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1. It was the seventh year of our captivity, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month. Some of the older leaders of Israel came to ask about the Lord and sat down in front of me.
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1. And it came to pass H1961 in the seventh H7637 year H8141 , in the fifth H2549 month , the tenth H6218 day of the month H2320 , that certain H376 of the elders H4480 H2205 of Israel H3478 came H935 to inquire H1875 H853 of the LORD H3068 , and sat H3427 before H6440 me.
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2. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
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2. Then came H1961 the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 unto H413 me, saying H559 ,
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3. "Human, speak to the older leaders of Israel and say to them: 'This is what the Lord God says: Did you come to ask me questions? As surely as I live, I will not let you ask me questions.'
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3. Son H1121 of man H120 , speak H1696 H853 unto the elders H2205 of Israel H3478 , and say H559 unto H413 them, Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; Are ye H859 come H935 to inquire H1875 of me? As I H589 live H2416 , saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 , I will not H518 be inquired H1875 of by you.
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4. "Will you judge them? Will you judge them, human? Let them know the hateful things their ancestors did.
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4. Wilt thou judge H8199 them, son H1121 of man H120 , wilt thou judge H8199 them ? cause them to know H3045 H853 the abominations H8441 of their fathers H1 :
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5. Say to them: 'This is what the Lord God says: When I chose Israel, I made a promise to the descendants of Jacob. I made myself known to them in Egypt, and I promised them, "I am the Lord your God."
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5. And say H559 unto H413 them, Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; In the day H3117 when I chose H977 Israel H3478 , and lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto the seed H2233 of the house H1004 of Jacob H3290 , and made myself known H3045 unto them in the land H776 of Egypt H4714 , when I lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto them, saying H559 , I H589 am the LORD H3068 your God H430 ;
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6. At that time I promised them I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had found for them, a fertile land, the best land in the world.
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6. In the day H3117 that I lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto them , to bring them forth H3318 of the land H4480 H776 of Egypt H4714 into H413 a land H776 that H834 I had espied H8446 for them, flowing H2100 with milk H2461 and honey H1706 , which H1931 is the glory H6643 of all H3605 lands H776 :
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7. I said to them, "Each one of you must throw away the hateful idols you have seen and liked. Don't make yourselves unclean with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
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7. Then said H559 I unto H413 them , Cast ye away H7993 every man H376 the abominations H8251 of his eyes H5869 , and defile not yourselves H2930 H408 with the idols H1544 of Egypt H4714 : I H589 am the LORD H3068 your God H430 .
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8. "'But they turned against me and refused to listen to me. They did not throw away the hateful idols which they saw and liked; they did not give up the idols of Egypt. Then I decided to pour out my anger against them while they were still in Egypt.
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8. But they rebelled H4784 against me , and would H14 not H3808 hearken H8085 unto H413 me : they did not H3808 every man H376 cast away H7993 H853 the abominations H8251 of their eyes H5869 , neither H3808 did they forsake H5800 the idols H1544 of Egypt H4714 : then I said H559 , I will pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon H5921 them , to accomplish H3615 my anger H639 against them in the midst H8432 of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 .
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9. But I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations where the Israelites lived. I made myself known to the Israelites with a promise to bring them out of Egypt while the nations were watching.
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9. But I wrought H6213 for my name's sake H4616 H8034 , that it should not H1115 be polluted H2490 before H5869 the heathen H1471 , among H8432 whom H834 they H1992 were , in whose H834 sight H5869 I made myself known H3045 unto H413 them , in bringing them forth H3318 out of the land H4480 H776 of Egypt H4714 .
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10. So I took them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert.
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10. Wherefore I caused them to go H3318 out of the land H4480 H776 of Egypt H4714 , and brought H935 them into H413 the wilderness H4057 .
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11. I gave them my rules and told them about my laws, by which people will live if they obey them.
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11. And I gave H5414 them H853 my statutes H2708 , and showed H3045 them my judgments H4941 , which H834 if a man H120 do H6213 H853 , he shall even live H2421 in them.
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12. I also gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between us so they would know that I am the Lord who made them holy.
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12. Moreover also H1571 I gave H5414 them H853 my sabbaths H7676 , to be H1961 a sign H226 between H996 me and them , that they might know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 that sanctify H6942 them.
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13. "'But in the desert Israel turned against me. They did not follow my rules, and they rejected my laws, by which people will live if they obey them. They dishonored my Sabbaths. Then I decided to pour out my anger against them and destroy them in the desert.
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13. But the house H1004 of Israel H3478 rebelled H4784 against me in the wilderness H4057 : they walked H1980 not H3808 in my statutes H2708 , and they despised H3988 my judgments H4941 , which H834 if a man H120 do H6213 H853 , he shall even live H2421 in them ; and my sabbaths H7676 they greatly H3966 polluted H2490 : then I said H559 , I would pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon H5921 them in the wilderness H4057 , to consume H3615 them.
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14. But I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations who watched as I had brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
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14. But I wrought H6213 for my name's sake H4616 H8034 , that it should not H1115 be polluted H2490 before H5869 the heathen H1471 , in whose H834 sight H5869 I brought them out H3318 .
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15. And in the desert I swore to the Israelites that I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It is a fertile land, the best land in the world.
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15. Yet also H1571 I H589 lifted up H5375 my hand H3027 unto them in the wilderness H4057 , that I would not H1115 bring H935 them into H413 the land H776 which H834 I had given H5414 them , flowing H2100 with milk H2461 and honey H1706 , which H1931 is the glory H6643 of all H3605 lands H776 ;
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16. This was because they rejected my laws and did not follow my rules. They dishonored my Sabbaths and wanted to worship their idols.
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16. Because H3282 they despised H3988 my judgments H4941 , and walked H1980 not H3808 in my statutes H2708 , but polluted H2490 my sabbaths H7676 : for H3588 their heart H3820 went H1980 after H310 their idols H1544 .
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17. But I had pity on them. I did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert.
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17. Nevertheless mine eye H5869 spared H2347 H5921 them from destroying H4480 H7843 them, neither H3808 did I make H6213 an end H3617 of them in the wilderness H4057 .
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18. I said to their children in the desert, "Don't live by the rules of your parents, or obey their laws. Don't make yourselves unclean with their idols.
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18. But I said H559 unto H413 their children H1121 in the wilderness H4057 , Walk H1980 ye not H408 in the statutes H2706 of your fathers H1 , neither H408 observe H8104 their judgments H4941 , nor H408 defile yourselves H2930 with their idols H1544 :
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19. I am the Lord your God. Live by my rules, obey my laws, and follow them.
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19. I H589 am the LORD H3068 your God H430 ; walk H1980 in my statutes H2708 , and keep H8104 my judgments H4941 , and do H6213 them;
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20. Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."
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20. And hallow H6942 my sabbaths H7676 ; and they shall be H1961 a sign H226 between H996 me and you , that ye may know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 your God H430 .
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21. "'But the children turned against me. They did not live by my rules, nor were they careful to obey my laws, by which people will live if they obey them. They dishonored my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger against them in the desert.
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21. Notwithstanding the children H1121 rebelled H4784 against me : they walked H1980 not H3808 in my statutes H2708 , neither H3808 kept H8104 my judgments H4941 to do H6213 them, which H834 if a man H120 do H6213 H853 , he shall even live H2421 in them ; they polluted H2490 H853 my sabbaths H7676 : then I said H559 , I would pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon H5921 them , to accomplish H3615 my anger H639 against them in the wilderness H4057 .
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22. But I held back my anger. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations who watched as I brought the Israelites out.
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22. Nevertheless I withdrew H7725 H853 mine hand H3027 , and wrought H6213 for my name's sake H4616 H8034 , that it should not H1115 be polluted H2490 in the sight H5869 of the heathen H1471 , in whose H834 sight H5869 I brought them forth H3318 H853 .
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23. And in the desert I swore to the Israelites that I would scatter them among the nations and spread them among the countries,
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23. I H589 lifted up H5375 H853 mine hand H3027 unto them also H1571 in the wilderness H4057 , that I would scatter H6327 them among the heathen H1471 , and disperse H2219 them through the countries H776 ;
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24. because they had not obeyed my laws. They had rejected my rules and dishonored my Sabbaths and worshiped the idols of their parents.
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24. Because H3282 they had not H3808 executed H6213 my judgments H4941 , but had despised H3988 my statutes H2708 , and had polluted H2490 my sabbaths H7676 , and their eyes H5869 were H1961 after H310 their fathers H1 ' idols H1544 .
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25. I also allowed them to follow rules that were not good and laws by which they could not live.
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25. Wherefore I H589 gave H5414 them also H1571 statutes H2706 that were not H3808 good H2896 , and judgments H4941 whereby they should not H3808 live H2421 ;
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26. I let the Israelites make themselves unclean by the gifts they brought to their gods when they sacrificed their first children in the fire. I wanted to terrify them so they would know that I am the Lord.'
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26. And I polluted H2930 them in their own gifts H4979 , in that they caused to pass through H5674 the fire all H3605 that openeth H6363 the womb H7356 , that H4616 I might make them desolate H8074 , to the end H4616 that H834 they might know H3045 that H834 I H589 am the LORD H3068 .
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27. "So, human, speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, 'This is what the Lord God says: Your ancestors spoke against me by being unfaithful to me in another way.
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27. Therefore H3651 , son H1121 of man H120 , speak H1696 unto H413 the house H1004 of Israel H3478 , and say H559 unto H413 them, Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; Yet H5750 in this H2063 your fathers H1 have blasphemed H1442 me , in that they have committed H4603 a trespass H4604 against me.
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28. When I had brought them into the land I promised to give them, they saw every high hill and every leafy tree. There they offered their sacrifices to gods. They brought offerings that made me angry and burned their incense and poured out their drink offerings.
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28. For when I had brought H935 them into H413 the land H776 , for the which H834 I lifted up H5375 H853 mine hand H3027 to give H5414 it to them , then they saw H7200 every H3605 high H7311 hill H1389 , and all H3605 the thick H5687 trees H6086 , and they offered H2076 there H8033 H853 their sacrifices H2077 , and there H8033 they presented H5414 the provocation H3708 of their offering H7133 : there H8033 also they made H7760 their sweet H5207 savor H7381 , and poured out H5258 there H8033 H853 their drink offerings H5262 .
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29. Then I said to them: What is this high place where you go to worship?'" (It is still called High Place today.)
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29. Then I said H559 unto H413 them, What H4100 is the high place H1116 whereunto H834 H8033 ye H859 go H935 ? And the name H8034 thereof is called H7121 Bamah H1117 unto H5704 this H2088 day H3117 .
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30. "So say to the people of Israel: 'This is what the Lord God says: Are you going to make yourselves unclean as your ancestors did? Are you going to be unfaithful and desire their hateful idols?
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30. Wherefore H3651 say H559 unto H413 the house H1004 of Israel H3478 , Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; Are ye H859 polluted H2930 after the manner H1870 of your fathers H1 ? and commit ye whoredom H2181 H859 after H310 their abominations H8251 ?
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31. When you offer your children as gifts and sacrifice them in the fire, you are making yourselves unclean with all your idols even today. So, people of Israel, should I let you ask me questions? As surely as I live, says the Lord God, I will not accept questions from you.
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31. For when ye offer H5375 your gifts H4979 , when ye make your sons H1121 to pass H5674 through the fire H784 , ye H859 pollute yourselves H2930 with all H3605 your idols H1544 , even unto H5704 this day H3117 : and shall I H589 be inquired of H1875 by you , O house H1004 of Israel H3478 ? As I H589 live H2416 , saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 , I will not H518 be inquired of H1875 by you.
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32. "'What you want will not come true. You say, "We want to be like the other nations, like the people in other lands. We want to worship idols made of wood and stone."
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32. And that which cometh H5927 into H5921 your mind H7307 shall not H3808 be at all H1961 H1961 , that H834 ye H859 say H559 , We will be H1961 as the heathen H1471 , as the families H4940 of the countries H776 , to serve H8334 wood H6086 and stone H68 .
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33. As surely as I live, says the Lord God, I will use my great power and strength and anger to rule over you.
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33. As I H589 live H2416 , saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 , surely H518 H3808 with a mighty H2389 hand H3027 , and with a stretched out H5186 arm H2220 , and with fury H2534 poured out H8210 , will I rule H4427 over H5921 you:
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34. I will bring you out from the foreign nations. With my great power and strength and anger I will gather you from the lands where you are scattered.
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34. And I will bring you out H3318 H853 from H4480 the people H5971 , and will gather H6908 you out of H4480 the countries H776 wherein H834 ye are scattered H6327 , with a mighty H2389 hand H3027 , and with a stretched out H5186 arm H2220 , and with fury H2534 poured out H8210 .
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35. I will bring you among the nations as I brought your ancestors into the desert with Moses. There I will judge you face to face.
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35. And I will bring H935 you into H413 the wilderness H4057 of the people H5971 , and there H8033 will I plead H8199 with H854 you face H6440 to H413 face H6440 .
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36. I will judge you the same way I judged your ancestors in the desert of the land of Egypt, says the Lord God.
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36. Like as H834 I pleaded H8199 with H854 your fathers H1 in the wilderness H4057 of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 , so H3651 will I plead H8199 with H854 you, saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 .
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37. I will count you like sheep and will bring you into line with my agreement.
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37. And I will cause you to pass H5674 under H8478 the rod H7626 , and I will bring H935 you into the bond H4562 of the covenant H1285 :
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38. I will get rid of those who refuse to obey me and who turn against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
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38. And I will purge out H1305 from H4480 among you the rebels H4775 , and them that transgress H6586 against me : I will bring them forth H3318 H853 out of the country H4480 H776 where they sojourn H4033 , and they shall not H3808 enter H935 into H413 the land H127 of Israel H3478 : and ye shall know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 .
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39. "'This is what the Lord God says: People of Israel, go serve your idols for now. But later you will listen to me; you will not continue to dishonor my holy name with your gifts and gods.
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39. As for you H859 , O house H1004 of Israel H3478 , thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; Go H1980 ye, serve H5647 ye every one H376 his idols H1544 , and hereafter H310 also , if H518 ye will not H369 hearken H8085 unto H413 me : but pollute H2490 ye my holy H6944 name H8034 no H3808 more H5750 with your gifts H4979 , and with your idols H1544 .
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40. On my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all Israel will serve me in the land, says the Lord God. There I will accept you. There I will expect your offerings, the first harvest of your offerings, and all your holy gifts.
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40. For H3588 in mine holy H6944 mountain H2022 , in the mountain H2022 of the height H4791 of Israel H3478 , saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 , there H8033 shall all H3605 the house H1004 of Israel H3478 , all H3605 of them in the land H776 , serve H5647 me: there H8033 will I accept H7521 them , and there H8033 will I require H1875 H853 your offerings H8641 , and the firstfruits H7225 of your oblations H4864 , with all H3605 your holy things H6944 .
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41. I will accept you like the pleasing smell of sacrifices when I bring you out from the foreign nations and gather you from the lands where you are scattered. Then through you I will show how holy I am so the nations will see.
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41. I will accept H7521 you with your sweet H5207 savor H7381 , when I bring you out H3318 H853 from H4480 the people H5971 , and gather H6908 you out of H4480 the countries H776 wherein H834 ye have been scattered H6327 ; and I will be sanctified H6942 in you before H5869 the heathen H1471 .
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42. When I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I promised your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord.
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42. And ye shall know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 , when I shall bring H935 you into H413 the land H127 of Israel H3478 , into H413 the country H776 for the which H834 I lifted up H5375 H853 mine hand H3027 to give H5414 it to your fathers H1 .
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43. There you will remember everything you did that made you unclean, and then you will hate yourselves for all the evil things you have done.
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43. And there H8033 shall ye remember H2142 H853 your ways H1870 , and all H3605 your doings H5949 , wherein H834 ye have been defiled H2930 ; and ye shall loathe yourselves H6962 in your own sight H6440 for all H3605 your evils H7451 that H834 ye have committed H6213 .
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44. I will deal with you for the sake of my name, not because of your evil ways or unclean actions. Then you will know I am the Lord, people of Israel, says the Lord God.'" Babylon, the Lord's Sword
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44. And ye shall know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 , when I have wrought H6213 with H854 you for my name's sake H4616 H8034 , not H3808 according to your wicked H7451 ways H1870 , nor according to your corrupt H7843 doings H5949 , O ye house H1004 of Israel H3478 , saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 .
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45. Now the Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
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45. Moreover the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 came H1961 unto H413 me, saying H559 ,
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46. "Human, look toward the south. Prophesy against the south and against the forest of the southern area.
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46. Son H1121 of man H120 , set H7760 thy face H6440 toward H1870 the south H8486 , and drop H5197 thy word toward H413 the south H1864 , and prophesy H5012 against H413 the forest H3293 of the south H5045 field H7704 ;
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47. Say to that forest: 'Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you that will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flames that burn will not be put out. Every face from south to north will feel their heat.
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47. And say H559 to the forest H3293 of the south H5045 , Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 ; Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 ; Behold H2009 , I will kindle H3341 a fire H784 in thee , and it shall devour H398 every H3605 green H3892 tree H6086 in thee , and every H3605 dry H3002 tree H6086 : the flaming H3852 flame H7957 shall not H3808 be quenched H3518 , and all H3605 faces H6440 from the south H4480 H5045 to the north H6828 shall be burned H6866 therein.
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48. Then all the people will see that I, the Lord, have started the fire. It will not be put out.'"
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48. And all H3605 flesh H1320 shall see H7200 that H3588 I H589 the LORD H3068 have kindled H1197 it : it shall not H3808 be quenched H3518 .
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49. Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! The people are saying about me, 'He is only telling stories.'"
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49. Then said H559 I, Ah H162 Lord H136 GOD H3069 ! they H1992 say H559 of me , Doth he H1931 not H3808 speak H4911 parables H4912 ?
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