jehovah of Hosts said: »I am zealous for Zion with great ardor, and I am very zealous for her with great rage.


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Jehovah of Hosts said: »I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the city of truth and the mountain of Jehovah of Hosts, the holy mountain.«


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Jehovah of Hosts said: »Old men and old women walk with the help of canes in the streets of Jerusalem. They sit in the city square.


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Jehovah of hosts proclaims: »If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my eyes?« Said Jehovah of Hosts.


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Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: »Behold! I will save my people from the land of the east and from the land of the west.


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»I will bring them and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness!«


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Jehovah of hosts said: »Let your hands be strong you who hear these words from the mouth of the prophets. These are words from the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of Hosts was laid. It was for the purpose of building the Temple.


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»Before those days, there was no wage for man or beast. The enemy set everyone against his neighbor and going or coming there was no peace.«


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»I will not treat the remnant of this people the same as it was in the former days,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»There will be peace for the seed. The vine will give its fruit. The ground will yield its increase. The heavens will offer their dew and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things!


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»You were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel. I will save you! You will be blessed. Do not fear! Be strong!«


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Jehovah of hosts said: »I thought to do evil to you, when your fathers provoked me to anger. I have not relented,« Said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»These are the things that you should do. Every man should speak the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates <i>towns</i> .


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»Let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor. Do not love a false oath <i>perjury</i> : for all these are things that I hate,« said Jehovah.


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Jehovah of Hosts said: »The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month, will be to the house of Judah joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.«


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Jehovah of Hosts said: »It will yet come to pass, peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities will come.


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»The inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of Hosts; I will go also.


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»Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to request the favor of Jehovah.«


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Jehovah of hosts said: »In those days it will come to pass, that ten men out of all the languages of the nations, will take hold of the skirt of the one who is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.«


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The prophetic utterance of the word of Jehovah upon the land of Hadrach: »Damascus will be its resting-place. The eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward Jehovah.


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»Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.


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»Behold! Jehovah will evict her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.


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»Ashkelon will see it and fear! Gaza will be pained and Ekron will be put to shame. The king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.


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»And I will remove his blood from his mouth, and his detestable things from between his teeth. He will remain for our God. He will be like a chieftain in Judah, and in Ekron like a Jebusite.


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»I will encamp about my house against the army. None will pass through or return. No oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes.


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»Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous having salvation. He is humble, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the son of a she ass.


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»I will destroy the war chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be dismantled. He will speak peace to the nations! His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.


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»Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. I declare today: I shall repay you a double portion.


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»I bend as my bow, Judah. I filled the bow with Ephraim! I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.


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»Jehovah will be seen over them. His arrow will go forth like lightning! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet and will go with windstorms of the south.


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»Jehovah of Hosts will defend them! They will devour and trample on the sling stones. They will drink and be boisterous with the wine. They will be filled like the sacrificial basins by the corners of the altar.


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»Jehovah their God will save them in that day like the flock of his people. They will be like the stones in a crown lifted high over his land.


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»How great is his goodness! How great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.«


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»In the spring ask Jehovah for rain. It is Jehovah who makes storm clouds and lightning. He will give showers of rain for the vegetation in the field.


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»For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie. They have told false dreams! They comfort in vain. They go their way like sheep. They are afflicted because there is no shepherd.


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»I am angry with the shepherds! I will punish the male goats. Jehovah of Hosts visited his flock, the house of Judah. He will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.


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»The corner stone will come from them. The tent peg will come from them. Every ruler and the battle bow will come from them.


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»They will be as mighty men treading down their enemies in the mire of the streets. They will fight in the battle! Because Jehovah is with them! The riders on horses will be confounded <i>confused bewildered</i> .


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»I will strengthen the house of Judah. I will save the house of Joseph and I will bring them back. I will have mercy upon them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off. For I am Jehovah, their God, and I will hear them!


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»They of Ephraim will be like a mighty man! Their heart will rejoice as if from wine. Their children will see it, and rejoice! Their heart will be glad in Jehovah.


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»I will whistle for them, and gather them. I have redeemed them and they will increase the same as they have increased.


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« I will sow them among the peoples! They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children and return.


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»I will once again bring them out of the land of Egypt. I will gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon and a place will not be found for them.


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« He will pass through the sea of affliction and will strike the waves in the sea. The depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be removed and the scepter of Egypt will depart.


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»Wail, You fir tree, for the cedar has fallen, because the majestic ones are destroyed. Wail you oaks of Bashan, for the strong forest has come down.


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»Listen to the wailing of the shepherds! Their glory is destroyed! Listen to the roaring of young lions! The pride of the Jordan is laid waste.«


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»Their owners slay them and claim they are not guilty. They that sell them say: Blessed be Jehovah, for I am rich and their own shepherds do not pity them.


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»I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land,« said Jehovah. »I will deliver every one into his neighbor's hand, and into the hand of his king. They will strike the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.


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»So I fed the poor of the flock of slaughter. I took two staffs; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.


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»And I eliminated the three shepherds in one month. I was tired of them, and they also abhorred me <i>found me repugnant</i> .


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»Then I said, I will not feed you! If you die go ahead and die. Let those that are left eat each other!«


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So I took my staff, Beauty, and broke it in pieces that I might break my covenant that I had made with all the peoples.


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It was broken in that day. In this way, the poor of the flock listened to me and knew that it was the word of Jehovah.


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I said to them, »If it is good in your sight give me my wages, if not forget it.« So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.


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Jehovah said to me, »Throw it to the potter,« the amount they paid me. I took the thirty pieces of silver, and threw them to the potter, in the house of Jehovah.


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I broke my other staff in pieces. It was the one I called Bands. That way I broke the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.


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»Warning! I will allow a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those who are perishing, and will not seek those that are scattered. This shepherd will not heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is hungry. He will eat the flesh of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces.


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»Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaves the flock! The sword will be upon his arm, and upon his right eye. His arm will be withered and dried up, and his right eye will be blind.«


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The prophetic utterance of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Jehovah declared: »Who stretches forth the heavens? Who lays the foundation of the earth? Who forms the spirit of man within him?


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»I will make Jerusalem a cup that causes trembling to the people in the nations nearby. Judah will also be attacked when they attack Jerusalem.


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»It will happen in that day! I will make Jerusalem a heavy weight for all the people. All who lift it will be severely injured. All the nations of the earth will gather against her.«


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»In that day,« said Jehovah, »I will strike every horse with terror and his rider with madness! I will watch the house of Judah. Every horse of the people will be struck with blindness.


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»The people of Judah <i>including the leaders</i> will say in their hearts: The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength through Jehovah of Hosts their God.


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»I will make the people of Judah like a pan of fire among wood and like a flaming torch among sheaves of grain. They will consume all the peoples on the right hand and on the left all around. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will again dwell in their own place, in Jerusalem.


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»Jehovah will save the dwellings of Judah first. The glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not be magnified above Judah.


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»In that day Jehovah will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He that is feeble among them will be like David. For the house of David will be like God, like the angel of Jehovah before them.


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»I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of kindness and of supplication. They will look to the one whom they pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son. There will be a bitter lamentation for him, like one who grieves for his first-born.


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»That day will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddon <i>Megiddo</i> .


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»And the land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves, the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves.


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»The family of the house of Levi will mourn by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by themselves, and their wives by themselves;


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Jehovah of Hosts declared: »I will remove the names of the idols from the land! They will no longer be remembered. I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to leave the land.


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»It will happen when any attempt to prophesy, the father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him: You will not live, for you speak lies in the name of Jehovah. They will stab him through when he prophesies.


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»It will happen! The prophets, each one of them will be ashamed of his vision and his prophesy. They will not wear a hairy mantle to deceive.


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»One will ask him: What are these wounds between your arms? He will answer: Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.


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»Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow <i>neighbor companion</i> , said Jehovah of Hosts: Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered! I will turn my hand upon <i>against</i> the little ones.


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»It will happen in all the land,« said Jehovah, »two parts will be cut off and die; but the third will be left.


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»I will bring the third part into the fire. I will refine them, as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: It is my people! They will say: Jehovah is my God!« 


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»I will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem! The city will be defeated. The houses will be plundered and the women raped! Half of the city will be taken into captivity. The remainder of the people will not be removed from the city.


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»Then Jehovah will go forth and fight against those nations. It will be just as when he fought in the day of battle.


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»His feet will stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half toward the east and toward the west. There will be a very large valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.


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»You will flee by the valley of my mountains. For the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel. Yes you will flee the same as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Jehovah my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.


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»It will be a day known to Jehovah. It will not be day and it will not be night, but there will light in the evening.


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»It will happen! Living waters will go out from Jerusalem: half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea. It will be both in the summer and in the winter.


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»Jehovah will be King over all the earth. Jehovah will be the only one and his name will be the only one in that day.


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»All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be lifted up, and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin's gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses.


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»The plague will be that Jehovah will strike all the peoples that have gone to war against Jerusalem! Their flesh will wither away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes will wither away in their sockets, and their tongue will wither away in their mouth.


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»It will happen! A great tumult <i>trouble disturbance</i> from Jehovah will fall on them. Everyone of them will lay hold on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand will rise up against the hand of his neighbor <i>neighbor will fight against neighbor</i> .


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»Judah will also fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the nations round about will be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.


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»This will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the donkey, and of all the beasts that will be in those camps, as that plague.


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»Every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.


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»If the family of Egypt does not go it will not be upon them. There will be the plague and Jehovah will strike the nations that do not go to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.


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»This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles.


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»In that day it will be on the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH. And the pots in Jehovah's house will be like the bowls before the altar.


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»Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to Jehovah of Hosts! Every thing they sacrifice will be boiled in them. In that day there will be no more Canaanites in the House of Jehovah of Hosts.«


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»I have loved you,« said Jehovah. You replied: »How have you loved us?« »Was Esau Jacob's brother?« Responded Jehovah: »Yet I loved Jacob.


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»And yet I hated Esau and his descendants. I devastated Esau's hill country and abandoned his inheritance to the desert jackals.«


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Esau's descendants, the Edomites, say: »Our towns have been destroyed, but we will rebuild them.« Thus Jehovah will reply: »Let them rebuild. I will tear them down again. People will call them the evil country. They are the nation with whom Jehovah has a long lasting anger.


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The people of Israel will see this with their own eyes. They will say: Jehovah is mighty even outside the land of Israel!«


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Jehovah of Hosts declares to the priests: »Children honor their parents and servants honor their masters. I am your father. Why do you not honor me? I am your master. Why do you not respect me? You despise me, and yet you ask: How have we despised you?«


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»This is how you despise me. You offer worthless food on my altar. Then you ask: How have we failed to respect you? I tell you it is by showing contempt for my altar.


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»You bring blind, sick and lame animals to sacrifice to me. Do you think there is nothing wrong with that? Try giving an animal like that to the governor! Would he be pleased with you or grant you any favors?


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»Try asking God to show you favor. He will not answer your prayer! It will be your fault,« Jehovah the Almighty declares.


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Jehovah of Hosts continues: »Is there one among you who will shut the Temple doors to prevent lighting a useless fire on my altar. I am not pleased with you! I will not accept the offerings you bring me.


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»Where ever the sun rises and sets my name will be great among the people of the nations. Incense will be offered to my name everywhere. It will be a pure offering! For my name will be great among the nations,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»You profane it by saying: The table of Jehovah is polluted and the fruit and food on it is contemptible.


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»And you say: We are tired of all this! You turn up your nose at me. You offer the lame and the sick and even stolen animals,« said Jehovah. »Do you think I will accept that from you?


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»The cheater who sacrifices a worthless animal to me will be cursed. For he has in his flock a good animal that he promised to give me! I am a great King,« Jehovah of Hosts declares. »People of all nations will respect my name!«


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»You must honor me by your actions. If you will not listen to what I say, and give glory and honor to my name, I will bring a curse on you. I will put a curse on the things you receive for your support. I have already put a curse on you. Your blessings are cursed already because you do not take my command seriously.


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»I will punish your children and rub your faces in the dung of the animals you sacrifice! You will be taken away with the dung heap of your feasts.


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»You will know I sent this commandment to you! This way my covenant with Levi will continue,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»My covenant was with him <i>Levi</i> . It was of life and peace. I gave them to him that he might reverence me. He respected me and stood in awe of my name.


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»The law of truth was in his mouth. Unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness. He turned many away from iniquity.


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»The priests should teach the true knowledge of God. They are the messengers of Jehovah of Hosts. Therefore the people should learn <i>my will</i> the law from them.


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»You priests have turned away from the right path. Your teaching has led many to do wrong. You have corrupted the covenant I made with Levi <i>you</i> .


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»I caused you to be despised and low before all the people. You are contemptible and do not keep my ways. You show partiality when applying the law.«


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»Do we all have one father? Did one God create us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers?


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»The people of Judah have done wrong. They deal treacherously and committed an abomination in Israel and in Jerusalem. Judah has profaned the holiness of Jehovah by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.


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»Jehovah will remove from the community of Israel those who did this. They will never again participate in the national offerings to Jehovah of Hosts.


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»Another thing you do is drown Jehovahs altar with tears, weeping and wailing. This is because he no longer accepts the offerings you bring him.


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»You ask: Why do you not accept our offerings? It is because Jehovah is a witness between you and the wife of your youth. The one to whom you have been unfaithful! She is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows.


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»Did God make you one? Your flesh and spirit belong to him. What does God look for but godly descendants? Do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.


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»I hate divorce and he who covers his garment with violence, said Jehovah, the God of Israel. Jehovah of Hosts declares: Guard yourselves and do not deal treacherously.«


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»You have made Jehovah weary with your words. You ask: How have we wearied him? You say: Every one that does evil is good in Jehovahs sight. You also say: He delights in them. Then you ask: where is the God of justice?« 


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»Behold, I send my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Seek Jehovah! He will suddenly come to his Temple along with the messenger of the covenant. He is one you desire, behold, he comes,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? He is like a refiner's fire and like laundry soap <i>the lye of laundrymen</i> .


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»He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer to Jehovah offerings in righteousness.


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»The offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to Jehovah like it was in the old days, in ancient years.


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»I will approach you people for judgment! I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers and those acting fraudulently with the wages of the worker, the widow and the fatherless. I will be a speedy witness against those who swear falsely and take advantage of the stranger, and do not show me reverence,« said Jehovah of Hosts.


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»Like your fathers before you, you have turned away from my laws and have not obeyed them. Return to me and I will return to you,« said Jehovah of Hosts. »But you ask, how will we return to you?


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»I ask you: will you rob and defraud God? Of course not, yet you are robbing and defrauding me! How have we robbed and defrauded? You ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.


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»Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. Test me, said Jehovah of Hosts, and see if I will open the windows of heaven and pour out showers of blessing upon you until there is no more want.


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»You have said terrible things about me,« said Jehovah of Hosts. »Yet you ask: What have we said about you?«


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»You have said: There is no value to serve God. What is the use of doing what he says or of trying to show Jehovah of Hosts that we are sorry for what we have done?


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»We call arrogant people happy. Evil people test Gods patience with their wicked deeds. They not only get away with it, they also prosper.«


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Those who respected Jehovah spoke to one another, and Jehovah listened to what they had to say. In his presence a memorial record was written down in a book listing those who reverence Jehovah and respect <i>esteem regard</i> his name.


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»They will be my people,« said Jehovah of Hosts. »On the day when I act, they will be mine <i>my special treasure my jewels</i> . I will show them compassion just as parents show compassion to the children who serve them.


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»Once again my people will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the person who serves God and the one who does not.«


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Jehovah of Hosts proclaims: »The day is coming when all arrogant and evil people will burn like stubble. On that day they will burn up and there will be nothing left of them, either root or bough.


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»The sun of righteousness with its healing will shine on you who respect my name and obey me. You will be free and paw the ground like fat calves.«


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»When I act you will tread down the wicked. They will be like dust under your feet,« Jehovah of Hosts said.


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»You should remember the Law of Moses my servant. I commanded the statutes and ordinances <i>regulations and judgments</i> to him at Horeb for all Israel.


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»He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers and bring them together again before I come and strike the earth with destruction <i>a curse</i> .«


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Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.


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Judah and Tamar were the father and mother of Perez and Zerah. Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,


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Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz. Boaz and Ruth were the father and mother of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse,


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Jesse the father of King David. David and Uriahs wife Bath-sheba were the father and mother of Solomon.


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Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. They lived at the time when the people were exiled to Babylon.


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After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel,


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Jacob was the father of Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called Christ <i>the Anointed</i> .


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So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations from the exile until the Messiah.


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The birth <i>genesis: origin beginning</i> of Jesus Christ was as follows: His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by Holy Spirit.


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Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly.


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Joseph had this in mind when Gods angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him: »Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by Holy Spirit.


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»She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus <i>»Jehovah is salvation« </i> , because he will save his people from their sins.«


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»The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,« which means: »God <i>God-like one</i> is with us.« (John 1:18)


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When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife.


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He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.


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Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod. Astrologers arrived in Jerusalem from the east.


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They asked: »Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and came to offer him praise.«


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He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the Law and asked where will the Messiah be born?


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»Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are not the least of the leading cities of Judah. A leader will come out of you. He will shepherd my people Israel.«


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He sent them to Bethlehem. He said: »Search diligently for the young child. When you find him, bring me word so I may come and bow down to him also.«


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After they heard the king, they followed the star until it stopped over the place where the child was.


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They entered the house and saw the young child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and paid him homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.


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God warned the astrologers in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they departed for their country by a different road.


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When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: »Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave.«


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They did not return until the death of Herod. The words spoken by Jehovah through the prophet were fulfilled: »I called my son out of Egypt.« (Hosea 11:1)


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Herod saw that the astrologers tricked him and he was furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the time he learned from the astrologers.


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»A sound was heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is weeping for her children. She would not be comforted, because they were dead.«


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The angel told him: »Take the child and his mother and go to Israel. Those who tried to kill the child are dead.«


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When he heard that Archelaus succeeded his father, Herod, as king of Judea, Joseph feared going. Warned in a dream, he left for Galilee instead.


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He made his home in Nazareth. Thus the prophecy came true: »He <i>Jesus</i> will be called a Nazarene.«


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Isaiah spoke of John when he said: »He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight.« (Isaiah 40:3)


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John wore clothes made from camels hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.


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He saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism. »You offspring of vipers,« he said, »who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?


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»Do not presume that Abraham is your father. I tell you that God can make descendants for Abraham from these stones!


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»The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.


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»I baptize you with water because of your repentance. He that comes after me is mightier than I. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. I am not even good enough to carry his sandals.


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»His winnowing shovel is in his hand. He will clean his threshing floor and gather his wheat into a barn. He will then burn the husks in a fire that cannot be put out.«


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Jesus answered emphatically: »This is the proper way to do everything that God requires. This is the way it must be!«


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Then Jesus was baptized and came up from the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened. He saw Gods Spirit coming down like a dove.


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Satan, the Tempter, said to him: »If <i>since</i> you are the Son of God order these stones to turn into bread.«


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In reply Jesus answered: »It is written; man shall not live on bread alone, but on all <i>everything every word every utterance every declaration</i> that proceeds from the mouth of Jehovah.« (Deuteronomy 8:3)


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»If <i>since</i> you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. The Scriptures say: God will give orders to his angels about you and they will hold you with their hands, so that not even your feet will strike the ground.«


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»Again it is written,« Jesus replied, »you must not put Jehovah your God to the test.« (Deuteronomy 6:16)


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This time the Devil took Jesus to an extremely high mountain. He showed him all the kingdoms of the world with all their greatness.


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»Go away, Satan!« demanded Jesus. »It is written, »It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.« (Deuteronomy 6:13-15)


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He left Nazareth to reside at Capernaum, a town by Lake Galilee, in the districts of Zebulun and Naphtali.


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»O land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the road of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the nations!


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»the people sitting in darkness saw a great light. Light rose upon those sitting in a region of deathly shadow.«


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Jesus walked on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were fishermen.


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He saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.


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Jesus walked all over Galilee teaching in the synagogues. He preached the Good News about the Kingdom. He also healed every kind of disease and infirmity among the people.


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News about him spread throughout the country of Syria. People sick and suffering from diseases, people with demons, epileptics and paralytics, came to him. Jesus healed them all.


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Because of this, large crowds followed him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the land on the other side of the Jordan.


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Seeing great masses of people, he went up to the mountain. When he was seated his disciples came to him.


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»Blessed <i>Greek: makarios: happy, blessed</i> are those conscious of their spiritual need, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.


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»Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.


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»Rejoice, and be filled with joy, for great is your reward in heaven. The prophets, who came before you, were also persecuted.


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»You are the salt of the earth. If its taste goes away, how will you restore it? It is good for nothing. All you can do is throw it on the ground and walk on it.


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»Likewise, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.


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»Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill <i>perfect execute accomplish</i> .


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»I solemnly tell you, heaven and earth would pass away before one small letter <i>detail</i> will pass away from the Law. All things must be accomplished.


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»Whoever disobeys even the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand whoever obeys and teaches others to obey the Law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.


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»I also tell you, your righteousness must be greater than the scribes and Pharisees or you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.


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»You were told in the past, do not murder <i>kill</i> . Any one who murders will be brought to trial.


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»Now I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother <i>without cause</i> shall be guilty before the court. Whoever speaks to his brother with words of contempt shall receive condemnation before the Sanhedrin <i>Supreme Court</i> . Curse your brother and you will be guilty enough to be destroyed by fire, with the burning trash, at the Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem <i>Greek: Gehenna</i> .


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»leave your gift at the altar and go make peace with your brother. Then return and make your offering.


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»Come to an agreement quickly with the one who has a legal case against you. Do it before he turns the case over to the judge and you are thrown into jail.


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»However, I tell you that whoever looks at a woman with lustful thoughts commits adultery with her in his heart.


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»If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is better to lose a part of your body then to have your whole body destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom.


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»If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose part of your body, than for your whole body to be destroyed in the ever-burning fire. <i>Figuratively: lose prospect for everlasting life; ever-burning fire means total destruction.</i>


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»I say to you that everyone divorcing his wife, except for the reason of fornication, makes her liable to commit adultery. And if she marries again, the man she marries also commits adultery.


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»You were also told that you should keep a promise <i>oath</i> . Always keep your promises <i>vows</i> to Jehovah.


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»Not by earth, for it is the footstool under His feet. Not by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.


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»But I tell you, do not resist a wicked person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to that person.


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»You will then act as true children of your Father in heaven. He gives sunlight to both evil and good people. He sends rain for the just and the unjust.


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»What good is there, when you love only those who love you? Even <i>corrupt</i> tax collectors do that!


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»When you are kind only to your friends <i>and brothers</i> what makes you different from anyone else? Even people of the nations do that.


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»Be perfect <i>mature</i> , even as your Father in heaven is perfect <i>mature</i> . (Leviticus 19:2)


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»Be careful! Do not display your righteousness <i>good works</i> before men to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward with your heavenly Father.


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»Do not loudly announce it when you give to the poor. The hypocrites do this in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do this to be praised by men. Believe me, they have already been paid in full.


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»Do not pray like the hypocrites! They want everyone to see them in the houses of worship and on the street corners. I assure you they have been paid in full.


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»Go to your room and close the door. Privately pray to your Father. When your Father sees you he will reward you.


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»Large quantities of meaningless words and repetition are not acceptable in prayer. The pagans think their gods will hear long and repetitious prayers.


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»Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. (Exodus 6:3) (Psalm 83:18) (Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8)


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»Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:33) (Daniel 2:44) (Revelation 11:15) (Psalm 37:10,29) (Acts 24:15)


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»Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. (Matthew 18:21) (Mark 11:25) (Luke 11:4)


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»And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil <i>the wicked one</i> . (Psalm 82:4) (Psalm 97:10) (Matthew 13:19) (John 17:15) (1 John 5:19)


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»When you abstain from food, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad faces to be seen by men. They have received their reward.


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»Do not accumulate large amounts of wealth on earth. This is where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.


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»Accumulate wealth in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.


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»The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eye is clear <i>simple focused single minded</i> , your whole body will be full of <i>spiritual</i> light.


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»But if your eye is wicked, your body will be in darkness. If that light in you is really darkness, how great a darkness it must be.


