Ezek.43.1

The man brought me to the east gate.

Ezek.43.1

Then the man brought me to the gate facing east,

Ezek.43.1

Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east.

Ezek.43.1

After this, the man brought me back around to the east gateway.

Ezek.43.2

Oh! The bright Glory of the God of Israel rivered out of the east sounding like the roar of floodwaters, and the earth itself glowed with the bright Glory.

Ezek.43.2

and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.

Ezek.43.2

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.

Ezek.43.2

Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory.

Ezek.43.3

It looked just like what I had seen when he came to destroy the city, exactly like what I had seen earlier at the Kebar River. And again I fell, face to the ground.

Ezek.43.3

The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.

Ezek.43.3

It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw--like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.

Ezek.43.3

This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came to destroy Jerusalem. And I fell down before him with my face in the dust.

Ezek.43.4

The bright Glory of GOD poured into the Temple through the east gate.

Ezek.43.4

The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.

Ezek.43.4

And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east.

Ezek.43.4

And the glory of the LORD came into the Temple through the east gateway.

Ezek.43.5

The Spirit put me on my feet and led me to the inside courtyard and--oh! the bright Glory of GOD filled the Temple!

Ezek.43.5

Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

Ezek.43.5

The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

Ezek.43.5

Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the LORD filled the Temple.

Ezek.43.6

I heard someone speaking to me from inside the Temple while the man stood beside me.

Ezek.43.6

While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple.

Ezek.43.6

Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me.

Ezek.43.6

And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple. (The man who had been measuring was still standing beside me.)

Ezek.43.7

He said, "Son of man, this is the place for my throne, the place I'll plant my feet. This is the place where I'll live with the Israelites forever. Neither the people of Israel nor their kings will ever again drag my holy name through the mud with their whoring and the no-god idols their kings set up at all the wayside shrines.

Ezek.43.7

He said: "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile my holy name-neither they nor their kings-by their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings at their high places.

Ezek.43.7

And He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.

Ezek.43.7

And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will remain here forever, living among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by raising monuments in honor of their dead kings.

Ezek.43.8

When they set up their worship shrines right alongside mine with only a thin wall between them, they dragged my holy name through the mud with their obscene and vile worship. Is it any wonder that I destroyed them in anger?

Ezek.43.8

When they placed their threshold next to my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them, they defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger.

Ezek.43.8

When they set their threshold by My threshold, and their doorpost by My doorpost, with a wall between them and Me, they defiled My holy name by the abominations which they committed; therefore I have consumed them in My anger.

Ezek.43.8

They put their idol altars right next to mine with only a wall between them and me. They defiled my holy name by such wickedness, so I consumed them in my anger.

Ezek.43.9

So let them get rid of their whoring ways and the stinking no-god idols introduced by their kings and I'll move in and live with them forever.

Ezek.43.9

Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings, and I will live among them forever.

Ezek.43.9

Now let them put their harlotry and the carcasses of their kings far away from Me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.

Ezek.43.9

Now let them put away their idols and the sacred pillars erected to honor their kings, and I will live among them forever.

Ezek.43.10

"Son of man, tell the people of Israel all about the Temple so they'll be dismayed by their wayward lives. Get them to go over the layout.

Ezek.43.10

"Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider the plan,

Ezek.43.10

"Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.

Ezek.43.10

"Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you. Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins.

Ezek.43.11

That will bring them up short. Show them the whole plan of the Temple, its ins and outs, the proportions, the regulations, and the laws. Draw a picture so they can see the design and meaning and live by its design and intent.

Ezek.43.11

and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple-its arrangement, its exits and entrances-its whole design and all its regulations and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.

Ezek.43.11

And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple and its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, its entire design and all its ordinances, all its forms and all its laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its whole design and all its ordinances, and perform them.

Ezek.43.11

And if they are ashamed of what they have done, describe to them all the specifications of its construction--including its entrances and doors--and everything else about it. Write down all these specifications and directions as they watch so they will be sure to remember them.

Ezek.43.12

"This is the law of the Temple: As it radiates from the top of the mountain, everything around it becomes holy ground. Yes, this is law, the meaning, of the Temple. [JC]

Ezek.43.12

"This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.

Ezek.43.12

This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.

Ezek.43.12

And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the hill where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the primary law of the Temple.

Ezek.43.13

"These are the dimensions of the altar, using the long (twenty-one-inch) ruler. The gutter at its base is twenty-one inches

Ezek.43.13

"These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits, that cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth: Its gutter is a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around the edge. And this is the height of the altar:

Ezek.43.13

"These are the measurements of the altar in cubits (the cubit is one cubit and a handbreadth): the base one cubit high and one cubit wide, with a rim all around its edge of one span. This is the height of the altar:

Ezek.43.13

"These are the measurements of the altar: There is a gutter all around the altar 21 inches wide and 21 inches deep, with a curb 9 inches wide around its edge. And this is the height of the altar:

Ezek.43.14

deep and twenty-one inches wide, with a four-inch lip around its edge. "The height of the altar is three and a half feet from the base to the first ledge and twenty inches wide. From the first ledge to the second ledge it is seven feet high and twenty-one inches wide.

Ezek.43.14

From the gutter on the ground up to the lower ledge it is two cubits high and a cubit wide, and from the smaller ledge up to the larger ledge it is four cubits high and a cubit wide.

Ezek.43.14

from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits; the width of the ledge, one cubit; from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits; and the width of the ledge, one cubit.

Ezek.43.14

From the gutter the altar rises 3 1/2 feet to a ledge that surrounds the altar; this lower ledge is 21 inches wide. From the lower ledge the altar rises 7 feet to the upper ledge; this upper ledge is also 21 inches wide.

Ezek.43.15

The altar hearth is another seven feet high. Four horns stick upward from the hearth twenty-one inches high.

Ezek.43.15

The altar hearth is four cubits high, and four horns project upward from the hearth.

Ezek.43.15

The altar hearth is four cubits high, with four horns extending upward from the hearth.

Ezek.43.15

The top of the altar, the hearth, rises still 7 feet higher, with a horn rising up from each of the four corners.

Ezek.43.16

"The top of the altar, the hearth, is square, twenty-one by twenty-one feet.

Ezek.43.16

The altar hearth is square, twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide.

Ezek.43.16

The altar hearth is twelve cubits long, twelve wide, square at its four corners;

Ezek.43.16

The top of the altar is square, measuring 21 feet by 21 feet.

Ezek.43.17

The upper ledge is also square, twenty-four and a half feet on each side, with a ten-and-a-half-inch lip and a twenty-one-inch-wide gutter all the way around. "The steps of the altar ascend from the east."

Ezek.43.17

The upper ledge also is square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide, with a rim of half a cubit and a gutter of a cubit all around. The steps of the altar face east."

Ezek.43.17

the ledge, fourteen cubits long and fourteen wide on its four sides, with a rim of half a cubit around it; its base, one cubit all around; and its steps face toward the east."

Ezek.43.17

The upper ledge also forms a square, measuring 24 1/2 feet on each side, with a 21-inch gutter and a 10 1/2-inch curb all around the edge. There are steps going up the east side of the altar."

Ezek.43.18

Then the man said to me, "Son of man, GOD, the Master, says: "These are the ordinances for conduct at the altar when it is built, for sacrificing burnt offerings and sprinkling blood on it.

Ezek.43.18

Then he said to me, "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and sprinkling blood upon the altar when it is built:

Ezek.43.18

And He said to me, "Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: "These are the ordinances for the altar on the day when it is made, for sacrificing burnt offerings on it, and for sprinkling blood on it.

Ezek.43.18

Then he said to me, "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These will be the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood when the altar is built.

Ezek.43.19

For a sin offering, give a bull to the priests, the Levitical priests who are from the family of Zadok who come into my presence to serve me.

Ezek.43.19

You are to give a young bull as a sin offering to the priests, who are Levites, of the family of Zadok, who come near to minister before me, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.43.19

You shall give a young bull for a sin offering to the priests, the Levites, who are of the seed of Zadok, who approach Me to minister to Me,' says the Lord GOD.

Ezek.43.19

At that time, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who minister before me, are to be given a young bull for a sin offering, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.43.20

Take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar that project from the four corners of the top ledge and all around the lip. That's to purify the altar and make it fit for the sacrifice.

Ezek.43.20

You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it.

Ezek.43.20

You shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim around it; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

Ezek.43.20

You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.

Ezek.43.21

Then take the bull for the sin offerings and burn it in the place set aside for this in the courtyard outside the Sanctuary.

Ezek.43.21

You are to take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the designated part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.

Ezek.43.21

Then you shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and burn it in the appointed place of the temple, outside the sanctuary.

Ezek.43.21

Then take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.

Ezek.43.22

On the second day, offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering. Purify the altar the same as you purified it for the bull.

Ezek.43.22

"On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified as it was purified with the bull.

Ezek.43.22

On the second day you shall offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull.

Ezek.43.22

"On the second day, sacrifice as a sin offering a young male goat that has no physical defects. Then cleanse and make atonement for the altar again, just as you did with the young bull.

Ezek.43.23

Then, when you have purified it, offer a bull without blemish and a ram without blemish from the flock.

Ezek.43.23

When you have finished purifying it, you are to offer a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.

Ezek.43.23

When you have finished cleansing it, you shall offer a young bull without blemish, and a ram from the flock without blemish.

Ezek.43.23

When you have finished the cleansing ceremony, offer another young bull that has no defects and a perfect ram from the flock.

Ezek.43.24

Present them before GOD. Sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to GOD.

Ezek.43.24

You are to offer them before the LORD, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the LORD.

Ezek.43.24

When you offer them before the LORD, the priests shall throw salt on them, and they will offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD.

Ezek.43.24

You are to present them to the LORD, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the LORD.

Ezek.43.25

For seven days, prepare a goat for a sin offering daily, and also a bull and a ram from the flock, animals without blemish.

Ezek.43.25

"For seven days you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering; you are also to provide a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect.

Ezek.43.25

Every day for seven days you shall prepare a goat for a sin offering; they shall also prepare a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without blemish.

Ezek.43.25

"Every day for seven days a male goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock will be sacrificed as a sin offering. None of these animals may have physical defects of any kind.

Ezek.43.26

For seven days the priests are to get the altar ready for its work, purifying it. This is how you dedicate it.

Ezek.43.26

For seven days they are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; thus they will dedicate it.

Ezek.43.26

Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and so consecrate it.

Ezek.43.26

Do this each day for seven days to cleanse and make atonement for the altar, thus setting it apart for holy use.

Ezek.43.27

After these seven days of dedication, from the eighth day on, the priests will present your burnt offerings and your peace offerings. And I'll accept you with pleasure, with delight! Decree of GOD, the Master.'"

Ezek.43.27

At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Ezek.43.27

When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will accept you,' says the Lord GOD."

Ezek.43.27

On the eighth day, and on each day afterward, the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and peace offerings of the people. Then I will accept you, says the Sovereign LORD."

Ezek.44.1

Then the man brought me back to the outside gate complex of the Sanctuary that faces east. But it was shut.

Ezek.44.1

Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut.

Ezek.44.1

Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut.

Ezek.44.1

Then the man brought me back to the east gateway in the outer wall, but it was closed.

Ezek.44.2

GOD spoke to me: "This gate is shut and it's to stay shut. No one is to go through it because GOD, the God of Israel, has gone through it. It stays shut.

Ezek.44.2

The LORD said to me, "This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered through it.

Ezek.44.2

And the LORD said to me, "This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.

Ezek.44.2

And the LORD said to me, "This gate must remain closed; it will never again be opened. No man will ever pass through it, for the LORD, the God of Israel, entered here. Thus, it must always remain shut.

Ezek.44.3

Only the prince, because he's the prince, may sit there to eat in the presence of GOD. He is to enter the gate complex through the porch and leave by the same way."

Ezek.44.3

The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the LORD. He is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way."

Ezek.44.3

As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way."

Ezek.44.3

Only the prince himself may sit inside this gateway to feast in the LORD's presence. But he may come and go only through the gateway's foyer."

Ezek.44.4

The man led me through the north gate to the front of the Temple. I looked, and--oh!-the bright Glory of GOD filling the Temple of GOD! I fell on my face in worship.

Ezek.44.4

Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell facedown.

Ezek.44.4

Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD; and I fell on my face.

Ezek.44.4

Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the LORD filled the Temple of the LORD, and I fell to the ground with my face in the dust.

Ezek.44.5

GOD said to me, "Son of man, get a grip on yourself. Use your eyes, use your ears, pay careful attention to everything I tell you about the ordinances of this Temple of GOD, the way all the laws work, instructions regarding it and all the entrances and exits of the Sanctuary.

Ezek.44.5

The LORD said to me, "Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations regarding the temple of the LORD. Give attention to the entrance of the temple and all the exits of the sanctuary.

Ezek.44.5

And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.

Ezek.44.5

And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, take careful notice; use your eyes and ears. Listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the LORD's Temple. Take careful note of who may be admitted to the Temple and who is to be excluded from it.

Ezek.44.6

"Tell this bunch of rebels, this family Israel, "Message of GOD, the Master: No more of these vile obscenities, Israel,

Ezek.44.6

Say to the rebellious house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Enough of your detestable practices, O house of Israel!

Ezek.44.6

"Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "O house of Israel, let Us have no more of all your abominations.

Ezek.44.6

And give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign LORD: O people of Israel, enough of your disgusting sins!

Ezek.44.7

dragging irreverent and unrepentant outsiders, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, into my Sanctuary, feeding them the sacrificial offerings as if it were the food for a neighborhood picnic. With all your vile obscenities, you've broken trust with me, the solemn covenant I made with you.

Ezek.44.7

In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant.

Ezek.44.7

When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it--My house--and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations.

Ezek.44.7

You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary--people who have no heart for God. In this way, you profaned my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. Thus, in addition to all your other disgusting sins, you have broken my covenant.

Ezek.44.8

You haven't taken care of my holy things. You've hired out the work to foreigners who care nothing for this place, my Sanctuary.

Ezek.44.8

Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary.

Ezek.44.8

And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you."

Ezek.44.8

You have not kept the laws I gave you concerning these sacred rituals, for you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.

Ezek.44.9

No irreverent and unrepentant aliens, uncircumcised in heart or flesh, not even the ones who live among Israelites, are to enter my Sanctuary.'

Ezek.44.9

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.

Ezek.44.9

Thus says the Lord GOD: "No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.

Ezek.44.9

"So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and do not love the LORD.

Ezek.44.10

"The Levites who walked off and left me, along with everyone else--all Israel--who took up with all the no-god idols, will pay for everything they did wrong.

Ezek.44.10

"'The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin.

Ezek.44.10

"And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.

Ezek.44.10

And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Ezek.44.11

From now on they'll do only the menial work in the Sanctuary: guard the gates and help out with the Temple chores--and also kill the sacrificial animals for the people and serve them.

Ezek.44.11

They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.

Ezek.44.11

Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.

Ezek.44.11

They may still be Temple guards and gatemen, and they may still slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people.

Ezek.44.12

Because they acted as priests to the no-god idols and made my people Israel stumble and fall, I've taken an oath to punish them. Decree of GOD, the Master. Yes, they'll pay for what they've done.

Ezek.44.12

But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.12

Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them," says the Lord GOD, "that they shall bear their iniquity.

Ezek.44.12

But they encouraged my people to worship other gods, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have raised my hand and taken an oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.13

They're fired from the priesthood. No longer will they come into my presence and take care of my holy things. No more access to The Holy Place! They'll have to live with what they've done, carry the shame of their vile and obscene lives.

Ezek.44.13

They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices.

Ezek.44.13

And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.

Ezek.44.13

They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the sins they have committed.

Ezek.44.14

From now on, their job is to sweep up and run errands. That's it.

Ezek.44.14

Yet I will put them in charge of the duties of the temple and all the work that is to be done in it.

Ezek.44.14

Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.

Ezek.44.14

They are to serve as the Temple caretakers and are relegated to doing maintenance work and helping the people in a general way.

Ezek.44.15

"But the Levitical priests who descend from Zadok, who faithfully took care of my Sanctuary when everyone else went off and left me, are going to come into my presence and serve me. They are going to carry out the priestly work of offering the solemn sacrifices of worship. Decree of GOD, the Master.

Ezek.44.15

"'But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.15

"But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord GOD.

Ezek.44.15

"However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.16

They're the only ones permitted to enter my Sanctuary. They're the only ones to approach my table and serve me, accompanying me in my work.

Ezek.44.16

They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service.

Ezek.44.16

"They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.

Ezek.44.16

They are the ones who will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They are the ones who will fulfill all my requirements.

Ezek.44.17

"When they enter the gate complex of the inside courtyard, they are to dress in linen. No woolens are to be worn while serving at the gate complex of the inside courtyard or inside the Temple itself.

Ezek.44.17

"'When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.

Ezek.44.17

And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house.

Ezek.44.17

When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.

Ezek.44.18

They're to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes--nothing that makes them sweat.

Ezek.44.18

They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.

Ezek.44.18

They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.

Ezek.44.18

They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.

Ezek.44.19

When they go out into the outside courtyard where the people gather, they must first change out of the clothes they have been serving in, leaving them in the sacred rooms where they change to their everyday clothes, so that they don't trivialize their holy work by the way they dress.

Ezek.44.19

When they go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so that they do not consecrate the people by means of their garments.

Ezek.44.19

When they go out to the outer court, to the outer court to the people, they shall take off their garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and put on other garments; and in their holy garments they shall not sanctify the people.

Ezek.44.19

When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not harm the people by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.

Ezek.44.20

"They are to neither shave their heads nor let their hair become unkempt, but must keep their hair trimmed and neat.

Ezek.44.20

"'They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.

Ezek.44.20

"They shall neither shave their heads, nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.

Ezek.44.20

"They must neither let their hair grow too long nor shave it off completely. Instead, they must trim it regularly.

Ezek.44.21

"No priest is to drink on the job--no wine while in the inside courtyard.

Ezek.44.21

No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.

Ezek.44.21

No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.

Ezek.44.21

The priests must never drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.

Ezek.44.22

"Priests are not to marry widows or divorcees, but only Israelite virgins or widows of priests.

Ezek.44.22

They must not marry widows or divorced women; they may marry only virgins of Israelite descent or widows of priests.

Ezek.44.22

They shall not take as wife a widow or a divorced woman, but take virgins of the descendants of the house of Israel, or widows of priests.

Ezek.44.22

They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women.

Ezek.44.23

"Their job is to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, to show them how to discern between unclean and clean.

Ezek.44.23

They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Ezek.44.23

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Ezek.44.23

They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.

Ezek.44.24

"When there's a difference of opinion, the priests will arbitrate. They'll decide on the basis of my judgments, laws, and statutes. They are in charge of making sure the appointed feasts are honored and my Sabbaths kept holy in the ways I've commanded.

Ezek.44.24

"'In any dispute, the priests are to serve as judges and decide it according to my ordinances. They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed feasts, and they are to keep my Sabbaths holy.

Ezek.44.24

In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.

Ezek.44.24

"They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations. And the priests themselves must obey my instructions and laws at all the sacred festivals, and they will see to it that the Sabbath is set apart as a holy day.

Ezek.44.25

"A priest must not contaminate himself by going near a corpse. But when the dead person is his father or mother, son or daughter, brother or unmarried sister, he can approach the dead.

Ezek.44.25

"'A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person; however, if the dead person was his father or mother, son or daughter, brother or unmarried sister, then he may defile himself.

Ezek.44.25

"They shall not defile themselves by coming near a dead person. Only for father or mother, for son or daughter, for brother or unmarried sister may they defile themselves.

Ezek.44.25

A priest must never defile himself by being in the presence of a dead person unless it is his father, mother, child, brother, or unmarried sister. In such cases it is permitted.

Ezek.44.26

But after he has been purified, he must wait another seven days.

Ezek.44.26

After he is cleansed, he must wait seven days.

Ezek.44.26

After he is cleansed, they shall count seven days for him.

Ezek.44.26

But such a priest can only return to his Temple duties after being ritually cleansed and then waiting for seven days.

Ezek.44.27

Then, when he returns to the inside courtyard of the Sanctuary to do his priestly work in the Sanctuary, he must first offer a sin offering for himself. Decree of GOD, the Master.

Ezek.44.27

On the day he goes into the inner court of the sanctuary to minister in the sanctuary, he is to offer a sin offering for himself, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.27

And on the day that he goes to the sanctuary to minister in the sanctuary, he must offer his sin offering in the inner court," says the Lord GOD.

Ezek.44.27

The first day he returns to work and enters the inner courtyard and the sanctuary, he must offer a sin offering for himself, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezek.44.28

"As to priests owning land, I am their inheritance. Don't give any land in Israel to them. I am their "land,' their inheritance.

Ezek.44.28

"'I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.

Ezek.44.28

"It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.

Ezek.44.28

"As to property, the priests will not have any, for I alone am their inheritance.

Ezek.44.29

They'll take their meals from the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel offered to GOD in worship is theirs.

Ezek.44.29

They will eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings and the guilt offerings; and everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them.

Ezek.44.29

They shall eat the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering; every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.

Ezek.44.29

Their food will come from the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people--the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Whatever anyone sets apart for the LORD will belong to the priests.

Ezek.44.30

The best of everything grown, plus all special gifts, comes to the priests. All that is given in worship to GOD goes to them. Serve them first. Serve from your best and your home will be blessed.

Ezek.44.30

The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.

Ezek.44.30

The best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest's; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.

Ezek.44.30

The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the LORD will go to the priests. The first samples of each grain harvest and the first of your flour must also be given to the priests so the LORD will bless your homes.

Ezek.44.31

"Priests are not to eat any meat from bird or animal unfit for ordinary human consumption, such as carcasses found dead on the road or in the field.

Ezek.44.31

The priests must not eat anything, bird or animal, found dead or torn by wild animals.

Ezek.44.31

The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that died naturally or was torn by wild beasts.

Ezek.44.31

The priests may never eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by another animal.