# verses

book: Jer
contenido:
And the wonderful heritage I reserved for you will slip out of your hand, and I will send you away as slaves to your enemies in distant lands. For you have kindled a fire of my anger that shall burn forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord says: Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man and turns his heart away from God.


book: Jer
contenido:
He is like a stunted shrub in the desert, with no hope for the future; he lives on the salt-encrusted plains in the barren wilderness; good times pass him by forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit.


book: Jer
contenido:
The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is!


book: Jer
contenido:
Only the Lord knows! He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds—how he has lived.


book: Jer
contenido:
Like a bird that fills her nest with young she has not hatched and which will soon desert her and fly away, so is the man who gets his wealth by unjust means. Sooner or later he will lose his riches and at the end of his life become a poor old fool.


book: Jer
contenido:
O Lord, the Hope of Israel, all who turn away from you shall be disgraced and shamed; they are registered for earth and not for glory, for they have forsaken the Lord, the Fountain of living waters.


book: Jer
contenido:
Men scoff at me and say, “What is this word of the Lord you keep talking about? If these threats of yours are really from God, why don’t they come true?”


book: Jer
contenido:
Lord, I don’t want the people crushed by terrible calamity. The plan is yours, not mine. It is your message I’ve given them, not my own. I don’t want them doomed!


book: Jer
contenido:
Bring confusion and trouble on all who persecute me, but give me peace. Yes, bring double destruction upon them!


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the Lord said to me, Go and stand in the gates of Jerusalem, first at the gate where the king goes out, and then at each of the other gates,


book: Jer
contenido:
and say to all the people: Hear the word of the Lord, kings of Judah and all the people of this nation, and all you citizens of Jerusalem.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord says: Take warning and live; do no unnecessary work on the Sabbath day, but make it a holy day. I gave this commandment to your fathers,


book: Jer
contenido:
But if you obey me, says the Lord, and refuse to work on the Sabbath day and keep it separate, special and holy,


book: Jer
contenido:
then this nation shall continue forever. There shall always be descendants of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem; there shall always be kings and princes riding in pomp and splendor among the people, and this city shall remain forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
And from all around Jerusalem and from the cities of Judah and Benjamin, from the Negeb and from the lowlands west of Judah, the people shall come with their burnt offerings and grain offerings and incense, bringing their sacrifices to praise the Lord in his Temple.


book: Jer
contenido:
But if you will not listen to me, if you refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, if on the Sabbath you bring in loads of merchandise through these gates of Jerusalem, just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire shall spread to the palaces and utterly destroy them, and no one shall be able to put out the raging flames.


book: Jer
contenido:
But the jar that he was forming didn’t turn out as he wished, so he kneaded it into a lump and started again.


book: Jer
contenido:
O Israel, can’t I do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.


book: Jer
contenido:
but then that nation changes its mind, turns to evil, and refuses to obey me, then I, too, will change my mind and not bless that nation as I had said I would.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem, saying: Hear the word of the Lord. I am planning evil against you now instead of good; turn back from your evil paths and do what is right.


book: Jer
contenido:
But they replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We have no intention whatever of doing what God says. We will continue to live as we want to, free from any restraint, full of stubbornness and wickedness!”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the Lord said: Even among the heathen, no one has ever heard of such a thing! My people have done something too horrible to understand.


book: Jer
contenido:
The snow never melts high up in the Lebanon mountains. The cold, flowing streams from the crags of Mount Hermon never run dry.


book: Jer
contenido:
These can be counted on. But not my people! For they have deserted me and turned to foolish idols. They have turned away from the ancient highways of good and walk the muddy paths of sin.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore, their land shall become desolate, so that all who pass by will gasp and shake their heads in amazement at its utter desolation.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will scatter my people before their enemies as the east wind scatters dust; and in all their trouble I will turn my back on them and refuse to notice their distress.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the people said, “Come, let’s get rid of Jeremiah. We have our own priests and wise men and prophets—we don’t need his advice. Let’s silence him that he may speak no more against us, nor bother us again.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Should they repay evil for good? They have set a trap to kill me, yet I spoke well of them to you and tried to defend them from your anger.


book: Jer
contenido:
Now, Lord, let their children starve to death and let the sword pour out their blood! Let their wives be widows and be bereft of all their children! Let their men die in epidemics and their youths die in battle!


book: Jer
contenido:
Let screaming be heard from their homes as troops of soldiers come suddenly upon them, for they have dug a pit for me to fall in, and they have hidden traps along my path.


book: Jer
contenido:
Lord, you know all their murderous plots against me. Don’t forgive them, don’t blot out their sin, but let them perish before you; deal with them in your anger.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord said, Buy a clay jar and take it out into the valley of Ben-hinnom by the east gate of the city. Take some of the elders of the people and some of the older priests with you, and speak to them whatever words I give you.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the Lord spoke to them and said: Listen to the word of the Lord, kings of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem! The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will bring terrible evil upon this place, so terrible that the ears of those who hear it will prickle.


book: Jer
contenido:
For Israel has forsaken me and turned this valley into a place of shame and wickedness. The people burn incense to idols—idols that neither this generation nor their forefathers nor the kings of Judah have worshiped before—and they have filled this place with the blood of innocent children.


book: Jer
contenido:
They have built high altars to Baal, and there they burn their sons in sacrifice—a thing I never commanded them nor even thought of !


book: Jer
contenido:
The day is coming, says the Lord, when this valley shall no longer be called Topheth or Ben-hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter.


book: Jer
contenido:
For I will upset the battle plans of Judah and Jerusalem, and I will let invading armies kill you here and leave your dead bodies for vultures and wild animals to feed upon.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will wipe Jerusalem off the earth, so that everyone going by will gasp with astonishment at all that I have done to her.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will see to it that your enemies lay siege to the city until all food is gone and those trapped inside begin to eat their own children and friends.


book: Jer
contenido:
and say to them, This is the message to you from the Lord Almighty: As this jar lies shattered, so I will shatter the people of Jerusalem; and as this jar cannot be mended, neither can they. The slaughter shall be so great that there won’t be room enough for decent burial anywhere, and their bodies shall be heaped in this valley.


book: Jer
contenido:
And as it will be in this valley, so it will be in Jerusalem. For I will fill Jerusalem with dead bodies too.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will defile all the homes in Jerusalem, including the palace of the kings of Judah—wherever incense has been burned upon the roofs to your star gods, and libations poured out to them.


book: Jer
contenido:
As Jeremiah returned from Topheth where he had delivered this message, he stopped in front of the Temple of the Lord and said to all the people,


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will bring upon this city and her surrounding towns all the evil I have promised because you have stubbornly refused to listen to the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
Now when Pashhur (son of Immer), the priest in charge of the Temple of the Lord, heard what Jeremiah was saying,


book: Jer
contenido:
He left him there all night.
The next day when Pashhur finally released him, Jeremiah said, “Pashhur, the Lord has changed your name. He says from now on to call you ‘The Man Who Lives in Terror.’


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord will send terror on you and all your friends, and you will see them die by the swords of their enemies. I will hand over Judah to the king of Babylon, says the Lord, and he shall take away these people as slaves to Babylon and kill them.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will let your enemies loot Jerusalem. All the famed treasures of the city, with the precious jewels and gold and silver of your kings, shall be carried off to Babylon.


book: Jer
contenido:
And as for you, Pashhur, you and all your family and household shall become slaves in Babylon and die there—you and those to whom you lied when you prophesied that everything would be all right.”


book: Jer
contenido:
O Lord, you deceived me when you promised me your help. I have to give them your messages because you are stronger than I am, but now I am the laughingstock of the city, mocked by all.


book: Jer
contenido:
You have never once let me speak a word of kindness to them; always it is disaster and horror and destruction. No wonder they scoff and mock and make my name a household joke.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I can’t quit! For if I say I’ll never again mention the Lord—never more speak in his name—then his word in my heart is like fire that burns in my bones, and I can’t hold it in any longer.


book: Jer
contenido:
Yet on every side I hear their whispered threats and am afraid. “We will report,” they say. Even those who were my friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. “He will trap himself,” they say, “and then we will get our revenge on him.”


book: Jer
contenido:
But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior, and before him, the Mighty, Terrible One, they shall stumble. They cannot defeat me; they shall be shamed and thoroughly humiliated, and they shall have a stigma upon them forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
O Lord Almighty, who knows those who are righteous and examines the deepest thoughts of hearts and minds, let me see your vengeance on them. For I have committed my cause to you.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore, I will sing out in thanks to the Lord! Praise him! For he has delivered me, poor and needy, from my oppressors.


book: Jer
contenido:
Let that messenger be destroyed like the cities of old which God overthrew without mercy. Terrify him all day long with battle shouts


book: Jer
contenido:
because he did not kill me at my birth! Oh, that I had died within my mother’s womb, that it had been my grave!


book: Jer
contenido:
Then King Zedekiah sent Pashhur (son of Malchiah) and Zephaniah the priest (son of Maaseiah) to Jeremiah and begged, “Ask the Lord to help us, for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has declared war on us!


book: Jer
contenido:
Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to us and do a mighty miracle as in olden times and force Nebuchadnezzar to withdraw his forces.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Jeremiah replied, “Go back to King Zedekiah and tell him the Lord God of Israel says, I will make all your weapons useless against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans besieging you. In fact, I will bring your enemies right into the heart of this city,


book: Jer
contenido:
And finally I will deliver King Zedekiah himself and all the remnant left in the city into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to slaughter them without pity or mercy.


book: Jer
contenido:
Stay here in Jerusalem and die—slaughtered by your enemies, killed by starvation and disease—or go out and surrender to the Chaldean army and live.


book: Jer
contenido:
For I have set my face against this city; I will be its enemy and not its friend, says the Lord. It shall be captured by the king of Babylon and he shall reduce it to ashes.


book: Jer
contenido:
I am ready to judge you because of all the evil you are doing. Quick! Give justice to these you judge! Begin doing what is right before my burning fury flashes out upon you like a fire no man can quench.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I myself will destroy you for your sinfulness, says the Lord. I will light a fire in the forests that will burn up everything in its path.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Listen to this message from God, O king of Judah, sitting on David’s throne; and let your servants and your people listen too.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord says: Be fair-minded. Do what is right! Help those in need of justice! Quit your evil deeds! Protect the rights of aliens and immigrants, orphans and widows; stop murdering the innocent!


book: Jer
contenido:
If you put an end to all these terrible deeds you are doing, then I will deliver this nation and once more give kings to sit on David’s throne, and there shall be prosperity for all.


book: Jer
contenido:
But if you refuse to pay attention to this warning, I swear by my own name, says the Lord, that this palace shall become a shambles.


book: Jer
contenido:
For this is the Lord’s message concerning the palace: You are as beloved to me as fruitful Gilead and the green forests of Lebanon; but I will destroy you and leave you deserted and uninhabited.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will call for a wrecking crew to bring out its tools to dismantle you. They will tear out all of your fine cedar beams and throw them on the fire.


book: Jer
contenido:
Men from many nations will pass by the ruins of this city and say to one another, “Why did the Lord do it? Why did he destroy such a great city?”


book: Jer
contenido:
And the answer will be, “Because the people living here forgot the Lord their God and violated his agreement with them, for they worshiped idols.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Don’t weep for the dead! Instead weep for the captives led away! For they will never return to see their native land again.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord says this about Jehoahaz who succeeded his father King Josiah and was taken away as a captive:


book: Jer
contenido:
And woe to you, King Jehoiakim, for you are building your great palace with forced labor. By not paying wages you are building injustice into its walls and oppression into its doorframes and ceilings.


book: Jer
contenido:
You say, “I will build a magnificent palace with huge rooms and many windows, paneled throughout with fragrant cedar and painted a lovely red.”


book: Jer
contenido:
But a beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father Josiah reign so long? Because he was just and fair in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him.


book: Jer
contenido:
He saw to it that justice and help were given the poor and the needy and all went well for him. This is how a man lives close to God.


book: Jer
contenido:
But you! You are full of selfish greed and all dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress the poor, and reign with ruthlessness.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore this is God’s decree of punishment against King Jehoiakim, who succeeded his father Josiah on the throne: His family will not weep for him when he dies. His subjects will not even care that he is dead.


book: Jer
contenido:
He shall be buried like a dead donkey—dragged out of Jerusalem and thrown on the garbage dump beyond the gate!


book: Jer
contenido:
Weep, for your allies are gone. Search for them in Lebanon; shout for them at Bashan; seek them at the fording points of Jordan. See, they are all destroyed. Not one is left to help you!


book: Jer
contenido:
When you were prosperous, I warned you, but you replied, “Don’t bother me.” Since childhood you have been that way—you just won’t listen!


book: Jer
contenido:
And now all your allies have disappeared with a puff of wind; all your friends are taken off as slaves. Surely at last you will see your wickedness and be ashamed.


book: Jer
contenido:
It’s very nice to live graciously in a beautiful palace among the cedars of Lebanon, but soon you will cry and groan in anguish—anguish as of a woman in labor.


book: Jer
contenido:
And as for you, Coniah, son of Jehoiakim king of Judah—even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off and give you to those who seek to kill you, of whom you are so desperately afraid—to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his mighty army.


book: Jer
contenido:
This man Coniah is like a discarded, broken dish. He and his children will be exiled to distant lands.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord says: Record this man Coniah as childless, for none of his children shall ever sit upon the throne of David or rule in Judah. His life will amount to nothing.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord declares:
I will send disaster upon the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were to care for.


book: Jer
contenido:
Instead of leading my flock to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. And now I will pour out judgment upon you for the evil you have done to them.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will gather together the remnant of my flock from wherever I have sent them and bring them back into their own fold, and they shall be fruitful and increase.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will appoint responsible shepherds to care for them, and they shall not need to be afraid again; all of them shall be accounted for continually.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David’s throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth. And this is his name: The Lord Our Righteousness. At that time Judah will be saved and Israel will live in peace.


book: Jer
contenido:
In that day people will no longer say when taking an oath, “As the Lord lives who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt,”


book: Jer
contenido:
but they will say, “As the Lord lives who brought the Jews back to their own land of Israel from the countries to which he had exiled them.”


book: Jer
contenido:
My heart is broken for the false prophets, full of deceit. I awake with fear and stagger as a drunkard does from wine because of the awful fate awaiting them, for God has decreed holy words of judgment against them.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the land is full of adultery, and the curse of God is on it. The land itself is mourning—the pastures are dried up—for the prophets do evil, and their power is used wrongly.


book: Jer
contenido:
The priests are like the prophets, all ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore, their paths will be dark and slippery; they will be chased down dark and treacherous trails and fall. For I will bring evil upon them and see to it, when their time has come, that they pay their penalty in full for all their sins.


book: Jer
contenido:
I knew the prophets of Samaria were unbelievably evil, for they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel into sin;


book: Jer
contenido:
but the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! The things they do are horrible; they commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage and compliment those who are doing evil instead of turning them back from their sins. These prophets are as thoroughly depraved as the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore the Lord Almighty says: I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of them that wickedness fills this land.


book: Jer
contenido:
This is my warning to my people, says the Lord Almighty. Don’t listen to these false prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for me!


book: Jer
contenido:
They keep saying to these rebels who despise me, “Don’t worry! All is well!”; and to those who live the way they want to, “The Lord has said you shall have peace!”


book: Jer
contenido:
But can you name even one of these prophets who lives close enough to God to hear what he is saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?


book: Jer
contenido:
The terrible anger of the Lord will not abate until it has carried out the full penalty he decrees against them. Later, when Jerusalem has fallen, you will see what I mean.


book: Jer
contenido:
I have not sent these prophets, yet they claim to speak for me; I gave them no message, yet they say their words are mine.


book: Jer
contenido:
How long will this continue? If they are “prophets,” they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.


book: Jer
contenido:
By telling these false dreams they are trying to get my people to forget me in the same way as their fathers did, who turned away to the idols of Baal.


book: Jer
contenido:
Let these false prophets tell their dreams and let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat!


book: Jer
contenido:
Does not my word burn like fire? asks the Lord. Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashed the rock to pieces?


book: Jer
contenido:
So I stand against these “prophets” who get their messages from each other—these smooth-tongued “prophets” who say, “This message is from God!”


book: Jer
contenido:
Their made-up dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send them, and they have no message at all for my people, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
When one of the people or one of their “prophets” or priests asks you, “Well, Jeremiah, what is the sad news from the Lord today?” you shall reply, “What sad news? You are the sad news, for the Lord has cast you away!”


book: Jer
contenido:
And as for the false prophets and priests and people who joke about “today’s sad news from God,” I will punish them and their families for saying this.


book: Jer
contenido:
But stop using this term, “God’s sad news.” For what is sad is you and your lying. You are twisting my words and inventing “messages from God” that I didn’t speak.


book: Jer
contenido:
But if you ask him about “today’s sad news from God,” when I have warned you not to mock like that, then I, the Lord God, will unburden myself of the burden you are to me. I will cast you out of my presence, you and this city I gave to you and your fathers.


book: Jer
contenido:
After Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had captured and enslaved Jeconiah (son of Jehoiakim), king of Judah, and exiled him to Babylon along with the princes of Judah and the skilled tradesmen—the carpenters and blacksmiths—the Lord gave me this vision.


book: Jer
contenido:
I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. In one basket there were fresh, just-ripened figs, but in the other the figs were spoiled and moldy—too rotten to eat.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
I replied, “Figs, some very good and some very bad.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the Lord said: “The good figs represent the exiles sent to Babylon. I have done it for their good.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will see that they are well treated, and I will bring them back here again. I will help them and not hurt them; I will plant them and not pull them up.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will give them hearts that respond to me. They shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with great joy.


book: Jer
contenido:
“But the rotten figs represent Zedekiah, king of Judah, his officials, and all the others of Jerusalem left here in this land; those too who live in Egypt. I will treat them like spoiled figs, too bad to use.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will make them repulsive to every nation of the earth, and they shall be mocked and taunted and cursed wherever I compel them to go.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will send massacre and famine and disease among them until they are destroyed from the land of Israel, which I gave to them and to their fathers.”


book: Jer
contenido:
This message for all the people of Judah came from the Lord to Jeremiah during the fourth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah (son of Josiah). This was the year Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, began his reign.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the past twenty-three years, Jeremiah said, from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah (son of Amon) king of Judah, until now, God has been sending me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you haven’t listened.


book: Jer
contenido:
Again and again down through the years, God has sent you his prophets, but you have refused to hear.


book: Jer
contenido:
Each time the message was this: “Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then can you continue to live here in this land which the Lord gave to you and to your ancestors forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
But you won’t listen; you have gone ahead and made me furious with your idols. So you have brought upon yourselves all the evil that has come your way.


book: Jer
contenido:
And now the Lord God says: Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (I have appointed him as my deputy), and I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the other nations near you, and I will utterly destroy you and make you a byword of contempt forever.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will take away your joy, your gladness, and your wedding feasts; your businesses shall fail, and all your homes shall lie in silent darkness.


book: Jer
contenido:
This entire land shall become a desolate wasteland; all the world will be shocked at the disaster that befalls you. Israel and her neighboring lands shall serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then, after these years of slavery are ended, I will punish the king of Babylon* and his people for their sins; I will make the land of Chaldea an everlasting waste.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will bring upon them all the terrors I have promised in this book—all the penalties announced by Jeremiah against the nations.


book: Jer
contenido:
For many nations and great kings shall enslave the Chaldeans, just as they enslaved my people; I will punish them in proportion to their treatment of my people.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord God said to me: “Take from my hand this wine cup filled to the brim with my fury, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it.


book: Jer
contenido:
So I took the cup of fury from the Lord and made all the nations drink from it—every nation God had sent me to;


book: Jer
contenido:
I went to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah, and their kings and princes drank of the cup so that from that day until this they have been desolate, hated, and cursed, just as they are today.


book: Jer
contenido:
I went to Egypt, and Pharaoh, his servants, the princes, and the people—they too drank from that terrible cup, along with all the foreign population living in his land. So did all the kings of the land of Uz and the kings of the Philistine cities: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and what remains of Ashdod,


book: Jer
contenido:
and all the kings of the northern countries, far and near, one after the other; and all the kingdoms of the world. And finally, the king of Babylon himself drank from this cup of God’s wrath.


book: Jer
contenido:
Tell them, “The Lord of heaven’s armies, the God of Israel, says: Drink from this cup of my wrath until you are drunk and vomit and fall to rise no more, for I am sending terrible wars upon you.”


book: Jer
contenido:
And if they refuse to accept the cup, tell them, “The Lord of heaven’s armies says you must drink it! You cannot escape!


book: Jer
contenido:
I have begun to punish my own people, so should you go free? No, you shall not evade punishment. I will call for war against all the peoples of the earth.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore prophesy against them. Tell them the Lord will shout against his own from his holy temple in heaven and against all those living on the earth. He will shout as the harvesters do who tread the juice from the grapes.


book: Jer
contenido:
That cry of judgment will reach the farthest ends of the earth, for the Lord has a case against all the nations—all mankind. He will slaughter all the wicked.


book: Jer
contenido:
See, declares the Lord Almighty, the punishment shall go from nation to nation—a great whirlwind of wrath shall rise against the farthest corners of the earth.


book: Jer
contenido:
On that day those the Lord has slain shall fill the earth from one end to the other. No one shall mourn for them nor gather up the bodies to bury them; they shall fertilize the earth.


book: Jer
contenido:
Weep and moan, O evil shepherds; let the leaders of mankind beat their heads upon the stones, for their time has come to be slaughtered and scattered; they shall fall like fragile women.


book: Jer
contenido:
Listen to the frantic cries of the shepherds and to the leaders shouting in despair, for the Lord has spoiled their pastures.


book: Jer
contenido:
He has left his lair like a lion seeking prey; their land has been laid waste by warring armies—because of the fierce anger of the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the first year of the reign of Jehoiakim (son of Josiah), king of Judah:


book: Jer
contenido:
Stand out in front of the Temple of the Lord and make an announcement to all the people who have come there to worship from many parts of Judah. Give them the entire message; don’t leave out one word of all I have for them to hear.


book: Jer
contenido:
For perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways, and then I can withhold all the punishment I am ready to pour out upon them because of their evil deeds.


book: Jer
contenido:
and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them—


book: Jer
contenido:
then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed the Tabernacle at Shiloh, and I will make Jerusalem a curse word in every nation of the earth.


book: Jer
contenido:
When Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the Lord had told him to, the priests and false prophets and all the people in the Temple mobbed him, shouting, “Kill him! Kill him!


book: Jer
contenido:
What right do you have to say the Lord will destroy this Temple like the one at Shiloh?” they yelled. “What do you mean—Jerusalem destroyed and not one survivor?”


book: Jer
contenido:
When the high officials of Judah heard what was going on, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the door of the Temple to hold court.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the priests and the false prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “This man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then Jeremiah spoke in his defense. “The Lord sent me,” he said, “to prophesy against this Temple and this city. He gave me every word of all that I have spoken.


book: Jer
contenido:
But if you stop your sinning and begin obeying the Lord your God, he will cancel all the punishment he has announced against you.


book: Jer
contenido:
But there is one thing sure, if you kill me, you will be killing an innocent man, and the responsibility will lie upon you and upon this city and upon every person living in it; for it is absolutely true that the Lord sent me to speak every word that you have heard from me.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then the officials and people said to the priests and false prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”


book: Jer
contenido:
“The decision is right; for back in the days when Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, he told the people that God said: ‘This hill shall be plowed like an open field and this city of Jerusalem razed into heaps of stone, and a forest shall grow at the top where the great Temple now stands!’


book: Jer
contenido:
But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their wickedness and worshiped the Lord and begged the Lord to have mercy upon them; and the Lord held back the terrible punishment he had pronounced against them. If we kill Jeremiah for giving us the messages of God, who knows what God will do to us!”


book: Jer
contenido:
Another true prophet of the Lord, Uriah (son of Shemaiah) from Kiriath-jearim, was also denouncing the city and the nation at the same time as Jeremiah was.


book: Jer
contenido:
But when King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent to kill him. Uriah heard about it and fled to Egypt.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan (son of Achbor) to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah.


book: Jer
contenido:
They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim, who butchered him with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.


book: Jer
contenido:
But Ahikam (son of Shaphan), the royal secretary, stood with Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to kill him.


book: Jer
contenido:
This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord at the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim (son of Josiah), king of Judah:


book: Jer
contenido:
Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon, through their ambassadors in Jerusalem,


book: Jer
contenido:
“By my great power I have made the earth and all mankind and every animal; and I give these things of mine to anyone I want to.


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contenido:
So now I have given all your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my deputy. And I have handed over to him all your cattle for his use.


book: Jer
contenido:
All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson until his time is up, and then many nations and great kings shall conquer Babylon and make him their slave.


book: Jer
contenido:
Submit to him and serve him—put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation refusing to be his slave; I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until he has conquered it.


book: Jer
contenido:
“Do not listen to your false prophets, fortune-tellers, dreamers, mediums, and magicians who say the king of Babylon will not enslave you.


book: Jer
contenido:
For they are all liars, and if you follow their advice and refuse to submit to the king of Babylon, I will drive you out of your land and send you far away to perish.


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contenido:
But the people of any nation submitting to the king of Babylon will be permitted to stay in their own country and farm the land as usual.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Jeremiah repeated all these prophecies to Zedekiah, king of Judah. “If you want to live, submit to the king of Babylon,” he said.


book: Jer
contenido:
“Why do you insist on dying—you and your people? Why should you choose war and famine and disease, which the Lord has promised to every nation that will not submit to Babylon’s king?


book: Jer
contenido:
Don’t listen to the false prophets who keep telling you the king of Babylon will not conquer you, for they are liars.


book: Jer
contenido:
I have not sent them, says the Lord, and they are telling you lies in my name. If you insist on heeding them, I must drive you from this land to die—you and all these ‘prophets’ too.”


book: Jer
contenido:
I spoke again and again to the priests and all the people and told them: “This is what the Lord says! Don’t listen to your prophets who are telling you that soon the gold dishes taken from the Temple will be returned from Babylon. It is all a lie.


book: Jer
contenido:
Don’t listen to them. Surrender to the king of Babylon and live, for otherwise this whole city will be destroyed.


book: Jer
contenido:
If they are really God’s prophets, then let them pray to the Lord Almighty that the gold dishes still here in the Temple, left from before, and that those in the palace of the king of Judah and in the palaces in Jerusalem will not be carried away with you to Babylon!


book: Jer
contenido:
“For the Lord Almighty says: The pillars of bronze standing before the Temple, the great bronze basin in the Temple court, the metal stands, and all the other ceremonial articles left here by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, when he exiled all the important people of Judah and Jerusalem to Babylon, along with Jeconiah (son of Jehoiakim), king of Judah,


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contenido:
will all yet be carried away to Babylon and will stay there until I send for them. Then I will bring them all back to Jerusalem again.”


book: Jer
contenido:
On a December day in that same year—the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah—Hananiah (son of Azzur), a false prophet from Gibeon, addressed me publicly in the Temple while all the priests and people listened. He said:


book: Jer
contenido:
“The Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, declares: I have removed the yoke of the king of Babylon from your necks.


book: Jer
contenido:
Within two years I will bring back all the Temple treasures that Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon,


book: Jer
contenido:
and I will bring back King Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the other captives exiled to Babylon, says the Lord. I will surely remove the yoke put on your necks by the king of Babylon.”


book: Jer
contenido:
“Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope the Lord will do everything you say and bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple, with all our loved ones.


book: Jer
contenido:
The ancient prophets who preceded you and me spoke against many nations, always warning of war, famine, and plague.


book: Jer
contenido:
So a prophet who foretells peace has the burden of proof on him to prove that God has really sent him. Only when his message comes true can it be known that he really is from God.”


book: Jer
contenido:
And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “The Lord has promised that within two years he will release all the nations now in slavery to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.” At that point Jeremiah walked out.


book: Jer
contenido:
Go and tell Hananiah that the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but these people have yokes of iron on their necks.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, forcing them into slavery to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. And nothing will change this decree, for I have even given him all your flocks and herds.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then Jeremiah said to Hananiah, the false prophet, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and the people are believing your lies.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore the Lord says you must die. This very year your life will end because you have rebelled against the Lord.”


book: Jer
contenido:
After Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the court officials, the tribal officers, and craftsmen had been deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah wrote them a letter from Jerusalem, addressing it to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets, and to all the people.


book: Jer
contenido:
He sent the letter with Elasah (son of Shaphan) and Gemariah (son of Hilkiah) when they went to Babylon as King Zedekiah’s ambassadors to Nebuchadnezzar. And this is what the letter said:


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, sends this message to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:


book: Jer
contenido:
Marry and have children, and then find mates for them and have many grandchildren. Multiply! Don’t dwindle away!


book: Jer
contenido:
And work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. Pray for her, for if Babylon has peace, so will you.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Don’t let the false prophets and mediums who are there among you fool you. Don’t listen to the dreams that they invent,


book: Jer
contenido:
The truth is this: You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised and bring you home again.


book: Jer
contenido:
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.


book: Jer
contenido:
Yes, says the Lord, I will be found by you, and I will end your slavery and restore your fortunes; I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you back home again to your own land.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will send war, famine, and plague upon the people left here in Jerusalem—on your relatives who were not exiled to Babylon, and on the king who sits on David’s throne—and make them like rotting figs, too bad to eat.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will scatter them around the world. And in every nation where I place them they will be cursed and hissed and mocked,


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says this about your false prophets, Ahab (son of Kolaiah) and Zedekiah (son of Maaseiah), who are declaring lies to you in my name: Look, I am turning them over to Nebuchadnezzar to execute publicly.


book: Jer
contenido:
Their fate shall become proverbial of all evil, so that whenever anyone wants to curse someone he will say, “The Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon burned alive!”


book: Jer
contenido:
For these men have done a terrible thing among my people. They have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have lied in my name. I know, for I have seen everything they do, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord, the God of Israel, says: You have written a letter to Zephaniah (son of Maaseiah) the priest, and sent copies to all the other priests and to everyone in Jerusalem.


book: Jer
contenido:
And in this letter you have said to Zephaniah, “The Lord has appointed you to replace Jehoiada as priest in Jerusalem. And it is your responsibility to arrest any madman who claims to be a prophet and to put him in the stocks and collar.


book: Jer
contenido:
For he has written to us here in Babylon saying that our captivity will be long; that we should build permanent homes and plan to stay many years; that we should plant fruit trees, for we will be here to eat the fruit from them for a long time to come.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon and tell them this: The Lord says that because Shemaiah the Nehelamite has “prophesied” to you when I didn’t send him and has fooled you into believing his lies,


book: Jer
contenido:
I will punish him and his family. None of his descendants shall see the good I have waiting for my people, for he has taught you to rebel against the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, and I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their fathers; they shall possess it and live here again.


book: Jer
contenido:
Do men give birth? Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced, hands pressed against their sides like women in labor?”


book: Jer
contenido:
Alas, in all history when has there ever been a time of terror such as in that coming day? It is a time of trouble for my people—for Jacob—such as they have never known before. Yet God will rescue them!


book: Jer
contenido:
For on that day, says the Lord Almighty, I will break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains, and foreigners shall no longer be their masters!


book: Jer
contenido:
For they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up for them, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
So don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant; don’t be dismayed, O Israel; for I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children from their exile. They shall have rest and quiet in their own land, and no one shall make them afraid.


book: Jer
contenido:
For I am with you and I will save you, says the Lord. Even if I utterly destroy the nations where I scatter you, I will not exterminate you; I will punish you, yes—you will not go unpunished.


book: Jer
contenido:
All your lovers have left you and don’t care anything about you anymore; for I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy; mercilessly, as though I were an implacable foe; for your sins are so many, your guilt is so great.


book: Jer
contenido:
Why do you protest your punishment? Your sin is so scandalous that your sorrow should never end! It is because your guilt is great that I have had to punish you so much.


book: Jer
contenido:
But in that coming day, all who are destroying you shall be destroyed, and all your enemies shall be slaves. Those who rob you shall be robbed; and those attacking you shall be attacked.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will give you back your health again and heal your wounds. Now you are called “The Outcast” and “Jerusalem, the Place Nobody Wants.”


book: Jer
contenido:
But, says the Lord, when I bring you home again from your captivity and restore your fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt upon her ruins; the palace will be reconstructed as it was before.


book: Jer
contenido:
The cities will be filled with joy and great thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people and make of them a great and honored nation.


book: Jer
contenido:
Their children shall prosper as in David’s reign; their nations shall be established before me, and I will punish anyone who hurts them.


book: Jer
contenido:
They will have their own ruler again. He will not be a foreigner. And I will invite him to be a priest at my altars, and he shall approach me, for who would dare to come unless invited.


book: Jer
contenido:
Suddenly the devastating whirlwind of the Lord roars with fury; it shall burst upon the heads of the wicked.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord will not call off the fierceness of his wrath until it has finished all the terrible destruction he has planned. Later on you will understand what I am telling you.


book: Jer
contenido:
At that time, says the Lord, all the families of Israel shall recognize me as the Lord; they shall act like my people.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will care for them as I did those who escaped from Egypt, to whom I showed my mercies in the wilderness, when Israel sought for rest.


book: Jer
contenido:
For long ago the Lord had said to Israel: I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to me.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will rebuild your nation, O virgin of Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with the timbrels.


book: Jer
contenido:
Again you will plant your vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there.


book: Jer
contenido:
The day shall come when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim will call out and say, “Arise, and let us go up to Zion to the Lord our God.”


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord says: Sing with joy for all that I will do for Israel, the greatest of the nations! Shout out with praise and joy: “The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.”


book: Jer
contenido:
For I will bring them from the north and from earth’s farthest ends, not forgetting their blind and lame, young mothers with their little ones, those ready to give birth. It will be a great company who comes.


book: Jer
contenido:
Tears of joy shall stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They shall walk beside the quiet streams and not stumble. For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my oldest child.


book: Jer
contenido:
Listen to this message from the Lord, you nations of the world, and publish it abroad: The Lord who scattered his people will gather them back together again and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock.


book: Jer
contenido:
They shall come home and sing songs of joy upon the hills of Zion and shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord—the good crops, the wheat, the wine, and the oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life shall be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows shall be gone.


book: Jer
contenido:
The young girls will dance for joy, and menfolk—old and young—will take their part in all the fun; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and I will comfort them and make them rejoice, for their captivity with all its sorrows will be behind them.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will feast the priests with the abundance of offerings brought to them at the Temple; I will satisfy my people with my bounty, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord spoke to me again, saying: In Ramah there is bitter weeping—Rachel is weeping for her children and cannot be comforted, for they are gone.


book: Jer
contenido:
But the Lord says: Don’t cry any longer, for I have heard your prayers and you will see them again; they will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.


book: Jer
contenido:
I have heard Ephraim’s groans: “You have punished me greatly; but I needed it all, as a calf must be trained for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord, my God.


book: Jer
contenido:
I turned away from God, but I was sorry afterwards. I kicked myself for my stupidity. I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in younger days.”


book: Jer
contenido:
And the Lord replies: Ephraim is still my son, my darling child. I had to punish him, but I still love him. I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.


book: Jer
contenido:
As you travel into exile, set up road signs pointing back to Israel. Mark your pathway well. For you shall return again, O virgin Israel, to your cities here.


book: Jer
contenido:
How long will you vacillate, O wayward daughter? For the Lord will cause something new and different to happen—Israel will search for God.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord, the God of Israel, says: When I bring them back again, they shall say in Judah and her cities, “The Lord bless you, O center of righteousness, O holy hill!”


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord says: The time will come when I will greatly increase the population and multiply the number of cattle here in Israel.


book: Jer
contenido:
For everyone shall die for his own sins—the person eating sour grapes is the one whose teeth are set on edge.


book: Jer
contenido:
The day will come, says the Lord, when I will make a new contract with the people of Israel and Judah.


book: Jer
contenido:
It won’t be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a contract they broke, forcing me to reject them, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
But this is the new contract I will make with them: I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honor me;* then they shall truly be my people and I will be their God.


book: Jer
contenido:
At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know me then, says the Lord, and I will forgive and forget their sins.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord who gives us sunlight in the daytime and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea to make the roaring waves—his name is Lord Almighty—says this:


book: Jer
contenido:
Not until the heavens can be measured and the foundations of the earth explored, will I consider casting them away forever for their sins!


book: Jer
contenido:
For the time is coming, says the Lord, when all Jerusalem shall be rebuilt for the Lord, from the tower of Hananel at the northeast corner, to the Corner Gate at the northwest;* and from the hill of Gareb at the southwest,* across to Goah on the southeast.*


book: Jer
contenido:
And the entire city, including the graveyard and ash dump in the valley, and all the fields out to the brook of Kidron, and from there to the Horse Gate on the east side of the city, all shall be holy to the Lord; it shall never again be captured or destroyed.


book: Jer
contenido:
The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah (which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign).


book: Jer
contenido:
At this time Jeremiah was imprisoned in the dungeon beneath the palace, while the Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem.


book: Jer
contenido:
King Zedekiah had put him there for continuing to prophesy that the city would be conquered by the king of Babylon,


book: Jer
contenido:
and that King Zedekiah would be caught and taken as a prisoner before the king of Babylon for trial and sentencing.


book: Jer
contenido:
“He shall take you to Babylon and imprison you there for many years until you die. Why fight the facts? You can’t win! Surrender now!” Jeremiah had told him again and again.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then this message from the Lord came to Jeremiah: Your cousin Hanamel (son of Shallum) will soon arrive to ask you to buy the farm he owns in Anathoth, for by law you have a chance to buy before it is offered to anyone else.


book: Jer
contenido:
So Hanamel came, as the Lord had said he would, and visited me in the prison. “Buy my field in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin,” he said, “for the law gives you the first right to purchase it.” Then I knew for sure that the message I had heard was really from the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
and publicly, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who had signed the deed, and as the prison guards watched, I handed the papers to Baruch (son of Neriah, who was the son of Mahseiah).


book: Jer
contenido:
“The Lord, God of Israel, says: Take both this sealed deed and the copy and put them into a pottery jar to preserve them for a long time.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord, God of Israel, says: In the future these papers will be valuable. Someday people will again own property here in this country and will be buying and selling houses and vineyards and fields.”


book: Jer
contenido:
You are loving and kind to thousands, yet children suffer for their fathers’ sins; you are the great and mighty God, the Lord Almighty.


book: Jer
contenido:
You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles; for your eyes are open to all the ways of men, and you reward everyone according to his life and deeds.


book: Jer
contenido:
You have done incredible things in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day. And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name very great, as it is today.


book: Jer
contenido:
You gave Israel this land that you promised their fathers long ago—a wonderful land that ‘flows with milk and honey.’


book: Jer
contenido:
Our fathers came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or to follow your laws; they have hardly done one thing you told them to. That is why you have sent all this terrible evil upon them.


book: Jer
contenido:
See how the siege mounds have been built against the city walls, and the Babylonians shall conquer the city by sword, famine, and disease. Everything has happened just as you said—as you determined it should!


book: Jer
contenido:
And yet you say to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will belong to our enemies.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Yes, I will give this city to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon; he shall conquer it.


book: Jer
contenido:
And the Babylonians outside the walls shall come in and set fire to the city and burn down all these houses, where the roofs have been used to offer incense to Baal and to pour out libations to other gods, causing my fury to rise!


book: Jer
contenido:
For Israel and Judah have done nothing but wrong since their earliest days; they have infuriated me with all their evil deeds.


book: Jer
contenido:
From the time this city was built until now, it has done nothing but anger me; so I am determined to be rid of it.


book: Jer
contenido:
The sins of Israel and Judah—the sins of the people, of their kings, officers, priests, and prophets—stir me up.


book: Jer
contenido:
They have turned their backs upon me and refused to return; day after day, year after year, I taught them right from wrong, but they would not listen or obey.


book: Jer
contenido:
And they have built high altars to Baal in the valley of Hinnom. There they have burnt their children as sacrifices to Molech—something I never commanded and cannot imagine suggesting. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!


book: Jer
contenido:
Now therefore the Lord God of Israel says concerning this city that it will fall to the king of Babylon through warfare, famine, and disease,


book: Jer
contenido:
but I will bring my people back again from all the countries where in my fury I will scatter them. I will bring them back to this very city and make them live in peace and safety.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising never again to desert them but only to do them good. I will put a desire into their hearts to worship me, and they shall never leave me.


book: Jer
contenido:
Just as I have sent all these terrors and evils upon them, so will I do all the good I have promised them.


book: Jer
contenido:
Fields will again be bought and sold in this land now ravaged by the Babylonians, where men and animals alike have disappeared.


book: Jer
contenido:
Yes, fields shall once again be bought and sold—deeds signed and sealed and witnessed—in the country of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah and in the hill country, in the Philistine Plain and in the Negeb too, for some day I will restore prosperity to them.


book: Jer
contenido:
For though you have torn down the houses of this city, and the king’s palace too, for materials to strengthen the walls against the siege weapons of the enemy,


book: Jer
contenido:
yet the Babylonians will enter, and the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my furious anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness, and I will not pity them when they cry for help.


book: Jer
contenido:
Nevertheless the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s damage and give her prosperity and peace.


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contenido:
Then this city will be an honor to me, and it will give me joy and be a source of praise and glory to me before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see the good I do for my people and will tremble with awe!


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord declares that the happy voices of bridegrooms and of brides and the joyous song of those bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord will be heard again in this doomed land. The people will sing: “Praise the Lord! For he is good and his mercy endures forever!” For I will make this land happier and more prosperous than it has ever been before.


book: Jer
contenido:
This land—though every man and animal and city is doomed—will once more see shepherds leading sheep and lambs.


book: Jer
contenido:
Once again their flocks will prosper in the mountain villages and in the cities east of the Philistine Plain, in all the cities of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and in all the cities of Judah.


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contenido:
Yes, the day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good I promised them.


book: Jer
contenido:
In that day the people of Judah and Jerusalem shall live in safety and their motto will be, “The Lord is our righteousness!”


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord declares that from then on, David shall forever have an heir sitting on the throne of Israel.


book: Jer
contenido:
And there shall always be Levites to offer burnt offerings and meal offerings and sacrifices to the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
If you can break my covenant with the day and with the night so that day and night don’t come on their usual schedule, only then will my covenant with David, my servant, be broken so that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne; and my covenant with the Levite priests, my ministers, is noncancelable.


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contenido:
And as the stars cannot be counted nor the sand upon the seashores measured, so the descendants of David my servant and the line of the Levites who minister to me will be multiplied.


book: Jer
contenido:
Have you heard what people are saying?—that the Lord chose Judah and Israel and then abandoned them! They are sneering and saying that Israel isn’t worthy to be counted as a nation.


book: Jer
contenido:
But this is the Lord’s reply: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws of night and day, of earth and sky. I will never abandon the Jews, or David my servant, or change the plan that his child will someday rule these descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead I will restore their prosperity and have mercy on them.


book: Jer
contenido:
This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and all his armies from all the kingdoms he ruled, came and fought against Jerusalem and the cities of Judah:


book: Jer
contenido:
Go tell Zedekiah, king of Judah, that the Lord says this: I will give this city to the king of Babylon and he shall burn it.


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contenido:
You shall not escape; you shall be captured and taken before the king of Babylon; he shall pronounce sentence against you and you shall be exiled to Babylon.


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contenido:
but that you will die quietly among your people, and they will burn incense in your memory, just as they did for your fathers. They will weep for you and say, “Alas, our king is dead!” This I have decreed, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
At this time the Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah—the only walled cities of Judah still standing.


book: Jer
contenido:
This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah of Judah had freed all the slaves in Jerusalem—


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contenido:
(for King Zedekiah had ordered everyone to free his Hebrew slaves, both men and women. He had said that no Jew should be the master of another Jew for all were brothers.


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contenido:
The princes and all the people had obeyed the king’s command and freed their slaves, but the action was only temporary.


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contenido:
The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your fathers long ago when I brought them from their slavery in Egypt.


book: Jer
contenido:
Recently you began doing what was right, as I commanded you, and freed your slaves. You had solemnly promised me in my Temple that you would do it.


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contenido:
But now you refuse and have defiled my name by shrugging off your oath and have made them slaves again.


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contenido:
Therefore, says the Lord, because you will not listen to me and release them, I will release you to the power of death by war and famine and disease. And I will scatter you over all the world as exiles.


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contenido:
Because you have refused the terms of our contract, I will cut you apart just as you cut apart the calf when you walked between its halves to solemnize your vows. Yes, I will butcher you, whether you are princes, court officials, priests, or people—for you have broken your oath.


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contenido:
I will give you to your enemies, and they shall kill you. I will feed your dead bodies to the vultures and wild animals.


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contenido:
And I will surrender Zedekiah, king of Judah, and his officials to the army of the king of Babylon, though he has departed from the city for a little while.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will summon the Babylonian armies back again, and they will fight against it and capture this city and burn it. And I will see to it that the cities of Judah are completely destroyed and left desolate without a living soul.


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contenido:
Go to the settlement where the families of the Rechabites live and invite them to the Temple. Take them into one of the inner rooms and offer them a drink of wine.


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contenido:
So I went over to see Jaazaniah (son of Jeremiah, who was the son of Habazziniah) and brought him and all his brothers and sons—representing all the Rechab families—


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contenido:
to the Temple, into the room assigned for the use of the sons of Hanan the prophet (the son of Igdaliah). This room was located next to the one used by the palace official, directly above the room of Maaseiah (son of Shallum), who was the Temple doorman.


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contenido:
but they refused.
“No,” they said. “We don’t drink, for Jonadab our father (son of Rechab) commanded that none of us should ever drink, neither we nor our children forever.


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contenido:
He also told us not to build houses or plant crops or vineyards and not to own farms, but always to live in tents; and that if we obeyed, we would live long, good lives in our own land.


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contenido:
And we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine since then, nor have our wives or our sons or daughters either.


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contenido:
But when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, arrived in this country, we were afraid and decided to move to Jerusalem. That’s why we are here.”


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contenido:
The Lord, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to Judah and Jerusalem, Won’t you learn a lesson from the families of Rechab?


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contenido:
They don’t drink because their father told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you won’t listen or obey.


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contenido:
I have sent you prophet after prophet to tell you to turn back from your wicked ways and to stop worshiping other gods, and that if you obeyed, then I would let you live in peace here in the land I gave to you and your fathers. But you wouldn’t listen or obey.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore, the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the evil I have ever threatened.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then Jeremiah turned to the Rechabites and said: “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that because you have obeyed your father in every respect, he shall always have descendants who will worship me.”


book: Jer
contenido:
In the fourth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah (son of Josiah) the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah:


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contenido:
“Get a scroll and write down all my messages against Israel, Judah, and the other nations. Begin with the first message back in the days of Josiah, and write down every one of them.


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contenido:
Perhaps when the people of Judah see in writing all the terrible things I will do to them, they will repent. And then I can forgive them.”


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contenido:
So Jeremiah sent for Baruch (son of Neriah), and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote down all the prophecies.


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contenido:
you read the scroll in the Temple on the next day of fasting, for on that day people will be there from all over Judah.


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contenido:
Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the Lord to forgive them before it is too late, even though these curses of God have been pronounced upon them.”


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contenido:
This occurred on the day of fasting held in December of the fifth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim (son of Josiah). People came from all over Judah to attend the services at the Temple that day.


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contenido:
Baruch went to the office of Gemariah the scribe (son of Shaphan) to read the scroll. (This room was just off the upper assembly hall of the Temple, near the door of the New Gate.)


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contenido:
he went down to the palace to the conference room where the administrative officials were meeting. Elishama (the scribe) was there, as well as Delaiah (son of Shemaiah), Elnathan (son of Achbor), Gemariah (son of Shaphan), Zedekiah (son of Hananiah), and all the others with similar responsibilities.


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contenido:
the officials sent Jehudi (son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi) to ask Baruch to come and read the messages to them too, and Baruch did.


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contenido:
So Baruch explained that Jeremiah had dictated them to him word by word, and he had written them down in ink upon the scroll.


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contenido:
The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi brought it from Elishama the scribe and read it to the king as all his officials stood by.


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contenido:
The king was in a winterized part of the palace at the time, sitting in front of a fireplace, for it was December and cold.


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contenido:
And whenever Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king would take his knife, slit off the section, and throw it into the fire, until the whole scroll was destroyed.


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contenido:
And no one protested except Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah. They pled with the king not to burn the scroll, but he wouldn’t listen to them. Not another of the king’s officials showed any signs of fear or anger at what he had done.


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contenido:
Then the king commanded Jerahmeel (a member of the royal family) and Seraiah (son of Azriel) and Shelemiah (son of Abdeel) to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah. But the Lord hid them!


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contenido:
and say this to the king: “This is what the Lord says! You burned the scroll because it said the king of Babylon would destroy this country and everything in it.


book: Jer
contenido:
And now the Lord adds this concerning you, Jehoiakim, king of Judah: He shall have no one to sit upon the throne of David. His dead body shall be thrown out to the hot sun and frosty nights,


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contenido:
and I will punish him and his family and his officials because of their sins. I will pour out upon them all the evil I promised—upon them and upon all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, for they wouldn’t listen to my warnings.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then Jeremiah took another scroll and dictated again to Baruch all he had written before, only this time the Lord added a lot more!


book: Jer
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, did not appoint Coniah (King Jehoiakim’s son) to be the new king of Judah. Instead he chose Zedekiah (son of Josiah).


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contenido:
But neither King Zedekiah nor his officials nor the people who were left in the land listened to what the Lord said through Jeremiah.


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contenido:
Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal (son of Shelemiah) and Zephaniah the priest (son of Maaseiah) to ask Jeremiah to pray for them.


book: Jer
contenido:
When the army of Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt appeared at the southern border of Judah to relieve the besieged city of Jerusalem, the Babylonian army withdrew from Jerusalem to fight the Egyptians.


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contenido:
“The Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to ask me what is going to happen, that Pharaoh’s army, though it came here to help you, is about to return in flight to Egypt! The Babylonians shall defeat them and send them scurrying home.


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contenido:
Even if you destroyed the entire Babylonian army until there was only a handful of survivors and they lay wounded in their tents, yet they would stagger out and defeat you and put this city to the torch!”


book: Jer
contenido:
Jeremiah started to leave the city to go to the land of Benjamin, to see the property he had bought.


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contenido:
But as he was walking through the Benjamin Gate, a sentry arrested him as a traitor, claiming he was defecting to the Babylonians. The guard making the arrest was Irijah (son of Shelemiah, grandson of Hananiah).


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contenido:
“That’s not true,” Jeremiah said. “I have no intention whatever of doing any such thing!”
But Irijah wouldn’t listen; he took Jeremiah before the city officials.


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contenido:
They were incensed with Jeremiah and had him flogged and put into the dungeon under the house of Jonathan the scribe, which had been converted into a prison. Jeremiah was kept there for several days,


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contenido:
but eventually King Zedekiah sent for him to come to the palace secretly. The king asked him if there was any recent message from the Lord. “Yes,” said Jeremiah, “there is! You shall be defeated by the king of Babylon!”


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contenido:
Then Jeremiah broached the subject of his imprisonment. “What have I ever done to deserve this?” he asked the king. “What crime have I committed? Tell me what I have done against you or your officials or the people?


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contenido:
Then King Zedekiah commanded that Jeremiah not be returned to the dungeon but be placed in the palace prison instead, and that he be given a small loaf of fresh bread every day as long as there was any left in the city. So Jeremiah was kept in the palace prison.


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But when Shephatiah (son of Mattan) and Gedaliah (son of Pashhur) and Jucal (son of Shelemiah) and Pashhur (son of Malchiah) heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people—


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contenido:
that everyone remaining in Jerusalem would die by sword, starvation, or disease, but anyone surrendering to the Babylonians would live,


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contenido:
they went to the king and said: “Sir, this fellow must die. That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few soldiers we have left, and of all the people too. This man is a traitor.”


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contenido:
They took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. (It belonged to Malchiah, a member of the royal family.) There was no water in it, but there was a thick layer of mire at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.


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contenido:
When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important palace official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern,


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contenido:
“My lord the king,” he said, “these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah into the cistern. He will die of hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone.”


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contenido:
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech to take thirty men with him and pull Jeremiah out before he died.


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contenido:
So Ebed-melech took thirty men and went to a palace depot for discarded supplies where used clothing was kept. There he found some old rags and discarded garments which he took to the cistern and lowered to Jeremiah on a rope.


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contenido:
Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, “Use these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes.” Then, when Jeremiah was ready,


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contenido:
One day King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah to meet him at the side entrance of the Temple.
“I want to ask you something,” the king said, “and don’t try to hide the truth.”


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contenido:
So King Zedekiah swore before Almighty God his Creator that he would not kill Jeremiah or give him to the men who were after his life.


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contenido:
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “The Almighty Lord, the God of Israel, says: If you will surrender to Babylon, you and your family shall live and the city will not be burned.


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contenido:
If you refuse to surrender, this city shall be set afire by the Babylonian army and you will not escape.”


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contenido:
“But I am afraid to surrender,” the king said, “for the Babylonians will hand me over to the Jews who have defected to them, and who knows what they will do to me?”


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contenido:
Jeremiah replied, “You won’t get into their hands if only you will obey the Lord; your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.


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contenido:
But if you refuse to surrender, the Lord has said that all the women left in your palace will be brought out and given to the officers of the Babylonian army; and these women will taunt you with bitterness. ‘Fine friends you have,’ they’ll say, ‘those Egyptians. They have betrayed you and left you to your fate!’


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contenido:
All your wives and children will be led out to the Babylonians, and you will not escape. You will be seized by the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned.”


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contenido:
And if my officials hear that I talked with you and they threaten you with death unless you tell them what we discussed,


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contenido:
just say that you begged me not to send you back to the dungeon in Jonathan’s house, for you would die there.”


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contenido:
And sure enough, it wasn’t long before all the city officials came to Jeremiah and asked him why the king had called for him. So he said what the king had told him to, and they left without finding out the truth, for the conversation had not been overheard by anyone.


book: Jer
contenido:
It was in January of the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah that King Nebuchadnezzar and all his army came against Jerusalem again and besieged it.


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contenido:
and all the officers of the Babylonian army came in and sat in triumph at the middle gate. Nergal-sharezer was there, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Nergal-sharezer the king’s chief assistant, and many others.


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contenido:
When King Zedekiah and his soldiers realized that the city was lost, they fled during the night, going out through the gate between the two walls back of the palace garden and across the fields toward the Jordan Valley.


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contenido:
But the Babylonians chased the king and caught him on the plains of Jericho and brought him to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who was at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment upon him.


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contenido:
Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, and his men sent the remnant of the population and all those who had defected to him to Babylon.


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contenido:
But throughout the land of Judah he left a few people, the very poor, and gave them fields and vineyards.


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contenido:
Meanwhile King Nebuchadnezzar had told Nebuzaradan to find Jeremiah. “See that he isn’t hurt,” he said. “Look after him well and give him anything he wants.”


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contenido:
So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, and Nebushazban, the chief of the eunuchs, and Nergal-sharezer, the king’s advisor, and all the officials took steps to do as the king had commanded.


book: Jer
contenido:
They sent soldiers to bring Jeremiah out of the prison, and put him into the care of Gedaliah (son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan), to take him back to his home. And Jeremiah lived there among his people who were left in the land.


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contenido:
The Lord gave the following message to Jeremiah before the Babylonians arrived, while he was still in prison:


book: Jer
contenido:
“Send this word to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I threatened; I will destroy it before your eyes,


book: Jer
contenido:
Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, took Jeremiah to Ramah along with all the exiled people of Jerusalem and Judah who were being sent to Babylon, but then released him.


book: Jer
contenido:
The captain called for Jeremiah and said, “The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the Lord. That is why it happened.


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contenido:
Now I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If you want to come with me to Babylon, fine; I will see that you are well cared for. But if you don’t want to come, don’t. The world is before you—go where you like.


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If you decide to stay, then return to Gedaliah, who has been appointed as governor of Judah by the king of Babylon, and stay with the remnant he rules. But it’s up to you; go where you like.”
Then Nebuzaradan gave Jeremiah some food and money and let him go.


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contenido:
Now when the leaders of the Jewish guerrilla bands in the countryside heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor over the poor of the land who were left behind, and had not exiled everyone to Babylon,


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contenido:
they came to see Gedaliah at Mizpah, where his headquarters were. These are the names of the leaders who came: Ishmael (son of Nethaniah), Johanan and Jonathan (sons of Kareah), Seraiah (son of Tanhumeth), the sons of Ephai (the Netophathite), Jezaniah (son of a Maacathite), and their men.


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contenido:
And Gedaliah assured them that it would be safe to surrender to the Babylonians.
“Stay here and serve the king of Babylon,” he said, “and all will go well for you.


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contenido:
As for me, I will stay at Mizpah and intercede for you with the Babylonians who will come here to oversee my administration. Settle in any city you wish and live off the land. Harvest the grapes and summer fruits and olives and store them away.”


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contenido:
When the Jews in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom and the other nearby countries heard that a few people were still left in Judah, and that the king of Babylon had not taken them all away, and that Gedaliah was the governor,


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contenido:
they all began to return to Judah from the many places to which they had fled. They stopped at Mizpah to discuss their plans with Gedaliah and then went out to the deserted farms and gathered a great harvest of wine grapes and other crops.


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contenido:
But soon afterwards Johanan (son of Kareah) and the other guerrilla leaders came to Mizpah to warn Gedaliah that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, had sent Ishmael (son of Nethaniah) to assassinate him. But Gedaliah wouldn’t believe them.


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contenido:
Then Johanan had a private conference with Gedaliah. Johanan volunteered to kill Ishmael secretly.
“Why should we let him come and murder you?” Johanan asked. “What will happen then to the Jews who have returned? Why should this remnant be scattered and lost?”


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contenido:
But in October, Ishmael (son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama), who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s top officials, arrived in Mizpah, accompanied by ten men. Gedaliah invited them to dinner.


book: Jer
contenido:
While they were eating, Ishmael and the ten men in league with him suddenly jumped up, pulled out their swords, and killed Gedaliah.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then they went out and slaughtered all the Jewish officials and Babylonian soldiers who were in Mizpah with Gedaliah.


book: Jer
contenido:
eighty men approached Mizpah from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, to worship at the Temple of the Lord. They had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes, and cut themselves, and were bringing offerings and incense.


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contenido:
Ishmael went out from the city to meet them, crying as he went. When he faced them he said, “Oh, come and see what has happened to Gedaliah!”


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contenido:
Then, when they were all inside the city, Ishmael and his men killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies into a cistern.


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contenido:
The ten had talked Ishmael into letting them go by promising to bring him their treasures of wheat, barley, oil, and honey they had hidden away.


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contenido:
The cistern where Ishmael dumped the bodies of the men he murdered was the large one constructed by King Asa when he fortified Mizpah to protect himself against Baasha, king of Israel.


book: Jer
contenido:
Ishmael made captives of the king’s daughters and of the people who had been left under Gedaliah’s care in Mizpah by Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard. Soon after, he took them with him when he headed toward the country of the Ammonites.


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contenido:
Then Johanan and his men went to the village of Geruth Chimham, near Bethlehem, taking with them all those they had rescued—soldiers, women, children, and eunuchs, to prepare to leave for Egypt.


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contenido:
For they were afraid of what the Babylonians would do when the news reached them that Ishmael had killed Gedaliah the governor, for he had been chosen and appointed by the Babylonian emperor.


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contenido:
and said, “Please pray for us to the Lord your God, for as you know so well, we are only a tiny remnant of what we were before.


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contenido:
“All right,” Jeremiah replied. “I will ask him and I will tell you what he says. I will hide nothing from you.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the curse of God be on us if we refuse to obey whatever he says we should do!


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contenido:
Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we send you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.”


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contenido:
and said to them: “You sent me to the Lord, the God of Israel, with your request, and this is his reply:


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contenido:
“Stay here in this land. If you do, I will bless you, and no one will harm you. For I am sorry for all the punishment I have had to give to you.


book: Jer
contenido:
Don’t fear the king of Babylon anymore, for I am with you to save you and to deliver you from his hand.


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contenido:
And I will be merciful to you by making him kind so that he will not kill you or make slaves of you but will let you stay here in your land.


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contenido:
“But if you refuse to obey the Lord and say, ‘We will not stay here,’—and insist on going to Egypt where you think you will be free from war and hunger and alarms,


book: Jer
contenido:
then this is what the Lord replies, O remnant of Judah: The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: If you insist on going to Egypt,


book: Jer
contenido:
That is the fate awaiting every one of you who insists on going to live in Egypt. Yes, you will die from sword, famine, and disease. None of you will escape from the evil I will bring upon you there.


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contenido:
“For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Just as my anger and fury were poured out upon the people of Jerusalem, so it will be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. You will be received with disgust and with hatred—you will be cursed and reviled. And you will never again see your own land.


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contenido:
For the Lord has said: O remnant of Judah, do not go to Egypt!”
Jeremiah concluded: “Never forget the warning I have given you today.


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contenido:
If you go, it will be at the cost of your lives. For you were deceitful when you sent me to pray for you and said, ‘Just tell us what God says and we will do it!’


book: Jer
contenido:
And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey any more now than you did the other times.


book: Jer
contenido:
Therefore know for a certainty that you will die by sword, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going.”


book: Jer
contenido:
Azariah (son of Hoshaiah) and Johanan (son of Kareah) and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t told you to tell us not to go to Egypt! Baruch (son of Neriah) has plotted against us and told you to say this so that we will stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or carried off to Babylon as slaves.”


book: Jer
contenido:
So Johanan and all the guerrilla leaders and all the people refused to obey the Lord and stay in Judah.


book: Jer
contenido:
All of them, including all those who had returned from the nearby countries where they had fled, now started off for Egypt with Johanan and the other captains in command.


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contenido:
In the crowd were men, women, and children, the king’s daughters, and all those whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left with Gedaliah. They even forced Jeremiah and Baruch to go with them too.


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“Call together the men of Judah and, as they watch you, bury large rocks between the pavement stones at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace here in Tahpanhes,


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and tell the men of Judah this: The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will surely bring Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt, for he is my servant. I will set his throne upon these stones that I have hidden. He shall spread his royal canopy over them.


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And when he comes, he shall destroy the land of Egypt, killing all those I want killed and capturing those I want captured, and many shall die of plague.


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He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt and burn the idols and carry off the people as his captives. And he shall plunder the land of Egypt as a shepherd picks fleas from his cloak! And he himself shall leave unharmed.


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And he shall break down the obelisks standing in the city of Heliopolis and burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.”


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This is the message God gave to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who were living in the north of Egypt in the cities of Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis, and throughout southern Egypt as well:


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The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You saw what I did to Jerusalem and to all the cities of Judah. Because of all their wickedness they lie in heaps and ashes, without a living soul. For my anger rose high against them for worshiping other gods—“gods” that neither they nor you nor any of your fathers have ever known.


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I sent my servants, the prophets, to protest over and over again and to plead with them not to do this horrible thing I hate,


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but they wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t turn back from their wicked ways; they have kept right on with their sacrifices to these “gods.”


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And so my fury and anger boiled over and fell as fire upon the cities of Judah and into the streets of Jerusalem, and there is desolation until this day.


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And now the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, asks you: Why are you destroying yourselves? For not one of you shall live—not a man, woman, or child among you who has come here from Judah, not even the babies in arms.


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For you are rousing my anger with the idols you have made and worshiped here in Egypt, burning incense to them, and causing me to destroy you completely and to make you a curse and a stench in the nostrils of all the nations of the earth.


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Have you forgotten the sins of your fathers, the sins of the kings and queens of Judah, your own sins, and the sins of your wives in Judah and Jerusalem?


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And even until this very hour there has been no apology; no one has wanted to return to me or follow the laws I gave you and your fathers before you.


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Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There is fury in my face and I will destroy every one of you!


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I will take this remnant of Judah that insisted on coming here to Egypt, and I will consume them. They shall fall here in Egypt, killed by famine and sword; all shall die, from the least important to the greatest. They shall be despised and loathed, cursed and hated.


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Not one of them shall escape from my wrath except those who repent of their coming and escape from the others by returning again to their own land.


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Then all the women present and all the men who knew that their wives had burned incense to idols (it was a great crowd of all the Jews in southern Egypt) answered Jeremiah:


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We will do whatever we want to. We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and sacrifice to her just as much as we like—just as we and our fathers before us, and our kings and princes have always done in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for in those days we had plenty to eat, and we were well off and happy!


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But ever since we quit burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and stopped worshiping her, we have been in great trouble and have been destroyed by sword and famine.”


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“And,” the women added, “do you suppose that we were worshiping the Queen of Heaven and pouring out our libations to her and making cakes for her with her image on them, without our husbands knowing it and helping us? Of course not!”


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“Do you think the Lord didn’t know that you and your fathers, your kings and princes, and all the people were burning incense to idols in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?


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It was because he could no longer bear all the evil things you were doing that he made your land desolate, an incredible ruin, cursed, without an inhabitant, as it is today.


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The very reason all these terrible things have befallen you is because you have burned incense and sinned against the Lord and refused to obey him.”


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Then Jeremiah said to them all, including the women: “Listen to the word of the Lord, all you citizens of Judah who are here in Egypt!


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The Lord, the God of Israel, says: Both you and your wives have said that you will never give up your devotion and sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven, and you have proved it by your actions. Then go ahead and carry out your promises and vows to her!


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But listen to the word of the Lord, all you Jews who are living in the land of Egypt: I have sworn by my great name, says the Lord, that it will do you no good to seek my help and blessing anymore, saying, ‘O Lord our God, help us!’


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For I will watch over you, but not for good! I will see to it that evil befalls you, and you shall be destroyed by war and famine until all of you are dead.


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“Only those who return to Judah (it will be but a tiny remnant) shall escape my wrath, but all who refuse to go back—who insist on living in Egypt—shall find out who tells the truth, I or they!


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And this is the proof I give you that all I have threatened will happen to you and that I will punish you here:


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I will turn Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to those* who seek his life, just as I turned Zedekiah, king of Judah, over to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.”


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This is the message Jeremiah gave to Baruch in the fourth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim (son of Josiah), after Baruch had written down all God’s messages as Jeremiah was dictating them to him:


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You have said, Woe is me! Don’t I have troubles enough already? And now the Lord has added more! I am weary of my own sighing and I find no rest.


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But tell Baruch this, The Lord says: I will destroy this nation that I built; I will wipe out what I established.


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Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! For though I will bring great evil upon all these people, I will protect you wherever you go, as your reward.


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This message was given against Egypt at the occasion of the battle of Carchemish when Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, and his army were defeated beside the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim (son of Josiah), king of Judah:


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Harness the horses and prepare to mount them—don your helmets, sharpen your spears, put on your armor.


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But look! The Egyptian army flees in terror; the mightiest of its soldiers run without a backward glance. Yes, terror shall surround them on every side, says the Lord.


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The swift will not escape, nor the mightiest of warriors. In the north, by the river Euphrates, they have stumbled and fallen.


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Then come, O horses and chariots and mighty soldiers of Egypt! Come, all of you from Cush and Put and Lud who handle the shield and bend the bow!


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For this is the day of the Lord, the Lord Almighty, a day of vengeance upon his enemies. The sword shall devour until it is sated, yes, drunk with your blood, for the Lord, the Lord Almighty will receive a sacrifice today in the north country beside the river Euphrates!


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Go up to Gilead for medicine, O virgin daughter of Egypt! Yet there is no cure for your wounds. Though you have used many medicines, there is no healing for you.


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The nations have heard of your shame. The earth is filled with your cry of despair and defeat; your mightiest soldiers will stumble across each other and fall together.


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Then God gave Jeremiah this message concerning the coming of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to attack Egypt:


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Shout it out in Egypt; publish it in the cities of Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes! Mobilize for battle, for the sword of destruction shall devour all around you.


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Vast multitudes fall in heaps. (Then the remnant of the Jews will say, “Come, let us return again to Judah where we were born and get away from all this slaughter here!”)


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As I live, says the King, the Lord of Hosts, one is coming against Egypt who is as tall as Mount Tabor or Mount Carmel by the sea!


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Pack up; get ready to leave for exile, you citizens of Egypt, for the city of Memphis shall be utterly destroyed and left without a soul alive.


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Egypt is sleek as a heifer, but a gadfly sends her running—a gadfly from the north! Even her famed mercenaries have become like frightened calves. They turn and run, for it is the day of great calamity for Egypt, a time of great punishment.


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Silent as a serpent gliding away, Egypt flees; the invading army marches in. The numberless soldiers cut down your people like woodsmen who clear a forest of its trees.


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The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will punish Amon, god of Thebes, and all the other gods of Egypt. I will punish Pharaoh too, and all who trust in him.


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I will deliver them into the hands of those who want them killed—into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his army. But afterwards the land shall recover from the ravages of war.


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But don’t you be afraid, O my people who return to your own land, don’t be dismayed; for I will save you from far away and bring your children from a distant land. Yes, Israel shall return and be at rest, and nothing shall make her afraid.


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Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, says the Lord, for I am with you. I will destroy all the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not destroy you. I will punish you, but only enough to correct you.


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The Philistines
This is God’s message to Jeremiah concerning the Philistines of Gaza, before the city was captured by the Egyptian army:


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The Lord says: A flood is coming from the north to overflow the land of the Philistines; it will destroy their cities and everything in them. Strong men will scream in terror, and all the land will weep.


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Hear the clattering hoofs and rumbling wheels as the chariots go rushing by; fathers flee without a backward glance at their helpless children,


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for the time has come when all the Philistines and their allies from Tyre and Sidon will be destroyed. For the Lord is destroying the Philistines, those colonists from Caphtor.


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The cities of Gaza and Ashkelon will be razed to the ground and lie in ruins. O descendants of the Anakim, how you will lament and mourn!


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But how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on an errand? For the city of Ashkelon and those living along the sea must be destroyed.


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The Moabites
This is the message of the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, against Moab:
Woe to the city of Nebo, for it shall lie in ruins. The city of Kiriathaim and its forts are overwhelmed and captured.


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No one will ever brag about Moab anymore, for there is a plot against her life. In Heshbon plans have been completed to destroy her. “Come,” they say, “we will cut her off from being a nation.” In Madmen all is silent. And then the roar of battle will surge against Horonaim, for all Moab is being destroyed. Her crying will be heard as far away as Zoar.


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Her refugees will climb the hills of Luhith, weeping bitterly, while cries of terror rise from the city below.


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For you trusted in your wealth and skill; therefore, you shall perish. Your god Chemosh, with his priests and princes, shall be taken away to distant lands!


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All the villages and cities, whether they be on the plateaus or in the valleys, shall be destroyed, for the Lord has said it.


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Cursed be those withholding their swords from your blood, refusing to do the work that God has given them!


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From her earliest history Moab has lived there undisturbed from all invasions. She is like wine that has not been poured from flask to flask and is fragrant and smooth. But now she shall have the pouring out of exile!


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The time is coming soon, the Lord has said, when he will send troublemakers to spill her out from jar to jar and then shatter the jars!


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But now Moab is to be destroyed; her destroyer is on the way; her choicest youth are doomed to slaughter, says the King, the Lord Almighty.


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Come down from your glory and sit in the dust, O people of Dibon, for those destroying Moab shall shatter Dibon too, and tear down all her towers.


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Those in Aroer stand anxiously beside the road to watch, and shout to those who flee from Moab, “What has happened there?”


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And they reply, “Moab lies in ruins; weep and wail. Tell it by the banks of the Arnon, that Moab is destroyed.”


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All the cities of the tableland lie in ruins too, for God’s judgment has been poured out upon them all—on Holon and Jahzah and Mephaath,


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Let her stagger and fall like a drunkard, for she has rebelled against the Lord. Moab shall wallow in her vomit, scorned by all.


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O people of Moab, flee from your cities and live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks.


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We have all heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know your loftiness, your arrogance, and your haughty heart.


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O men of Sibmah, rich in vineyards, I weep for you even more than for Jazer. For the destroyer has cut off your spreading tendrils and harvested your grapes and summer fruits. He has plucked you bare!


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Joy and gladness are gone from fruitful Moab. The presses yield no wine; no one treads the grapes with shouts of joy. There is shouting, yes, but not the shouting of joy.


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Instead the awful cries of terror and pain rise from all over the land—from Heshbon clear across to Elealeh and to Jahaz; from Zoar to Horonaim and to Eglath-shelishiyah. The pastures of Nimrim are deserted now.


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They shave their heads and beards in anguish; they slash their hands and put on clothes of sackcloth.


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Crying and sorrow will be in every Moabite home and on the streets; for I have smashed and shattered Moab like an old, unwanted bottle.


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How it is broken! Hear the wails! See the shame of Moab! For she is a sign of horror and of scoffing to her neighbors now.


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Her cities are fallen; her strongholds are seized. The hearts of her mightiest warriors fail with fear like women in the pains of giving birth.


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He who flees shall fall in a trap, and he who escapes from the trap shall run into a snare. I will see to it that you do not get away, for the time of your judgment has come.


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They flee to Heshbon, unable to go farther. But a fire comes from Heshbon—Sihon’s ancestral home—and devours the land from end to end with all its rebellious people.


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Woe to you, O Moab; the people of the god Chemosh are destroyed, and your sons and daughters are taken away as slaves.


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But in the latter days, says the Lord, I will reestablish Moab.
(Here the prophecy concerning Moab ends.)


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The Ammonites
What is this you are doing? Why are you living in the cities of the Jews? Aren’t there Jews enough to fill them up? Didn’t they inherit them from me? Why then have you, who worship Milcom, taken over Gad and all its cities?


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I will punish you for this, the Lord declares, by destroying your city of Rabbah. It shall become a desolate heap, and the neighboring towns shall be burned. Then Israel shall come and take back her land from you again. She shall dispossess those who dispossessed her, says the Lord.


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Cry out, O Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed! Weep, daughter of Rabbah! Put on garments of mourning; weep and wail, hiding in the hedges, for your god Milcom shall be exiled along with his princes and priests.


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You are proud of your fertile valleys, but they will soon be ruined. O wicked daughter, you trusted in your wealth and thought no one could ever harm you.


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But see, I will bring terror upon you, says the Lord, the Lord Almighty. For all your neighbors shall drive you from your land and none shall help your exiles as they flee.


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Flee to the remotest parts of the desert, O people of Dedan; for when I punish Edom, I will punish you!


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Those who gather grapes leave a few for the poor, and even thieves don’t take everything, but I will strip bare the land of Esau, and there will be no place to hide. Her children, her brothers, her neighbors—all will be destroyed—and she herself will perish too.


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The Lord says to Edom: If the innocent must suffer, how much more must you! You shall not go unpunished! You must drink this cup of judgment!


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For I have sworn by my own name, says the Lord, that Bozrah shall become heaps of ruins, cursed and mocked; and her cities shall be eternal wastes.


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I have heard this message from the Lord: I have sent a messenger to call the nations to form a coalition against Edom and destroy her.


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You have been fooled by your fame and your pride, living there in the mountains of Petra, in the clefts of the rocks. But though you live among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you down, says the Lord.


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Your cities will become as silent as Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, says the Lord. No one will live there anymore.


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I will send against them one who will come like a lion from the wilds of Jordan stalking the sheep in the fold. Suddenly Edom shall be destroyed, and I will appoint over the Edomites the person of my choice. For who is like me, and who can call me to account? What shepherd can defy me?


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Take note: The Lord will certainly do this to Edom and also the people of Teman—even little children will be dragged away as slaves! It will be a shocking thing to see.


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The earth shakes with the noise of Edom’s fall; the cry of the people is heard as far away as the Red Sea.


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The one who will come will fly as swift as a vulture and will spread his wings against Bozrah. Then the courage of the mightiest warriors will disappear like that of women in labor.
Damascus


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The cities of Hamath and Arpad are stricken with fear, for they have heard the news of their doom. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm.


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Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and sorrow have gripped her as they do women in labor.


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Your young men lie dead in the streets; your entire army shall be destroyed in one day, says the Lord Almighty.


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And I will start a fire at the edge of Damascus that shall burn up the palaces of Ben-hadad.
Kedar and Hazor


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This prophecy is about Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor* that are going to be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, for the Lord will send him to destroy them:


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Their flocks and their tents will be captured, says the Lord, with all their household goods. Their camels will be taken away, and all around will be the shouts of panic, “We are surrounded and doomed!”


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Flee for your lives, says the Lord. Go deep into the deserts, O people of Hazor, for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has plotted against you and is preparing to destroy you.


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“Go,” said the Lord to King Nebuchadnezzar. “Attack those wealthy Bedouin tribes living alone in the desert without a care in the world, boasting that they are self-sufficient—that they need neither walls nor gates.


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Their camels and cattle shall all be yours, and I will scatter these heathen to the winds. From all directions I will bring calamity upon them.


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“Hazor shall be a home for wild animals of the desert. No one shall ever live there again. It shall be desolate forever.”
Elam


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God’s message against Elam came to Jeremiah in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah:


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and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds; they shall be exiled to countries throughout the world.


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My fierce anger will bring great evil upon Elam, says the Lord, and I will cause her enemies to wipe her out.


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Babylon
This is the message from the Lord against Babylon and the Chaldeans, spoken by Jeremiah the prophet:


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For a nation shall come down upon her from the north with such destruction that no one shall live in her again; all shall be gone—both men and animals shall flee.


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They shall ask the way to Zion and start back home again. “Come,” they will say, “let us be united to the Lord with an eternal pledge that will never be broken again.”


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My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds led them astray and then turned them loose in the mountains. They lost their way and didn’t remember how to get back to the fold.


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All who found them devoured them and said, “We are permitted to attack them freely, for they have sinned against the Lord, the God of justice, the hope of their fathers.”


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For see, I am raising up an army of great nations from the north, and I will bring them against Babylon to attack her, and she shall be destroyed. The enemies’ arrows go straight to the mark; they do not miss!


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Though you were glad, O Chaldeans, plunderers of my people, and are fat as cows that feed in lush pastures, and neigh like stallions,


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yet your mother shall be overwhelmed with shame, for you shall become the least of the nations—a wilderness, a dry and desert land.


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Because of the anger of the Lord, Babylon shall become deserted wasteland, and all who pass by shall be appalled and shall mock at her for all her wounds.


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Yes, prepare to fight with Babylon, all you nations round about; let the archers shoot at her; spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the Lord.


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Shout against her from every side. Look! She surrenders! Her walls have fallen. The Lord has taken vengeance. Do to her as she has done!


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The Israelites are like sheep the lions chase. First the king of Assyria ate them up; then Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, crunched their bones.


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Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Now I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.


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And I will bring Israel home again to her own land, to feed in the fields of Carmel and Bashan and to be happy once more on Mount Ephraim and Mount Gilead.


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In those days, says the Lord, no sin shall be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will pardon the remnant I preserve.


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Go up, O my warriors, against the land of Merathaim and against the people of Pekod.* Yes, march against Babylon, the land of rebels, a land that I will judge! Annihilate them, as I have commanded you.


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Babylon, the mightiest hammer in all the earth, lies broken and shattered. Babylon is desolate among the nations!


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The Lord has opened his armory and brought out weapons to explode his wrath upon his enemies. The terror that befalls Babylon will be the work of the Lord God.


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Yes, come against her from distant lands; break open her granaries; knock down her walls and houses into heaps of ruins and utterly destroy her; let nothing be left.


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Not even her cattle—woe to them too! Kill them all! For the time has come for Babylon to be devastated.


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But my people will flee; they will escape back to their own country to tell how the Lord their God has broken forth in fury upon those who destroyed his Temple.


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Send out a call for archers to come to Babylon; surround the city so that none can escape. Do to her as she has done to others, for she has haughtily defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.


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Land of pride, you will stumble and fall, and no one will raise you up; for the Lord will light a fire in the cities of Babylon that will burn everything around them.


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The Lord says: The people of Israel and Judah have been wronged. Their captors hold them and refuse to let them go.


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But their Redeemer is strong. His name is the Lord Almighty. He will plead for them and see that they are freed to live again in quietness in Israel.
As for the people of Babylon—there is no rest for them!


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The sword of destruction shall smite the Chaldeans, says the Lord. It shall smite the people of Babylon—her princes and wise men too.


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War shall devour her horses and chariots, and her allies from other lands shall become as weak as women. Her treasures shall all be robbed;


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even her water supply will fail. And why? Because the whole land is full of images, and the people are madly in love with their idols.


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Therefore this city of Babylon shall become inhabited by ostriches and jackals; it shall be a home for the wild animals of the desert. Never again shall it be lived in by human beings; it shall lie desolate forever.


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The Lord declares that he will destroy Babylon just as he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns. No one has lived in them since, and no one will live again in Babylon.


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See them coming! A great army from the north! It is accompanied by many kings called by God from many lands.


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They are fully armed for slaughter; they are cruel and show no mercy; their battle cry roars like the surf against the shoreline. O Babylon, they ride against you fully ready for the battle.


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When the king of Babylon received the dispatch, his hands fell helpless at his sides; pangs of terror gripped him like the pangs of a woman in labor.


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I will send against them an invader who will come upon them suddenly, like a lion from the jungles of Jordan that leaps upon the grazing sheep. I will put her defenders to flight and appoint over them whomsoever I please. For who is like me? What ruler can oppose my will? Who can call me to account?


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Listen to the plan of the Lord against Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans. For even little children shall be dragged away as slaves; oh, the horror; oh, the terror.


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The whole earth shall shake at Babylon’s fall, and her cry of despair shall be heard around the world.


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The Lord says: I will stir up a destroyer against Babylon, against that whole land of the Chaldeans, and destroy it.


book: Jer
contenido:
Winnowers shall come and winnow her and blow her away; they shall come from every side to rise against her in her day of trouble.


book: Jer
contenido:
The arrows of the enemy shall strike down the bowmen of Babylon and pierce her warriors in their coats of mail. No one shall be spared; both young and old alike shall be destroyed.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord Almighty has not forsaken Israel and Judah. He is still their God, but the land of the Chaldeans is filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.


book: Jer
contenido:
Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped! If you stay, you will be destroyed when God takes his vengeance on all of Babylon’s sins.


book: Jer
contenido:
Babylon has been as a gold cup in the Lord’s hands, a cup from which he made the whole earth drink and go mad.


book: Jer
contenido:
But now, suddenly Babylon too has fallen. Weep for her; give her medicine; perhaps she can yet be healed.


book: Jer
contenido:
We would help her if we could, but nothing can save her now. Let her go. Abandon her and return to your own land, for God is judging her from heaven.


book: Jer
contenido:
Sharpen the arrows! Lift up the shields! For the Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes to march on Babylon and destroy her. This is his vengeance on those who wronged his people and desecrated his Temple.


book: Jer
contenido:
Prepare your defenses, Babylon! Set many watchmen on your walls; send out an ambush, for the Lord will do all he has said he would concerning Babylon.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Lord Almighty has taken this vow and sworn to it in his own name: Your cities shall be filled with enemies, like fields filled with locusts in a plague, and they shall lift to the skies their mighty shouts of victory.


book: Jer
contenido:
When he speaks, there is thunder in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to rise around the world; he brings the lightning with the rain and the winds from his treasuries.


book: Jer
contenido:
Compared to him, all men are stupid beasts. They have no wisdom—none at all! The silversmith is dulled by the images he makes, for in making them he lies; for he calls them gods when there is not a breath of life in them at all!


book: Jer
contenido:
Idols are nothing! They are lies! And the time is coming when God will come and see, and shall destroy them all.


book: Jer
contenido:
But the God of Israel is no idol! For he made everything there is, and Israel is his nation; the Lord Almighty is his name.


book: Jer
contenido:
Cyrus is God’s battleaxe and sword. I will use you, says the Lord, to break nations in pieces and to destroy many kingdoms.


book: Jer
contenido:
before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all the Chaldeans for all the evil they have done to my people, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
For see, I am against you, O mighty mountain, Babylon, destroyer of the earth! I will lift my hand against you, roll you down from your heights, and leave you, a burnt-out mountain.


book: Jer
contenido:
You shall be desolate forever; even your stones shall never be used for building again. You shall be completely wiped out.


book: Jer
contenido:
Signal many nations to mobilize for war on Babylon. Sound the battle cry; bring out the armies of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a leader; bring a multitude of horses!


book: Jer
contenido:
Bring against her the armies of the kings of the Medes and their generals, and the armies of all the countries they rule.


book: Jer
contenido:
Babylon trembles and writhes in pain, for all that the Lord has planned against her stands unchanged. Babylon will be left desolate without a living soul.


book: Jer
contenido:
Her mightiest soldiers no longer fight; they stay in their barracks. Their courage is gone; they have become as women. The invaders have burned the houses and broken down the city gates.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Babylon is like the wheat upon a threshing floor; in just a little while the flailing will begin.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Jews in Babylon say, “Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has eaten and crushed us and emptied out our strength; he has swallowed us like a great monster and filled his belly with our riches; he has cast us out of our own country. May Babylon be repaid for all she did to us! May she be paid in full for all our blood she spilled!”


book: Jer
contenido:
And the Lord replies: I will be your lawyer; I will plead your case; I will avenge you. I will dry up her river, her water supply,


book: Jer
contenido:
and Babylon shall become a heap of ruins, haunted by jackals, a land horrible to see, incredible, without a living soul.


book: Jer
contenido:
And while they lie inflamed with all their wine, I will prepare a different kind of feast for them and make them drink until they fall unconscious to the floor, to sleep forever, never to waken again, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
How Babylon is fallen—great Babylon, lauded by all the earth! The world can scarcely believe its eyes at Babylon’s fall!


book: Jer
contenido:
And I will punish Bel, the god of Babylon, and pull from his mouth what he has taken. The nations shall no longer come and worship him; the wall of Babylon has fallen.


book: Jer
contenido:
But don’t panic when you hear the first rumor of approaching forces. For rumors will keep coming year by year. Then there will be a time of civil war as the governors of Babylon fight against each other.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the time is surely coming when I will punish this great city and all her idols; her dead shall lie in the streets.


book: Jer
contenido:
Heaven and earth shall rejoice, for out of the north shall come destroying armies against Babylon, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
Go, you who escaped the sword! Don’t stand and watch—flee while you can! Remember the Lord and return to Jerusalem far away!


book: Jer
contenido:
Yes, says the Lord. But the time is coming for the destruction of the idols of Babylon. All through the land will be heard the groans of the wounded.


book: Jer
contenido:
Though Babylon be as powerful as heaven, though she increase her strength immeasurably, she shall die, says the Lord.


book: Jer
contenido:
Destroying armies come and slay her mighty men; all her weapons break in her hands, for the Lord God gives just punishment and is giving Babylon all her due.


book: Jer
contenido:
I will make drunk her princes, wise men, rulers, captains, warriors. They shall sleep and not wake up again! So says the King, the Lord Almighty.


book: Jer
contenido:
For the wide walls of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned; the builders from many lands have worked in vain—their work shall be destroyed by fire!


book: Jer
contenido:
During the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign, this message came to Jeremiah to give to Seraiah (son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah), concerning Seraiah’s capture and exile to Babylon along with Zedekiah, king of Judah. (Seraiah was quartermaster of Zedekiah’s army.)


book: Jer
contenido:
Jeremiah wrote on a scroll all the terrible things God had scheduled against Babylon—all the words written above—


book: Jer
contenido:
and gave the scroll to Seraiah and said to him, “When you get to Babylon, read what I have written and say, ‘Lord, you have said that you will destroy Babylon so that not a living creature will remain, and it will be abandoned forever.’


book: Jer
contenido:
Then, when you have finished reading the scroll, tie a rock to it, and throw it into the Euphrates River,


book: Jer
contenido:
and say, ‘So shall Babylon sink, never more to rise, because of the evil I am bringing upon her.’”
(This ends Jeremiah’s messages.)


book: Jer
contenido:
(Events told about in chapter 39.)
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal (daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah).


book: Jer
contenido:
Things became so bad at last that the Lord, in his anger, saw to it that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon until he and the people of Israel were ejected from the Lord’s presence in Jerusalem and Judah, and were taken away as captives to Babylon.


book: Jer
contenido:
In the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came with all his army against Jerusalem and built forts around it,


book: Jer
contenido:
Then finally, on the ninth day of the fourth month, when the famine in the city was very serious, with the last of the food entirely gone,


book: Jer
contenido:
the people in the city tore a hole in the city wall and all the soldiers fled from the city during the night, going out by the gate between the two walls near the king’s gardens (for the city was surrounded by the Chaldeans), and made a dash for it across the fields, toward Arabah.


book: Jer
contenido:
But the Chaldean soldiers chased them and caught King Zedekiah in some fields near Jericho—for all his army was scattered from him.


book: Jer
contenido:
They brought him to the king of Babylon who was staying in the city of Riblah in the kingdom of Hamath, and there judgment was passed upon him.


book: Jer
contenido:
Then his eyes were gouged out, and he was taken in chains to Babylon and put in prison for the rest of his life.


book: Jer
contenido:
On the tenth day of the fifth month during the nineteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, arrived in Jerusalem,


book: Jer
contenido:
Then he took to Babylon, as captives, some of the poorest of the people—along with those who survived the city’s destruction, and those who had deserted Zedekiah and had come over to the Babylonian army, and the tradesmen who were left.


book: Jer
contenido:
The Babylonians dismantled the two large bronze pillars that stood at the entrance of the Temple, and the bronze laver and bronze bulls on which it stood, and carted them off to Babylon.


book: Jer
contenido:
And he took along all the bronze pots and kettles, the ash shovels used at the altar, the snuffers, spoons, bowls, and all the other items used in the Temple.


book: Jer
contenido:
The weight of the two enormous pillars, the laver, and twelve bulls was tremendous. They had no way of estimating it. (They had been made in the days of King Solomon.)


book: Jer
contenido:
The captain of the guard took along with him as his prisoners: Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah his assistant, the three chief Temple guards, one of the commanding officers of the army, seven of the king’s special counselors discovered in the city, the secretary of the general-in-chief of the Jewish army (who was in charge of recruitment), and sixty other men of importance found hiding.


book: Jer
contenido:
five years after that he sent Nebuzaradan, his captain of the guard, and took 745—a total of 4,600 captives in all.


book: Jer
contenido:
On February 25 of the thirty-seventh year of the imprisonment in Babylon of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, Evil-merodach, who became king of Babylon that year, was kind to King Jehoiachin and brought him out of prison.


book: Lam
contenido:
Jerusalem’s streets, once thronged with people, are silent now. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. She, once queen of nations, is now a slave.


book: Lam
contenido:
She sobs through the night; tears run down her cheeks. Among all her lovers, there is none to help her. All her friends are now her enemies.


book: Lam
contenido:
Why is Judah led away, a slave? Because of all the wrong she did to others, making them her slaves. Now she sits in exile far away. There is no rest, for those she persecuted have turned and conquered her.


book: Lam
contenido:
The roads to Zion mourn, no longer filled with joyous throngs who come to celebrate the Temple feasts; the city gates are silent, her priests groan, her virgins have been dragged away. Bitterly she weeps.


book: Lam
contenido:
Her enemies prosper, for the Lord has punished Jerusalem for all her many sins; her young children are captured and taken far away as slaves.


book: Lam
contenido:
All her beauty and her majesty are gone; her princes are like starving deer that search for pasture—helpless game too weak to keep on running from their foes.


book: Lam
contenido:
And now in the midst of all Jerusalem’s sadness she remembers happy bygone days. She thinks of all the precious joys she had before her mocking enemy struck her down—and there was no one to give her aid.


book: Lam
contenido:
For Jerusalem sinned so horribly; therefore, she is tossed away like dirty rags. All who honored her despise her now, for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated. She groans and hides her face.


book: Lam
contenido:
She indulged herself in immorality and refused to face the fact that punishment was sure to come. Now she lies in the gutter with no one left to lift her out. “O Lord,” she cries, “see my plight. The enemy has triumphed.”


book: Lam
contenido:
Her enemies have plundered her completely, taking everything precious she owns. She has seen foreign nations violate her sacred Temple—foreigners you had forbidden even to enter.


book: Lam
contenido:
Her people groan and cry for bread; they have sold all they have for food to give a little strength. “Look, O Lord,” she prays, “and see how I’m despised.”


book: Lam
contenido:
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow because of all the Lord has done to me in the day of his fierce wrath.


book: Lam
contenido:
He has sent fire from heaven that burns within my bones; he has placed a pitfall in my path and turned me back. He has left me sick and desolate the whole day through.


book: Lam
contenido:
He wove my sins into ropes to hitch me to a yoke of slavery. He sapped my strength and gave me to my enemies; I am helpless in their hands.


book: Lam
contenido:
The Lord has trampled all my mighty men. A great army has come at his command to crush the noblest youth. The Lord has trampled his beloved city as grapes in a winepress.


book: Lam
contenido:
For all these things I weep; tears flow down my cheeks. My Comforter is far away—he who alone could help me. My children have no future; we are a conquered land.


book: Lam
contenido:
Jerusalem pleads for help, but no one comforts her. For the Lord has spoken: “Let her neighbors be her foes! Let her be thrown out like filthy rags!”


book: Lam
contenido:
And the Lord is right, for we rebelled. And yet, O people everywhere, behold and see my anguish and despair, for my sons and daughters are taken far away as slaves to distant lands.


book: Lam
contenido:
I begged my allies for their help. False hope—they could not help at all. Nor could my priests and elders—they were starving in the streets while searching through the garbage dumps for bread.


book: Lam
contenido:
See, O Lord, my anguish; my heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have terribly rebelled. In the streets the sword awaits me; at home, disease and death.


book: Lam
contenido:
Hear my groans! And there is no one anywhere to help. All my enemies have heard my troubles, and they are glad to see what you have done. And yet, O Lord, the time will surely come—for you have promised it—when you will do to them as you have done to me.


book: Lam
contenido:
Look also on their sins, O Lord, and punish them as you have punished me, for my sighs are many and my heart is faint.


book: Lam
contenido:
A cloud of anger from the Lord has overcast Jerusalem; the fairest city of Israel lies in the dust of the earth, cast from the heights of heaven at his command. In his day of awesome fury he has shown no mercy even to his Temple.


book: Lam
contenido:
The Lord without mercy has destroyed every home in Israel. In his wrath he has broken every fortress, every wall. He has brought the kingdom to dust, with all its rulers.


book: Lam
contenido:
All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath his wrath. He has withdrawn his protection as the enemy attacks. God burns across the land of Israel like a raging fire.


book: Lam
contenido:
He bends his bow against his people as though he were an enemy. His strength is used against them to kill their finest youth. His fury is poured out like fire upon them.


book: Lam
contenido:
Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israel like an enemy. He has destroyed her forts and palaces. Sorrows and tears are his portion for Jerusalem.


book: Lam
contenido:
He has violently broken down his Temple as though it were a booth of leaves and branches in a garden! No longer can the people celebrate their holy feasts and Sabbaths. Kings and priests together fall before his wrath.


book: Lam
contenido:
The Lord has rejected his own altar, for he despises the false “worship” of his people; he has given their palaces to their enemies, who carouse in the Temple as Israel used to do on days of holy feasts!


book: Lam
contenido:
The Lord determined to destroy Jerusalem. He laid out an unalterable line of destruction. Therefore the ramparts and walls fell down before him.


book: Lam
contenido:
Jerusalem’s gates are useless. All their locks and bars are broken, for he has crushed them. Her kings and princes are enslaved in far-off lands, without a temple, without a divine law to govern them or prophetic vision to guide them.


book: Lam
contenido:
The elders of Jerusalem sit upon the ground in silence, clothed in sackcloth; they throw dust upon their heads in sorrow and despair. The virgins of Jerusalem hang their heads in shame.


book: Lam
contenido:
I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken, my spirit poured out, as I see what has happened to my people; little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets.


book: Lam
contenido:
“Mama, Mama, we want food,” they cry, and then collapse upon their mothers’ shrunken breasts. Their lives ebb away like those wounded in battle.


book: Lam
contenido:
In all the world has there ever been such sorrow? O Jerusalem, what can I compare your anguish to? How can I comfort you? For your wound is deep as the sea. Who can heal you?


book: Lam
contenido:
Your “prophets” have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They have not tried to hold you back from slavery by pointing out your sins. They lied and said that all was well.


book: Lam
contenido:
All who pass by scoff and shake their heads and say, “Is this the city called ‘Most Beautiful in All the World,’ and ‘Joy of All the Earth’?”


book: Lam
contenido:
All your enemies deride you. They hiss and grind their teeth and say, “We have destroyed her at last! Long have we waited for this hour, and it is finally here! With our own eyes we’ve seen her fall.”


book: Lam
contenido:
But it is the Lord who did it, just as he had warned. He has fulfilled the promises of doom he made so long ago. He has destroyed Jerusalem without mercy and caused her enemies to rejoice over her and boast of their power.


book: Lam
contenido:
Then the people wept before the Lord. O walls of Jerusalem, let tears fall down upon you like a river; give yourselves no rest from weeping day or night.


book: Lam
contenido:
Rise in the night and cry to your God. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord; lift up your hands to him; plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets.


book: Lam
contenido:
O Lord, think! These are your own people to whom you are doing this. Shall mothers eat their little children, those they bounced upon their knees? Shall priests and prophets die within the Temple of the Lord?


book: Lam
contenido:
See them lying in the streets—old and young, boys and girls, killed by the enemies’ swords. You have killed them, Lord, in your anger; you have killed them without mercy.


book: Lam
contenido:
You have deliberately called for this destruction; in the day of your anger none escaped or remained. All my little children lie dead upon the streets before the enemy.


book: Lam
contenido:
O Lord, all peace and all prosperity have long since gone, for you have taken them away. I have forgotten what enjoyment is.


book: Lam
contenido:
his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.


book: Lam
contenido:
Although God gives him grief, yet he will show compassion too, according to the greatness of his loving-kindness.


book: Lam
contenido:
But you have trampled and crushed beneath your feet the lowly of the world, and deprived men of their God-given rights, and refused them justice. No wonder the Lord has had to deal with you!


book: Lam
contenido:
My eyes flow day and night with never-ending streams of tears because of the destruction of my people.


book: Lam
contenido:
Even the jackals feed their young, but not my people, Israel. They are like cruel desert ostriches, heedless of their babies’ cries. The children’s tongues stick to the roofs of their mouths for thirst, for there is not a drop of water left. Babies cry for bread, but no one can give them any.


book: Lam
contenido:
Those who used to eat fastidiously are begging in the streets for anything at all. Those brought up in palaces now scratch in garbage pits for food.


book: Lam
contenido:
For the sin of my people is greater than that of Sodom, where utter disaster struck in a moment without the hand of man.


book: Lam
contenido:
but now their faces are as black as soot. No one can recognize them. Their skin sticks to their bones; it is dry and hard and withered.


book: Lam
contenido:
But now at last the anger of the Lord is satisfied; his fiercest anger has been poured out. He started a fire in Jerusalem that burned it down to its foundations.


book: Lam
contenido:
Not a king in all the earth—no one in all the world—would have believed an enemy could enter through Jerusalem’s gates!


book: Lam
contenido:
Yet God permitted it because of the sins of her prophets and priests, who defiled the city by shedding innocent blood.


book: Lam
contenido:
Now these same men are blindly staggering through the streets, covered with blood, defiling everything they touch.


book: Lam
contenido:
“Get away!” the people shout at them. “You are defiled!” They flee to distant lands and wander there among the foreigners; but none will let them stay.


book: Lam
contenido:
The Lord himself has dealt with them; he no longer helps them, for they persecuted the priests and elders who stayed true to God.


book: Lam
contenido:
We look for our allies to come and save us, but we look in vain. The nation we expected most to help us makes no move at all.


book: Lam
contenido:
We can’t go into the streets without danger to our lives. Our end is near—our days are numbered. We are doomed.


book: Lam
contenido:
Our enemies are swifter than the eagles; if we flee to the mountains, they find us. If we hide in the wilderness, they are waiting for us there.


book: Lam
contenido:
Our king—the life of our life, the Lord’s anointed—was captured in their snares. Yes, even our mighty king, about whom we had boasted that under his protection we could hold our own against any nation on earth!


book: Lam
contenido:
Do you rejoice, O people of Edom, in the land of Uz? But you, too, will feel the awful anger of the Lord.


book: Lam
contenido:
Our fathers sinned but died before the hand of judgment fell. We have borne the blow that they deserved!


book: Lam
contenido:
They take away the young men to grind their grain, and the little children stagger beneath their heavy loads.


book: Lam
contenido:
Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord are desolate, deserted by all but wild animals lurking in the ruins.


book: Lam
contenido:
Turn us around and bring us back to you again! That is our only hope! Give us back the joys we used to have!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Ezekiel was a priest (the son of Buzi) who lived with the Jewish exiles beside the Chebar Canal in Babylon.
One day late in June, when I was thirty years old, the heavens were suddenly opened to me and I saw visions from God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I saw, in this vision, a great storm coming toward me from the north, driving before it a huge cloud glowing with fire, with a mass of fire inside that flashed continually; and in the fire there was something that shone like polished brass.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Their legs were like those of men, but their feet were cloven like calves’ feet, and shone like burnished brass.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Each had the face of a man in front, with a lion’s face on the right side of his head,* and the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Each had two pairs of wings spreading out from the middle of his back. One pair stretched out to attach to the wings of the living beings on each side, and the other pair covered his body.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Going up and down among them were other forms that glowed like bright coals of fire or brilliant torches, and it was from these the lightning flashed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As I stared at all of this, I saw four wheels on the ground beneath them, one wheel belonging to each.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The wheels looked as if they were made of polished amber, and each wheel was constructed with a second wheel crosswise inside.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When the four living beings flew forward, the wheels moved forward with them. When they flew upwards, the wheels went up too. When the living beings stopped, the wheels stopped. For the spirit of the four living beings was in the wheels; so wherever their spirit went, the wheels and the living beings went there too.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The sky spreading out above them looked as though it were made of crystal; it was inexpressibly beautiful.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The wings of each stretched straight out to touch the others’ wings, and each had two wings covering his body.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And as they flew, their wings roared like waves against the shore, or like the voice of God, or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For high in the sky above them was what looked like a throne made of beautiful blue sapphire stones, and upon it sat someone who appeared to be a Man.


book: Ezek
contenido:
From his waist up, he seemed to be all glowing bronze, dazzling like fire; and from his waist down he seemed to be entirely flame, and there was a glowing halo like a rainbow all around him. That was the way the glory of the Lord appeared to me. And when I saw it, I fell face downward on the ground and heard the voice of someone speaking to me:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, to a nation rebelling against me. They and their fathers have kept on sinning against me until this very hour.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For they are a hard-hearted, stiff-necked people. But I am sending you to give them my messages—the messages of the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And whether they listen or not (for remember, they are rebels), they will at least know they have had a prophet among them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, don’t be afraid of them; don’t be frightened even though their threats are sharp and barbed and sting like scorpions. Don’t be dismayed by their dark scowls. For remember, they are rebels!


book: Ezek
contenido:
You must give them my messages whether they listen or not (but they won’t, for they are utter rebels).


book: Ezek
contenido:
Listen, son of dust, to what I say to you. Don’t you be a rebel too! Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then I looked and saw a hand holding out to me a scroll, with writing on both sides. He unrolled it, and I saw that it was full of warnings and sorrows and pronouncements of doom.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And he said to me: “Son of dust, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
I am sending you to the people of Israel, and they won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard, impudent, and stubborn.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I have made your forehead as hard as rock. So don’t be afraid of them, or fear their sullen, angry looks, even though they are such rebels.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he added: “Son of dust, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first; listen to them carefully for yourself.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then, afterward, go to your people in exile, and whether or not they will listen, tell them: ‘This is what the Lord God says!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and the glory of the Lord began to move away, accompanied by the sound of a great earthquake.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It was the noise of the wings of the living beings as they touched against each other, and the sound of their wheels beside them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Spirit lifted me up, and took me away to Tel Abib, another colony of Jewish exiles beside the Chebar River. I went in bitterness and anger, but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. And I sat among them, overwhelmed, for seven days.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel; whenever I send my people a warning, pass it on to them at once.


book: Ezek
contenido:
If you refuse to warn the wicked when I want you to tell them, ‘You are under the penalty of death; therefore repent and save your life,’ they will die in their sins, but I will punish you. I will demand your blood for theirs.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But if you warn them, and they keep on sinning and refuse to repent, they will die in their sins, but you are blameless—you have done all you could.


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contenido:
And if a good man becomes bad, and you refuse to warn him of the consequences, and the Lord destroys him, his previous good deeds won’t help him—he shall die in his sin. But I will hold you responsible for his death and punish you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I was helpless in the hand of God, and when he said to me, “Go out into the valley and I will talk to you there”—


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contenido:
I arose and went, and oh, I saw the glory of the Lord there, just as in my first vision! And I fell to the ground on my face.


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contenido:
Then the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet. He talked to me and said: “Go, imprison yourself in your house,


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contenido:
and I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you can’t reprove them; for they are rebels.


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contenido:
But whenever I give you a message, then I will loosen your tongue and let you speak, and you shall say to them: ‘The Lord God says.’ Let anyone listen who wants to, and let anyone refuse who wants to, for they are rebels.


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“And now, son of dust, take a large brick and lay it before you and draw a map of the city of Jerusalem on it. Draw a picture of siege mounds being built against the city, put enemy camps around it and battering rams surrounding the walls.


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And put an iron plate between you and the city, like a wall of iron. Demonstrate how an enemy army will capture Jerusalem!
“There is special meaning in each detail of what I have told you to do. For it is a warning to the people of Israel.


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“Now lie on your left side for 390 days, to show that Israel will be punished for 390 years by captivity and doom. Each day you lie there represents a year of punishment ahead for Israel.


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contenido:
Afterwards, turn over and lie on your right side for forty days, to signify the years of Judah’s punishment. Each day will represent one year.


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contenido:
“Meanwhile continue your demonstration of the siege of Jerusalem; lie there with your arm bared to signify great strength and power in the attack against her. This will prophesy her doom.


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contenido:
And I will paralyze you so that you can’t turn over from one side to the other until you have completed all the days of your siege.


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contenido:
“During the first 390 days eat bread made of flour mixed from wheat, barley, beans, lentils, and spelt. Mix the various kinds of flour together in a jar.


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contenido:
Each day take flour from the barrel and prepare it as you would barley cakes. While all the people are watching, bake it over a fire, using dried human dung as fuel, and eat it.


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contenido:
Then I said, “O Lord God, must I be defiled by using dung? For I have never been defiled before in all my life. From the time I was a child until now I have never eaten any animal that died of sickness or that I found injured or dead; and I have never eaten any of the kinds of animals our law forbids.”


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Then he told me, “Son of dust, bread will be tightly rationed in Jerusalem. It will be weighed out with great care and eaten fearfully. And the water will be portioned out in driblets, and the people will drink it with dismay.


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contenido:
I will cause the people to lack both bread and water; they will look at one another in frantic terror and waste away beneath their punishment.


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contenido:
“Son of dust, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and beard; use balances to weigh the hair into three equal parts.


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contenido:
Place a third of it at the center of your map of Jerusalem. After your siege, burn it there. Scatter another third across your map and slash at it with a knife. Scatter the last third to the wind, for I will chase my people with the sword.


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contenido:
then take a few hairs out and throw them into the fire, for a fire shall come from this remnant and destroy all Israel.”


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contenido:
The Lord God says, “This illustrates what will happen to Jerusalem, for she has turned away from my laws and has been even more wicked than the nations surrounding her.”


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contenido:
Therefore the Lord God says: “I, even I, am against you and will punish you publicly while all the nations watch.


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contenido:
Because of the terrible sins you have committed, I will punish you more terribly than I have ever done before or ever will again.


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contenido:
Fathers will eat their own sons, and sons will eat their fathers; and those who survive will be scattered into all the world.


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contenido:
“For I promise you: Because you have defiled my Temple with idols and evil sacrifices, therefore I will not spare you nor pity you at all.


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contenido:
One-third of you will die from famine and disease; one-third will be slaughtered by the enemy; and one-third I will scatter to the winds, sending the sword of the enemy chasing after you.


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contenido:
“So I will make a public example of you before all the surrounding nations and before everyone traveling past the ruins of your land.


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contenido:
You will become a laughingstock to the world and an awesome example to everyone, for all to see what happens when the Lord turns against an entire nation in furious rebuke. I, the Lord, have spoken it!


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contenido:
“I will shower you with deadly arrows of famine to destroy you. The famine will become more and more serious until every bit of bread is gone.


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contenido:
And not only famine will come, but wild animals will attack and kill you and your families; disease and war will stalk your land, and the sword of the enemy will slay you; I, the Lord, have spoken it!”


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contenido:
Say to them, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the message of the Lord God against you and against the rivers and valleys. I, even I the Lord, will bring war upon you to destroy your idols.


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contenido:
All your cities will be smashed and burned, and the idol altars abandoned. Your gods will be shattered; the bones of their worshipers will lie scattered among the altars. Then at last you will know I am the Lord.


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contenido:
Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me, for I will take away their adulterous hearts—their love of idols—and I will blind their lecherous eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will loathe themselves for all this wickedness.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will realize that I alone am God and that I wasn’t fooling when I told them that all this would happen to them.’”


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contenido:
The Lord God says: “Raise your hands in horror and shake your head with deep remorse and say, ‘Alas for all the evil we have done!’ For you are going to perish from war and famine and disease.


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contenido:
Disease will strike down those in exile; war will destroy those in the land of Israel; and any who remain will die by famine and siege. So at last I will expend my fury on you.


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contenido:
When your slain lie scattered among your idols and altars on every hill and mountain and under every green tree and great oak where they offered incense to their gods—you will realize that I alone am God.


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contenido:
I will crush you and make your cities desolate from the wilderness in the south to Riblah in the north. Then you will know I am the Lord.”


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contenido:
I will turn my eyes away and show no pity; I will repay you in full, and you shall know I am the Lord.’”


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contenido:
The Lord God says: “With one blow after another I will finish you. The end has come; your final doom is waiting.


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contenido:
O Israel, the day of your damnation dawns; the time has come; the day of trouble nears. It is a day of shouts of anguish, not shouts of joy!


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contenido:
Soon I will pour out my fury and let it finish its work of punishing you for all your evil deeds. I will not spare nor pity you, and you will know that I, the Lord, am doing it.


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contenido:
The day of judgment has come; the morning dawns, for your wickedness and pride have run their course and reached their climax—none of these rich and wicked men of pride shall live. All your boasting will die away, and no one will be left to bewail your fate.


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contenido:
“Yes, the time has come; the day draws near. There will be nothing to buy or sell, for the wrath of God is on the land.


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contenido:
And even if a merchant lives, his business will be gone, for God has spoken against all the people of Israel; all will be destroyed. Not one of those whose lives are filled with sin will recover.


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contenido:
If you go outside the walls, there stands the enemy to kill you. If you stay inside, famine and disease will devour you.


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contenido:
You shall clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and horror and shame shall cover you; you shall shave your heads in sorrow and remorse.


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contenido:
“Throw away your money! Toss it out like worthless rubbish, for it will have no value in that day of wrath. It will neither satisfy nor feed you, for your love of money is the reason for your sin.


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contenido:
I gave you gold to use in decorating the Temple, and you used it instead to make idols! Therefore, I will take it all away from you.


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contenido:
I will not look when they defile it, nor will I stop them. Like robbers, they will loot the treasures and leave the Temple in ruins.


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contenido:
“Prepare chains for my people, for the land is full of bloody crimes. Jerusalem is filled with violence, so I will enslave her people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will crush your pride by bringing to Jerusalem the worst of the nations to occupy your homes, break down your fortifications you are so proud of, and defile your Temple.


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contenido:
Calamity upon calamity will befall you; woe upon woe, disaster upon disaster! You will long for a prophet to guide you, but the priests and elders and the kings and princes will stand helpless, weeping in despair. The people will tremble with fear, for I will do to them the evil they have done and give them all their just deserts. They shall learn that I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then, late in August of the sixth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, as I was talking with the elders of Judah in my home, the power of the Lord God fell upon me.


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contenido:
I saw what appeared to be a Man; from his waist down, he was made of fire; from his waist up, he was all amber-colored brightness.


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contenido:
He put out what seemed to be a hand and took me by the hair. And the Spirit lifted me up into the sky and seemed to transport me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate, where the large idol was that had made the Lord so angry.


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contenido:
He said to me, “Son of dust, look toward the north.” So I looked and, sure enough, north of the altar gate in the entrance stood the idol.


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contenido:
And he said: “Son of dust, do you see what they are doing? Do you see what great sins the people of Israel are doing here, to push me from my Temple? But come, and I will show you greater sins than these!”


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contenido:
So I went in. The walls were covered with pictures of all kinds of snakes, lizards, and hideous creatures, besides all the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel.


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contenido:
Seventy elders of Israel were standing there along with Jaazaniah (son of Shaphan) worshiping the pictures. Each of them held a censer of burning incense, so there was a thick cloud of smoke above their heads.


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contenido:
Then the Lord said to me: “Son of dust, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in their minds? For they say, ‘The Lord doesn’t see us; he has gone away!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me into the inner court of the Temple, and there at the door, between the porch and the bronze altar, were about twenty-five men standing with their backs to the Temple of the Lord, facing east, worshiping the sun!


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contenido:
“Have you seen this?” he asked. “Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these terrible sins, leading the whole nation into idolatry, thumbing their noses at me and arousing my fury against them?


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contenido:
Therefore, I will deal with them in fury. I will neither pity nor spare. And though they scream for mercy, I will not listen.”


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contenido:
Then he thundered, “Call those to whom I have given the city! Tell them to bring their weapons with them!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Six men appeared at his call, coming from the upper north gate, each one with his sword. One of them wore linen clothing and carried a writer’s case strapped to his side. They all went into the Temple and stood beside the bronze altar.


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contenido:
And the glory of the God of Israel rose from between the Guardian Angels where it had rested and stood above the entrance to the Temple.
And the Lord called to the man with the writer’s case


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contenido:
and said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who weep and sigh because of all the sins they see around them.”


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contenido:
Then I heard the Lord tell the other men: “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead isn’t marked. Spare not nor pity them—


book: Ezek
contenido:
kill them all—old and young, girls, women, and little children; but don’t touch anyone with the mark. And begin right here at the Temple.” And so they began by killing the seventy elders.


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contenido:
And he said, “Defile the Temple! Fill its courts with the bodies of those you kill! Go!” And they went out through the city and did as they were told.


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contenido:
While they were fulfilling their orders, I was alone. I fell to the ground on my face and cried out: “O Lord God! Will your fury against Jerusalem wipe out everyone left in Israel?”


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contenido:
But he said to me, “The sins of the people of Israel and Judah are very great and all the land is full of murder and injustice, for they say, ‘The Lord doesn’t see it! He has gone away!’


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contenido:
And so I will not spare them nor have any pity on them, and I will fully repay them for all that they have done.”


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contenido:
Just then the man in linen clothing, carrying the writer’s case, reported back and said, “I have finished the work you gave me to do.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Suddenly a throne of beautiful blue sapphire appeared in the sky above the heads of the Guardian Angels.*


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contenido:
Then the Lord spoke to the man in linen clothing and said: “Go in between the whirling wheels beneath the Guardian Angels, and take a handful of glowing coals and scatter them over the city.”
He did so while I watched.


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contenido:
The Guardian Angels were standing at the south end of the Temple when the man went in. And the cloud of glory filled the inner court.


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contenido:
Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the Guardian Angels and went over to the door of the Temple. The Temple was filled with the cloud of glory, and the court of the Temple was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord.


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contenido:
And the sound of the wings of the Guardian Angels was as the voice of Almighty God when he speaks and could be heard clear out in the outer court.


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contenido:
When the Lord told the man in linen clothing to go between the Guardian Angels and take some burning coals from between the wheels, the man went in and stood beside one of the wheels,


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contenido:
and one of the Guardian Angels reached out his hand (for each of the mighty Angels had, beneath his wings, what looked like human hands) and took some live coals from the flames between the Angels and put them into the hands of the man in linen clothes, who took them and went out.


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contenido:
Each of the four Guardian Angels had a wheel beside him—“The Whirl-Wheels,” as I heard them called, for each one had a second wheel crosswise within—sparkling like chrysolite, giving off a greenish yellow glow. Because of the construction of these wheels, the Angels could go straight forward in each of four directions; they did not turn when they changed direction but could go in any of the four ways their faces looked. Each of the four wheels was covered with eyes, including the rims and spokes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Each of the four Guardian Angels had four faces—the first was that of an ox; the second, a man’s; the third, a lion’s; and the fourth, an eagle’s.


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contenido:
These were the same beings I had seen beside the Chebar Canal, and when they rose into the air, the wheels rose with them and stayed beside them as they flew.


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contenido:
When the Guardian Angels stood still, so did the wheels, for the spirit of the Guardian Angels was in the wheels.


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contenido:
And as I watched, the Guardian Angels flew with their wheels beside them to the east gate of the Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel was above them.


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contenido:
These were the living beings I had seen beneath the God of Israel beside the Chebar Canal. I knew they were the same,


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contenido:
Their faces too were identical to the faces of those I had seen at the canal, and they traveled straight ahead, just as the others did.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me over to the east gate of the Temple, where I saw twenty-five of the most prominent men of the city, including two officers, Jaazaniah (son of Azzur) and Pelatiah (son of Benaiah).
Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of dust, these are the men who are responsible for all of the wicked counsel being given out in this city.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For they say to the people, ‘It is time to rebuild Jerusalem, for our city is an iron shield and will protect us from all harm.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me and told me to say: “The Lord says to the people of Israel: Is that what you are saying? Yes, I know it is, for I know everything you think—every thought that comes into your minds.


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contenido:
Therefore the Lord God says: “You think this city is an iron shield? No, it isn’t! It will not protect you. Your slain will lie within it, but you will be dragged out and slaughtered.


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contenido:
and I will take you from Jerusalem and hand you over to foreigners who will carry out my judgments against you.


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contenido:
No, this city will not be an iron shield for you, and you safe within. I will chase you even to the borders of Israel,


book: Ezek
contenido:
and you will know I am the Lord—you who have not obeyed me but rather have copied the nations all around you.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
While I was still speaking and telling them this, Pelatiah (son of Benaiah) suddenly died. Then I fell to the ground on my face and cried out: “O Lord God, are you going to kill everyone in all Israel?”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, the remnant left in Jerusalem are saying about your brother exiles: ‘It is because they were so wicked that the Lord has deported them. Now the Lord has given us their land!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But tell the exiles that the Lord God says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, yet I will be a sanctuary to you for the time that you are there,


book: Ezek
contenido:
and I will gather you back from the nations where you are scattered and give you the land of Israel again.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will give you one heart and a new spirit; I will take from you your hearts of stone and give you tender hearts of love for God,


book: Ezek
contenido:
But as for those now in Jerusalem who long for idols, I will repay them fully for their sins,” the Lord God says.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Guardian Angels lifted their wings and rose into the air with their wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel stood above them.


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contenido:
Afterwards the Spirit of God carried me back again to Babylon, to the Jews in exile there. And so ended the vision of my visit to Jerusalem.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust,” he said, “you live among rebels who could know the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to; they could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t,


book: Ezek
contenido:
for they are rebels. So now put on a demonstration to show them what being exiled will be like. Pack whatever you can carry on your back and leave your home—go somewhere else. Go in the daylight so they can see, for perhaps even yet they will consider what this means, even though they are such rebels.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Bring your baggage outside your house during the daylight so they can watch. Then leave the house at night, just as captives do when they begin their long march to distant lands.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Dig a tunnel through the city wall while they are observing and carry your possessions out through the hole.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As they watch, lift your pack to your shoulders and walk away into the night; muffle your face and don’t gaze around. All this is a sign to the people of Israel of the evil that will come upon Jerusalem.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I did as I was told. I brought my pack outside in the daylight—all I could take into exile—and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I went out into the darkness with my pack on my shoulder while the people looked on.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them the Lord God says it is a message to King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and to all the people of Israel.


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contenido:
Explain that what you did was a demonstration of what is going to happen to them, for they shall be driven out of their homes and sent away into exile.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Even King Zedekiah shall go out at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him, with muffled face, for he won’t be able to see.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will capture him in my net and bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; but he shall not see it,* and he shall die there.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But I will spare a few of them from death by war and famine and disease. I will save them to confess to the nations how wicked they have been, and they shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
and say to the people, the Lord God says that the people of Israel and Jerusalem shall ration their food with utmost care and sip their tiny portions of water in utter despair because of all their sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, what is that proverb they quote in Israel—‘The days as they pass make liars out of every prophet.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: I will put an end to this proverb and they will soon stop saying it. Give them this one instead: ‘The time has come for all these prophecies to be fulfilled.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
For I am the Lord! What I threaten always happens. There will be no more delays, O rebels of Israel! I will do it in your own lifetime!” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own visions and claiming to have messages from me when I have never told them anything at all. Woe upon them!


book: Ezek
contenido:
O evil prophets, what have you ever done to strengthen the walls of Israel against her enemies—by strengthening Israel in the Lord?


book: Ezek
contenido:
Instead you have lied when you said, ‘My message is from God!’ God did not send you. And yet you expect him to fulfill your prophecies.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Can you deny that you have claimed to see ‘visions’ you never saw, and that you have said, ‘This message is from God,’ when I never spoke to you at all?”


book: Ezek
contenido:
My hand shall be against you, and you shall be cut off from among the leaders of Israel; I will blot out your names, and you will never see your own country again. And you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For these evil men deceive my people by saying, ‘God will send peace,’ when that is not my plan at all! My people build a flimsy wall, and these prophets praise them for it—and cover it with whitewash!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Tell these evil builders that their wall will fall. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘Why didn’t you tell us that it wasn’t good enough? Why did you whitewash it and cover up its faults?’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, it will surely fall.” The Lord God says: “I will sweep it away with a storm of indignation, with a great flood of anger, and with hailstones of wrath.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will break down your whitewashed wall; it will fall on you and crush you, and you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then at last my wrath against the wall will be completed; and concerning those who praised it, I will say: The wall and its builders both are gone.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For they were lying prophets, claiming Jerusalem will have peace when there is no peace,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, speak out against the women prophets too who pretend the Lord has given them his messages.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them, ‘The Lord God says: Woe to these women who are damning the souls of my people, of both young and old alike, by tying magic charms on their wrists, furnishing them with magic veils, and selling them indulgences. They refuse to even offer help unless they get a profit from it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the sake of a few paltry handfuls of barley or a piece of bread will you turn away my people from me? You have led those to death who should not die! And you have promised life to those who should not live by lying to my people—and how they love it!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And so the Lord says: “I will crush you because you hunt my people’s souls with all your magic charms. I will tear off the charms and set my people free like birds from cages.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will tear off the magic veils and save my people from you; they will no longer be your victims, and you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your lies have discouraged the righteous when I didn’t want it so. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising life, though they continue in their sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But you will lie no more; no longer will you talk of seeing ‘visions’ that you never saw nor practice your magic, for I will deliver my people out of your hands by destroying you, and you shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them, ‘The Lord God says: I, the Lord, will personally deal with anyone in Israel who worships idols and then comes to ask my help.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, warn them that the Lord God says: ‘Repent and destroy your idols, and stop worshiping them in your hearts. I the Lord will personally punish everyone, whether people of Israel or the foreigners living among you, who rejects me for idols and then comes to a prophet to ask for my help and advice.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will turn upon him and make a terrible example of him, destroying him; and you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And if one of the false prophets gives him a message anyway, it is a lie. His prophecy will not come true, and I will stand against that “prophet” and destroy him from among my people Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
False prophets and hypocrites—evil people who say they want my words—all will be punished for their sins,


book: Ezek
contenido:
so that the people of Israel will learn not to desert me and not to be polluted any longer with sin. They will be my people and I their God.’ So says the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, if the people of a land sin against me, then I will crush them with my fist, break off their food supply, and send famine to destroy both man and beast.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they alone would be saved by their righteousness, and I would destroy the remainder of Israel,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
even if these three men were there, the Lord God swears that it would do no good—it would not save the people from their doom. Those three only would be saved, but the land would be devastated.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Or if I bring war against that land and tell the armies of the enemy to come and destroy everything,


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And if I pour out my fury by sending an epidemic of disease into the land, and the plague kills man and beast alike,


book: Ezek
contenido:
though Noah, Daniel, and Job were living there, the Lord God says that only they would be saved because of their righteousness.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord says: “Four great punishments await Jerusalem to destroy all life: war, famine, ferocious beasts, plague.


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contenido:
If there are survivors and they come here to join you as exiles in Babylon, you will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and you will know it was right for me to destroy Jerusalem.


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contenido:
You will agree, when you meet them, that it is not without cause that all these things are being done to Israel.”


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contenido:
“Son of dust, what good are vines from the forest? Are they as useful as trees? Are they even as valuable as a single branch?


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contenido:
So they are useless both before and after being put in the fire!
“This is what I mean,” the Lord God says: “The people of Jerusalem are like the vines of the forest—useless before being burned and certainly useless afterwards!


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And I will set myself against them to see to it that if they escape from one fire, they will fall into another; and then you shall know I am the Lord.


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contenido:
Tell her, ‘The Lord God says: You are no better than the people of Canaan—your father must have been an Amorite and your mother a Hittite!


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contenido:
When you were born, no one cared for you. When I first saw you, your umbilical cord was uncut, and you had been neither washed nor rubbed with salt nor clothed.


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contenido:
No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On that day when you were born, you were dumped out into a field and left to die, unwanted.


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contenido:
“‘But I came by and saw you there, covered with your own blood, and I said, “Live! Thrive like a plant in the field!” And you did! You grew up and became tall, slender and supple, a jewel among jewels. And when you reached the age of maidenhood, your breasts were full-formed and your pubic hair had grown; yet you were naked.


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contenido:
“‘Later, when I passed by and saw you again, you were old enough for marriage; and I wrapped my cloak around you to legally declare my marriage vow. I signed a covenant with you, and you became mine.


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contenido:
Then, when the marriage had taken place, I gave you beautiful clothes of linens and silk, embroidered, and sandals made of dolphin hide.


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contenido:
And so you were made beautiful with gold and silver, and your clothes were silk and linen and beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were!


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contenido:
Your reputation was great among the nations for your beauty; it was perfect because of all the gifts I gave you,’” says the Lord God.


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contenido:
“‘But you thought you could get along without me—you trusted in your beauty instead; and you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was his for the asking.


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contenido:
You used the lovely things I gave you for making idol shrines and to decorate your bed of prostitution. Unbelievable! There has never been anything like it before!


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contenido:
You took the very jewels and gold and silver ornaments I gave to you and made statues of men and worshiped them, which is adultery against me.


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contenido:
You used the beautifully embroidered clothes I gave you—to cover your idols! And used my oil and incense to worship them!


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And you took my sons and daughters you had borne to me and sacrificed them to your gods; and they are gone. Wasn’t it enough that you should be a prostitute?


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contenido:
“‘And in all these years of adultery and sin you have not thought of those days long ago when you were naked and covered with blood.


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contenido:
“‘Therefore I have crushed you with my fist; I have reduced your boundaries and delivered you into the hands of those who hate you—the Philistines—and even they are ashamed of you.


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contenido:
“‘You have committed adultery with the Assyrians too by making them your allies and worshiping their gods; it seems that you can never find enough new gods. After your adultery there, you still weren’t satisfied,


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contenido:
What a filthy heart you have, says the Lord God, to do such things as these; you are a brazen prostitute,


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contenido:
building your idol altars, your brothels, on every street. You have been worse than a prostitute, so eager for sin that you have not even charged for your love!


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contenido:
Prostitutes charge for their services—men pay with many gifts. But not you, you give them gifts, bribing them to come to you! So you are different from other prostitutes. But you had to pay them, for no one wanted you.


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This is what the Lord God says! Because I see your filthy sins, your adultery with your lovers—your worshiping of idols—and the slaying of your children as sacrifices to your gods,


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contenido:
this is what I am going to do: I will gather together all your allies—these lovers of yours you have sinned with, both those you loved and those you hated—and I will make you naked before them that they may see you.


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contenido:
I will give you to your lovers—these many nations—to destroy, and they will knock down your brothels and idol altars. They will strip you, take your beautiful jewels, and leave you naked and ashamed.


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contenido:
They will burn your homes, punishing you before the eyes of many women. And I will see to it that you stop your adulteries with other gods and end your payments to your allies for their love.


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“‘Then at last my fury against you will die away; my jealousy against you will end, and I will be quiet and not be angry with you anymore.


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But first, because you have not remembered your youth but have angered me by all these evil things you do, I will fully repay you for all of your sins,’” says the Lord. “‘For you are thankless in addition to all your other faults.


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For your mother loathed her husband and her children, and you do too. And you are exactly like your sisters, for they despised their husbands and their children. Truly, your mother must have been a Hittite and your father an Amorite.


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“‘Your older sister is Samaria, living with her daughters north of you; your younger sister is Sodom and her daughters, in the south.


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You have not merely sinned as they do—no, that was nothing to you; in a very short time you far surpassed them.


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“‘As I live, the Lord God says, Sodom and her daughters have never been as wicked as you and your daughters.


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contenido:
Your sister Sodom’s sins were pride, laziness, and too much food, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.


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contenido:
“‘Even Samaria has not committed half your sins. You have worshiped idols far more than your sisters have; they seem almost righteous in comparison with you!


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Don’t be surprised then by the lighter punishment they get. For your sins are so awful that in comparison with you, your sisters seem innocent!


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“‘Yes, your sisters, Sodom and Samaria, and all their people will be restored again, and Judah, too, will prosper in that day.


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But now your greater wickedness has been exposed to all the world, and you are the one who is scorned—by Edom and all her neighbors and by all the Philistines.


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contenido:
For the Lord God says: “I will repay you for your broken promises. You lightly broke your solemn vows to me, yet I will keep the pledge I made to you when you were young. I will establish an everlasting covenant with you forever,


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and you will remember with shame all the evil you have done; and you will be overcome by my favor when I take your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, and make them your daughters, for you to rule over. You will know you don’t deserve this gracious act, for you did not keep my covenant.


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contenido:
Despite all you have done, I will be kind to you again; you will cover your mouth in silence and in shame when I forgive you all that you have done,” says the Lord God.


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contenido:
“A great eagle with broad wings full of many-colored feathers came to Lebanon and plucked off the shoot at the top of the tallest cedar tree and carried it into a city filled with merchants.


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contenido:
There he planted it in fertile ground beside a broad river, where it would grow as quickly as a willow tree.


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contenido:
It took root and grew and became a low but spreading vine that turned toward the eagle and produced strong branches and luxuriant leaves.


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contenido:
But when another great, broad-winged, full-feathered eagle came along, this tree sent its roots and branches out toward him instead,


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contenido:
even though it was already in good soil with plenty of water to become a splendid vine, producing leaves and fruit.”


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contenido:
The Lord God asks: “Shall I let this tree grow and prosper? No! I will pull it out, roots and all! I will cut off its branches and let its leaves wither and die. It will pull out easily enough—it won’t take a big crew or a lot of equipment to do that.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Though the vine began so well, will it thrive? No, it will wither away completely when the east wind touches it, dying in the same choice soil where it had grown so well.”


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contenido:
“Ask these rebels of Israel: Don’t you understand what this riddle of the eagles means? I will tell you. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (the first of the two eagles), came to Jerusalem, took away her king and princes (her topmost buds and shoots),* and brought them to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar made a covenant with a member of the royal family (Zedekiah),* and made him take an oath of loyalty. He took a seedling and planted it in fertile ground beside a broad river. He also exiled the top men of Israel’s government,


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so that Israel would not be strong again and revolt. But by keeping her promises, Israel could be respected and maintain her identity.


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contenido:
“Nevertheless, Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon, sending ambassadors to Egypt to seek for a great army and many horses to fight against Nebuchadnezzar. But will Israel prosper after breaking all her promises like that? Will she succeed?


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contenido:
No! For as I live,” says the Lord, “the king of Israel shall die. (Nebuchadnezzar will pull out the tree, roots and all!) Zedekiah* shall die in Babylon, where the king lives who gave him his power, and whose covenant he despised and broke.


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contenido:
Pharaoh and all his mighty army shall fail to help Israel when the king of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem again and slaughters many lives.


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contenido:
The Lord God says: “As I live, surely I will punish him for despising the solemn oath he made in my name.


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contenido:
I will throw my net over him, and he shall be captured in my snare; I will bring him to Babylon and deal with him there for this treason against me.


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contenido:
And all the best soldiers of Israel will be killed by the sword, and those remaining in the city will be scattered to the four winds. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken these words.”


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contenido:
The Lord God says: “I will take a tender sprout from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It shall become a noble cedar, bringing forth branches and bearing seed. Animals of every sort will gather under it; its branches will shelter every kind of bird.


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And everyone shall know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts down the high trees and exalts the low, that I make the green tree wither and the dead tree grow. I, the Lord, have said that I would do it, and I will.”


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contenido:
“Why do people use this proverb about the land of Israel: The children are punished for their fathers’ sins?


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contenido:
for all souls are mine to judge—fathers and sons alike—and my rule is this: It is for a man’s own sins that he will die.


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contenido:
and has not gone out to the mountains to feast before the idols of Israel and worship them, and does not commit adultery nor lie with any woman during the time of her menstruation;


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contenido:
if he is a merciful creditor, not holding onto the items given to him in pledge by poor debtors, and is no robber but gives food to the hungry and clothes to those in need;


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contenido:
and if he grants loans without interest, stays away from sin, is honest and fair when judging others,


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contenido:
“But if that man has a son who is a robber or murderer and who fulfills none of his responsibilities,


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oppresses the poor and helpless, robs his debtors by refusing to let them redeem what they have given him in pledge, loves idols and worships them,


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contenido:
and loans out his money at interest—shall that man live? No! He shall surely die, and it is his own fault.


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contenido:
“But if this sinful man has, in turn, a son who sees all his father’s wickedness, so that he fears God and decides against that kind of life;


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contenido:
he doesn’t go up on the mountains to feast before the idols and worship them and does not commit adultery;


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contenido:
he is fair to those who borrow from him and doesn’t rob them, but feeds the hungry, clothes the needy,


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contenido:
helps the poor, does not loan money at interest, and obeys my laws—he shall not die because of his father’s sins; he shall surely live.


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contenido:
“‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the son pay for his father’s sins?’ No! For if the son does what is right and keeps my laws, he shall surely live.


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contenido:
The one who sins is the one who dies. The son shall not be punished for his father’s sins, nor the father for his son’s. The righteous person will be rewarded for his own goodness and the wicked person for his wickedness.


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contenido:
But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins and begins to obey my laws and do what is just and right, he shall surely live and not die.


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contenido:
“Do you think I like to see the wicked die?” asks the Lord. “Of course not! I only want him to turn from his wicked ways and live.


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contenido:
However, if a righteous person turns to sinning and acts like any other sinner, should he be allowed to live? No, of course not. All his previous goodness will be forgotten and he shall die for his sins.


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contenido:
“Yet you say: ‘The Lord isn’t being fair!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one who is unfair, or is it you?


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contenido:
When a good man turns away from being good, begins sinning, and dies in his sins, he dies for the evil he has done.


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contenido:
And if a wicked person turns away from his wickedness and obeys the law and does right, he shall save his soul,


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contenido:
for he has thought it over and decided to turn from his sins and live a good life. He shall surely live—he shall not die.


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contenido:
“And yet the people of Israel keep saying: ‘The Lord is unfair!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are unfair, not I.


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I will judge each of you, O Israel, and punish or reward each according to his own actions. Oh, turn from your sins while there is yet time.


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contenido:
One of her cubs, King Jehoahaz, grew into a strong young lion and learned to catch prey and became a man-eater.


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contenido:
Then the nations called out their hunters; they trapped him in a pit and brought him in chains to Egypt.


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contenido:
“When Israel, the mother lion, saw that all her hopes for him were gone, she took another of her cubs, King Jehoiachin, and taught him to be ‘king of the beasts.’


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contenido:
He demolished the palaces of the surrounding nations and ruined their cities; their farms were desolated, their crops destroyed; everyone in the land shook with terror when they heard him roar.


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contenido:
Then the armies of the nations surrounded him, coming from every side, and trapped him in a pit and captured him.


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contenido:
They prodded him into a cage and brought him before the king of Babylon. He was held in captivity so that his voice could never again be heard upon the mountains of Israel.


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contenido:
“Your mother was like a vine beside an irrigation ditch, with lush, green foliage because of all the water.


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contenido:
Its strongest branch became a ruler’s scepter, and it was very great, towering above the others and noticed from far away.


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contenido:
But the vine was uprooted in fury and thrown down to the ground. Its branches were broken and withered by a strong wind from the east; the fruit was destroyed by fire.


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contenido:
It is decaying from within; no strong branch remains. The fulfillment of this sad prophecy has already begun, and there is more ahead.”


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contenido:
Late in July, six years after King Jeconiah was captured, some of the elders of Israel came to ask instructions from the Lord and sat before me awaiting his reply.


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contenido:
“Son of dust, say to the elders of Israel, ‘The Lord God says: How dare you come to ask my help? I swear that I will tell you nothing.’


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contenido:
Judge them, son of dust; condemn them; tell them of all the sins of this nation from the times of their fathers until now.


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contenido:
Tell them, ‘The Lord God says: When I chose Israel and revealed myself to her in Egypt, I swore to her and her descendants that I would bring them out of Egypt to a land I had discovered and explored for them—a good land, flowing as it were with milk and honey, the best of all lands anywhere.’


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contenido:
“Then I said to them: ‘Get rid of every idol; do not defile yourselves with the Egyptian gods, for I am the Lord your God.’


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contenido:
But they rebelled against me and would not listen. They didn’t get rid of their idols nor forsake the gods of Egypt. Then I thought, I will pour out my fury upon them and fulfill my anger against them while they are still in Egypt.


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contenido:
“But I didn’t do it, for I acted to protect the honor of my name, lest the Egyptians laugh at Israel’s God who couldn’t keep them from harm. So I brought my people out of Egypt right before the Egyptians’ eyes and led them into the wilderness.


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contenido:
And I gave them the Sabbath—a day of rest every seventh day—as a symbol between them and me, to remind them that it is I, the Lord, who sanctifies them—that they are truly my people.


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contenido:
“But Israel rebelled against me. There in the wilderness they refused my laws. They would not obey my rules even though obeying them means life. And they misused my Sabbaths. Then I thought, I will pour out my fury upon them and utterly consume them in the desert.


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contenido:
“But again I refrained in order to protect the honor of my name, lest the nations who saw me bring them out of Egypt would say that it was because I couldn’t care for them that I destroyed them.


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contenido:
But I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land full of milk and honey, the choicest spot on earth,


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contenido:
because they laughed at my laws, ignored my wishes, and violated my Sabbaths—their hearts were with their idols!


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contenido:
“Then I spoke to their children and said: ‘Don’t follow your fathers’ footsteps. Don’t defile yourselves with their idols,


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contenido:
hallow my Sabbaths; for they are a symbol of the contract between us to help you remember that I am the Lord your God.’


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contenido:
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused my laws—the laws that if a person keeps them, he will live. And they defiled my Sabbaths. So then I said: ‘Now at last I will pour out my fury upon you in the wilderness.’


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contenido:
“Nevertheless, again I withdrew my judgment against them to protect my name among the nations who had seen my power in bringing them out of Egypt.


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contenido:
But I took a solemn oath against them while they were in the wilderness that I would scatter them, dispersing them to the ends of the earth because they did not obey my laws but scorned them and violated my Sabbaths and longed for their fathers’ idols.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I let them adopt customs and laws which were worthless. Through the keeping of them they could not attain life.*


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contenido:
In the hope that they would draw back in horror and know that I alone am God, I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I gave them. They burnt their firstborn children as offerings to their gods!


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contenido:
“Son of dust, tell them that the Lord God says: Your fathers continued to blaspheme and betray me when I brought them into the land I promised them, for they offered sacrifices and incense on every high hill and under every tree! They roused my fury as they offered up their sacrifices to those ‘gods.’ They brought their perfumes and incense and poured out their drink offerings to them!


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contenido:
I said to them: ‘What is this place of sacrifice where you go?’ And so it is still called ‘The Place of Sacrifice’—that is how it got its name.


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contenido:
“The Lord God wants to know whether you are going to pollute yourselves just as your fathers did and keep on worshiping idols.


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contenido:
For when you offer gifts to them and give your little sons to be burned to ashes as you do even today, shall I listen to you or help you, Israel? As I live,” the Lord God says, “I will not give you any message, though you have come to me to ask.


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contenido:
“What you have in mind will not be done—to be like the nations all around you, serving gods of wood and stone.


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contenido:
and will bring you into my desert judgment hall. I will judge you there and get rid of the rebels, just as I did in the wilderness after I brought you out of Egypt.


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contenido:
And the others—the rebels and all those who sin against me—I will purge from among you. They shall not enter Israel, but I will bring them out of the countries where they are in exile. And when that happens, you will know I am the Lord.


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contenido:
“O Israel,” the Lord God says: “If you insist on worshiping your idols, go right ahead, but then don’t bring your gifts to me as well! Such desecration of my holy name must stop!


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contenido:
“For at Jerusalem in my holy mountain,” says the Lord, “all Israel shall worship me. There I will accept you and require you to bring me your offerings and the finest of your gifts.


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contenido:
You will be to me as an offering of perfumed incense when I bring you back from exile, and the nations will see the great change in your hearts.


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contenido:
Then, when I have brought you home to the land I promised your fathers, you will know I am the Lord.


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contenido:
And when I have honored my name by blessing you despite your wickedness, then, O Israel, you will know I am the Lord.”


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contenido:
Prophesy to it and say: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. I will set you on fire, O forest, and every tree will die, green and dry alike. The terrible flames will not be quenched, and they will scorch the world.


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contenido:
For the Lord says: ‘I am against you, Israel. I will unsheath my sword and destroy your people, good and bad alike—


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contenido:
I will not spare even the righteous. I will make a clean sweep throughout the land from the Negeb to your northern borders.


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contenido:
All the world shall know that it is I, the Lord. His sword is in his hand, and it will not return to its sheath again until its work is finished.’


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contenido:
“Sigh and groan before the people, son of dust, in your bitter anguish; sigh with grief and broken heart.


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contenido:
When they ask you why, tell them: ‘Because of the fearsome news that God has given me. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will tremble and become as weak as water.’ And the Lord God says: ‘Your doom is on the way; my judgments will be fulfilled!’”


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contenido:
“Son of dust, tell them this: ‘A sword is being sharpened and polished for terrible slaughter. Now will you laugh? For those far stronger than you have perished beneath its power. It is ready now to hand to the executioner.’


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contenido:
Son of dust, with sobbing, beat upon your thigh, for that sword shall slay my people and all their leaders. All alike shall die.


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contenido:
“Prophesy to them in this way: Clap your hands vigorously, then take a sword and brandish it twice, thrice, to symbolize the great massacre they face!


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contenido:
Let their hearts melt with terror, for a sword glitters at every gate; it flashes like lightning; it is razor-edged for slaughter.


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contenido:
And you have prophesied with clapping hands that I, the Lord, will smite Jerusalem and satisfy my fury.”


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contenido:
“Son of dust, make a map and on it trace two routes for the king of Babylon to follow—one to Jerusalem and the other to Rabbah in Transjordan. And put a signpost at the fork in the road from Babylon.


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contenido:
For the king of Babylon stands at a fork, uncertain whether to attack Jerusalem or Rabbah. He will call his magicians to use divination; they will cast lots by shaking arrows from the quiver; they will sacrifice to idols and inspect the liver of their sacrifice.


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contenido:
They will decide to turn toward Jerusalem! With battering rams they will go against the gates, shouting for the kill; they will build siege towers and make a hill against the walls to reach the top.


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contenido:
Jerusalem won’t understand this treachery; how could the diviners make this terrible mistake? For Babylon is Judah’s ally and has sworn to defend Jerusalem! But the king of Babylon will think only of the times the people rebelled. He will attack and defeat them.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “Again and again your guilt cries out against you, for your sins are open and unashamed. Wherever you go, whatever you do, all is filled with sin. And now the time of punishment has come.


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contenido:
Take off your jeweled crown,” the Lord God says. “The old order changes. Now the poor are exalted and the rich brought very low.


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contenido:
I will overturn, overturn, overturn the kingdom, so that even the new order that emerges will not succeed until the Man appears who has a right to it. And I will give it all to him.


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contenido:
“Son of dust, prophesy to the Ammonites too, for they mocked my people in their woe. Tell them this:
“‘Against you also my glittering sword is drawn from its sheath; it is sharpened and polished and flashes like lightning.


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contenido:
Your magicians and false prophets have told you lies of safety and success—that your gods will save you from the king of Babylon. Thus they have caused your death along with all the other wicked, for when the day of final reckoning has come, you will be wounded unto death.


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contenido:
Shall I return my sword to its sheath before I deal with you? No, I will destroy you in your own country where you were born.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will pour out my fury upon you and blow upon the fire of my wrath until it becomes a roaring conflagration, and I will deliver you into the hands of cruel men skilled in destruction.


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contenido:
You are the fuel for the fire; your blood will be spilled in your own country, and you will be utterly wiped out, your memory lost in history. For I, the Lord, have spoken it.’”


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contenido:
you are guilty both of murder and idolatry. Now comes your day of doom. You have reached the limit of your years. I will make you a laughingstock and a reproach to all the nations of the world.


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contenido:
Fathers and mothers are contemptuously ignored; immigrants and visitors are forced to pay you for your ‘protection’; orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed.


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contenido:
Prisoners are falsely accused and sent to their death. Every mountaintop is filled with idols; lewdness is everywhere.


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contenido:
Hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners are everywhere. You never even think of me and my commands,” the Lord God says.


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contenido:
How strong and courageous will you be then, in my day of reckoning? For I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do all that I have said.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, the people of Israel are the worthless slag left when silver is smelted. They are the dross, compounded from the brass, the tin, the iron, and the lead. Therefore the Lord God says: ‘Because you are worthless dross, I will bring you to my crucible in Jerusalem, to smelt you with the heat of my wrath.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and you will melt like silver in fierce heat, and you will know that I, the Lord, have poured my wrath upon you.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, say to the people of Israel: ‘In the day of my indignation you shall be like an uncleared wilderness or a desert without rain.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your ‘prophets’ have plotted against you like lions stalking prey. They devour many lives; they seize treasures and extort wealth; they multiply the widows in the land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your priests have violated my laws and defiled my Temple and my holiness. To them the things of God are no more important than any daily task. They have not taught my people the difference between right and wrong, and they disregard my Sabbaths, so my holy name is greatly defiled among them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your ‘prophets’ describe false visions and speak false messages they claim are from God, when he hasn’t spoken one word to them at all. Thus they repair the walls with whitewash!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“I looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap and defend you from my just attacks, but I found not one.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And so the Lord God says: “I will pour out my anger upon you; I will consume you with the fire of my wrath. I have heaped upon you the full penalty for all your sins.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The older girl was named Oholah; her sister was Oholibah. (I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem!) I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters. But then Oholah turned to other gods instead of me and gave her love to the Assyrians, her neighbors,


book: Ezek
contenido:
for they were all attractive young men, captains and commanders, in handsome blue, dashing about on their horses.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For when she left Egypt, she did not leave her spirit of prostitution behind, but was still as lewd as in her youth when the Egyptians poured out their lusts upon her and robbed her of her virginity.


book: Ezek
contenido:
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.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But when Oholibah (Jerusalem) saw what had happened to her sister, she went right ahead in the same way and sinned even more than her sister.


book: Ezek
contenido:
She fawned over her Assyrian neighbors, those handsome young men on fine steeds, those army officers in handsome uniforms—all of them desirable.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“She was in fact more debased than Samaria, for she fell in love with pictures she saw painted on a wall! They were pictures of Babylonian military officers, outfitted in striking red uniforms, with handsome belts, and flowing turbans on their heads.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When she saw these paintings, she longed to give herself to the men pictured, so she sent messengers to Chaldea to invite them to come to her.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And they came and committed adultery with her, defiling her in the bed of love, but afterward she hated them and broke off all relations with them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I despised her, just as I despised her sister, because she flaunted herself before them and gave herself to their lust.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But that didn’t bother her. She turned to even greater prostitution, sinning with the lustful men she remembered from her youth when she was a prostitute in Egypt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And thus you celebrated those former days when as a young girl you gave your virginity to those from Egypt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And now the Lord God says that he will raise against you, O Oholibah (Jerusalem), those very nations from which you turned away, disgusted.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Babylonians will come, and all the Chaldeans from Pekod and Shoa and Koa; and all the Assyrians with them—handsome young men of high rank, riding their steeds.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will come against you from the north with chariots, wagons, and a great army fully prepared for attack. They will surround you on every side with armored men, and I will let them at you, to do with you as they wish.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will send my jealousy against you and deal furiously with you. They will cut off your nose and ears; your survivors will be killed; your children will be taken away as slaves, and everything left will be burned.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And so I will put a stop to your lewdness and prostitution brought from the land of Egypt; you will no more long for Egypt and her gods.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will deal with you in hatred and rob you of all you own, leaving you naked and bare. And the shame of your prostitution shall be exposed to all the world.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“You brought all this upon yourself by worshiping the gods of other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You have followed in your sister’s footsteps, so I will punish you with the same terrors that destroyed her.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, the terrors that fell upon her will fall upon you—and the cup from which she drank was full and large. And all the world will mock you for your woe.


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


book: Ezek
contenido:
In deep anguish you will drain that cup of terror to the very bottom and will lick the inside to get every drop. For I have spoken,” says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Because you have forgotten me and turned your backs on me, therefore you must bear the consequence of all your sin.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For they have committed both adultery and murder; they have worshiped idols and murdered my children whom they bore to me, burning them as sacrifices on their altars.


book: Ezek
contenido:
for when they had murdered their children in front of their idols, then even that same day they actually came into my Temple to worship! That is how much regard they have for me!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“You even sent away to distant lands for priests to come with other gods for you to serve, and they have come and been welcomed! You bathed yourself, painted your eyelids, and put on your finest jewels for them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You sat together on a beautifully embroidered bed and put my incense and my oil upon a table spread before you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
From your apartment came the sound of many men carousing—lewd men and drunkards from the wilderness, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns upon your head.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yet that is what they did. They went in to them—to Samaria and Jerusalem, these shameless harlots—with all the zest of lustful men who visit prostitutes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But just persons everywhere will judge them for what they really are—adulteresses and murderers. They will mete out to them the sentences the law demands.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For their enemies will stone them and kill them with swords; they will butcher their sons and daughters and burn their homes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Thus will I make lewdness and idolatry to cease from the land. My judgment will be a lesson against idolatry for all to see.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For you will be fully repaid for all your harlotry, your worshiping of idols. You will suffer the full penalty, and you will know that I alone am God.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
One day late in December of the ninth year (of King Jehoiachin’s captivity), another message came to me from the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust,” he said, “write down this date, for today the king of Babylon has attacked Jerusalem.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And now give this parable to these rebels, Israel; tell them, ‘The Lord God says: Put a pot of water on the fire to boil.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Use only the best sheep from the flock, and heap fuel on the fire beneath the pot. Boil the meat well, until the flesh falls off the bones.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says: “Woe to Jerusalem, City of Murderers; you are a pot that is pitted with rust and with wickedness. So take out the meat chunk by chunk in whatever order it comes—for none is better than any other.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For her wickedness is evident to all—she boldly murders, leaving blood upon the rocks in open view for all to see; she does not even try to cover it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Heap on the wood; let the fire roar and the pot boil. Cook the meat well, and then empty the pot and burn the bones.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It is the rust and corruption of your filthy lewdness, of worshiping your idols. And now, because I wanted to cleanse you and you refused, remain filthy until my fury has accomplished all its terrors upon you!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, I am going to take away your lovely wife. Suddenly, she will die. Yet you must show no sorrow. Do not weep; let there be no tears.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You may sigh, but only quietly. Let there be no wailing at her grave; don’t bare your head nor feet, and don’t accept the food brought to you by consoling friends.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
I proclaimed this to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did all the Lord had told me to.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I answered, “The Lord told me to say to the people of Israel: ‘I will destroy my lovely, beautiful Temple, the strength of your nation. And your sons and daughters in Judea will be slaughtered by the sword.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And you will do as I have done; you may not mourn in public or console yourself by eating the food brought to you by sympathetic friends.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your head and feet shall not be bared; you shall not mourn or weep. But you will sorrow to one another for your sins and mourn privately for all the evil you have done.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Ezekiel is an example to you,’ the Lord God says. ‘You will do as he has done. And when that time comes, then you will know I am the Lord.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, on the day I finish taking from them in Jerusalem the joy of their hearts and their glory and joys—their wives and their sons and their daughters—


book: Ezek
contenido:
on that day a refugee from Jerusalem will start on a journey to come to you in Babylon to tell you what has happened.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And on the day of his arrival, your voice will suddenly return to you so that you can talk with him; and you will be a symbol for these people, and they shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them: ‘Listen to what the Lord God says. Because you scoffed when my Temple was destroyed, and mocked Israel in her anguish, and laughed at Judah when she was marched away captive,


book: Ezek
contenido:
therefore I will let the Bedouins from the desert to the east of you overrun your land. They will set up their encampments among you. They will harvest all your fruit and steal your dairy cattle.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will turn the city of Rabbah into a pasture for camels and all the country of the Ammonites into a wasteland where flocks of sheep can graze. Then you will know I am the Lord.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says: “Because you clapped and stamped and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people,


book: Ezek
contenido:
therefore I will lay my hand heavily upon you, delivering you to many nations for devastation. I will cut you off from being a nation anymore. I will destroy you; then you shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord God says: “Because the Moabites have said that Judah is no better off than any other nation,


book: Ezek
contenido:
therefore I will open up the eastern flank of Moab, wiping out her frontier cities, the glory of the nation—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon and Kiriathaim. And Bedouin tribes from the desert to the east will pour in upon her, just as they will upon Ammon. And Moab will no longer be counted among the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord God says: “Because the people of Edom have sinned so greatly by avenging themselves upon the people of Judah,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will smash Edom with my fist and wipe out her people, her cattle, and her flocks. The sword will destroy everything from Teman to Dedan.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord God says: “Because the Philistines have acted against Judah out of revenge and long-standing hatred,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will shake my fist over the land of the Philistines, and I will wipe out the Cherethites and utterly destroy those along the seacoast.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will execute terrible vengeance upon them to rebuke them for what they have done. And when all this happens, then they shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Another message came to me from the Lord on the first day of the month, in the eleventh year (after King Jehoiachin was taken away to captivity).


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Ha! She who controlled the lucrative north-south trade routes along the coast and along the course of the Jordan River has been broken, and I have fallen heir! Because she has been laid waste, I shall become wealthy!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore the Lord God says: “I stand against you, Tyre, and I will bring nations against you like ocean waves.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down her towers. I will scrape away her soil and make her a bare rock!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Her island shall become uninhabited, a place for fishermen to spread their nets, for I have spoken it,” says the Lord God. “Tyre shall become the prey of many nations,


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says: “I will bring Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—the king of kings from the north—against Tyre with a great army and cavalry and chariots.


book: Ezek
contenido:
First he will destroy your suburbs; then he will attack your mainland city by building a siege wall and raising a roof of shields against it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The hoofs of his cavalry will choke the city with dust, and your walls will shake as the horses gallop through your broken gates, pulling chariots behind them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Horsemen will occupy every street in the city; they will butcher your people, and your famous, huge pillars will topple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They will plunder all your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timber and even your dust into the sea.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will make your island a bare rock, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken it.” So says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Then all the seaport rulers shall come down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and beautiful garments and sit on the ground shaking with fear at what they have seen.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And they shall wail for you, singing this dirge: ‘O mighty island city, with your naval power that terrorized the mainland, how you have vanished from the seas!


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says: “I will destroy Tyre to the ground. You will sink beneath the terrible waves of enemy attack. Great seas shall swallow you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will send you to the pit of hell to lie there with those of long ago. Your city will lie in ruins, dead, like the bodies of those in the underworld who entered long ago the nether world of the dead. Never again will you be inhabited or be given beauty here in the land of those who live.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘O mighty seaport city, merchant center of the world, the Lord God speaks. You say, “I am the most beautiful city in all the world.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
You are like a ship built of finest fir from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They made your oars from oaks of Bashan. The walls of your cabin are of cypress from the southern coast of Cyprus.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your sails are made of Egypt’s finest linens; you stand beneath awnings bright with purple and scarlet dyes from eastern Cyprus.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Wise old craftsmen from Gebal do the calking. Ships come from every land with all their goods to barter for your trade.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Your army includes men from far-off Paras, Lud, and Put. They serve you—it is a feather in your cap to have their shields hang upon your walls; it is the ultimate of honor.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Men from Arvad and from Helech are the sentinels upon your walls; your towers are manned by men from Gamad. Their shields hang row on row upon the walls, perfecting your glory.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Merchants come to you from Rhodes, and many coastlands are your captive markets, giving payment in ebony and ivory.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Edom sends her traders to buy your many wares. They bring emeralds, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and agate.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Judah and the cities in what was once the kingdom of Israel send merchants with wheat from Minnith and Pannag, and with honey, oil, and balm.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Damascus comes. She brings wines from Helbon and white Syrian wool to trade for all the rich variety of goods you make.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They bring choice fabrics to trade—blue cloth, embroidery, and many-colored carpets bound with cords and made secure.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘But now your statesmen bring your ship of state into a hurricane! Your mighty vessel flounders in the heavy eastern gale, and you are wrecked in the heart of the seas!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Everything is lost. Your riches and wares, your sailors and pilots, your shipwrights, merchants, and soldiers; and all the people sink into the sea on the day of your vast ruin.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They shave their heads in grief, put on sackcloth, and weep for you with bitterness of heart and deep mourning.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘And this is the song of their sorrow: “Where in all the world was there ever such a wondrous city as Tyre, destroyed in the midst of the sea?


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your merchandise satisfied the desires of many nations. Kings at the ends of the earth rejoiced in the riches you sent them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All who live along the coastlands watch, incredulous. Their kings are horribly afraid and look on with twisted faces.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The merchants of the nations shake their heads, for your fate is dreadful; you have forever perished.”’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord God says: You are so proud you think you are God, sitting on the throne of a god on your island home in the midst of the seas. But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast yourself to be like God. You are wiser than Daniel, for no secret is hidden from you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
an enemy army, the terror of the nations, shall suddenly draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom and defile your splendor!


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will bring you to the pit of hell, and you shall die as those pierced with many wounds, there on your island in the heart of the seas.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, weep for the king of Tyre. Tell him, ‘The Lord God says: You were the perfection of wisdom and beauty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You were in Eden, the garden of God; your clothing was bejeweled with every precious stone—ruby, topaz, diamond, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald—all in beautiful settings of finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I appointed you to be the anointed Guardian Angel. You had access to the holy mountain of God. You walked among the stones of fire.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘You were perfect in all you did from the day you were created until that time when wrong was found in you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your great wealth filled you with internal turmoil, and you sinned. Therefore, I cast you out of the mountain of God like a common sinner. I destroyed you, O Guardian Angel, from the midst of the stones of fire.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. Therefore, I have cast you down to the ground and exposed you helpless before the curious gaze of kings.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You defiled your holiness with lust for gain; therefore, I brought forth fire from your own actions* and let it burn you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all those watching you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All who know you are appalled at your fate; you are an example of horror; you are destroyed forever.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
‘The Lord God says: I am your enemy, O Sidon, and I will reveal my power over you. When I destroy you and show forth my holiness upon you, then all who see shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will send an epidemic of disease and an army to destroy; the wounded shall be slain in your streets by troops on every side. Then you will know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
No longer shall you and Israel’s other neighbor nations prick and tear at Israel like thorns and briars, though they formerly despised her and treated her with great contempt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘The people of Israel will once more live in their own land, the land I gave their father Jacob. For I will gather them back again from distant lands where I have scattered them, and I will show the nations of the world my holiness among my people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will live safely in Israel and build their homes and plant their vineyards. When I punish all the bordering nations that treated them with such contempt, then they shall know I am the Lord their God.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Late in December of the tenth year (of the imprisonment of King Jehoiachin), this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them that the Lord God says: ‘I am your enemy, Pharaoh, king of Egypt—mighty dragon lying in the middle of your rivers. For you have said, “The Nile is mine; I have made it for myself!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will leave you and all the fish stranded in the desert to die, and you won’t be buried, for I have given you as food to the wild animals and birds.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Because of the way your might collapsed when Israel called on you for aid instead of trusting me, all of you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Israel leaned on you but, like a cracked staff, you snapped beneath her hand and wrenched her shoulder out of joint and made her stagger with the pain.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore the Lord God says: I will bring an army against you, O Egypt, and destroy both men and herds.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The land of Egypt shall become a desolate wasteland, and the Egyptians will know that I, the Lord, have done it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Because you said: “The Nile is mine! I made it!” therefore I am against you and your river, and I will utterly destroy the land of Egypt, from Migdol to Syene, as far south as the border of Ethiopia.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For forty years not a soul will pass that way, neither men nor animals. It will be completely uninhabited.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will make Egypt desolate, surrounded by desolate nations, and her cities will lie as wastelands for forty years. I will exile the Egyptians to other lands.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘But the Lord God says that at the end of the forty years he will bring the Egyptians home again from the nations to which they will be banished.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring her people back to the land of Pathros in southern Egypt where they were born, but she will be an unimportant, minor kingdom.


book: Ezek
contenido:
She will be the lowliest of all the nations; never again will she raise herself above the other nations; never again will Egypt be great enough for that.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Israel will no longer expect any help from Egypt. Whenever she thinks of asking for it, then she will remember her sin in seeking it before. Then Israel will know that I alone am God.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
In the twenty-seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, around the middle of March, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, the army of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon fought hard against Tyre. The soldiers’ heads were bald from carrying heavy basketfuls of earth; their shoulders were raw and blistered from burdens of stones for the siege. And Nebuchadnezzar received no compensation and could not pay the army for all this work.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, the Lord God says, “I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will carry off her wealth, plundering everything she has, for his army.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, I have given him the land of Egypt for his salary because he was working for me during those thirteen years at Tyre,” says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then at last her words will be respected, and Egypt shall know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, prophesy and say: The Lord God says, ‘Weep, for the terrible day is almost here; the day of the Lord; a day of clouds and gloom; a day of despair for the nations!


book: Ezek
contenido:
A sword shall fall on Egypt; the slain shall cover the ground. Her wealth is taken away, her foundations destroyed. The land of Cush has been ravished.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For Cush, Put, Lud, Arabia, and Libya, and all the countries leagued with them shall perish in that war.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord says: “All Egypt’s allies shall fall, and the pride of her power shall end. From Migdol to Syene they shall perish by the sword.


book: Ezek
contenido:
She shall be desolate, surrounded by desolate nations, and her cities shall be in ruins, surrounded by other ruined cities.


book: Ezek
contenido:
At that time I will send swift messengers to bring panic to the Ethiopians; great terror shall befall them at that time of Egypt’s doom. This will all come true.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
He and his armies—the terror of the nations—are sent to demolish the land. They shall war against Egypt and cover the ground with the slain.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will dry up the Nile and sell the whole land to wicked men. I will destroy Egypt and everything in it, using foreigners to do it. I, the Lord, have spoken it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I will smash the idols of Egypt and the images at Memphis, and there will be no king in Egypt; anarchy shall reign!


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will pour out my fury upon Pelusium, the strongest fortress of Egypt, and I will stamp out the people of Thebes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will be racked with pain. Thebes will be torn apart; Memphis will be in daily terror.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis shall die by the sword, and the women will be taken away as slaves.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When I come to break the power of Egypt, it will be a dark day for Tahpanhes too; a dark cloud will cover her, and her daughters will be taken away as captives.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A year later, around the middle of March of the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity,* this message came to me:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and it has not been set nor put into a cast to make it strong enough to hold a sword again.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says, I am against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and I will break both his arms—the strong one and the one that was broken before, and I will make his sword clatter to the ground.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and place my sword in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he shall groan before the king of Babylon as one who has been wounded unto death.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will strengthen the hands of the king of Babylon, while the arms of Pharaoh fall useless to his sides. Yes, when I place my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he swings it over the land of Egypt, Egypt shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In mid-May of the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: ‘You are as Assyria was—a great and mighty nation—like a cedar of Lebanon, full of thick branches and forest shade, with its head high up among the clouds.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its roots went deep into the moist earth. It grew luxuriantly and gave streamlets of water to all the trees around.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It towered above all the other trees. It prospered and grew long thick branches because of all the water at its roots.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The birds nested in its branches, and in its shade the flocks and herds gave birth to young. All the great nations of the world lived beneath its shadow.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This tree was taller than any other in the garden of God; no cypress had branches equal to it; none had boughs to compare; none equaled it in beauty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But Egypt has become proud and arrogant,” the Lord God says. “Therefore because she has set herself so high above the others, reaching to the clouds,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will deliver her into the hands of a mighty nation, to destroy her as her wickedness deserves. I, myself, will cut her down.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A foreign army (from Babylon)—the terror of the nations—will invade her land and cut her down and leave her fallen on the ground. Her branches will be scattered across the mountains and valleys and rivers of the land. All those who live beneath her shade will go away and leave her lying there.


book: Ezek
contenido:
let no other nation exult with pride for its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds, for all are doomed, and they will land in hell along with all the proud men of the world.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “When she fell, I made the oceans mourn for her and restrained their tides. I clothed Lebanon in black and caused the trees of Lebanon to weep.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I made the nations shake with fear at the sound of her fall, for I threw her down to hell with all the others like her. And all the other proud trees of Eden, the choicest and the best of Lebanon, the ones whose roots went deep into the water, are comforted to find her there with them in hell.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Her allies, too, are all destroyed and perish with her. They went down with her to the netherworld—those nations that had lived beneath her shade.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“O Egypt, you are great and glorious among the trees of Eden—the nations of the world. And you will be brought down to the pit of hell with all these other nations. You will be among the nations you despise, killed by the sword. This is the fate of Pharaoh and all his teeming masses,” says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In mid-February of the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, mourn for Pharaoh, king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You think of yourself as a strong young lion among the nations, but you are merely a crocodile along the banks of the Nile, making bubbles and muddying the stream.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
and leave you stranded on the land to die. And all the birds of the heavens will light upon you, and the wild animals of the whole earth will devour you until they are glutted and full.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will drench the earth with your gushing blood, filling the ravines to the tops of the mountains.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will blot you out, and I will veil the heavens and darken the stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give you her light.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And when I destroy you, grief will be in many hearts among the distant nations you have never seen.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, terror shall strike in many lands, and their kings shall be terribly afraid because of all I do to you. They shall shudder with terror when I brandish my sword before them. They shall greatly tremble for their lives on the day of your fall.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will destroy you with Babylon’s mighty army—the terror of the nations. It will smash the pride of Egypt and all her people; all will perish.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will destroy all your flocks and herds that graze beside the streams, and neither man nor animal will disturb those waters anymore.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, the waters of Egypt will be as clear and flow as smoothly as olive oil,” the Lord God says.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And when I destroy Egypt and wipe out everything she has, then she shall know that I, the Lord, have done it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, cry for the sorrows of Egypt. Let all the nations weep for her and for her people,” says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, weep for the people of Egypt and for the other mighty nations. Send them down to the netherworld among the denizens of death.


book: Ezek
contenido:
What nation is as beautiful as you, O Egypt? Yet your doom is the pit; you will be laid beside the people you despise.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Egyptians will die with the multitudes slain by the sword, for the sword is drawn against the land of Egypt. She will be drawn down to judgment.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The mighty warriors in the netherworld will welcome her as she arrives with all her friends, to lie there beside the nations she despised, all victims of the sword.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The princes of Assyria lie there surrounded by the graves of all her people, those the sword has slain.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Their graves are in the depths of hell, surrounded by their allies. All these mighty men who once struck terror into the hearts of everyone are now dead at the hands of their foes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Great kings of Elam lie there with their people. They scourged the nations while they lived, and now they lie undone in hell; their fate is the same as that of ordinary men.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They have a resting place among the slain, surrounded by the graves of all their people. Yes, they terrorized the nations while they lived, but now they lie in shame in the pit, slain by the sword.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The princes of Meshech and Tubal are there, surrounded by the graves of all their armies—all of them idolaters—who once struck terror to the hearts of all; now they lie dead.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They are buried in a common grave and not as the fallen lords who are buried in great honor with their weapons beside them, with their shields covering them and their swords beneath their heads. They were a terror to all while they lived.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Edom is there with her kings and her princes; mighty as they were, they too lie among the others whom the sword has slain, with the idolaters who have gone down to the pit.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All the princes of the north are there and the Sidonians, all slain. Once a terror, now they lie in shame; they lie in ignominy with all the other slain who go down to the pit.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“When Pharaoh arrives, he will be comforted to find that he is not alone in having all his army slain,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“For I have caused my terror to fall upon all the living. And Pharaoh and his army shall lie among the idolaters who are slain by the sword.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, tell your people: ‘When I bring an army against a country, and the people of that land choose a watchman,


book: Ezek
contenido:
For he heard the warning and wouldn’t listen; the fault is his. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm and warn the people, he is responsible for their deaths. They will die in their sins, but I will charge the watchman with their deaths.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“So with you, son of dust. I have appointed you as a watchman for the people of Israel; therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will die!’ and you don’t tell him what I say, so that he does not repent—that wicked person will die in his sins, but I will hold you responsible for his death.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But if you warn him to repent and he doesn’t, he will die in his sins, and you will not be responsible.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“O people of Israel, you are saying: ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we pine away with guilt. How can we live?’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell them: ‘As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; I desire that the wicked turn from his evil ways and live. Turn, turn from your wickedness, for why will you die, O Israel?


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the good works of a righteous man will not save him if he turns to sin; and the sins of an evil man will not destroy him if he repents and turns from his sins.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“I have said the good man will live. But if he sins, expecting his past goodness to save him, then none of his good deeds will be remembered. I will destroy him for his sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when I tell the wicked he will die, and then he turns from his sins and does what is fair and right—


book: Ezek
contenido:
if he gives back the borrower’s pledge, returns what he has stolen, and walks along the paths of right, not doing evil—he shall surely live. He shall not die.


book: Ezek
contenido:
None of his past sins shall be brought up against him, for he has turned to the good and shall surely live.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In the eleventh year of our exile, late in December, one of those who escaped from Jerusalem arrived to tell me, “The city has fallen!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the previous evening, and he had healed me so that I could speak again by the time the man arrived.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, the scattered remnants of Judah living among the ruined cities keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man and yet he got possession of the whole country! We are many, so we should certainly be able to get it back!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
But the Lord God says: ‘You are powerless, for you do evil! You eat meat with the blood, you worship idols, and murder. Do you suppose I’ll let you have the land?


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Tell them, ‘The Lord God says: As I live, surely those living in the ruins shall die by the sword. Those living in the open fields shall be eaten by wild animals, and those in the forts and caves shall die of disease.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will desolate the land and her pride, and her power shall come to an end. And the mountain villages of Israel shall be so ruined that no one will even travel through them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, your people are whispering behind your back. They talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors, saying, ‘Come on, let’s have some fun! Let’s go hear him tell us what the Lord is saying!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
So they come as though they are sincere and sit before you listening. But they have no intention of doing what I tell them to; they talk very sweetly about loving the Lord, but with their hearts they are loving their money.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings lovely songs with a beautiful voice or plays well on an instrument. They hear what you say but don’t pay any attention to it!


book: Ezek
contenido:
But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Say to them, ‘The Lord God says to you: Woe to the shepherds who feed themselves instead of their flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed the sheep?


book: Ezek
contenido:
You haven’t taken care of the weak, nor tended the sick, nor bound up the broken bones, nor gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So they were scattered, without a shepherd. They have become a prey to every animal that comes along.


book: Ezek
contenido:
My sheep wandered through the mountains and hills and over the face of the earth, and there was no one to search for them or care about them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As I live, says the Lord God, you abandoned my flock, leaving them to be attacked and destroyed, and you were no real shepherds at all, for you didn’t search for them. You fed yourselves and let them starve;


book: Ezek
contenido:
therefore, I am against the shepherds, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock—and take away their right to eat. I will save my flock from being taken for their food.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will be like a shepherd looking for his flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places they were scattered in that dark and cloudy day.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will bring them back from among the people and nations where they were, back home to their own land of Israel, and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel and by the rivers where the land is fertile and good.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, I will give them good pasture on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in peace and feed in luscious mountain pastures.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I myself will be the Shepherd of my sheep and cause them to lie down in peace,” the Lord God says. “I will seek my lost ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again. I will put splints and bandages upon their broken limbs and heal the sick. And I will destroy the powerful, fat shepherds; I will feed them, yes—feed them punishment!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And as for you, O my flock—my people,” the Lord God says, “I will judge you and separate good from bad, sheep from goats.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Is it a small thing to you, O evil shepherds, that you not only keep the best of the pastures for yourselves, but trample down the rest? That you take the best water for yourselves and muddy the rest with your feet?


book: Ezek
contenido:
All that’s left for my flock is what you’ve trampled down; all they have to drink is water that you’ve fouled.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore the Lord God says: “I will surely judge between these fat shepherds and their scrawny sheep.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For these shepherds push and butt and crowd my sick and hungry flock until they’re scattered far away.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I myself will save my flock; no more will they be picked on and destroyed. And I will notice which is plump and which is thin, and why!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I will set one Shepherd over all my people, even my Servant David. He shall feed them and be a Shepherd to them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my Servant David shall be a Prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“I will make a peace pact with them and drive away the dangerous animals from the land, so that my people can safely camp in the wildest places and sleep safely in the woods.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will make my people and their homes around my hill a blessing. And there shall be showers, showers of blessing, for I will not shut off the rains but send them in their seasons.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Their fruit trees and fields will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken off their chains of slavery and delivered them from those who profiteered at their expense, they shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
No more will other nations conquer them nor wild animals attack. They shall live in safety and no one shall make them afraid.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I will raise up a notable Vine (the Messiah), in Israel so that my people will never again go hungry nor be shamed by heathen conquest.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In this way they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the people of Israel, are my people,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Because you hate my people Israel, I will demolish your cities and make you desolate, and then you shall know I am the Lord. You butchered my people when they were helpless, when I had punished them for all their sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As I live, the Lord God says, since you enjoy blood so much, I will give you a blood bath—your turn has come!


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will utterly wipe out the people of Mount Seir, killing off all those who try to escape and all those who return.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will fill your mountains with the dead—your hills, your valleys, and your rivers will be filled with those the sword has killed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Never again will you revive. You will be abandoned forever; your cities will never be rebuilt. Then you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘For you said, “Both Israel and Judah shall be mine. We will take possession of them. What do we care that God is there!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore as I live, the Lord God says, I will pay back your angry deeds with mine—I will punish you for all your acts of envy and of hate. And I will honor my name in Israel by what I do to you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And you shall know that I have heard each evil word you spoke against the Lord, saying, “His people are helpless; they are food for us to eat!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
You rejoiced at Israel’s fearful fate. Now I will rejoice at yours! You will be wiped out, O people of Mount Seir and all who live in Edom! And then you will know I am the Lord!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
they have destroyed you on every side and sent you away as slaves to many lands. You are mocked and slandered.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God. He says to the hills and mountains, dales and valleys, and to the ruined farms and the long-deserted cities, destroyed and mocked by heathen nations all around:


book: Ezek
contenido:
My anger is afire against these nations, especially Edom, for grabbing my land with relish, in utter contempt for me, to take it for themselves.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore prophesy and say to the hills and mountains, dales and valleys of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord God says! I am full of fury because you suffered shame before the surrounding nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, I have sworn with hand held high that those nations are going to have their turn of being covered with shame,


book: Ezek
contenido:
but for Israel good times will return. There will be heavy crops of fruit to prepare for my people’s return—and they will be coming home again soon!


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will greatly increase your population throughout all Israel, and the ruined cities will be rebuilt and filled with people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Not only the people, but your flocks and herds will also greatly multiply. O mountains of Israel, again you will be filled with homes. I will do even more for you than I did before. Then you shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
My people will walk upon you once again, and you will belong to them again; and you will no longer be a place for burning their children on idol altars.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “Now the other nations taunt you, saying, ‘Israel is a land that devours her people!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
But they will not say this anymore. Your birthrate will rise, and your infant mortality rate will drop off sharply,” says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“No longer will those heathen nations sneer, for you will no longer be a nation of sinners,” the Lord God says.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, when the people of Israel were living in their own country, they defiled it by their evil deeds; to me their worship was as foul as filthy rags.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They polluted the land with murder and with the worshiping of idols, so I poured out my fury upon them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But when they were scattered out among the nations, then they were a blight upon my holy name because the nations said, ‘These are the people of God and he couldn’t protect them from harm!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord God says: I am bringing you back again, but not because you deserve it; I am doing it to protect my holy name, which you tarnished among the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will honor my great name, that you defiled, and the people of the world shall know I am the Lord. I will be honored before their eyes by delivering you from exile among them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Then it will be as though I had sprinkled clean water on you, for you will be clean—your filthiness will be washed away, your idol worship gone.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘And you shall live in Israel, the land which I gave your fathers long ago. And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will give you huge harvests from your fruit trees and fields, and never again will the surrounding nations be able to scoff at your land for its famines.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But always remember this: It is not for your own sakes that I will do this, but for mine. O my people Israel, be utterly ashamed of all that you have done!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “When I cleanse you from your sins, I will bring you home again to Israel, and rebuild the ruins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Acreage will be cultivated again that through the years of exile lay empty as a barren wilderness; all who passed by were shocked to see the extent of ruin in your land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But when I bring you back, they will say, ‘This God-forsaken land has become like Eden’s garden! The ruined cities are rebuilt and walled and filled with people!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the nations all around—all those still left—will know that I, the Lord, rebuilt the ruins and planted lush crops in the wilderness. For I, the Lord, have promised it, and I will do it.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “I am ready to hear Israel’s prayers for these blessings and to grant them their requests. Let them but ask, and I will multiply them like the flocks that fill Jerusalem’s streets at the time of sacrifice. The ruined cities will be crowded once more, and everyone will know I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The power of the Lord was upon me and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley full of old, dry bones that were scattered everywhere across the ground. He led me around among them,


book: Ezek
contenido:
and then he said to me:
“Son of dust, can these bones become people again?”
I replied, “Lord, you alone know the answer to that.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will replace the flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you shall live and know I am the Lord.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I spoke these words from God, just as he told me to; and suddenly there was a rattling noise from all across the valley, and the bones of each body came together and attached to each other as they used to be.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then, as I watched, the muscles and flesh formed over the bones, and skin covered them, but the bodies had no breath.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he told me to call to the wind and say: “The Lord God says: Come from the four winds, O Spirit, and breathe upon these slain bodies, that they may live again.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I spoke to the winds as he commanded me, and the bodies began breathing; they lived and stood up—a very great army.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he told me what the vision meant: “These bones,” he said, “represent all the people of Israel. They say: ‘We have become a heap of dried-out bones—all hope is gone.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
But tell them, ‘The Lord God says: My people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again and return to the land of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will put my Spirit into you, and you shall live and return home again to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have done just what I promised you.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Take a stick and carve on it these words: ‘This stick represents Judah and her allied tribes.’ Then take another stick and carve these words on it: ‘This stick represents all the other tribes of Israel.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Tell these people (holding the sticks so they can see what you are doing), the Lord God says: ‘I will take the tribes of Israel and join them to Judah and make them one stick in my hand.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Lord God says: “I am gathering the people of Israel from among the nations and bringing them home from around the world to their own land,


book: Ezek
contenido:
to unify them into one nation. One king shall be king of them all; no longer shall they be divided into two nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They shall stop polluting themselves with idols and their other sins, for I will save them from all this foulness. Then they shall truly be my people and I their God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And David, my Servant—the Messiah—shall be their King, their only Shepherd; and they shall obey my laws and all my wishes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They shall live in the land of Israel where their fathers lived, the land I gave my servant Jacob. They and their children after them shall live there, and their grandchildren, for all generations. And my Servant David, their Messiah, shall be their Prince forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting pact. I will bless them and multiply them and put my Temple among them forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when my Temple remains among them forever, then the nations will know that I, the Lord, have chosen Israel as my very own.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, face northward toward the land of Magog and prophesy against Gog* king of Meshech and Tubal. Tell him that the Lord God says: ‘I am against you, Gog.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will put hooks into your jaws and pull you to your doom. I will mobilize your troops and armored cavalry and make you a mighty host, all fully armed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and so shall Gomer and all his hordes and the armies of Togarmah from the distant north, as well as many others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘A long time from now you will be called to action. In distant years you will swoop down onto the land of Israel that will be lying in peace after the return of its people from many lands.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down upon them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will have said, “Israel is an unprotected land of unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people living in such confidence!


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will go to those once-desolate cities that are now filled with people again—those who have returned from all the nations—and I will capture vast amounts of loot and many slaves. For the people are rich with cattle now, and the whole earth revolves around them!”’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But Sheba and Dedan and the merchant princes of Tarshish with whom she trades* will ask, ‘Who are you to rob them of silver and gold and drive away their cattle and seize their goods and make them poor?’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says to Gog: “When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will come from all over the north with your vast host of cavalry and cover the land like a cloud. This will happen in the distant future—in the latter years of history. I will bring you against my land, and my holiness will be vindicated in your terrible destruction before their eyes, so that all the nations will know that I am God.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “You are the one I spoke of long ago through the prophets of Israel, saying that after many years had passed, I would bring you against my people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All living things shall quake in terror at my presence; mountains shall be thrown down; cliffs shall tumble; walls shall crumble to the earth.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will summon every kind of terror against you,” says the Lord God, “and you will fight against yourselves in mortal combat!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Thus will I show my greatness and bring honor upon my name, and all the nations of the world will hear what I have done and know that I am God!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, prophesy this also against Gog. Tell him:
“‘I stand against you, Gog, leader of Meshech and Tubal.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will turn you and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. And I will destroy 85 percent of your army in the mountains.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You and all your vast armies will die upon the mountains. I will give you to the vultures and wild animals to devour you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will never reach the cities—you will fall upon the open fields; for I have spoken, the Lord God says.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts, and they shall know I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘Thus I will make known my holy name among my people Israel; I will not let it be mocked at anymore. And the nations, too, shall know I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘The people of the cities of Israel will go out and pick up your shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, javelins and spears, to use for fuel—enough to last them seven years.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For seven years they will need nothing else for their fires. They won’t cut wood from the fields or forests, for these weapons will give them all they need. They will use the possessions of those who abused them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“‘And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his armies in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the path of the travelers. There Gog and all his armies will be buried. And they will change the name of the place to “The Valley of Gog’s Army.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel on that day when I demonstrate my glory, says the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
At the end of the seven months, they will appoint men to search the land systematically for any skeletons left and bury them, so that the land will be cleansed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Whenever anyone sees some bones, he will put up a marker beside them so that the buriers will see them and take them to the Valley of Gog’s Army to bury them. A city named “Multitude” is there! And so the land will finally be cleansed.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And now, son of dust, call all the birds and animals and say to them: ‘Gather together for a mighty sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel. Come, eat the flesh and drink the blood!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of princes—they are the rams, the lambs, the goats, and the fat young bulls of Bashan for my feast!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Gorge yourselves with flesh until you are glutted, drink blood until you are drunk; this is the sacrificial feast I have prepared for you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Thus I will demonstrate my glory among the nations; all shall see the punishment of Gog and know that I have done it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the nations will know why Israel was sent away to exile—it was punishment for sin, for they acted in treachery against their God. Therefore, I turned my face away from them and let their enemies destroy them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But now,” the Lord God says, “I will end the captivity of my people and have mercy upon them and restore their fortunes, for I am concerned about my reputation!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Their time of treachery and shame will all be in the past; they will be home again, in peace and safety in their own land, with no one bothering them or making them afraid.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will bring them home from the lands of their enemies—and my glory shall be evident to all the nations when I do it. Through them I will vindicate my holiness before the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then my people will know I am the Lord their God—responsible for sending them away to exile, and responsible for bringing them home. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will never hide my face from them again, for I will pour out my Spirit upon them,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Early in April of the twenty-fifth year of our exile—the fourteenth year after Jerusalem was captured—the hand of the Lord was upon me,


book: Ezek
contenido:
and in a vision he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a high mountain where I saw what appeared to be a city opposite me.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Going nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze, standing beside the Temple gate, holding in his hand a measuring tape and a measuring stick.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He said to me: “Son of dust, watch and listen and take to heart everything I show you, for you have been brought here so I can show you many things; and then you are to return to the people of Israel to tell them all you have seen.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The man began to measure the wall around the outside of the Temple area with his measuring stick, which was 10½ feet long. He told me, “This wall is 10½ feet high and 10½ feet wide.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me over to the passageway that goes through the eastern wall. We climbed the seven steps into the entrance, and he measured the entry hall of the passage; it was 10½ feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Walking on through the passageway I saw that there were three guardrooms on each side; each of these rooms was 10½ feet square, with a distance of 8¾ feet along the wall between them. In front of these rooms was a low barrier 18 inches high and 18 inches wide. Beyond the guardrooms was a 10½-foot doorway opening into a 14-foot hall with 3½-foot columns. Beyond this hall, at the inner end of the passageway, was a vestibule 22¾ feet wide and 17½ feet long.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured the entire outside width of the passageway, measuring across the roof from the outside doors of the guardrooms; this distance was 43¾ feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were windows that narrowed inward through the walls along both sides of the passageway and along the guardroom walls. The windows were also in the exit and in the entrance halls. The pillars were decorated with palm tree decorations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And so we passed through the passageway to the court inside. A stone pavement ran around the inside of the walls, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto this pavement.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This was called “the lower pavement.” It extended out from the walls into the court the same distance as the passageway did.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured across to the wall on the other side of this court (which was called “the outer court” of the Temple) and found that the distance was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As I followed, he left the eastern passageway and went over to the passage through the northern wall and measured it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Here, too, there were three guardrooms on each side, and all the measurements were the same as for the east passageway—87½ feet long and 43¾ feet from side to side across the top of the guardrooms.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were windows, an entry hall, and the palm tree decorations just the same as on the east side. And there were seven steps leading up to the doorway to the entry hall inside.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Here at the north entry, just as at the east, if one walked through the passageway into the court and straight across it, he came to an inner wall and a passageway through it to an inner court. The distance between the two passageways was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me around to the south gate and measured the various sections of its passageway and found they were just the same as in the others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It had windows along the walls as the others did, and an entry hall. And like the others, it was 87½ feet long and 43¾ feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It, too, had a stairway of seven steps leading up to it, and there were palm tree decorations along the walls.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And here again, if one walked through the passageway into the court and straight across it, he came to the inner wall and a passageway through it to the inner court. And the distance between the passageways was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me over to the inner wall and its south passageway. He measured this passageway and found that it had the same measurements as the passageways of the outer wall.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its guardrooms, pillars, and entrance and exit hall were identical to all the others, and so were the windows along its walls and entry. And, like the others, it was 87½ feet long by 43¾ feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The only difference was that it had eight steps leading up to it instead of seven. It had palm tree decorations on the pillars, just as the others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me along the court to the eastern entrance of the inner wall, and measured it. It, too, had the same measurements as the others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its guardrooms, pillars, and entrance hall were the same size as those of the other passageways, and there were windows along the walls and in the entry hall; and it was 87½ feet long by 43¾ feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its entry hall faced the outer court, and there were palm tree decorations on its columns, but there were eight steps instead of seven going up to the entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me around to the north gate of the inner wall, and the measurements there were just like the others:


book: Ezek
contenido:
The guardrooms, pillars, and entry hall of this passageway were the same as the others, with a length of 87½ feet and a width of 43¾ feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its entry hall faced toward the outer court; it had palm tree decorations on the walls of each side of the passageway, and there were eight steps leading up to the entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But a door led from its entry hall into a side room where the flesh of the sacrifices was washed before being taken to the altar;


book: Ezek
contenido:
on each side of the entry hall of the passageway there were two tables where the animals for sacrifice were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings to be presented in the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Outside the entry hall, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, there were two more tables.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So, in all there were eight tables, four inside and four outside, where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were also four stone tables where the butchering knives and other implements were laid. These tables were about 2⅝ feet square and 1¾ feet high.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were hooks, 3 or 4 inches long, fastened along the walls of the entry hall, and on the tables the flesh of the offering was to be laid.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In the inner court there were two one-room buildings, one beside the northern entrance, facing south, and one beside the southern entrance, facing north.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And he said to me: “The building beside the inner northern gate is for the priests who supervise the maintenance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The building beside the inner southern entrance is for the priests in charge of the altar—the descendants of Zadok—for they alone of all the Levites may come near to the Lord to minister to him.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured the inner court in front of the Temple and found it to be 175 feet square, and there was an altar in the court, standing in front of the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me to the entrance hall of the Temple. Ten steps led up to it from the inner court. Its walls extended up on either side to form two pillars, each of them 8¾ feet thick. The entrance was 24½ feet wide with 5¼-foot walls. Thus the entry hall was 35 feet wide and 19¼ feet long.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Afterward he brought me into the nave, the large main room of the Temple, and measured the pillars that formed its doorway. They were 10½ feet square.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he went into the inner room at the end of the nave and measured the columns at the entrance and found them to be 3½ feet thick; its doorway was 10½ feet wide, with a hallway 12¼ feet deep behind it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured the wall of the Temple and found that it was 10½ feet thick, with a row of rooms along the outside. Each room was 7 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
These rooms were in three tiers, one above the other, with thirty rooms in each tier. The whole structure was supported by girders and not attached to the Temple wall for support.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Each tier was wider than the one below it, corresponding to the narrowing of the Temple wall as it rose higher. A stairway at the side of the Temple led up from floor to floor.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I noticed that the Temple was built on a terrace and that the bottom row of rooms extended out 10½ feet onto the terrace.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The outer wall of these rooms was 8¾ feet thick, leaving a free space of 8¾ feet out to the edge of the terrace, the same on both sides.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Thirty-five feet away from the terrace, on both sides of the Temple, was another row of rooms down in the inner court.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Two doors opened from the tiers of rooms to the terrace yard, which was 8¾ feet wide; one door faced north and the other south.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A large building stood on the west, facing the Temple yard, measuring 122½ feet wide by 157½ feet long. Its walls were 8¾ feet thick.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and so was the building west of the Temple, including its two walls.
The nave of the Temple and the Holy of Holies and the entry hall were paneled, and all three had recessed windows. The inner walls of the Temple were paneled with wood above and below the windows.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The space above the door leading into the Holy of Holies was also paneled. The walls were decorated with carvings of Guardian Angels, each with two faces, and of palm trees alternating with the Guardian Angels.


book: Ezek
contenido:
One face—that of a man—looked toward the palm tree on one side, and the other face—that of a young lion—looked toward the palm tree on the other side. And so it was, all around the inner wall of the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were square doorposts at the doors of the nave, and in front of the Holy of Holies was what appeared to be an altar, but it was made of wood.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This altar was 3½ feet square and 5¼ feet high; its corners, base, and sides were all of wood. “This,” he told me, “is the Table of the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The doors leading into the nave were decorated with cherubim and palm trees, just as on the walls. And there was a wooden canopy over the entry hall.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were recessed windows and carved palm trees on both sides of the entry hall, the hallways beside the Temple, and on the canopy over the entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he led me out of the Temple, back into the inner court to the rooms north of the Temple yard, and to another building.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The rows of rooms behind this building were the inner wall of the court. The rooms were in three tiers, overlooking the outer court on one side, and having a 35-foot strip of inner court on the other.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A 17½-foot walk ran between the building and the tiers of rooms, extending the entire length, with the doors of the building facing north.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The upper two tiers of rooms were not as wide as the lower one, because the upper tiers had wider walkways beside them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And since the building was not built with girders as those in the outer court were, the upper stories were set back from the ground floor.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The north tiers, next to the outer court, were 87½ feet long—only half as long as the inner wing that faced the Temple court, which was 175 feet long. But a wall extended from the end of the shorter wing, parallel to the longer wing.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And there was an entrance from the outer court to these rooms from the east. On the opposite side of the Temple a similar building composed of two units of tiers was on the south side of the inner court, between the Temple and the outer court, arranged the same as the other.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There was a walk between the two wings of the building, the same as in the other building across the court—the same length and width and the same exits and doors—they were identical units.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he told me: “These north and south tiers of rooms facing the Temple yard are holy; there the priests who offer up the sacrifices to the Lord shall eat of the most holy offerings and store them—the cereal offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, for these rooms are holy.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When the priests leave the Holy Place—the nave of the Temple—they must change their clothes before going out to the outer court. The special robes in which they have been ministering must first be removed, for these robes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building open to the public.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
When he had finished making these measurements, he led me out through the east passageway to measure the entire Temple area.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He found that it was in the form of a square, 875 feet long on each side, with a wall all around it to separate the restricted area from the public places.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And 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 lighted up with his glory.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It was just as I had seen it in the other visions, first by the Chebar Canal, and then later at Jerusalem when he came to destroy the city. And I fell down before him with my face in the dust.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner court; and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I heard the Lord speaking to me from within the Temple (the man who had been measuring was still standing beside me).


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord said to me:
“Son of dust, this is the place of my throne and my footstool, where I shall remain, living among the people of Israel forever. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer through the adulterous worship of other gods or by worshiping the totem poles erected by their kings.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They built their idol temples beside mine, with only a wall between, and worshiped their idols. Because they sullied my holy name by such wickedness, I consumed them in my anger.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Now let them put away their idols and the totem poles erected by their kings, and I will live among them forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of dust, describe the Temple I have shown you to the people of Israel. Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And if they are truly ashamed of what they have done, then explain to them the details of its construction—its doors and entrances—and everything about it. Write out all the directions and the rules for them to keep.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And this is the basic law of the Temple: Holiness! The entire top of the hill where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the primary law concerning it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And these are the measurements of the altar: The base is 21 inches high, with a 9-inch rim around its edge, and it extends 21 inches beyond the altar on all sides.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The first stage of the altar is a stone platform 3½ feet high. This platform is 21 inches narrower than the base block on all sides. Rising from this is a narrower platform, 21 inches narrower on all sides, and 7 feet high.


book: Ezek
contenido:
From it a still narrower platform rises 7 feet, and this is the top of the altar, with four horns projecting 21 inches up from the corners.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The platform beneath it is 24½ feet square with a 10½-inch curb around the edges. The entire platform extends out from the top 21 inches on all sides. On the east side are steps to climb the altar.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And he said to me:
“Son of dust, the Lord God says: These are the measurements of the altar to be made in the future, when it is erected for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood upon it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
At that time the Zadok family of the Levite tribe, who are my ministers, are to be given a bullock for a sin offering.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You shall take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the top platform and in the curb around it. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then take the bullock for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The second day, sacrifice a young male goat without any defects—without sickness, deformities, cuts, or scars—for a sin offering. Thus the altar shall be cleansed, as it was by the bullock.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When you have finished this cleansing ceremony, offer another perfect bullock and a perfect ram from the flock.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Every day for seven days a male goat, a bullock, and a ram from the flock shall be sacrificed as a sin offering. None are to have any defects or unhealthiness of any kind.


book: Ezek
contenido:
On the eighth day, and on each day afterward, the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and thank offerings of the people, and I will accept you, says the Lord God.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
And he said to me:
“This gate shall remain closed; it shall never be opened. No man shall pass through it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, entered here, and so it shall remain shut.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Only the prince—because he is the prince—may sit inside the passageway to feast there before the Lord. But he shall go and come only through the entry hall of the passage.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me through the north passageway 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.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the Lord said to me:
“Son of dust, notice carefully; use your eyes and ears. Listen to all I tell you about the laws and rules of the Temple of the Lord. Note carefully who may be admitted to the Temple and who is to be excluded from it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And say to these rebels, the people of Israel, ‘The Lord God says: O Israel, you have sinned greatly


book: Ezek
contenido:
by letting the uncircumcised into my sanctuary—those who have no heart for God—when you offer me my food, the fat and the blood. Thus you have broken my covenant in addition to all your other sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You have not kept the laws I gave you concerning these holy affairs, for you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “No foreigner of all the many among you shall enter my sanctuary if he has not been circumcised and does not love the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from God to idols must be punished for their unfaithfulness.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They may be Temple guards and gatemen; they may slay the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But because they encouraged the people to worship other gods, causing Israel to fall into deep sin, I have raised my hand and taken oath,” says the Lord God, “that they must be punished.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They shall not come near me to minister as priests; they may not touch any of my holy things, for they must bear their shame for all the sins they have committed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“However, the sons of Zadok, of the tribe of Levi, continued as my priests in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men shall be my ministers; they shall stand before me to offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They shall enter my sanctuary and come to my Table to minister to me; they shall fulfill my requirements.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They must wear only linen clothing when they enter the passageway to the inner court, for they must wear no wool while on duty in the inner court or in the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They must wear linen turbans and linen trousers; they must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When they return to the outer court, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me, leaving them in the sacred chambers, and put on other clothes lest they harm the people by touching them with this clothing.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They must not let their hair grow too long nor shave it off. Regular, moderate haircuts are all they are allowed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“He shall teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is secular, what is right and what is wrong.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based upon my laws. And the priests themselves shall obey my rules and regulations at all the sacred festivals, and they shall see to it that the Sabbath is kept a sacred day.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“A priest must not 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 all right.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But afterward he must wait seven days before he is cleansed and able to perform his Temple duties again.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The first day he returns to work and enters the inner court and the sanctuary, he must offer a sin offering for himself,” the Lord God says.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Their food shall be the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people—the cereal offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Whatever anyone gives to the Lord shall be the priests’.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The first of the first-ripe fruits and all the gifts for the Lord shall go to the priests. The first samples of each harvest of grain shall be donated to the priests too, so that the Lord will bless your homes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Priests may never eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by other animals.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you shall first give a section of it to the Lord as his holy portion. This piece shall be 8⅓ miles long and 6⅔ miles wide. It shall all be holy ground.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“A section of this land, 875 feet square, shall be designated for the Temple. An additional 87½-foot strip all around is to be left empty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All this section shall be holy land; it will be used by the priests, who minister in the sanctuary, for their homes and for my Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The strip next to it, 8⅓ miles long and 3⅓ miles wide, shall be the residence area for the Levites who work at the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Adjacent to the holy lands will be a section 8⅓ miles by 1⅔ miles for a city open to everyone in Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Two special sections of land shall be set apart for the prince—one on each side of the holy lands and city; it is contiguous with them in length, and its eastern and western boundaries are the same as those of the tribal sections.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This shall be his allotment. My princes shall no longer oppress and rob my people but shall assign all the remainder of the land to the people, giving a portion to each tribe.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Sovereign Lord says to the rulers: “Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land and expelling them from their homes. Always be fair and honest.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A homer (about five bushels) shall be your standard unit of measurement for both liquid and dry measure. Smaller units shall be the ephah (about a half bushel) for dry measure, and the bath (about seventeen quarts) for liquid.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The unit of weight shall be the silver shekel (about half an ounce); it must always be exchanged for twenty gerahs, no less; five shekels shall be valued at five shekels, no less; and ten shekels at ten shekels! Fifty shekels shall always equal one mina.


book: Ezek
contenido:
from each 200 sheep in all your flocks in Israel, give him one sheep. These are the meal offerings, burnt offerings, and thank offerings to make atonement for those who bring them,” says the Lord God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The prince shall be required to furnish the people with sacrifices for public worship—sin offerings, burnt offerings, meal offerings, drink offerings, and thank offerings—to make reconciliation for the people of Israel. This shall be done at the time of the religious feasts, the new moon ceremonies, the Sabbaths, and all other similar occasions.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “On each New Year’s Day sacrifice a young bull with no blemishes, to purify the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The priest shall take some of the blood of this sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, upon the four corners of the base of the altar, and upon the walls at the entry of the inner court.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Do this also on the seventh day of that month for anyone who has sinned through error or ignorance, and so the Temple will be cleansed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“On the fourteenth day of the same month, you shall celebrate the Passover. It will be a seven-day feast. Only bread without yeast shall be eaten during those days.


book: Ezek
contenido:
On the day of Passover the prince shall provide a young bull for a sin offering for himself and all the people of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
On each of the seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the Lord. This daily offering will consist of seven young bulls and seven rams without blemish. A male goat shall also be given each day for a sin offering.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the prince shall provide a half bushel of grain with each bullock and ram for a meal offering, and three quarts of olive oil.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Early in October during each of the seven days of the annual festival of shelters, he shall provide these same sacrifices for the sin offering, burnt offering, meal offering, and oil offering.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “The inner wall’s eastern entrance shall be closed during the six work days but open on the Sabbath and on the days of the new moon celebrations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The prince shall enter the outside entry hall of the passageway and proceed to the inner wall at the other end while the priest offers his burnt offering and peace offering. He shall worship inside the passageway and then return back to the entrance, which shall not be closed until evening.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The people shall worship the Lord in front of this passageway on the Sabbaths and on the days of the new moon celebrations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The burnt offering that the prince sacrifices to the Lord on the Sabbath days shall be six lambs and a ram, all unblemished.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He shall present a meal offering of a half bushel of flour to go with the ram and whatever amount he is willing to give with each lamb. And he shall bring three quarts of olive oil for each half bushel of flour.


book: Ezek
contenido:
At the new moon celebration, he shall bring one young bull in perfect condition, six lambs, and one ram, all without any blemish.


book: Ezek
contenido:
With the young bull, he must bring a half bushel of flour for a meal offering. With the ram he must bring a half bushel* of flour. With the lamb he is to bring whatever he is willing to give. With each half bushel of grain he is to bring three quarts of olive oil.


book: Ezek
contenido:
but when the people come in through the north passageway to sacrifice during the religious feasts, they must go out through the south passageway. Those coming in from the south must go out by the north. They must never go out the same way they come in, but must always use the opposite passageway.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“To summarize: At the special feasts and sacred festivals the meal offering shall be a half bushel with the young bull; a half bushel with the ram; as much as the prince is willing to give with each lamb; and three quarts of oil with each half bushel of grain.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Whenever the prince offers an extra burnt offering or peace offering to be sacrificed to the Lord, the inner eastern gate shall be opened up for him to enter, and he shall offer his sacrifices just as on the Sabbaths. Then he shall turn around and go out, and the passage shall be shut behind him.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And there must be a meal offering each morning—five pounds of flour with one quart of oil with which to mix it. This is a permanent ordinance—the lamb, the grain offering, and the olive oil shall be provided every morning for the daily sacrifice.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Sovereign Lord says: “If the prince gives a gift of land to one of his sons, it will belong to him forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But if he gives a gift of land to one of his servants, the servant may keep it only until the Year of Release (every seventh year) when he is set free; then the land returns to the prince. Only gifts to his sons are permanent.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the prince may never take anyone’s property by force. If he gives property to his sons, it must be from his own land, for I don’t want my people losing their property and having to move away.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
After that, using the door through the wall at the side of the main passageway, he led me through the entrance to the block of sacred chambers that faced north. There, at the extreme west end of these rooms, I saw a place where, my guide told me, the priests boil the meat of the trespass offering and sin offering and bake the flour of the flour offerings into bread. They do it here to avoid the necessity of carrying the sacrifices through the outer court, in case they harm the people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me out to the outer court again and led me to each of the four corners of the court. I saw that in each corner there was a room 70 feet long by 52½ feet wide, enclosed by walls.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He said these rooms were where the Temple assistants—the Levites—boil the sacrifices the people offer.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me back to the door of the Temple. I saw a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple and passing to the right of the altar, that is, on its south side.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me outside the wall through the north passageway and around to the eastern entrance, where I saw the stream flowing along on the south side of the eastern passageway.*


book: Ezek
contenido:
Measuring as he went, he took me 1,500 feet east along the stream and told me to go across. At that point the water was up to my ankles.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He measured off another 1,500 feet and told me to cross again. This time the water was up to my knees.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Fifteen hundred feet after that it was up to my waist. Another 1,500 feet and it had become a river so deep I wouldn’t be able to get across unless I were to swim. It was too deep to cross on foot.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He told me: “This river flows east through the desert and the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, where it will heal the salty waters and make them fresh and pure.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Everything touching the water of this river shall live. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed. Wherever this water flows, everything will live.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea, fishing all the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim. The shores will be filled with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea just as they do the Mediterranean!


book: Ezek
contenido:
All kinds of fruit trees will grow along the riverbanks. The leaves will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit. There will be a new crop every month—without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for medicine.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord God says: “Here are the instructions for dividing the land to the twelve tribes of Israel: The tribe of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) shall be given two sections.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Otherwise, each tribe will have an equal share. I promised with hand raised in oath of truth to give the land to your fathers, and you shall inherit it now.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The northern boundary will run from the Mediterranean toward Hethlon, then on through Labweh to Zedad;


book: Ezek
contenido:
then to Berothah and Sibraim, which are on the border between Damascus and Hamath, and finally to Hazer-hatticon, on the border of Hauran.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So the northern border will be from the Mediterranean to Hazar-enan, on the border with Hamath to the north and Damascus to the south.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The eastern border will run south from Hazar-enan to Mount Hauran, where it will bend westward to the Jordan at the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, and down along the Jordan River separating Israel from Gilead, past the Dead Sea to Tamar.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The southern border will go west from Tamar to the springs at Meribath-kadesh and then follow the course of the brook of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish) to the Mediterranean.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“On the west side, the Mediterranean itself will be your boundary, from the southern boundary to the point where the northern boundary begins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Distribute the land as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who live among you with their families. All children born in the land—whether or not their parents are foreigners—are to be considered citizens and have the same rights your own children have.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Here is the list of the tribes and the territory each is to get. For Dan: From the northwest boundary at the Mediterranean, across to Hethlon, then to Labweh, and then on to Hazar-enan on the border between Damascus to the south and Hamath to the north. Those are the eastern and western limits of the land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Next, to the south, is Ephraim, and then Reuben and then Judah, all with the same boundaries on the east and the west.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“South of Judah is the land set aside for the Temple. It has the same eastern and western boundaries as the tribal units, with the Temple in the center.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It is for the priests, that is, the sons of Zadok who obeyed me and didn’t go into sin when the people of Israel and the rest of their tribe of Levi did.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It is their special portion when the land is distributed, the most sacred land of all. Next to it lies the area where the other Levites will live.


book: Ezek
contenido:
None of this special land shall ever be sold or traded or used by others, for it belongs to the Lord; it is holy.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The strip of land 8⅓ miles long by 1⅔ miles wide, south of the Temple section, is for public use—homes, pasture, and parks, with a city in the center.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Outside the city, stretching east and west for three miles alongside the holy grounds, is garden area belonging to the city, for public use.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The land on both sides of this area, extending clear out to the eastern and western boundaries of Israel, shall belong to the prince. This land, lying between the sections allotted to Judah and Benjamin, is 8⅓ miles square on each side of the sacred and city lands.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The sections given to the remaining tribes are as follows: Benjamin’s section extends across the entire country of Israel, from its eastern border clear across to the western border.


book: Ezek
contenido:
South of Benjamin’s area lies that of Simeon, also extending out to these same eastern and western borders.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then Gad, with the same borders on east and west, while its south border runs from Tamar to the springs at Meribath-kadesh, and then follows the brook of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish) to the Mediterranean.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Each city gate will be named in honor of one of the tribes of Israel. On the north side, with its 1½-mile wall, there will be three gates, one named for Reuben, one for Judah, and one for Levi.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The entire circumference of the city is six miles. And the name of the city will be ‘The City of God.’”


book: Dan
contenido:
Three years after King Jehoiakim began to rule in Judah, Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem with his armies, and the Lord gave him victory over Jehoiakim. When he returned to Babylon, he took along some of the sacred cups from the Temple of God and placed them in the treasury of his god in the land of Shinar.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he ordered Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his palace personnel, to select some of the Jewish youths brought back as captives—young men of the royal family and nobility of Judah—and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature.* “Pick strong, healthy, good-looking lads,” he said; “those who have read widely in many fields, are well informed, alert and sensible, and have enough poise to look good around the palace.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king assigned them the best of food and wine from his own kitchen during their three-year training period, planning to make them his counselors when they graduated.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.


book: Dan
contenido:
However, their superintendent gave them Babylonian names, as follows:
Daniel was called Belteshazzar;
Hananiah was called Shadrach;
Mishael was called Meshach;
Azariah was called Abednego.


book: Dan
contenido:
But Daniel made up his mind not to eat the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the superintendent for permission to eat other things instead.*


book: Dan
contenido:
Now as it happened, God had given the superintendent a special appreciation for Daniel and sympathy for his predicament.


book: Dan
contenido:
But he was alarmed by Daniel’s suggestion.
“I’m afraid you will become pale and thin compared with the other youths your age,” he said, “and then the king will behead me for neglecting my responsibilities.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel talked it over with the steward who was appointed by the superintendent to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,


book: Dan
contenido:
then, at the end of this trial period the steward could see how they looked in comparison with the other fellows who ate the king’s rich food and decide whether or not to let them continue their diet.


book: Dan
contenido:
Well, at the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the youths who had been eating the food supplied by the king!


book: Dan
contenido:
God gave these four youths great ability to learn, and they soon mastered all the literature and science of the time; and God gave to Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of dreams and visions.


book: Dan
contenido:
When the three-year training period was completed, the superintendent brought all the young men to the king for oral exams, as he had been ordered to do. King Nebuchadnezzar had long talks with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were put on his regular staff of advisors.


book: Dan
contenido:
And in all matters requiring information and balanced judgment, the king found these young men’s advice ten times better than that of all the skilled magicians and wise astrologers in his realm.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel held this appointment as the king’s counselor until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.


book: Dan
contenido:
One night in the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had a terrifying nightmare and awoke trembling with fear. And to make matters worse, he couldn’t remember his dream! He immediately called in all his magicians, incantationists, sorcerers, and astrologers, and demanded that they tell him what his dream had been.
“I’ve had a terrible nightmare,” he said as they stood before him, “and I can’t remember what it was. Tell me, for I fear some tragedy awaits me.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the astrologers (speaking in Aramaic) said to the king, “Sir, tell us the dream and then we can tell you what it means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
But the king replied, “I tell you the dream is gone—I can’t remember it. And if you won’t tell me what it was and what it means, I’ll have you torn limb from limb and your houses made into heaps of rubble!


book: Dan
contenido:
But I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors if you tell me what the dream was and what it means. So, begin!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king retorted, “I can see your trick! You’re trying to stall for time until the calamity befalls me that the dream foretells. But if you don’t tell me the dream, you certainly can’t expect me to believe your interpretation!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The astrologers replied to the king, “There isn’t a man alive who can tell others what they have dreamed! And there isn’t a king in all the world who would ask such a thing!


book: Dan
contenido:
This is an impossible thing the king requires. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they are not here to help.”


book: Dan
contenido:
But when Arioch, the chief executioner, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with great wisdom by asking,


book: Dan
contenido:
So Daniel went in to see the king. “Give me a little time,” he said, “and I will tell you the dream and what it means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
They asked the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not die with the others.


book: Dan
contenido:
And that night in a vision God told Daniel what the king had dreamed.
Then Daniel praised the God of heaven,


book: Dan
contenido:
World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence.


book: Dan
contenido:
He reveals profound mysteries beyond man’s understanding. He knows all hidden things, for he is light, and darkness is no obstacle to him.


book: Dan
contenido:
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers, for you have given me wisdom and glowing health, and now even this vision of the king’s dream and the understanding of what it means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, who had been ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said, “Don’t kill them. Take me to the king, and I will tell him what he wants to know.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Arioch hurried Daniel in to the king and said, “I’ve found one of the Jewish captives who will tell you your dream!”


book: Dan
contenido:
but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has told you in your dream what will happen in the future. This was your dream:


book: Dan
contenido:
(But remember, it’s not because I am wiser than any living person that I know this secret of your dream, for God showed it to me for your benefit.)


book: Dan
contenido:
“O king, you saw a huge and powerful statue of a man, shining brilliantly, frightening and terrible.


book: Dan
contenido:
The head of the statue was made of purest gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs of brass,


book: Dan
contenido:
But as you watched, a Rock was cut from the mountainside by supernatural means. It came hurtling toward the statue and crushed the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the whole statue collapsed into a heap of iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold; its pieces were crushed as small as chaff, and the wind blew them all away. But the Rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Your Majesty, you are a king over many kings, for the God of heaven has given you your kingdom, power, strength, and glory.


book: Dan
contenido:
You rule the farthest provinces, and even animals and birds are under your control, as God decreed. You are that head of gold.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But after your kingdom has come to an end, another world power will arise to take your place. This empire will be inferior to yours. And after that kingdom has fallen, yet a third great power*—represented by the bronze belly of the statue—will rise to rule the world.


book: Dan
contenido:
The feet and toes you saw—part iron and part clay—show that later on, this kingdom will be divided. Some parts of it will be as strong as iron, and some as weak as clay.


book: Dan
contenido:
This mixture of iron with clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage of their rulers; but this will not succeed, for iron and clay don’t mix.


book: Dan
contenido:
“During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed; no one will ever conquer it. It will shatter all these kingdoms into nothingness, but it shall stand forever, indestructible.


book: Dan
contenido:
That is the meaning of the Rock cut from the mountain without human hands—the Rock that crushed to powder all the iron and brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold.
“Thus the great God has shown what will happen in the future, and this interpretation of your dream is as sure and certain as my description of it.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar fell to the ground before Daniel and worshiped him and commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Truly, O Daniel,” the king said, “your God is the God of gods, Ruler of kings, the Revealer of mysteries, because he has told you this secret.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king made Daniel very great; he gave him many valuable gifts and appointed him to be ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then, at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as Daniel’s assistants, to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon; Daniel served as chief magistrate in the king’s court.


book: Dan
contenido:
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet high and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon;


book: Dan
contenido:
then he sent messages to all the princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and rulers of all the provinces of his empire, to come to the dedication of his statue.


book: Dan
contenido:
“When the band strikes up, you are to fall flat on the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue;


book: Dan
contenido:
So when the band* began to play, everyone—whatever his nation, language, or religion—fell to the ground and worshiped the statue.


book: Dan
contenido:
“you made a law that everyone must fall down and worship the gold statue when the band* begins to play,


book: Dan
contenido:
But there are some Jews out there—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom you have put in charge of Babylonian affairs—who have defied you, refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you set up.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar, in a terrible rage, ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in before him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,” he demanded, “that you are refusing to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I set up?


book: Dan
contenido:
I’ll give you one more chance. When the music plays, if you fall down and worship the statue, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown into a flaming furnace within the hour. And what god can deliver you out of my hands then?”


book: Dan
contenido:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried about what will happen to us.


book: Dan
contenido:
If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty.


book: Dan
contenido:
But if he doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury and his face became dark with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that the furnace be heated up seven times hotter than usual,


book: Dan
contenido:
and called for some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and throw them into the fire.


book: Dan
contenido:
And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw them in!


book: Dan
contenido:
But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men into the furnace?”
“Yes,” they said, “we did indeed, Your Majesty.”


book: Dan
contenido:
“Well, look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire, and they aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a god!”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the open door of the flaming furnace and yelled: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God! Come out! Come here!” So they stepped out of the fire.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the princes, governors, captains, and counselors crowded around them and saw that the fire hadn’t touched them—not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke!


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for he sent his angel to deliver his trusting servants when they defied the king’s commandment and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own.


book: Dan
contenido:
Therefore, I make this decree, that any person of any nation, language, or religion who speaks a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and his house knocked into a heap of rubble. For no other God can do what this one does.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king gave promotions to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so that they prospered greatly there in the province of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
This is the proclamation of Nebuchadnezzar the king, which he sent to people of every language in every nation of the world:
Greetings:


book: Dan
contenido:
It was incredible—a mighty miracle! And now I know for sure that his kingdom is everlasting; he reigns forever and ever.


book: Dan
contenido:
but when they came—the magicians, astrologers, fortune-tellers, and wizards—and I told them the dream, they couldn’t interpret it.


book: Dan
contenido:
At last Daniel came in—the man I named Belteshazzar after my god—the man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, and I told him the dream.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Belteshazzar, master magician,” I said, “I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery is too great for you to solve. Tell me what my dream means:


book: Dan
contenido:
“I saw a very tall tree out in a field, growing higher and higher into the sky until it could be seen by everyone in all the world.


book: Dan
contenido:
Its leaves were fresh and green, and its branches were weighted down with fruit, enough for everyone to eat. Wild animals rested beneath its shade and birds sheltered in its branches, and all the world was fed from it.


book: Dan
contenido:
“He shouted, ‘Cut down the tree; lop off its branches; shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Get the animals out from under it and the birds from its branches,


book: Dan
contenido:
but leave its stump and roots in the ground, banded with a chain of iron and brass, surrounded by the tender grass. Let the dew of heaven drench him and let him eat grass with the wild animals!


book: Dan
contenido:
For this has been decreed by the Watchers, demanded by the Holy Ones. The purpose of this decree is that all the world may understand that the Most High dominates the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he wants to, even the lowliest of men!’


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Belteshazzar, that was my dream; now tell me what it means. For no one else can help me; all the wisest men of my kingdom have failed me. But you can tell me, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Daniel sat there stunned and silent for an hour, aghast at the meaning of the dream. Finally the king said to him: “Belteshazzar, don’t be afraid to tell me what it means.”
Daniel replied: “Oh, that the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you!


book: Dan
contenido:
with its fresh green leaves, loaded with fruit for all to eat, the wild animals living in its shade, with its branches full of birds—


book: Dan
contenido:
that tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then you saw God’s angel coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump and the roots in the earth surrounded by tender grass, banded with a chain of iron and brass. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. For seven years let him eat grass with the animals of the field.’


book: Dan
contenido:
that your people will chase you from your palace, and you will live in the fields like an animal, eating grass like a cow, your back wet with dew from heaven. For seven years this will be your life, until you learn that the Most High God dominates the kingdoms of men and gives power to anyone he chooses.


book: Dan
contenido:
But the stump and the roots were left in the ground! This means that you will get your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O King Nebuchadnezzar, listen to me—stop sinning; do what you know is right; be merciful to the poor. Perhaps even yet God will spare you.”


book: Dan
contenido:
and saying, “I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as the capital of my empire.”


book: Dan
contenido:
While he was still speaking these words, a voice called down from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you: You are no longer ruler of this kingdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
You will be forced out of the palace to live with the animals in the fields and to eat grass like the cows for seven years, until you finally realize that God parcels out the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he chooses.”


book: Dan
contenido:
That very same hour this prophecy was fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar was chased from his palace and ate grass like the cows, and his body was wet with dew; his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.


book: Dan
contenido:
“At the end of seven years I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High God and honored him who lives forever, whose rule is everlasting, his kingdom evermore.


book: Dan
contenido:
All the people of the earth are nothing when compared to him; he does whatever he thinks best among the angels of heaven, as well as here on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’


book: Dan
contenido:
When my mind returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My counselors and officers came back to me, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of Heaven, the Judge of all, whose every act is right and good; for he is able to take those who walk proudly and push them into the dust!”


book: Dan
contenido:
Belshazzar the king invited a thousand of his officers to a great feast where the wine flowed freely.


book: Dan
contenido:
While Belshazzar was drinking, he was reminded of the gold and silver cups taken long before from the Temple in Jerusalem during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign and brought to Babylon. Belshazzar ordered that these sacred cups be brought in to the feast, and when they arrived, he and his princes, wives, and concubines drank toasts from them to their idols made of gold and silver, brass and iron, wood and stone.


book: Dan
contenido:
Suddenly, as they were drinking from these cups, they saw the fingers of a man’s hand writing on the plaster of the wall opposite the lampstand. The king himself saw the fingers as they wrote.


book: Dan
contenido:
His face blanched with fear, and such terror gripped him that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way beneath him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Bring the magicians and astrologers!” he screamed. “Bring the Chaldeans! Whoever reads that writing on the wall and tells me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor, with a gold chain around his neck, and he will become the third ruler in the kingdom!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king grew more and more hysterical; his face reflected the terror he felt, and his officers too were shaken.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she rushed to the banquet hall and said to Belshazzar, “Calm yourself, Your Majesty, don’t be so pale and frightened over this.


book: Dan
contenido:
For there is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father this man was found to be as full of wisdom and understanding as though he were himself a god. And in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, he was made chief of all the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
Call for this man, Daniel—or Belteshazzar, as the king called him—for his mind is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve knotty problems. He will tell you what the writing means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
So Daniel was rushed in to see the king. The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel brought from Israel as a captive by King Nebuchadnezzar?


book: Dan
contenido:
I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with enlightenment and wisdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
My wise men and astrologers have tried to read that writing on the wall and tell me what it means, but they can’t.


book: Dan
contenido:
I am told you can solve all kinds of mysteries. If you can tell me the meaning of those words, I will clothe you in purple robes, with a gold chain around your neck, and make you the third ruler in the kingdom.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel answered, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.


book: Dan
contenido:
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar, who long ago preceded you, a kingdom and majesty and glory and honor.


book: Dan
contenido:
He gave him such majesty that all the nations of the world trembled before him in fear. He killed any who offended him and spared any he liked. At his whim they rose or fell.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when his heart and mind were hardened in pride, God removed him from his royal throne and took away his glory.


book: Dan
contenido:
He was chased out of his palace into the fields. His thoughts and feelings became those of an animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys; he ate grass like the cows, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until at last he knew that the Most High overrules the kingdoms of men and appoints anyone he desires to reign over them.


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contenido:
For you have defied the Lord of Heaven and brought here these cups from his Temple; and you and your officers and wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not praised the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!


book: Dan
contenido:
“This is what it means:
“Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign, and they are ended.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was robed in purple, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
The governors were accountable to three presidents (Daniel was one of them) so the king could administer the kingdom efficiently.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors, for he had great ability, and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer.


book: Dan
contenido:
This made the other presidents and governors very jealous, and they began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs so that they could complain to the king about him. But they couldn’t find anything to criticize! He was faithful and honest and made no mistakes.


book: Dan
contenido:
We presidents, governors, counselors, and deputies have unanimously decided that you should make a law, irrevocable under any circumstance, that for the next thirty days anyone who asks a favor of God or man—except from you, Your Majesty—shall be thrown to the lions.


book: Dan
contenido:
Your Majesty, we request your signature on this law; sign it so that it cannot be canceled or changed; it will be a ‘law of the Medes and Persians’ that cannot be revoked.”


book: Dan
contenido:
But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with its windows open toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, just as he always had, giving thanks to his God.


book: Dan
contenido:
They rushed back to the king and reminded him about his law. “Haven’t you signed a decree,” they demanded, “that permits no petitions to any God or man—except you—for thirty days? And anyone disobeying will be thrown to the lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “it is ‘a law of the Medes and Persians,’ that cannot be altered or revoked.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then they told the king, “That fellow Daniel, one of the Jewish captives, is paying no attention to you or your law. He is asking favors of his God three times a day.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Hearing this, the king was very angry with himself for signing the law and determined to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day trying to think of some way to get Daniel out of this predicament.


book: Dan
contenido:
In the evening the men came again to the king and said, “Your Majesty, there is nothing you can do. You signed the law, and it cannot be changed.”


book: Dan
contenido:
So at last the king gave the order for Daniel’s arrest, and he was taken to the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you worship continually, deliver you.” And then they threw him in.


book: Dan
contenido:
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with that of his government, so that no one could rescue Daniel from the lions.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king returned to his palace and went to bed without dinner. He refused his usual entertainment and didn’t sleep all night.


book: Dan
contenido:
and called out in anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the Living God, was your God, whom you worship continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”


book: Dan
contenido:
“My God has sent his angel,” he said, “to shut the lions’ mouths so that they can’t touch me, for I am innocent before God; nor, sir, have I wronged you.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king was beside himself with joy and ordered Daniel lifted from the den. And not a scratch was found on him because he believed in his God.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king issued a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel and throw them into the den along with their children and wives, and the lions leaped upon them and tore them apart before they even hit the bottom of the den.


book: Dan
contenido:
Afterward King Darius wrote this message addressed to everyone in his empire:
“Greetings! I decree that everyone shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel in every part of my kingdom. For his God is the living, unchanging God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose power shall never end.


book: Dan
contenido:
He delivers his people, preserving them from harm; he does great miracles in heaven and earth; it is he who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”


book: Dan
contenido:
One night during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign over the Babylonian Empire, Daniel had a dream and he wrote it down. This is his description of what he saw:


book: Dan
contenido:
The first was like a lion, but it had eagle’s wings! And as I watched, its wings were pulled off so that it could no longer fly, and it was left standing on the ground, on two feet, like a man; and a man’s mind was given to it.


book: Dan
contenido:
The second animal looked like a bear with its paw raised, ready to strike. It held three ribs between its teeth, and I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour many people!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The third of these strange animals looked like a leopard, but on its back it had wings like those of birds, and it had four heads! And great power was given to it over all mankind.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then, as I watched in my dream, a fourth animal rose up out of the ocean, too dreadful to describe and incredibly strong. It devoured some of its victims by tearing them apart with its huge iron teeth, and others it crushed beneath its feet. It was far more brutal and vicious than any of the other animals, and it had ten horns.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them, and three of the first ones were yanked out, roots and all, to give it room; this little horn had a man’s eyes and a bragging mouth.


book: Dan
contenido:
I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days—the Almighty God—sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat upon a fiery throne brought in on flaming wheels, and


book: Dan
contenido:
a river of fire flowed from before him. Millions of angels ministered to him, and hundreds of millions of people stood before him, waiting to be judged. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I watched, the brutal fourth animal was killed and its body handed over to be burned because of its arrogance against Almighty God and the boasting of its little horn.


book: Dan
contenido:
As for the other three animals, their kingdoms were taken from them, but they were allowed to live a short time longer.


book: Dan
contenido:
Next I saw the arrival of a Man—or so he seemed to be—brought there on clouds from heaven; he approached the Ancient of Days and was presented to him.


book: Dan
contenido:
He was given the ruling power and glory over all the nations of the world, so that all people of every language must obey him. His power is eternal—it will never end; his government shall never fall.


book: Dan
contenido:
so I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him the meaning of all these things, and he explained them to me.


book: Dan
contenido:
But in the end the people of the Most High God shall rule the governments of the world forever and forever.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I asked about the fourth animal, the one so brutal and shocking, with its iron teeth and brass claws that tore men apart and stamped others to death with its feet.


book: Dan
contenido:
I asked, too, about the ten horns and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the others—the horn with the eyes and the loud, bragging mouth, the one that was stronger than the others.


book: Dan
contenido:
until the Ancient of Days came and opened his court and vindicated his people, giving them worldwide powers of government.


book: Dan
contenido:
“This fourth animal,” he told me, “is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be more brutal than any of the others; it will devour the whole world, destroying everything before it.


book: Dan
contenido:
His ten horns are ten kings that will rise out of his empire; then another king will arise, more brutal than the other ten, and will destroy three of them.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will defy the Most High God and wear down the saints with persecution, and he will try to change all laws, morals, and customs. God’s people will be helpless in his hands for three and a half years.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But then the Ancient of Days will come and open his court of justice and take all power from this vicious king, to consume and destroy it until the end.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then all nations under heaven and their power shall be given to the people of God; they shall rule all things forever, and all rulers shall serve and obey them.”


book: Dan
contenido:
That was the end of the dream. When I awoke, I was greatly disturbed, and my face was pale with fright, but I told no one what I had seen.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I was looking around, I saw a ram with two long horns standing on the riverbank; and as I watched, one of these horns began to grow, so that it was longer than the other.


book: Dan
contenido:
The ram butted everything out of its way, and no one could stand against it or help its victims. It did as it pleased and became very great.


book: Dan
contenido:
While I was wondering what this could mean, suddenly a buck goat appeared from the west so swiftly that it didn’t even touch the ground. This goat, which had one very large horn between its eyes,


book: Dan
contenido:
And the closer he came, the angrier he was. He charged into the ram and broke off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the buck goat knocked him down and trampled him, for there was no one to rescue him.


book: Dan
contenido:
The victor became both proud and powerful, but suddenly, at the height of his power, his horn was broken, and in its place grew four good-sized horns pointing in four directions.


book: Dan
contenido:
One of these, growing slowly at first, soon became very strong and attacked the south and east, and warred against the land of Israel.


book: Dan
contenido:
He even challenged the Commander of the army of heaven by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by defiling his Temple.


book: Dan
contenido:
But the army of heaven was restrained from destroying him for this transgression. As a result, truth and righteousness perished, and evil triumphed and prospered.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I heard two of the holy angels talking to each other. One of them said, “How long will it be until the daily sacrifice is restored again? How long until the destruction of the Temple is avenged and God’s people triumph?”


book: Dan
contenido:
As I was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, suddenly a man was standing in front of me—or at least he looked like a man—


book: Dan
contenido:
and I heard a man’s voice calling from across the river, “Gabriel, tell Daniel the meaning of his dream.”


book: Dan
contenido:
So Gabriel started toward me. But as he approached, I was too frightened to stand and fell down with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision will not take place until the end times come.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I fainted, lying face downward on the ground. But he roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.


book: Dan
contenido:
“I am here,” he said, “to tell you what is going to happen in the last days of the coming time of terror—for what you have seen pertains to that final event in history.


book: Dan
contenido:
the shaggy-haired goat is the nation of Greece, and its long horn represents the first great king of that country.


book: Dan
contenido:
When you saw the horn break off and four smaller horns replace it, this meant that the Grecian Empire will break into four sections with four kings, none of them as great as the first.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Toward the end of their kingdoms, when they have become morally rotten, an angry king shall rise to power with great shrewdness and intelligence.


book: Dan
contenido:
His power shall be mighty, but it will be satanic strength and not his own. Prospering wherever he turns, he will destroy all who oppose him, though their armies be mighty, and he will devastate God’s people.


book: Dan
contenido:
“He will be a master of deception, defeating many by catching them off guard as they bask in false security. Without warning he will destroy them. So great will he fancy himself to be that he will even take on the Prince of Princes in battle; but in so doing he will seal his own doom, for he shall be broken by the hand of God, though no human means could overpower him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“And then in your vision you heard about the twenty-three hundred days to pass before the rights of worship are restored. This number is literal, and means just that. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so don’t tell anyone about them yet.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I grew faint and was sick for several days. Afterward I was up and around again and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly distressed by the dream and did not understand it.


book: Dan
contenido:
It was now the first year of the reign of King Darius, the son of Ahasuerus. (Darius was a Mede but became king of the Chaldeans.)


book: Dan
contenido:
In that first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the book of Jeremiah the prophet that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.


book: Dan
contenido:
So I earnestly pleaded with the Lord God to end our captivity and send us back to our own land.
As I prayed, I fasted and wore rough sackcloth, and I sprinkled myself with ashes


book: Dan
contenido:
and confessed my sins and those of my people.
“O Lord,” I prayed, “you are a great and awesome God; you always fulfill your promises of mercy to those who love you and keep your laws.


book: Dan
contenido:
We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, whom you sent again and again down through the years, with your messages to our kings and princes and to all the people.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Lord, you are righteous; but as for us, we are always shamefaced with sin, just as you see us now; yes, all of us—the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel, scattered near and far wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.


book: Dan
contenido:
O Lord, we and our kings and princes and fathers are weighted down with shame because of all our sins.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Lord our God, we have disobeyed you; we have flouted all the laws you gave us through your servants, the prophets.


book: Dan
contenido:
All Israel has disobeyed; we have turned away from you and haven’t listened to your voice. And so the awesome curse of God has crushed us—the curse written in the law of Moses your servant.


book: Dan
contenido:
And you have done exactly as you warned us you would do, for never in all history has there been a disaster like what happened at Jerusalem to us and our rulers.


book: Dan
contenido:
Every curse against us written in the law of Moses has come true; all the evils he predicted—all have come. But even so we still refuse to satisfy the Lord our God by turning from our sins and doing right.


book: Dan
contenido:
“And so the Lord deliberately crushed us with the calamity he prepared; he is fair in everything he does, but we would not obey.


book: Dan
contenido:
O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by removing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. Lord, do it again! Though we have sinned so much and are full of wickedness,


book: Dan
contenido:
yet because of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn away your furious anger from Jerusalem, your own city, your holy mountain. For the heathen mock at you because your city lies in ruins for our sins.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead! Let your face shine again with peace and joy upon your desolate sanctuary—for your own glory, Lord.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O my God, bend down your ear and listen to my plea. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness, how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is yours. We don’t ask because we merit help, but because you are so merciful despite our grievous sins.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen to me and act! Don’t delay—for your own sake, O my God, because your people and your city bear your name.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Even while I was praying and confessing my sin and the sins of my people, desperately pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain,


book: Dan
contenido:
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, flew swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice


book: Dan
contenido:
The moment you began praying a command was given. I am here to tell you what it was, for God loves you very much. Listen and try to understand the meaning of the vision that you saw!


book: Dan
contenido:
“The Lord has commanded 490 years of further punishment upon Jerusalem and your people. Then at last they will learn to stay away from sin, and their guilt will be cleansed; then the kingdom of everlasting righteousness will begin, and the Most Holy Place in the Temple will be rededicated, as the prophets have declared.


book: Dan
contenido:
Now listen! It will be 49 years plus 434 years from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes! Jerusalem’s streets and walls will be rebuilt despite the perilous times.


book: Dan
contenido:
“After this period of 434 years, the Anointed One will be killed, his kingdom still unrealized . . . and a king will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. They will be overwhelmed as with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.


book: Dan
contenido:
This king will make a seven-year treaty with the people, but after half that time, he will break his pledge and stop the Jews from all their sacrifices and their offerings; then, as a climax to all his terrible deeds, the Enemy shall utterly defile the sanctuary of God. But in God’s time and plan, his judgment will be poured out upon this Evil One.”


book: Dan
contenido:
In the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) had another vision. It concerned events certain to happen in the future: times of great tribulation—wars and sorrows, and this time he understood what the vision meant.


book: Dan
contenido:
All that time I tasted neither wine nor meat, and, of course, I went without desserts. I neither washed nor shaved nor combed my hair.


book: Dan
contenido:
I looked up, and suddenly there before me stood a person robed in linen garments, with a belt of purest gold around his waist and glowing, lustrous skin! From his face came blinding flashes like lightning, and his eyes were pools of fire; his arms and feet shone like polished brass, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.


book: Dan
contenido:
I, Daniel, alone saw this great vision; the men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly filled with unreasoning terror and ran to hide,


book: Dan
contenido:
so I was left alone. When I saw this frightening vision, my strength left me, and I grew pale and weak with fright.


book: Dan
contenido:
And I heard his voice—“O Daniel, greatly beloved of God,” he said, “stand up and listen carefully to what I have to say to you, for God has sent me to you.” So I stood up, still trembling with fear.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he said, “Don’t be frightened, Daniel, for your request has been heard in heaven and was answered the very first day you began to fast before the Lord and pray for understanding; that very day I was sent here to meet you.


book: Dan
contenido:
But for twenty-one days the mighty Evil Spirit who overrules the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help me, so that I was able to break through these spirit rulers of Persia.


book: Dan
contenido:
Now I am here to tell you what will happen to your people, the Jews, at the end times—for the fulfillment of this prophecy is many years away.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then someone—he looked like a man—touched my lips and I could talk again, and I said to the messenger from heaven, “Sir, I am terrified by your appearance and have no strength.


book: Dan
contenido:
“God loves you very much,” he said; “don’t be afraid! Calm yourself; be strong—yes, strong!”
Suddenly, as he spoke these words, I felt stronger and said to him, “Now you can go ahead and speak, sir, for you have strengthened me.”


book: Dan
contenido:
He replied, “Do you know why I have come? I am here to tell you what is written in the ‘Book of the Future.’ Then, when I leave, I will go again to fight my way back, past the prince of Persia; and after him, the prince of Greece. Only Michael, the angel who guards your people Israel, will be there to help me.


book: Dan
contenido:
But now I will show you what the future holds. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. Using his wealth for political advantage, he will plan total war against Greece.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then a mighty king will rise in Greece, a king who will rule a vast kingdom and accomplish everything he sets out to do.


book: Dan
contenido:
But at the zenith of his power, his kingdom will break apart and be divided into four weaker nations, not even ruled by his sons. For his empire will be torn apart and given to others.


book: Dan
contenido:
One of them, the king of Egypt, will increase in power, but this king’s own officials will rebel against him and take away his kingdom and make it still more powerful.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Several years later an alliance will be formed between the king of Syria and the king of Egypt. The daughter of the king of Egypt will be given in marriage to the king of Syria as a gesture of peace,* but she will lose her influence over him, and not only will her hopes be blighted, but those of her father, the king of Egypt, and of her ambassador and child.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when her brother takes over as king of Egypt, he will raise an army against the king of Syria and march against him and defeat him.


book: Dan
contenido:
When he returns again to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless gold and silver dishes; and for many years afterward he will leave the Syrian king alone.


book: Dan
contenido:
However, the sons of this Syrian king will assemble a mighty army that will overflow across Israel into Egypt, to a fortress there. Then the king of Egypt, in great anger, will rally against the vast forces of Syria and defeat them.


book: Dan
contenido:
Filled with pride after this great victory, he will have many thousands of his enemies killed, but his success will be short-lived.


book: Dan
contenido:
“A few years later the Syrian king will return with a fully equipped army far greater than the one he lost,


book: Dan
contenido:
and other nations will join him in a crusade against Egypt. Insurgents among your own people, the Jews, will join them, thus fulfilling prophecy, but they will not succeed.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the Syrian king and his allies will come and lay siege to a fortified city of Egypt and capture it, and the proud armies of Egypt will go down to defeat.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The Syrian king will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. And he will also enter ‘The Glorious Land’ of Israel and pillage it.


book: Dan
contenido:
This will be his plot for conquering all Egypt: he, too, will form an alliance with the Egyptian king, giving him a daughter in marriage, so that she can work for him from within. But the plan will fail.


book: Dan
contenido:
“After this he will turn his attention to the coastal cities and conquer many. But a general will stop him and cause him to retreat in shame.


book: Dan
contenido:
“His successor will be remembered as the king who sent a tax collector into Israel, but after a very brief reign, he will die mysteriously, though neither in battle nor in riot.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Next to come to power will be an evil man not directly in line for royal succession. But during a crisis he will take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.


book: Dan
contenido:
His promises will be worthless. From the first his method will be deceit; with a mere handful of followers, he will become strong.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will enter the richest areas of the land without warning and do something never done before: he will take the property and wealth of the rich and scatter it out among the people. With great success he will besiege and capture powerful strongholds throughout his dominions, but this will last for only a short while.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against Egypt; and Egypt, too, will raise a mighty army, but to no avail, for plots against him will succeed.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Both these kings will be plotting against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for neither can succeed until God’s appointed time has come.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The Syrian king will then return home with great riches, first marching through Israel and destroying it.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then at the predestined time he will once again turn his armies southward, as he had threatened, but now it will be a very different story from those first two occasions.


book: Dan
contenido:
For Roman warships will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. Angered by having to retreat, the Syrian king will again pillage Jerusalem and pollute the sanctuary,* putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and worshiping idols inside the Temple.* He will leave godless Jews in power when he leaves—men who have abandoned their fathers’ faith.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will flatter those who hate the things of God and win them over to his side. But the people who know their God* shall be strong and do great things.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Those with spiritual understanding will have a wide ministry of teaching in those days. But they will be in constant danger, many of them dying by fire and sword, or being jailed and robbed.


book: Dan
contenido:
Eventually these pressures will subside, and some ungodly men will come, pretending to offer a helping hand, only to take advantage of them.


book: Dan
contenido:
“And some who are most gifted in the things of God will stumble in those days and fall, but this will only refine and cleanse them and make them pure until the final end of all their trials, at God’s appointed time.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The king will do exactly as he pleases, claiming to be greater than every god there is, even blaspheming the God of gods, and prospering—until his time is up. For God’s plans are unshakable.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will have no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the god beloved of women, nor any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all.


book: Dan
contenido:
Instead of these, he will worship the Fortress god—a god his fathers never knew—and lavish on him costly gifts!


book: Dan
contenido:
Claiming this god’s help, he will have great success against the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land to them as their reward.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack him again, and the northern king will react with the strength and fury of a whirlwind; his vast army and navy will rush out to bury him with their might.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will invade various lands on the way, including Israel, the Pleasant Land, and overthrow the governments of many nations. Moab, Edom, and most of Ammon will escape,


book: Dan
contenido:
“But then news from the east and north will alarm him, and he will return in great anger to destroy as he goes.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will halt between Jerusalem and the sea and there pitch his royal tents, but while he is there his time will suddenly run out, and there will be no one to help him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“At that time Michael, the mighty angelic prince who stands guard over your nation, will stand up and fight for you in heaven against satanic forces, and there will be a time of anguish for the Jews greater than any previous suffering in Jewish history. And yet every one of your people whose names are written in the Book will endure it.


book: Dan
contenido:
“And many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.


book: Dan
contenido:
“And those who are wise—the people of God—shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance, and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased!”


book: Dan
contenido:
And one of them asked the man in linen robes who was standing now above the river, “How long will it be until all these terrors end?”


book: Dan
contenido:
He replied, with both hands lifted to heaven, taking oath by him who lives forever and ever, that they will not end until three and a half years after the power of God’s people has been crushed.


book: Dan
contenido:
I heard what he said, but I didn’t understand what he meant. So I said, “Sir, how will all this finally end?”


book: Dan
contenido:
But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end.


book: Dan
contenido:
Many shall be purified by great trials and persecutions. But the wicked shall continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are willing to learn will know what it means.


book: Dan
contenido:
“From the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the Horrible Thing is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But go on now to the end of your life and your rest; for you will rise again and have your full share of those last days.”


book: Hos
contenido:
These are the messages from the Lord to Hosea, son of Beeri, during the reigns of these four kings of Judah:
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; and one of the kings of Israel, Jeroboam, son of Joash.


book: Hos
contenido:
Here is the first message:
The Lord said to Hosea, “Go and marry a girl who is a prostitute, so that some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, committing open adultery against me by worshiping other gods.”


book: Hos
contenido:
And the Lord said, “Name the child Jezreel, for in the valley of Jezreel I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed; in fact, I will put an end to Israel as an independent kingdom, breaking the power of the nation in the valley of Jezreel.”*


book: Hos
contenido:
Soon Gomer had another child—this one a daughter. And God said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-ruhamah (meaning ‘No more mercy’) for I will have no more mercy upon Israel, to forgive her again.


book: Hos
contenido:
But I will have mercy on the tribe of Judah. I will personally free her from her enemies without any help from her armies or her weapons.”


book: Hos
contenido:
“Yet the time will come when Israel shall prosper and become a great nation; in that day her people will be too numerous to count—like sand along a seashore! Then, instead of saying to them, ‘You are not my people,’ I will tell them, ‘You are my sons, children of the Living God.’


book: Hos
contenido:
Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite and have one leader; they will return from exile together; what a day that will be—the day when God will sow his people in the fertile soil of their own land again.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Jezreel, rename your brother and sister. Call your brother Ammi (which means ‘Now you are mine’); name your sister Ruhamah (‘Pitied’), for now God will have mercy upon her!


book: Hos
contenido:
“Plead with your mother, for she has become another man’s wife—I am no longer her husband. Beg her to stop her harlotry, to quit giving herself to others.


book: Hos
contenido:
If she doesn’t, I will strip her as naked as the day she was born and cause her to waste away and die of thirst as in a land riddled with famine and drought.


book: Hos
contenido:
And I will not give special favors to her children as I would to my own, for they are not my children; they belong to other men.


book: Hos
contenido:
“For their mother has committed adultery. She did a shameful thing when she said, ‘I’ll run after other men and sell myself to them for food and drinks and clothes.’


book: Hos
contenido:
“But I will fence her in with briars and thornbushes; I’ll block the road before her to make her lose her way, so that


book: Hos
contenido:
when she runs after her lovers, she will not catch up with them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, ‘I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.’


book: Hos
contenido:
“She doesn’t realize that all she has, has come from me. It was I who gave her all the gold and silver she used in worshiping Baal, her god!


book: Hos
contenido:
“But now I will take back the wine and ripened corn I constantly supplied, and the clothes I gave her to cover her nakedness—I will no longer give her rich harvests of grain in its season or wine at the time of the grape harvest.


book: Hos
contenido:
Now I will expose her nakedness in public for all her lovers to see, and no one will be able to rescue her from my hand.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will destroy her vineyards and her orchards—gifts she claims her lovers gave her—and let them grow into a jungle; wild animals will eat their fruit.


book: Hos
contenido:
“For all the incense she burned to Baal her idol and for the times when she put on her earrings and jewels and went out looking for her lovers and deserted me—for all these things I will punish her,” says the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But I will court her again and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her tenderly there.


book: Hos
contenido:
There I will give back her vineyards to her and transform her Valley of Troubles into a Door of Hope. She will respond to me there, singing with joy as in days long ago in her youth after I had freed her from captivity in Egypt.


book: Hos
contenido:
“At that time I will make a treaty between you and the wild animals, birds, and snakes, not to fear each other anymore; and I will destroy all weapons, and all wars will end.
“Then you will lie down in peace and safety, unafraid;


book: Hos
contenido:
I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and love, and you will really know me then as you never have before.


book: Hos
contenido:
“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will answer the pleading of the sky for clouds, to pour down water on the earth in answer to its cry for rain. Then the earth can answer the parched cry of the grain, the grapes, and the olive trees for moisture and for dew—and the whole grand chorus shall sing together that ‘God sows!’ He has given all!


book: Hos
contenido:
“At that time I will sow a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself! I will pity those who are ‘not pitied,’ and I will say to those who are ‘not my people,’ ‘Now you are my people’; and they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”


book: Hos
contenido:
Then the Lord said to me, “Go, and get your wife again and bring her back to you and love her, even though she loves adultery. For the Lord still loves Israel though she has turned to other gods and offered them choice gifts.”


book: Hos
contenido:
and I said to her, “You must live alone for many days; do not go out with other men nor be a prostitute, and I will wait for you.”


book: Hos
contenido:
This illustrates the fact that Israel will be a long time without a king or prince, and without an altar, Temple, priests, or even idols!


book: Hos
contenido:
Afterward they will return to the Lord their God and to the Messiah, their King, and they shall come trembling, submissive to the Lord and to his blessings in the end times.


book: Hos
contenido:
Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel. The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you listing the following charges: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land.


book: Hos
contenido:
You swear and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another.


book: Hos
contenido:
“That is why your land is not producing; it is filled with sadness, and all living things grow sick and die; the animals, the birds, and even the fish begin to disappear.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame to him! Look, priest, I am pointing my finger at you.


book: Hos
contenido:
As a sentence for your crimes, you priests will stumble in broad daylight as well as in the night, and so will your false ‘prophets’ too; and I will destroy your mother, Israel.


book: Hos
contenido:
My people are destroyed because they don’t know me, and it is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me; therefore, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten my laws, I will ‘forget’ to bless your children.


book: Hos
contenido:
The more my people multiplied, the more they sinned against me. They exchanged the glory of God for the disgrace of idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
And thus it is: ‘Like priests, like people’—because the priests are wicked, the people are too. Therefore, I will punish both priests and people for all their wicked deeds.


book: Hos
contenido:
They will eat and still be hungry. Though they do a big business as prostitutes, they shall have no children, for they have deserted me and turned to other gods.


book: Hos
contenido:
For they are asking a piece of wood to tell them what to do. ‘Divine Truth’ comes to them through tea leaves! Longing after idols has made them foolish. For they have played the harlot, serving other gods, deserting me.


book: Hos
contenido:
They sacrifice to idols on the tops of mountains; they go up into the hills to burn incense in the pleasant shade of oaks and poplars and sumac trees.
“There your daughters turn to prostitution and your brides commit adultery.


book: Hos
contenido:
But why should I punish them? For you men are doing the same thing, sinning with harlots and temple prostitutes. Fools! Your doom is sealed, for you refuse to understand.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But though Israel is a prostitute, may Judah stay far from such a life. O Judah, do not join with those who insincerely worship me at Gilgal and at Bethel. Their worship is mere pretense.


book: Hos
contenido:
Don’t be like Israel, stubborn as a heifer, resisting the Lord’s attempts to lead her in green pastures.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The men of Israel finish up their drinking bouts, and off they go to find some whores. Their love for shame is greater than for honor.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Therefore, a mighty wind shall sweep them away; they shall die in shame because they sacrifice to idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Listen to this, you priests and all of Israel’s leaders; listen, all you men of the royal family: You are doomed! For you have deluded the people with idols at Mizpah and Tabor


book: Hos
contenido:
and dug a deep pit to trap them at Acacia. But never forget—I will settle up with all of you for what you’ve done.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I have seen your evil deeds: Israel, you have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband; you are utterly defiled.


book: Hos
contenido:
Your deeds won’t let you come to God again, for the spirit of adultery is deep within you, and you cannot know the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The very arrogance of Israel testifies against her in my court. She will stumble under her load of guilt, and Judah, too, shall fall.


book: Hos
contenido:
Then at last, they will come with their flocks and herds to sacrifice to God, but it will be too late—they will not find him. He has withdrawn from them and they are left alone.


book: Hos
contenido:
“For they have betrayed the honor of the Lord, bearing children that aren’t his. Suddenly they and all their wealth will disappear.


book: Hos
contenido:
Sound the alarm! Warn with trumpet blasts in Gibeah and Ramah, and on over to Beth-aven; tremble, land of Benjamin!


book: Hos
contenido:
Hear this announcement, Israel: When your day of punishment comes, you will become a heap of rubble.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The leaders of Judah have become the lowest sort of thieves. Therefore, I will pour my anger down upon them like a waterfall,


book: Hos
contenido:
“When Ephraim and Judah see how sick they are, Ephraim will turn to Assyria, to the great king there, but he can neither help nor cure.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I will tear Ephraim and Judah as a lion rips apart its prey; I will carry them off and chase all rescuers away.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I will abandon them and return to my home until they admit their guilt and look to me for help again, for as soon as trouble comes, they will search for me and say:


book: Hos
contenido:
“‘Come, let us return to the Lord; it is he who has torn us—he will heal us. He has wounded—he will bind us up.


book: Hos
contenido:
In just a couple of days, or three at the most, he will set us on our feet again to live in his kindness!


book: Hos
contenido:
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him, and he will respond to us as surely as the coming of dawn or the rain of early spring.’”


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Ephraim and Judah, what shall I do with you? For your love vanishes like morning clouds, and disappears like dew.


book: Hos
contenido:
I sent my prophets to warn you of your doom; I have slain you with the words of my mouth, threatening you with death. Suddenly, without warning, my judgment will strike you as surely as day follows night.


book: Hos
contenido:
Her citizens are gangs of robbers, lying in ambush for their victims; packs of priests murder along the road to Shechem and practice every kind of sin.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Judah, for you also there is a plentiful harvest of punishment waiting—and I wanted so much to bless you!


book: Hos
contenido:
“I wanted to forgive Israel, but her sins were far too great—no one can even live in Samaria without being a liar, thief, and bandit!


book: Hos
contenido:
“Her people never seem to recognize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds give them away on every side; I see them all.


book: Hos
contenido:
They are all adulterers; as a baker’s oven is constantly aflame—except after he kneads the dough and waits for it to rise again—so are these people constantly aflame with lust.


book: Hos
contenido:
“On the king’s birthday, the princes get him drunk; he makes a fool of himself and drinks with those who mock him.


book: Hos
contenido:
Their hearts blaze like a furnace with intrigue. Their plot smolders through the night, and in the morning it flames forth like raging fire.


book: Hos
contenido:
“My people mingle with the heathen, picking up their evil ways; thus they become as good-for-nothing as a half-baked cake!


book: Hos
contenido:
“Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t know it. Ephraim’s hair is turning gray, and he doesn’t even realize how weak and old he is.


book: Hos
contenido:
His pride in other gods has openly condemned him; yet he doesn’t return to his God, nor even try to find him.


book: Hos
contenido:
But as she flies, I throw my net over her and bring her down like a bird from the sky; I will punish her for all her evil ways.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Woe to my people for deserting me; let them perish, for they have sinned against me. I wanted to redeem them but their hard hearts would not accept the truth.


book: Hos
contenido:
They lie there sleepless with anxiety but won’t ask my help. Instead, they worship heathen gods, asking them for crops and for prosperity.


book: Hos
contenido:
“They look everywhere except to heaven, to the Most High God. They are like a crooked bow that always misses targets; their leaders will perish by the sword of the enemy for their insolence to me. And all Egypt will laugh at them.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Sound the alarm! They are coming! Like a vulture, the enemy descends upon the people of God because they have broken my treaty and revolted against my laws.


book: Hos
contenido:
But it is too late! Israel has thrown away her chance with contempt, and now her enemies will chase her.


book: Hos
contenido:
She has appointed kings and princes, but not with my consent. They have cut themselves off from my help by worshiping the idols that they made from their silver and gold.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Samaria, I reject this calf—this idol you have made. My fury burns against you. How long will it be before one honest man is found among you?


book: Hos
contenido:
When will you admit this calf you worship was made by human hands! It is not God! Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.


book: Hos
contenido:
“They have sown the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. Their cornstalks stand there barren, withered, sickly, with no grain; if it has any, foreigners will eat it.


book: Hos
contenido:
She is a lonely, wandering wild ass. The only friends she has are those she hires; Assyria is one of them.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But though she hires ‘friends’ from many lands, I will send her off to exile. Then for a while at least she will be free of the burden of her wonderful king!


book: Hos
contenido:
Even if I gave her ten thousand laws, she’d say they weren’t for her—that they applied to someone far away.


book: Hos
contenido:
Her people love the ritual of their sacrifice, but to me it is meaningless! I will call for an accounting of their sins and punish them; they shall return to Egypt.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Israel has built great palaces; Judah has constructed great defenses for her cities, but they have forgotten their Maker. Therefore, I will send down fire upon those palaces and burn those fortresses.”


book: Hos
contenido:
O Israel, rejoice no more as others do, for you have deserted your God and sacrificed to other gods on every threshing floor.


book: Hos
contenido:
You may no longer stay here in this land of God; you will be carried off to Egypt and Assyria and live there on scraps of food.


book: Hos
contenido:
There, far from home, you are not allowed to pour out wine for sacrifice to God. For no sacrifice that is offered there can please him; it is polluted, just as food of mourners is; all who eat such sacrifices are defiled. They may eat this food to feed themselves, but may not offer it to God.


book: Hos
contenido:
when you are carried off to Assyria as slaves? Who will inherit your possessions left behind? Egypt will! She will gather your dead; Memphis will bury them. And thorns and thistles will grow up among the ruins.


book: Hos
contenido:
The time of Israel’s punishment has come; the day of recompense is almost here, and soon Israel will know it all too well. “The prophets are crazy”; “The inspired men are mad.” Yes, so they mock, for the nation is weighted with sin and shows only hatred for those who love God.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I appointed the prophets to guard my people, but the people have blocked them at every turn and publicly declared their hatred, even in the Temple of the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
The things my people do are as depraved as what they did in Gibeah long ago. The Lord does not forget. He will surely punish them.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Israel, how well I remember those first delightful days when I led you through the wilderness! How refreshing was your love! How satisfying, like the early figs of summer in their first season! But then you deserted me for Baal-peor, to give yourselves to other gods, and soon you were as foul as they.


book: Hos
contenido:
The glory of Israel flies away like a bird, for your children will die at birth, or perish in the womb, or never even be conceived.


book: Hos
contenido:
And if your children grow, I will take them from you; all are doomed. Yes, it will be a sad day when I turn away and leave you alone.”


book: Hos
contenido:
In my vision I have seen the sons of Israel doomed. The fathers are forced to lead their sons to slaughter.


book: Hos
contenido:
O Lord, what shall I ask for your people? I will ask for wombs that don’t give birth, for breasts that cannot nourish.


book: Hos
contenido:
“All their wickedness began at Gilgal; there I began to hate them. I will drive them from my land because of their idolatry. I will love them no more, for all their leaders are rebels.


book: Hos
contenido:
Ephraim is doomed. The roots of Israel are dried up; she shall bear no more fruit. And if she gives birth, I will slay even her beloved child.”


book: Hos
contenido:
My God will destroy the people of Israel because they will not listen or obey. They will be wandering Jews, homeless among the nations.


book: Hos
contenido:
“How prosperous Israel is—a luxuriant vine all filled with fruit! But the more wealth I give her, the more she pours it on the altars of her heathen gods; the richer the harvests I give her, the more beautiful the statues and idols she erects.


book: Hos
contenido:
The hearts of her people are false toward God. They are guilty and must be punished. God will break down their heathen altars and smash their idols.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Then they will say, “We deserted the Lord and he took away our king. But what’s the difference? We don’t need one anyway!”


book: Hos
contenido:
They make promises they don’t intend to keep. Therefore punishment will spring up among them like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Samaria tremble lest their calf idol at Beth-aven should be hurt; the priests and people, too, mourn over the departed honor of their shattered gods.


book: Hos
contenido:
This idol—this calf-god thing—will be carted with them when they go as slaves to Assyria, a present to the great king there. Ephraim will be laughed at for trusting in this idol; Israel will be put to shame.


book: Hos
contenido:
And the idol altars of Aven at Bethel where Israel sinned will crumble. Thorns and thistles will grow up to surround them. And the people will cry to the mountains and hills to fall upon them and crush them.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Israel, ever since that awful night in Gibeah, there has been only sin, sin, sin! You have made no progress whatever. Was it not right that the men of Gibeah were wiped out?


book: Hos
contenido:
I will come against you for your disobedience; I will gather the armies of the nations against you to punish you for your heaped-up sins.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Ephraim is accustomed to treading out the grain—an easy job she loves. I have never put her under a heavy yoke before; I have spared her tender neck. But now I will harness her to the plow and harrow. Her days of ease are gone.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a crop of my love; plow the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower salvation upon you.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But you have cultivated wickedness and raised a thriving crop of sins. You have earned the full reward of trusting in a lie—believing that military might and great armies can make a nation safe!


book: Hos
contenido:
“Therefore, the terrors of war shall rise among your people, and all your forts will fall, just as at Beth-arbel, which Shalman destroyed; even mothers and children were dashed to death there.


book: Hos
contenido:
That will be your fate, too, you people of Israel, because of your great wickedness. In one morning the king of Israel shall be destroyed.


book: Hos
contenido:
But the more I called to him, the more he rebelled, sacrificing to Baal and burning incense to idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
I trained him from infancy, I taught him to walk, I held him in my arms. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who raised him.


book: Hos
contenido:
“As a man would lead his favorite ox, so I led Israel with my ropes of love. I loosened his muzzle so he could eat. I myself have stooped and fed him.


book: Hos
contenido:
“War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates and trap them in their own fortresses.


book: Hos
contenido:
For my people are determined to desert me. And so I have sentenced them to slavery, and no one shall set them free.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Oh, how can I give you up, my Ephraim? How can I let you go? How can I forsake you like Admah and Zeboiim? My heart cries out within me; how I long to help you!


book: Hos
contenido:
No, I will not punish you as much as my fierce anger tells me to. This is the last time I will destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man; I am the Holy One living among you, and I did not come to destroy.


book: Hos
contenido:
“For the people shall walk after the Lord. I shall roar as a lion at their enemies and my people shall return trembling from the west.


book: Hos
contenido:
Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt—like doves flying from Assyria. And I will bring them home again; it is a promise from the Lord.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, but Judah still trusts in God and is faithful to the Holy One.


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel is chasing the wind, yes, shepherding a whirlwind—a dangerous game! For she has given gifts to Egypt and Assyria to get their help, and in return she gets their worthless promises.


book: Hos
contenido:
Yes, he wrestled with the Angel and prevailed. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. He met God there at Bethel face-to-face. God spoke to him—


book: Hos
contenido:
Oh, come back to God. Live by the principles of love and justice, and always be expecting much from him, your God.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I am the same Lord, the same God, who delivered you from slavery in Egypt, and I am the one who will consign you to living in tents again, as you do each year at the Tabernacle Feast.


book: Hos
contenido:
But the sins of Gilgal flourish just the same. Row on row of altars—like furrows in a field—are used for sacrifices to your idols. And Gilead, too, is full of fools who worship idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
But Ephraim has bitterly provoked the Lord. The Lord will sentence him to death as payment for his sins.


book: Hos
contenido:
It used to be when Israel spoke, the nations shook with fear, for he was a mighty prince; but he worshiped Baal and sealed his doom.


book: Hos
contenido:
And now the people disobey more and more. They melt their silver to mold into idols, formed with skill by the hands of men. “Sacrifice to these!” they say—men kissing calves!


book: Hos
contenido:
They shall disappear like morning mist, like dew that quickly dries away, like chaff blown by the wind, like a cloud of smoke.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I alone am God, your Lord, and have been ever since I brought you out from Egypt. You have no God but me, for there is no other Savior.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will rip you to pieces like a bear whose cubs have been taken away, and like a lion I will devour you.


book: Hos
contenido:
Where is your king? Why don’t you call on him for help? Where are all the leaders of the land? You asked for them, now let them save you!


book: Hos
contenido:
Shall I ransom him from hell? Shall I redeem him from Death? O Death, bring forth your terrors for his tasting! O Grave, demonstrate your plagues! For I will not relent!


book: Hos
contenido:
“He was called the most fruitful of all his brothers, but the east wind—a wind of the Lord from the desert—will blow hard upon him and dry up his land. All his flowing springs and green oases will dry away, and he will die of thirst.


book: Hos
contenido:
Samaria must bear her guilt, for she rebelled against her God. Her people will be killed by the invading army, her babies dashed to death against the ground, her pregnant women ripped open with a sword.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Bring your petition. Come to the Lord and say, “O Lord, take away our sins; be gracious to us and receive us, and we will offer you the sacrifice of praise.


book: Hos
contenido:
Assyria cannot save us, nor can our strength in battle; never again will we call the idols we have made ‘our gods’; for in you alone, O Lord, the fatherless find mercy.”


book: Hos
contenido:
“Then I will cure you of idolatry and faithlessness, and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be forever gone!


book: Hos
contenido:
I will refresh Israel like the dew from heaven; she will blossom as the lily and root deeply in the soil like cedars in Lebanon.


book: Hos
contenido:
Her people will return from exile far away and rest beneath my shadow. They will be a watered garden and blossom like grapes; they will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Ephraim! Stay away from idols! I am living and strong! I look after you and care for you. I am like an evergreen tree, yielding my fruit to you throughout the year. My mercies never fail.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things. Whoever is intelligent, let him listen. For the paths of the Lord are true and right, and good men walk along them. But sinners trying them will fail.


book: Joel
contenido:
Listen, you aged men of Israel! Everyone, listen! In all your lifetime, yes, in all your history, have you ever heard of such a thing as I am going to tell you?


book: Joel
contenido:
In years to come, tell your children about it; pass the awful story down from generation to generation.


book: Joel
contenido:
After the cutter-locusts finish eating your crops, the swarmer-locusts will take what’s left! After them will come the hopper-locusts! And then the stripper-locusts too!


book: Joel
contenido:
A vast army of locusts covers the land. It is a terrible army too numerous to count, with teeth as sharp as those of lions!


book: Joel
contenido:
They have ruined my vines and stripped the bark from the fig trees, leaving trunks and branches white and bare.


book: Joel
contenido:
Gone are the offerings of grain and wine to bring to the Temple of the Lord; the priests are starving. Hear the crying of these ministers of God.


book: Joel
contenido:
The fields are bare of crops. Sorrow and sadness are everywhere. The grain, the grapes, the olive oil are gone.


book: Joel
contenido:
Well may you farmers stand so shocked and stricken; well may you vinedressers weep. Weep for the wheat and the barley, too, for they are gone.


book: Joel
contenido:
The grapevines are dead; the fig trees are dying; the pomegranates wither; the apples shrivel on the trees; all joy has withered with them.


book: Joel
contenido:
O priests, robe yourselves in sackcloth. O ministers of my God, lie all night before the altar, weeping. For there are no more offerings of grain and wine for you.


book: Joel
contenido:
Announce a fast; call a solemn meeting. Gather the elders and all the people into the Temple of the Lord your God, and weep before him there.


book: Joel
contenido:
Our food will disappear before our eyes; all joy and gladness will be ended in the Temple of our God.


book: Joel
contenido:
The seed rots in the ground; the barns and granaries are empty; the grain has dried up in the fields.


book: Joel
contenido:
The cattle groan with hunger; the herds stand perplexed, for there is no pasture for them; the sheep bleat in misery.


book: Joel
contenido:
Even the wild animals cry to you for help, for there is no water for them. The creeks are dry, and the pastures are scorched.


book: Joel
contenido:
Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Let the blast of the warning trumpet be heard upon my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear, for the day of the Lord’s judgment approaches.


book: Joel
contenido:
It is a day of darkness and gloom, of black clouds and thick darkness. What a mighty army! It covers the mountains like night! How great, how powerful these “people” are! The likes of them have not been seen before, and never will again throughout the generations of the world!


book: Joel
contenido:
Fire goes before them and follows them on every side! Ahead of them the land lies fair as Eden’s Garden in all its beauty, but they destroy it to the ground; not one thing escapes.


book: Joel
contenido:
Look at them leaping along the tops of the mountain! Listen to the noise they make, like the rumbling of chariots, or the roar of fire sweeping across a field, and like a mighty army moving into battle.


book: Joel
contenido:
These “soldiers” charge like infantry; they scale the walls like picked and trained commandos. Straight forward they march, never breaking ranks.


book: Joel
contenido:
They swarm upon the city; they run upon the walls; they climb up into the houses, coming like thieves through the windows.


book: Joel
contenido:
The earth quakes before them and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon are obscured and the stars are hid.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the judgment of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?


book: Joel
contenido:
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning.


book: Joel
contenido:
Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; he is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you.


book: Joel
contenido:
Who knows? Perhaps even yet he will decide to leave you alone and give you a blessing instead of his terrible curse. Perhaps he will give you so much that you can offer your grain and wine to the Lord as before!


book: Joel
contenido:
Bring everyone—the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her privacy.


book: Joel
contenido:
The priests, the ministers of God, will stand between the people and the altar, weeping; and they will pray, “Spare your people, O our God; don’t let the heathen rule them, for they belong to you. Don’t let them be disgraced by the taunts of the heathen who say, ‘Where is this God of theirs? How weak and helpless he must be!’”


book: Joel
contenido:
He will reply, “See, I am sending you much corn and wine and oil, to fully satisfy your need. No longer will I make you a laughingstock among the nations.


book: Joel
contenido:
I will remove these armies from the north and send them far away; I will turn them back into the parched wastelands where they will die; half shall be driven into the Dead Sea and the rest into the Mediterranean, and then their rotting stench will rise upon the land. The Lord has done a mighty miracle for you.”


book: Joel
contenido:
Let the flocks and herds forget their hunger; the pastures will turn green again. The trees will bear their fruit; the fig trees and grapevines will flourish once more.


book: Joel
contenido:
Rejoice, O people of Jerusalem, rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rains he sends are tokens of forgiveness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as those of spring.


book: Joel
contenido:
The threshing floors will pile high again with wheat, and the presses overflow with olive oil and wine.


book: Joel
contenido:
“And I will give you back the crops the locusts ate!—my great destroying army that I sent against you.


book: Joel
contenido:
Once again you will have all the food you want.
“Praise the Lord, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people experience disaster such as this.


book: Joel
contenido:
And you will know that I am here among my people Israel, and that I alone am the Lord your God. And my people shall never again be dealt a blow like this.


book: Joel
contenido:
“After I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all of you! Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams, and your young men see visions.


book: Joel
contenido:
“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible Day of the Lord shall come.


book: Joel
contenido:
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved; even in Jerusalem some will escape, just as the Lord has promised, for he has chosen some to survive.


book: Joel
contenido:
“I will gather the armies of the world into the ‘Valley Where Jehovah Judges’ and punish them there for harming my people, for scattering my inheritance among the nations and dividing up my land.


book: Joel
contenido:
“They divided up my people as their slaves; they traded a young lad for a prostitute, and a little girl for wine enough to get drunk.


book: Joel
contenido:
Tyre and Sidon, don’t you try to interfere! Are you trying to take revenge on me, you cities of Philistia? Beware, for I will strike back swiftly and return the harm to your own heads.


book: Joel
contenido:
“You have taken my silver and gold and all my precious treasures and carried them off to your heathen temples.


book: Joel
contenido:
You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, who took them far from their own land.


book: Joel
contenido:
But I will bring them back again from all these places you have sold them to, and I will pay you back for all that you have done.


book: Joel
contenido:
I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans far away. This is a promise from the Lord.”


book: Joel
contenido:
Announce this far and wide: Get ready for war! Conscript your best soldiers; collect all your armies.


book: Joel
contenido:
“Collect the nations; bring them to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to pronounce judgment on them all.


book: Joel
contenido:
Now let the sickle do its work; the harvest is ripe and waiting. Tread the winepress, for it is full to overflowing with the wickedness of these men.”


book: Joel
contenido:
Multitudes, multitudes waiting in the valley for the verdict of their doom! For the Day of the Lord is near, in the Valley of Judgment.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord shouts from his Temple in Jerusalem, and the earth and sky begin to shake. But to his people Israel, the Lord will be very gentle. He is their Refuge and Strength.


book: Joel
contenido:
“Then you shall know at last that I am the Lord your God in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem shall be mine forever; the time will come when no foreign armies will pass through her anymore.


book: Joel
contenido:
“Sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and the hills shall flow with milk. Water will fill the dry streambeds of Judah, and a fountain will burst forth from the Temple of the Lord to water Acacia Valley.


book: Joel
contenido:
Egypt will be destroyed, and Edom, too, because of their violence against the Jews, for they killed innocent people in those nations.


book: Joel
contenido:
For I will avenge the blood of my people; I will not clear their oppressors of guilt. For my home is in Jerusalem with my people.”


book: Amos
contenido:
Amos was a herdsman living in the village of Tekoa. All day long he sat on the hillsides watching the sheep, keeping them from straying.


book: Amos
contenido:
One day, in a vision, God told him some of the things that were going to happen to his nation, Israel. This vision came to him at the time Uzziah was king of Judah and while Jeroboam (son of Joash) was king of Israel—two years before the earthquake.
This is his report of what he saw and heard: The Lord roared—like a ferocious lion from his lair—from his Temple on Mount Zion. And suddenly the lush pastures of Mount Carmel withered and dried, and all the shepherds mourned.


book: Amos
contenido:
The Lord says, “The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not leave her unpunished anymore. For they have threshed my people in Gilead as grain is threshed with iron rods.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will snap the bars that locked the gates of Damascus and kill her people as far away as the plain of Aven, and the people of Syria shall return to Kir as slaves.” The Lord has spoken.


