Ezek.22.23

GOD's Message came to me:

Ezek.22.23

Again the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezek.22.23

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezek.22.23

Again a message came to me from the LORD:

Ezek.22.24

"Son of man, tell her, "You're a land that during the time I was angry with you got no rain, not so much as a spring shower.

Ezek.22.24

"Son of man, say to the land, 'You are a land that has had no rain or showers in the day of wrath.'

Ezek.22.24

"Son of man, say to her: "You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.'

Ezek.22.24

"Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will become like an uncleared wilderness or a desert without rain.

Ezek.22.25

The leaders among you became desperate, like roaring, ravaging lions killing indiscriminately. They grabbed and looted, leaving widows in their wake.

Ezek.22.25

There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.

Ezek.22.25

The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.

Ezek.22.25

Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They increase the number of widows in the land.

Ezek.22.26

Your priests violated my law and desecrated my holy things. They can't tell the difference between sacred and secular. They tell people there's no difference between right and wrong. They're contemptuous of my holy Sabbaths, profaning me by trying to pull me down to their level.

Ezek.22.26

Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Ezek.22.26

Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Ezek.22.26

Your priests have violated my laws and defiled my holy things. To them there is no difference between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that my holy name is greatly dishonored among them.

Ezek.22.27

Your politicians are like wolves prowling and killing and rapaciously taking whatever they want.

Ezek.22.27

Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

Ezek.22.27

Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.

Ezek.22.27

Your leaders are like wolves, who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people's lives for profit!

Ezek.22.28

Your preachers cover up for the politicians by pretending to have received visions and special revelations. They say, "This is what GOD, the Master, says..." when GOD hasn't said so much as one word.

Ezek.22.28

Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says'-when the LORD has not spoken.

Ezek.22.28

Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, "Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken.

Ezek.22.28

And your prophets announce false visions and speak false messages. They say, `My message is from the Sovereign LORD,' when the LORD hasn't spoken a single word to them. They repair cracked walls with whitewash!

Ezek.22.29

Extortion is rife, robbery is epidemic, the poor and needy are abused, outsiders are kicked around at will, with no access to justice.'

Ezek.22.29

The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.

Ezek.22.29

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

Ezek.22.29

Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.

Ezek.22.30

"I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one.

Ezek.22.30

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

Ezek.22.30

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Ezek.22.30

"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one.

Ezek.22.31

So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of GOD, the Master."

Ezek.22.31

So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Ezek.22.31

Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.

Ezek.22.31

So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them in the fire of my anger. I will heap on them the full penalty for all their sins, says the Sovereign LORD."

Ezek.23.1

GOD's Message came to me:

Ezek.23.1

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezek.23.1

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying:

Ezek.23.1

This message came to me from the LORD:

Ezek.23.2

"Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.

Ezek.23.2

"Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.

Ezek.23.2

"Son of man, there were two women, The daughters of one mother.

Ezek.23.2

"Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother.

Ezek.23.3

They became whores in Egypt, whores from a young age. Their breasts were fondled, their young bosoms caressed.

Ezek.23.3

They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.

Ezek.23.3

They committed harlotry in Egypt, They committed harlotry in their youth; Their breasts were there embraced, Their virgin bosom was there pressed.

Ezek.23.3

They became prostitutes in Egypt. Even as young girls, they allowed themselves to be fondled and caressed.

Ezek.23.4

The older sister was named Oholah, the younger was Oholibah. They were my daughters, and they gave birth to sons and daughters. "Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

Ezek.23.4

The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

Ezek.23.4

Their names: Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister; They were Mine, And they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah.

Ezek.23.4

The older girl was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters. I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

Ezek.23.5

"Oholah started whoring while she was still mine. She lusted after Assyrians as lovers: military men

Ezek.23.5

"Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians-warriors

Ezek.23.5

"Oholah played the harlot even though she was Mine; And she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring Assyrians,

Ezek.23.5

"Then Oholah lusted after other lovers instead of me, and she gave her love to the Assyrians, her neighbors.

Ezek.23.6

smartly uniformed in blue, ambassadors and governors, good-looking young men mounted on fine horses.

Ezek.23.6

clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen.

Ezek.23.6

Who were clothed in purple, Captains and rulers, All of them desirable young men, Horsemen riding on horses.

Ezek.23.6

They were all attractive young men, captains and commanders dressed in handsome blue, dashing about on their horses.

Ezek.23.7

Her lust was unrestrained. She was a whore to the Assyrian elite. She compounded her filth with the idols of those to whom she gave herself in lust.

Ezek.23.7

She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after.

Ezek.23.7

Thus she committed her harlotry with them, All of them choice men of Assyria; And with all for whom she lusted, With all their idols, she defiled herself.

Ezek.23.7

And so she prostituted herself with the most desirable men of Assyria, worshiping their idols and defiling herself.

Ezek.23.8

She never slowed down. The whoring she began while young in Egypt she continued, sleeping with men who played with her breasts and spent their lust on her.

Ezek.23.8

She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust upon her.

Ezek.23.8

She has never given up her harlotry brought from Egypt, For in her youth they had lain with her, Pressed her virgin bosom, And poured out their immorality upon her.

Ezek.23.8

For when she left Egypt, she did not leave her spirit of prostitution behind. She was still as lewd as in her youth, when the Egyptians satisfied their lusts with her and robbed her of her virginity.

Ezek.23.9

"So I left her to her Assyrian lovers, for whom she was so obsessed with lust.

Ezek.23.9

"Therefore I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted.

Ezek.23.9

"Therefore I have delivered her Into the hand of her lovers, Into the hand of the Assyrians, For whom she lusted.

Ezek.23.9

And so I handed her over to her Assyrian lovers, whom she desired so much.

Ezek.23.10

They ripped off her clothes, took away her children, and then, the final indignity, killed her. Among women her name became Shame--history's judgment on her.

Ezek.23.10

They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.

Ezek.23.10

They uncovered her nakedness, Took away her sons and daughters, And slew her with the sword; She became a byword among women, For they had executed judgment on her.

Ezek.23.10

They stripped her and killed her and took away her children as their slaves. Her name was known to every woman in the land as a sinner who had received what she deserved.

Ezek.23.11

"Her sister Oholibah saw all this, but she became even worse than her sister in lust and whoring, if you can believe it.

Ezek.23.11

"Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.

Ezek.23.11

"Now although her sister Oholibah saw this, she became more corrupt in her lust than she, and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister's harlotry.

Ezek.23.11

"Yet even though Oholibah saw what had happened to Oholah, her sister, she followed right in her footsteps. And she was even more depraved, abandoning herself to her lust and prostitution.

Ezek.23.12

She also went crazy with lust for Assyrians: ambassadors and governors, military men smartly dressed and mounted on fine horses--the Assyrian elite.

Ezek.23.12

She too lusted after the Assyrians-governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.

Ezek.23.12

"She lusted for the neighboring Assyrians, Captains and rulers, Clothed most gorgeously, Horsemen riding on horses, All of them desirable young men.

Ezek.23.12

She fawned over her Assyrian neighbors, those handsome young men on fine horses, those captains and commanders in handsome uniforms--all of them desirable.

Ezek.23.13

And I saw that she also had become incredibly filthy. Both women followed the same path.

Ezek.23.13

I saw that she too defiled herself; both of them went the same way.

Ezek.23.13

Then I saw that she was defiled; Both took the same way.

Ezek.23.13

I saw the way she was going, defiling herself just like her older sister.

Ezek.23.14

But Oholibah surpassed her sister. When she saw figures of Babylonians carved in relief on the walls and painted red,

Ezek.23.14

"But she carried her prostitution still further. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red,

Ezek.23.14

But she increased her harlotry; She looked at men portrayed on the wall, Images of Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion,

Ezek.23.14

"Then she carried her prostitution even further. She fell in love with pictures that were painted on a wall--pictures of Babylonian military officers, outfitted in striking red uniforms.

Ezek.23.15

fancy belts around their waists, elaborate turbans on their heads, all of them looking important--famous Babylonians!-

Ezek.23.15

with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea.

Ezek.23.15

Girded with belts around their waists, Flowing turbans on their heads, All of them looking like captains, In the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, The land of their nativity.

Ezek.23.15

Handsome belts encircled their waists, and flowing turbans crowned their heads. They were dressed like chariot officers from the land of Babylonia.

Ezek.23.16

she went wild with lust and sent invitations to them in Babylon.

Ezek.23.16

As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

Ezek.23.16

As soon as her eyes saw them, She lusted for them And sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

Ezek.23.16

When she saw these paintings, she longed to give herself to them, so she sent messengers to Babylonia to invite them to come to her.

Ezek.23.17

The Babylonians came on the run, fornicated with her, made her dirty inside and out. When they had thoroughly debased her, she lost interest in them.

Ezek.23.17

Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust.

Ezek.23.17

"Then the Babylonians came to her, into the bed of love, And they defiled her with their immorality; So she was defiled by them, and alienated herself from them.

Ezek.23.17

So they came and committed adultery with her, defiling her in the bed of love. But later, she became disgusted with them and broke off their relationship.

Ezek.23.18

Then she went public with her fornication. She exhibited her sex to the world. "I turned my back on her just as I had on her sister.

Ezek.23.18

When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.

Ezek.23.18

She revealed her harlotry and uncovered her nakedness. Then I alienated Myself from her, As I had alienated Myself from her sister.

Ezek.23.18

"So I became disgusted with Oholibah, just as I was with her sister, because she flaunted herself before them and gave herself to satisfy their lusts.

Ezek.23.19

But that didn't slow her down. She went at her whoring harder than ever. She remembered when she was young, just starting out as a whore in Egypt.

Ezek.23.19

Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt.

Ezek.23.19

"Yet she multiplied her harlotry In calling to remembrance the days of her youth, When she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

Ezek.23.19

But that didn't bother her. She turned to even greater prostitution, remembering her youth when she was a prostitute in Egypt.

Ezek.23.20

That whetted her appetite for more virile, vulgar, and violent lovers--stallions obsessive in their lust.

Ezek.23.20

There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.

Ezek.23.20

For she lusted for her paramours, Whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys, And whose issue is like the issue of horses.

Ezek.23.20

She lusted after lovers whose attentions were gross and bestial.

Ezek.23.21

She longed for the sexual prowess of her youth back in Egypt, where her firm young breasts were caressed and fondled.

Ezek.23.21

So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.

Ezek.23.21

Thus you called to remembrance the lewdness of your youth, When the Egyptians pressed your bosom Because of your youthful breasts.

Ezek.23.21

And so, Oholibah, you celebrated your former days as a young girl in Egypt, when you first allowed yourself to be fondled and caressed.

Ezek.23.22

Therefore, Oholibah, this is the Message from GOD, the Master: I will incite your old lovers against you, lovers you got tired of and left in disgust. I'll bring them against you from every direction,

Ezek.23.22

"Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stir up your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side-

Ezek.23.22

"Therefore, Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will stir up your lovers against you, From whom you have alienated yourself, And I will bring them against you from every side:

Ezek.23.22

"Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will send your lovers against you--those very nations from which you turned away in disgust.

Ezek.23.23

Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all Assyrians--good-looking young men, ambassadors and governors, elite officers and celebrities--all of them mounted on fine, spirited horses.

Ezek.23.23

the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, all of them governors and commanders, chariot officers and men of high rank, all mounted on horses.

Ezek.23.23

The Babylonians, All the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, Koa, All the Assyrians with them, All of them desirable young men, Governors and rulers, Captains and men of renown, All of them riding on horses.

Ezek.23.23

For the Babylonians will come with all the Chaldeans from Pekod and Shoa and Koa. And all the Assyrians will come with them--handsome young captains, commanders, chariot officers, and other high-ranking officers, riding their horses.

Ezek.23.24

They'll come down on you out of the north, armed to the teeth, bringing chariots and troops from all sides. I'll turn over the task of judgment to them. They'll punish you according to their rules.

Ezek.23.24

They will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons and with a throng of people; they will take up positions against you on every side with large and small shields and with helmets. I will turn you over to them for punishment, and they will punish you according to their standards.

Ezek.23.24

And they shall come against you With chariots, wagons, and war-horses, With a horde of people. They shall array against you Buckler, shield, and helmet all around. "I will delegate judgment to them, And they shall judge you according to their judgments.

Ezek.23.24

They will all come against you from the north with chariots, wagons, and a great army fully prepared for attack. They will take up positions on every side, surrounding you with men armed for battle. And I will hand you over to them so they can do with you as they please.

Ezek.23.25

I'll stand totally and relentlessly against you as they rip into you furiously. They'll mutilate you, cutting off your ears and nose, killing at random. They'll enslave your children--and anybody left over will be burned.

Ezek.23.25

I will direct my jealous anger against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and those of you who are left will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and daughters, and those of you who are left will be consumed by fire.

Ezek.23.25

I will set My jealousy against you, And they shall deal furiously with you; They shall remove your nose and your ears, And your remnant shall fall by the sword; They shall take your sons and your daughters, And your remnant shall be devoured by fire.

Ezek.23.25

I will turn my jealous anger against you, and they will deal furiously with you. They will cut off your nose and ears, and any survivors will then be slaughtered by the sword. Your children will be taken away as captives, and everything that is left will be burned.

Ezek.23.26

They'll rip off your clothes and steal your jewelry.

Ezek.23.26

They will also strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry.

Ezek.23.26

They shall also strip you of your clothes And take away your beautiful jewelry.

Ezek.23.26

They will strip you of your beautiful clothes and jewels.

Ezek.23.27

I'll put a stop to your sluttish sex, the whoring life you began in Egypt. You won't look on whoring with fondness anymore. You won't think back on Egypt with stars in your eyes.

Ezek.23.27

So I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you began in Egypt. You will not look on these things with longing or remember Egypt anymore.

Ezek.23.27

"Thus I will make you cease your lewdness and your harlotry Brought from the land of Egypt, So that you will not lift your eyes to them, Nor remember Egypt anymore.'

Ezek.23.27

In this way, I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you brought from Egypt. You will never again cast longing eyes on those things or fondly remember your time in Egypt.

Ezek.23.28

A Message from GOD, the Master: I'm at the point of abandoning you to those you hate, to those by whom you're repulsed.

Ezek.23.28

"For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to hand you over to those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust.

Ezek.23.28

"For thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will deliver you into the hand of those you hate, into the hand of those from whom you alienated yourself.

Ezek.23.28

"For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will surely hand you over to your enemies, to those you loathe.

Ezek.23.29

They'll treat you hatefully, leave you publicly naked, your whore's body exposed in the cruel glare of the sun. Your sluttish lust

Ezek.23.29

They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you naked and bare, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity

Ezek.23.29

They will deal hatefully with you, take away all you have worked for, and leave you naked and bare. The nakedness of your harlotry shall be uncovered, both your lewdness and your harlotry.

Ezek.23.29

They will deal with you in hatred and rob you of all you own, leaving you naked and bare. The shame of your prostitution will be exposed to all the world.

Ezek.23.30

will be exposed. Your lust has brought you to this condition because you whored with pagan nations and made yourself filthy with their no-god idols.

Ezek.23.30

have brought this upon you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols.

Ezek.23.30

I will do these things to you because you have gone as a harlot after the Gentiles, because you have become defiled by their idols.

Ezek.23.30

You brought all this on yourself by prostituting yourself to other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols.

Ezek.23.31

You copied the life of your sister. Now I'll let you drink the cup she drank.

Ezek.23.31

You have gone the way of your sister; so I will put her cup into your hand.

Ezek.23.31

You have walked in the way of your sister; therefore I will put her cup in your hand.'

Ezek.23.31

Because you have followed in your sister's footsteps, I will punish you with the same terrors that destroyed her.

Ezek.23.32

This is the Message of GOD, the Master: You'll drink your sister's cup, a cup canyon-deep and ocean-wide. You'll be shunned and taunted as you drink from that cup, full to the brim.

Ezek.23.32

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "You will drink your sister's cup, a cup large and deep; it will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much.

Ezek.23.32

"Thus says the Lord GOD: "You shall drink of your sister's cup, The deep and wide one; You shall be laughed to scorn And held in derision; It contains much.

Ezek.23.32

"Yes, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: You will drink from the same cup of terror as your sister--a cup that is large and deep. And all the world will mock and scorn you in your desolation.

Ezek.23.33

You'll be falling-down-drunk and the tears will flow as you drink from that cup titanic with terror: It's the cup of your sister Samaria.

Ezek.23.33

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

Ezek.23.33

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

Ezek.23.33

You will reel like a drunkard beneath the awful blows of sorrow and distress, just as your sister Samaria did.

Ezek.23.34

You'll drink it dry, then smash it to bits and eat the pieces, and end up tearing at your breasts. I've given the word--Decree of GOD, the Master.

Ezek.23.34

You will drink it and drain it dry; you will dash it to pieces and tear your breasts. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.23.34

You shall drink and drain it, You shall break its shards, And tear at your own breasts; For I have spoken,' Says the Lord GOD.

Ezek.23.34

In deep anguish you will drain that cup of terror to the very bottom. Then you will smash it to pieces and beat your breast in anguish. For I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

Ezek.23.35

Therefore GOD, the Master, says, Because you've forgotten all about me, pushing me into the background, you now must pay for what you've done--pay for your sluttish sex and whoring life.'"

Ezek.23.35

"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you have forgotten me and thrust me behind your back, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution."

Ezek.23.35

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, Therefore you shall bear the penalty Of your lewdness and your harlotry."'

Ezek.23.35

And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, says the Sovereign LORD, you must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution."

Ezek.23.36

Then GOD said to me, "Son of man, will you confront Oholah and Oholibah with what they've done? Make them face their outrageous obscenities,

Ezek.23.36

The LORD said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices,

Ezek.23.36

The LORD also said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.

Ezek.23.36

The LORD said to me, "Son of man, you must accuse Oholah and Oholibah of all their awful deeds.

Ezek.23.37

obscenities ranging from adultery to murder. They committed adultery with their no-god idols, sacrificed the children they bore me in order to feed their idols!

Ezek.23.37

for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them.

Ezek.23.37

For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them.

Ezek.23.37

They have committed both adultery and murder--adultery by worshiping idols and murder by burning their children as sacrifices on their altars.

Ezek.23.38

And there is also this: They've defiled my holy Sanctuary and desecrated my holy Sabbaths.

Ezek.23.38

They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths.

Ezek.23.38

Moreover they have done this to Me: They have defiled My sanctuary on the same day and profaned My Sabbaths.

Ezek.23.38

Then after doing these terrible things, they defiled my Temple and violated my Sabbath day!

Ezek.23.39

The same day that they sacrificed their children to their idols, they walked into my Sanctuary and defiled it. That's what they did--in my house!

Ezek.23.39

On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house.

Ezek.23.39

For after they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it; and indeed thus they have done in the midst of My house.

Ezek.23.39

On the very day that they murdered their children in front of their idols, they boldly came into my Temple to worship! They came in and defiled my house!

Ezek.23.40

"Furthermore, they even sent out invitations by special messenger to men far away--and, sure enough, they came. They bathed themselves, put on makeup and provocative lingerie.

Ezek.23.40

"They even sent messengers for men who came from far away, and when they arrived you bathed yourself for them, painted your eyes and put on your jewelry.

Ezek.23.40

"Furthermore you sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and there they came. And you washed yourself for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.

Ezek.23.40

"You sisters sent messengers to distant lands to get men. Then when they arrived, you bathed yourselves, painted your eyelids, and put on your finest jewels for them.

Ezek.23.41

They reclined on a sumptuous bed, aromatic with incense and oils--my incense and oils!

Ezek.23.41

You sat on an elegant couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed the incense and oil that belonged to me.

Ezek.23.41

You sat on a stately couch, with a table prepared before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil.

Ezek.23.41

You sat with them on a beautifully embroidered couch and put my incense and my oil on a table that was spread before you.

Ezek.23.42

The crowd gathered, jostling and pushing, a drunken rabble. They adorned the sisters with bracelets on their arms and tiaras on their heads.

Ezek.23.42

"The noise of a carefree crowd was around her; Sabeans were brought from the desert along with men from the rabble, and they put bracelets on the arms of the woman and her sister and beautiful crowns on their heads.

Ezek.23.42

The sound of a carefree multitude was with her, and Sabeans were brought from the wilderness with men of the common sort, who put bracelets on their wrists and beautiful crowns on their heads.

Ezek.23.42

From your room came the sound of many men carousing. They were lustful men and drunkards from the wilderness, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns on your heads.

Ezek.23.43

"I said, "She's burned out on sex!' but that didn't stop them. They kept banging on her doors night and day

Ezek.23.43

Then I said about the one worn out by adultery, 'Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is.'

Ezek.23.43

Then I said concerning her who had grown old in adulteries, "Will they commit harlotry with her now, and she with them?'

Ezek.23.43

Then I said, `If they really want to sleep with worn-out, old prostitutes like these, let them!'

Ezek.23.44

as men do when they're after a whore. That's how they used Oholah and Oholibah, the worn-out whores.

Ezek.23.44

And they slept with her. As men sleep with a prostitute, so they slept with those lewd women, Oholah and Oholibah.

Ezek.23.44

Yet they went in to her, as men go in to a woman who plays the harlot; thus they went in to Oholah and Oholibah, the lewd women.

Ezek.23.44

And that is what they did. They slept with Oholah and Oholibah, these shameless prostitutes, with all the zest of lustful young men.

Ezek.23.45

"Righteous men will pronounce judgment on them, giving out sentences for adultery and murder. That was their lifework: adultery and murder."

Ezek.23.45

But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood, because they are adulterous and blood is on their hands.

Ezek.23.45

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

Ezek.23.45

But righteous people will judge these sister cities for what they really are--adulteresses and murderers. They will sentence them to all the punishment they deserve.

Ezek.23.46

"GOD says, "Let a mob loose on them: Terror! Plunder!

Ezek.23.46

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Bring a mob against them and give them over to terror and plunder.

Ezek.23.46

"For thus says the Lord GOD: "Bring up an assembly against them, give them up to trouble and plunder.

Ezek.23.46

"Now this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Bring an army against them and hand them over to be terrorized and plundered.

Ezek.23.47

Let the mob stone them and hack them to pieces--kill all their children, burn down their houses!

Ezek.23.47

The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses.

Ezek.23.47

The assembly shall stone them with stones and execute them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn their houses with fire.

Ezek.23.47

For their enemies will stone them and kill them with swords. They will butcher their sons and daughters and burn their homes.

Ezek.23.48

I'll put an end to sluttish sex in this country so that all women will be well warned and not copy you.

Ezek.23.48

"So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you.

Ezek.23.48

Thus I will cause lewdness to cease from the land, that all women may be taught not to practice your lewdness.

Ezek.23.48

In this way, I will put an end to lewdness and idolatry in the land, and my judgment will be a warning to others not to follow their wicked example.

Ezek.23.49

You'll pay the price for all your obsessive sex. You'll pay in full for your promiscuous affairs with idols. And you'll realize that I am GOD, the Master.'"

Ezek.23.49

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD."

Ezek.23.49

They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD."'

Ezek.23.49

You will be fully repaid for all your prostitution--your worship of idols. Yes, you will suffer the full penalty! Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD."

Heb.11.1

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.

Heb.11.1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Heb.11.1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb.11.1

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

Heb.11.2

The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Heb.11.2

This is what the ancients were commended for.

Heb.11.2

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Heb.11.2

God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith.

Heb.11.3

By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see.

Heb.11.3

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Heb.11.3

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Heb.11.3

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Heb.11.4

By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

Heb.11.4

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Heb.11.4

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Heb.11.4

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. God accepted Abel's offering to show that he was a righteous man. And although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us because of his faith.

Heb.11.5

By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God."

Heb.11.5

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

Heb.11.5

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Heb.11.5

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying--"suddenly he disappeared because God took him." But before he was taken up, he was approved as pleasing to God.

Heb.11.6

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Heb.11.6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Heb.11.6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Heb.11.6

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Heb.11.7

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Heb.11.7

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Heb.11.7

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Heb.11.7

It was by faith that Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about something that had never happened before. By his faith he condemned the rest of the world and was made right in God's sight.

Heb.11.8

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.

Heb.11.8

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Heb.11.8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Heb.11.8

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

Heb.11.9

By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.

Heb.11.9

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Heb.11.9

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

Heb.11.9

And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith--for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise.

Heb.11.10

Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations--the City designed and built by God.

Heb.11.10

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Heb.11.10

for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Heb.11.10

Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

Heb.11.11

By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said.

Heb.11.11

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Heb.11.11

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Heb.11.11

It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise.

Heb.11.12

That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions. [JC]

Heb.11.12

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Heb.11.12

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Heb.11.12

And so a whole nation came from this one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children--a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

Heb.11.13

Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world.

Heb.11.13

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.

Heb.11.13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Heb.11.13

All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth.

Heb.11.14

People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home.

Heb.11.14

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

Heb.11.14

For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

Heb.11.14

And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own.

Heb.11.15

If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted.

Heb.11.15

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Heb.11.15

And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Heb.11.15

If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back.

Heb.11.16

But they were after a far better country than that--heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

Heb.11.16

Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Heb.11.16

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Heb.11.16

But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.

Prov.27.15

A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet;

Prov.27.15

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;

Prov.27.15

A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

Prov.27.15

A nagging wife is as annoying as the constant dripping on a rainy day.

Prov.27.16

You can't turn it off, and you can't get away from it.

Prov.27.16

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

Prov.27.16

Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.

Prov.27.16

Trying to stop her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or hold something with greased hands.

Prov.27.17

You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.

Prov.27.17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Prov.27.17

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Prov.27.17

As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

Prov.27.18

If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.

Prov.27.18

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

Prov.27.18

Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

Prov.27.18

Workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat its fruit. In the same way, workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded.

Prov.27.19

Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.

Prov.27.19

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Prov.27.19

As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man.

Prov.27.19

As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.

Prov.27.20

Hell has a voracious appetite, and lust just never quits.

Prov.27.20

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

Prov.27.20

Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Prov.27.20

Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

Prov.27.21

The purity of silver and gold is tested by putting them in the fire; The purity of human hearts is tested by giving them a little fame.

Prov.27.21

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

Prov.27.21

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him.

Prov.27.21

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.

Prov.27.22

Pound on a fool all you like--you can't pound out foolishness.

Prov.27.22

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

Prov.27.22

Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

Prov.27.22

You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.