The Names Of God Bible - The Names of God Bible Part 212
Library

The Names of God Bible Part 212

9 "'Then I bathed you with water, and I washed off your blood. I poured olive oil over you. 10 I put an embroidered dress on you and fine leather sandals on your feet. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 I gave you jewelry. I put bracelets on your wrists and a necklace around your neck. 12 I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 So you wore gold and silver jewelry. You were dressed in fine linen, silk, and embroidered clothes. Your food was flour, honey, and olive oil. You were very beautiful, and eventually you became a queen. 14 You became famous in every nation because of your beauty. Your beauty was perfect because I gave you my glory, declares Adonay Yahweh .

15 "'But you trusted your beauty, and you used your fame to become a prostitute. You had sex with everyone who walked by. 16 You took some of your clothes and made your worship sites colorful. This is where you acted like a prostitute. Such things shouldn't happen. They shouldn't occur. 17 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. 18 You took off your embroidered clothes and covered the idols with them. You offered my olive oil and incense in their presence. 19 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 Adonay Yahweh .

20 "'You took your sons and daughters, who belonged to me, and you sacrificed them as food to idols. Wasn't your prostitution enough? 21 You slaughtered my children and presented them as burnt offerings to idols. 22 With all the disgusting things that you did and all your acts of prostitution, you didn't remember the time when you were young. You didn't remember when you were naked and bare, kicking around in your own blood.

23 "'How horrible! How horrible it will be for you! declares Adonay Yahweh . After all your wickedness, 24 you built yourself platforms and illegal worship sites in every city square. 25 You also built worship sites at the head of every street. You used your beauty to seduce people there. You offered your body to everyone who passed by. You increased your acts of prostitution. 26 You had sex with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians. You used your prostitution to make me angry.

27 "'So I used my power against you. I took away some of your land, and I handed you over to your greedy enemies, the Philistines, who were ashamed of what you had done.

28 "'You had sex with the Assyrians because you weren't satisfied. You still weren't satisfied. 29 So you increased your acts of prostitution to include the land of the merchants, the Babylonians. Even after that, you weren't satisfied.

30 "'You have no will power! declares Adonay Yahweh . You do everything a shameless prostitute does. 31 You build your platforms at the head of every street and place your illegal worship sites in every square. Yet, you aren't like other prostitutes, because you don't want to be paid. 32 You are an adulterous wife who prefers strangers to her husband. 33 All prostitutes get paid. But you give gifts to all your lovers and bribe them to come to you from all directions to have sex with you. 34 You are a different kind of prostitute. No one goes after you for favors. You are the opposite. You pay them, and you don't accept payment.

Jerusalem's Punishment 35 "'Listen to the word of Yahweh, you prostitute. 36 This is what Adonay Yahweh says: You exposed yourself and uncovered your naked body when you gave yourself to your lovers and to all your disgusting idols. You also killed your children and sacrificed their blood to these idols. 37 That is why I will gather all your lovers with whom you found pleasure. I will have all those who love you and hate you gather around. I will uncover your body for them, and they will see you naked. 38 I will punish you the same way that those who are guilty of prostitution and murder are punished. I will give you the death penalty in my fury and burning anger. 39 I will hand you over to your lovers. They will destroy your platforms and tear down your illegal worship sites. They will tear off your clothes, take away your beautiful jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. 40 They will also bring a mob against you. They will stone you and cut you into pieces with their swords. 41 They will burn your houses and punish you in the presence of many women. I will put an end to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay others. 42 Then I will rest from my fury against you, and I will stop being angry. I will be at peace. I will no longer be angry.

43 "'You didn't remember the time when you were young, and you made me very angry with all these things. So I will pay you back for what you have done, declares Adonay Yahweh . Didn't you make wicked plans in addition to all your disgusting practices?

44 "'Everyone who uses proverbs will speak the following saying against you: Like mother, like daughter. 45 You are your mother's daughter. She rejected her husband and her children. You are exactly like your sisters. They rejected their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father was an Amorite.

46 "'Your older sister was Samaria. She and her daughters lived north of you. Your younger sister is Sodom. She lives south of you with her daughters. 47 You didn't follow their ways. You didn't do the same disgusting things that they did. It only took you a little time to be more corrupt than they ever were. 48 As I live, declares Adonay Yahweh , your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. 49 This is what your sister Sodom has done wrong. She and her daughters were proud that they had plenty of food and had peace and security. They didn't help the poor and the needy. 50 They were arrogant and did disgusting things in front of me. So I did away with them when I saw this.

51 "'Samaria didn't 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. 52 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.

53 "'I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and Samaria and her daughters. I will also restore your fortune along with theirs. 54 You will have to suffer disgrace and be ashamed of everything you have done, including comforting them. 55 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. 56 You didn't mention your sister Sodom when you were arrogant. 57 You didn't mention her before your wickedness was revealed. Now the daughters of Arama and their neighbors despise you. The daughters of the Philistines also despise you. Those around you hate you. 58 You must suffer because of all the crude and disgusting things you have done, declares Yahweh.

59 "'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: I will give you what you deserve. You despised your marriage vows and rejected my promise.b 60 I will remember the promise that I made with you when you were young, and I will make it a promise that will last forever. 61 Then you will remember what you have done. You will be ashamed when I return your older and younger sisters to you. I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of my promise with you. 62 Then I will make my promise with you, and you will know that I am Yahweh . 63 You will remember and be ashamed. You will never again open your mouth because of your disgrace when I forgive you for everything you did, declares Adonay Yahweh .'"

Judah Is Compared to a Tree 17 1 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 2 "Son of man, tell this riddle. Give this illustration to the nation of Israel. 3 Say, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh 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. 4 It broke off the highest twig and carried it to a country of merchants. It planted the twig in a city of merchants.

5 "'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. 6 The plant sprouted and grew into a low vine that spread over the ground. Its branches turned upward toward the eagle, but its roots grew downward. So it became a vine, producing branches and growing shoots.

7 "'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. 8 It was planted in good soil beside plenty of water so that it could grow branches, bear fruit, and become a wonderful vine.'

9 "Tell the nation of Israel, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: Will this vine live and grow? Won't the first eagle uproot it and tear off its fruit? Then it will wither. All the leaves on its branches will wither. It won't take much strength or many people to pull the vine up by its roots. 10 It might be planted again, but will it live and grow? It will wither completely when the east wind blows on it. It will certainly wither in the garden where it is growing.'"

11 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 12 "Ask these rebellious people, 'Don't you know what this means?' Tell them, 'The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and captured its king and its leaders. He brought them home with him to Babylon. 13 Then he took someone from the royal family, made a treaty with him, and made him promise to be loyal. He took away the leading citizens from Judah 14 so that it would remain a humiliated country and be unable to regain its power. The country could only survive by keeping the treaty. 15 But the king of Judah rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his messengers to Egypt to get horses and many soldiers. Will the king of Judah succeed? Will anyone who does such things escape? He can't break a treaty and go unpunished.

16 "'As I live, declares Adonay Yahweh , the king of Judah will die in Babylonia. He will die in the country of the king who appointed him king of Judah. The king of Judah broke his promise and his treaty with the king of Babylon. 17 Even with a large army and many people, Pharaoh will not be able to help him in battle when the Babylonians put up dirt ramps and set up blockades to kill many people. 18 The king of Judah broke the promise and the treaty that he pledged to keep. He did all these things, and he can't go unpunished.

19 "'So this is what Adonay Yahweh says: As I live, I will certainly punish you for rejecting my promise and hating my treaty. 20 I will spread my net over you to catch you in my trap. I will take you to Babylon and judge you there for rebelling against me. 21 The best of your troops will die in battle. Anyone who remains will be scattered in every direction that the wind blows. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken.

22 "'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: I, too, will take hold of the top of a cedar tree. I will break off the highest twig and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 I will plant it on a high mountain in Israel. It will grow branches and produce fruit. It will become a magnificent cedar tree. Every kind of bird will nest in it and find a home in the shelter of its branches. 24 Then all the trees in the field will know that I am Yahweh . I cut down tall trees, and I make small trees grow tall. I dry up green trees, and I make dry trees grow. I, Yahweh, have spoken, and I will do it.'"

Everyone Will Suffer for His Own Sins 18 1 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 2 "What do you mean when you use this proverb about the land of Israel: 'Fathers have eaten sour grapes, and their children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 As I live, declares Adonay Yahweh , you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 The life of every person belongs to me. Fathers and their children belong to me. The person who sins will die.

5 "Suppose a righteous person does what is fair and right. 6 He doesn't eat at the illegal mountain worship sites or look for help from the idols of the nation of Israel. He doesn't dishonor his neighbor's wife or have sexual intercourse with a woman while she is having her period. 7 He doesn't oppress anyone. He returns what a borrower gives him as security for a loan. He doesn't rob anyone. He gives food to people who are hungry, and he gives clothes to those who are naked. 8 He doesn't lend money for interest or make an excessive profit. He refuses to do evil things, and he judges everyone fairly. 9 He lives by my rules and obeys my laws faithfully. This person is righteous. He will certainly live," declares Adonay Yahweh .

10 "But suppose this person has a son who robs and murders. The son does all the things 11 that his father never did. He eats at the illegal mountain worship sites. He dishonors his neighbor's wife. 12 He oppresses the poor and needy. He robs. He doesn't return the security for a loan. He looks to idols for help. He does disgusting things. 13 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.

14 "But suppose this person has a son. The son sees all the sins that his father does. He is afraid, so he doesn't do such things.a 15 He doesn't eat at the illegal mountain worship sites or look for help from the idols of the nation of Israel. He doesn't dishonor his neighbor's wife. 16 He doesn't oppress anyone. He doesn't keep the security for a loan. He doesn't rob anyone. He gives food to people who are hungry, and he gives clothes to those who are naked. 17 He refuses to hurt the poor. He doesn't charge interest or make excessive profits. He obeys my rules and lives by my laws. He won't die for his father's sins. He will certainly live. 18 But his father has oppressed others, robbed his relative, and done what is wrong among his people. So the father will die because of his sin.

19 "But you ask, 'Why isn't the son punished for his father's sin?' It is because the son has done what is fair and right. He obeyed my rules and followed them. He will certainly live. 20 The person who sins will die. A son will not be punished for his father's sins, and a father will not be punished for his son's sins. The righteousness of the righteous person will be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be his own.

21 "But suppose a wicked person turns away from all the sins that he has done. He obeys all my laws and does what is fair and right. He will certainly live. He will not die. 22 All the rebellious things that he did will not be remembered. He will live because of the right things that he did. 23 I don't want wicked people to die." declares Adonay Yahweh . "I want them to turn from their evil ways and live.

24 "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.

25 "But you say, 'Adonay's way is unfair.' Listen, nation of Israel, isn't my way fair? Isn't it your ways that are unfair? 26 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. 27 When a wicked person turns away from the wicked things that he has done and does what is fair and right, he will live. 28 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.

29 "But the nation of Israel says, 'Adonay's way is unfair.' Isn't my way fair, nation of Israel? Isn't it your ways that are unfair?

30 "That is why I will judge each of you by what you have done, people of Israel," declares Adonay Yahweh . "Change the way you think and act. Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin. 31 Stop all the rebellious things that you are doing. Get yourselves new hearts and new spirits. Why do you want to die, nation of Israel? 32 I don't want anyone to die," declares Adonay Yahweh . "Change the way you think and act!"

Funeral Songs for Israel's Princes 19 1 Sing a funeral song for the princes of Israel. 2 Say: Your mother was like a lioness.

She lay down among the lions.

She fed many cubs.

3 One of the cubs she raised became a young lion.

He learned to tear apart the animals he hunted.

He ate people.

4 The nations heard about him, caught him in their pit, and brought him with hooks to Egypt.

5 The lioness waited until she saw that there was no more hope.

Then she took another one of her cubs and raised him into a young lion.

6 He became a young lion, and he prowled among the lions.

He learned to tear apart the animals he hunted.

He ate people.

7 He destroyed fortresses and turned cities into wastelands.

The land and everyone living in it were terrified by the sound of his roar.

8 The nations from every region came together against him.

They spread their net over him and caught him in their pit.

9 With hooks they put him in a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon.

They put him in prison so that his roar wouldn't be heard anymore on the mountains of Israel.

10 Your mother was like a grapevine that was planted near water.

It had a lot of fruit and many branches because there was plenty of water.

11 Its branches were strong.

They were used to make scepters for kings.

It grew to be tall with many branches around it, and everyone saw it because of its many branches.

12 But in anger it was uprooted and thrown to the ground.

The east wind dried up its fruit.

Its strong branches broke off.

They withered and were burned.

13 Now it is planted in the desert, in a dry and waterless land.

14 Fire has spread from the vine's main branch.

Fire has destroyed its fruit.

It no longer has any strong branches that could be used as a king's scepter.

This is a funeral song. It is to be used as a funeral song.

Israel's Past and Present Sins 20 1 On the tenth day of the fifth month in the seventh year, some of the leaders of Israel came to ask for Yahweh's help. They sat in front of me. 2 Then Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 3 "Son of man, speak to the leaders of Israel. Tell them, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: Are you coming to ask me for help? As I live, declares Adonay Yahweh, you will not be allowed to ask me for help.'

4 "Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Tell them about the disgusting things their ancestors did. 5 Tell them, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: When I chose Israel, I raised my hand and swore an oath to the descendants of Jacob's family. I made myself known to them in Egypt. I made a promise to them and said, "I am Yahweh your Elohim." 6 At that time I promised to bring them out of Egypt to a land that I had chosen for them. This land is the most beautiful land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 I said to them, "Get rid of the detestable idols that you look to for help. Don't dishonor yourselves with the disgusting idols of Egypt. I am Yahweh your Elohim."

8 "'But they rebelled against me and refused to listen to me. Not one of them got rid of the detestable idols that they looked to for help. They didn't abandon the disgusting idols of Egypt. So I was going to pour out my fury on them and unleash my anger on them in Egypt. 9 But I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations where they were living. While other nations were watching, I made myself known to them by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

10 "'So I brought the Israelites out of Egypt and led them into the desert. 11 I gave them my laws and made my rules known to them. If people obey them they will live. 12 I also gave them certain days to worship me as a sign between us so that they would know that I, Yahweh, made them holy.

13 "'But the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They didn't live by my laws, and 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. 14 But I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 15 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. 16 They rejected my rules, and they didn't live by my laws. They dishonored the days to worship me, because their hearts chased disgusting idols. 17 But I had compassion on them. I didn't destroy them or completely wipe them out in the desert. 18 I said to their children in the desert, "Don't live by the laws of your ancestors. Don't obey their rules or dishonor yourselves with their disgusting idols. 19 I am Yahweh your Elohim. Live by my laws. Obey my rules and follow them. 20 Set apart certain holy days to worship me. This will be a sign between me and you so that you will know that I am Yahweh your Elohim ."

21 "'But they rebelled against me. They didn't live by my laws, and they didn't obey my rules and follow them. 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 and unleash my anger on them in the desert. 22 But I didn't use my power so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 23 I raised my hand and swore an oath to them in the desert. I promised to scatter them among the nations and force them into other countries. 24 They didn't follow my rules, and they rejected my laws. They dishonored the days to worship me, and they looked to their ancestors' disgusting idols for help. 25 I also allowed them to follow laws that were no good and rules by which they could not live. 26 I let them dishonor themselves when they sacrificed all their firstborn sons as gifts to their false gods. I terrified them so that they would know that I am Yahweh.'

27 "Speak to the nation of Israel, son of man. Tell them, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: Your ancestors insulted me again because they were unfaithful to me. 28 I brought them to the land that I promised to give them. When they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, they made sacrifices and brought offerings there to make me angry. There they offered their sacrifices and poured out their wine offerings. 29 Then I asked them, "What is this worship site you're going to?"' (So it is still called 'worship site' today.) 30 "Tell the nation of Israel, 'This is what Adonay Yahweh says: Will you dishonor yourselves the way your ancestors did? Will you chase their detestable idols like a prostitute? 31 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 live, declares Adonay Yahweh , you won't be allowed to ask me for help. 32 What you have in mind 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.

33 "'As I live, declares Adonay Yahweh , I will rule you with a mighty hand and a powerful arm, and I will pour out my fury. 34 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. 35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations. There I will put you on trial face to face. 36 I will put you on trial as I put your ancestors on trial in the desert of Egypt, declares Adonay Yahweh . 37 Then I will make you suffer punishment and make you keep the terms of the promise.a 38 I will get rid of rebels and those who do wrong against me. I will bring you out of the land where you are living. You will never enter Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.

Israel's Future 39 "'Nation of Israel, this is what Adonay Yahweh says: Serve your disgusting idols. But afterwards, you will listen to me. You will no longer dishonor my holy name with your gifts and your disgusting idols.

40 "'The entire nation of Israel, everyone in the land, will worship me on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares Adonay Yahweh . There I will accept you. There I will look for your offerings, your best gifts, and all your holy gifts. 41 When I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, I will accept you as if you were a pleasing sacrifice. Through you I will reveal myself as holy to the nations that are watching. 42 Then you will know that I am Yahweh, because I will bring you to the land of Israel, the land that I promised to give your ancestors. 43 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. 44 Then you will know that I am Yahweh, 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, nation of Israel, declares Adonay Yahweh .'"a The Burning Forest 45 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 46 "Son of man, turn to the south, preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest in the Negev. 47 Tell the forest in the Negev, 'Listen to the word of Yahweh. This is what Adonay Yahweh 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. 48 Then everyone will know that I, Yahweh , started the fire. It will never be put out.'"

49 Then I said, "Oh no! Adonay Yahweh , no! The people already say that I'm only telling stories."

The Sword of the LORD 21 b1 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 2 "Son of man, turn to Jerusalem, preach against the holy places. Prophesy against the land of Israel. 3 Tell the land of Israel, 'This is what Yahweh says: I am against you. I will take my sword out of its scabbard and kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. 4 I'm going to kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. That is why my sword will come out of its scabbard to be used against everyone from the south to the north. 5 Then everyone will know that I, Yahweh, have taken my sword from its scabbard, and I will not put it back again.'

6 "So, son of man, groan with a breaking heart and with bitter crying while the people watch you. 7 When they ask you why you are groaning, say, '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's coming! It will surely take place!' declares Adonay Yahweh ."

8 Yahweh spoke his word to me. He said, 9 "Son of man, prophesy. Tell them, 'This is what Adonay says: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished, 10 It's sharpened to kill and polished to flash like lightning.

How can we rejoice?

My son has refused to be disciplined or punished.c 11 The sword has been handed over to be polished, to be placed in the hand.

The sword is being sharpened and polished to be placed in the hands of killers.

12 "'Cry and mourn, son of man, because the sword will be used against my people and against all the princes of Israel.

I will throw the princes and my people on the sword.

So beat your breast, and grieve.

13 Testing will surely come.

What if you refuse to be disciplined again?

Won't you be tested? declares Adonay Yahweh .

14 So prophesy, son of man.

Clap your hands!

Let the sword strike again and again.

It's the sword for killing.

It's the sword for killing many people.

It's the sword that surrounds them.

15 I have appointed my sword to slaughter people at all their gates so that their hearts will sink and many will die.

Yes! It's ready to flash like lightning.

It's polished to kill.

16 Sword, cut to the right.

Cut to the left or wherever your blade is turned.

17 I will also clap my hands and rest from my fury.