Ezekiel’s Inaugural Vision

1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles^(A) by the Kebar River,^(B) the heavens were opened^(C) and I saw visions^(D) of God.

² On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin^(E)— ³ the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel^(F) the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians.^[a] There the hand of the Lord was on him.^(G)

⁴ I looked, and I saw a windstorm^(H) coming out of the north^(I)—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,^{(J) 5} and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures.^(K) In appearance their form was human,^{(L) 6} but each of them had four faces^(M) and four wings. ⁷ Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze.^{(N) 8} Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands.^(O) All four of them had faces and wings, ⁹ and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.^(P)

¹⁰ Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.^{(Q) 11} Such were their faces. They each had two wings^(R) spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. ¹² Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.^{(S) 13} The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals^(T) of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning^(U) flashed out of it. ¹⁴ The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.^(V)

¹⁵ As I looked at the living creatures,^(W) I saw a wheel^(X) on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. ¹⁶ This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz,^(Y) and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. ¹⁷ As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction^(Z) as the creatures went. ¹⁸ Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes^(AA) all around.

¹⁹ When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. ²⁰ Wherever the spirit would go, they would go,^(AB) and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. ²¹ When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.^(AC)

²² Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault,^(AD) sparkling like crystal, and awesome. ²³ Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. ²⁴ When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing^(AE) waters, like the voice^(AF) of the Almighty,^[b] like the tumult of an army.^(AG) When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

²⁵ Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. ²⁶ Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne^(AH) of lapis lazuli,^(AI) and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.^{(AJ) 27} I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.^{(AK) 28} Like the appearance of a rainbow^(AL) in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.^(AM)

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory^(AN) of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown,^(AO) and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Judgment on the Idolaters

9 Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.” ² And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen^(A) who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.

³ Now the glory^(B) of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim,^(C) where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side ⁴ and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem^(D) and put a mark^(E) on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament^(F) over all the detestable things that are done in it.^(G)”

⁵ As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity^(H) or compassion.^{(I) 6} Slaughter^(J) the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children,^(K) but do not touch anyone who has the mark.^(L) Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men^(M) who were in front of the temple.^(N)

⁷ Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain.^(O) Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. ⁸ While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown,^(P) crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord!^(Q) Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath^(R) on Jerusalem?^(S)”

⁹ He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice.^(T) They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’^{(U) 10} So I will not look on them with pity^(V) or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.^(W)”

¹¹ Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”

God’s Glory Departs From the Temple

10 I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne^(X) of lapis lazuli^(Y) above the vault^(Z) that was over the heads of the cherubim.^{(AA) 2} The Lord said to the man clothed in linen,^(AB) “Go in among the wheels^(AC) beneath the cherubim. Fill^(AD) your hands with burning coals^(AE) from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.

³ Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. ⁴ Then the glory of the Lord^(AF) rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord. ⁵ The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice^(AG) of God Almighty^[a] when he speaks.^(AH)

⁶ When the Lord commanded the man in linen, “Take fire from among the wheels,^(AI) from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel. ⁷ Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand to the fire^(AJ) that was among them. He took up some of it and put it into the hands of the man in linen, who took it and went out. ⁸ (Under the wings of the cherubim could be seen what looked like human hands.)^(AK)

⁹ I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz.^{(AL) 10} As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel. ¹¹ As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about^[b] as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went. ¹² Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes,^(AM) as were their four wheels.^{(AN) 13} I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” ¹⁴ Each of the cherubim^(AO) had four faces:^(AP) One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion,^(AQ) and the fourth the face of an eagle.^(AR)

¹⁵ Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures^(AS) I had seen by the Kebar River.^{(AT) 16} When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side. ¹⁷ When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them.^(AU)

¹⁸ Then the glory^(AV) of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim.^{(AW) 19} While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them.^(AX) They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory^(AY) of the God of Israel was above them.

²⁰ These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River,^(AZ) and I realized that they were cherubim. ²¹ Each had four faces^(BA) and four wings,^(BB) and under their wings was what looked like human hands. ²² Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River.^(BC) Each one went straight ahead.

God’s Sure Judgment on Jerusalem

11 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the Lord that faces east. There at the entrance of the gate were twenty-five men, and I saw among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah^(BD) son of Benaiah, leaders^(BE) of the people.^{(BF) 2} The Lord said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil^(BG) and giving wicked advice in this city.^{(BH) 3} They say, ‘Haven’t our houses been recently rebuilt? This city is a pot,^(BI) and we are the meat in it.’^{(BJ) 4} Therefore prophesy^(BK) against them; prophesy, son of man.”

⁵ Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.^{(BL) 6} You have killed many people in this city and filled its streets with the dead.^(BM)

⁷ “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: The bodies you have thrown there are the meat and this city is the pot,^(BN) but I will drive you out of it.^{(BO) 8} You fear the sword,^(BP) and the sword is what I will bring against you, declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(BQ) 9} I will drive you out of the city and deliver you into the hands^(BR) of foreigners and inflict punishment on you.^{(BS) 10} You will fall by the sword, and I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel.^(BT) Then you will know that I am the Lord. ¹¹ This city will not be a pot^(BU) for you, nor will you be the meat in it; I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. ¹² And you will know that I am the Lord,^(BV) for you have not followed my decrees^(BW) or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.^(BX)”

¹³ Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah^(BY) son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out in a loud voice, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?^(BZ)”

The Promise of Israel’s Return

¹⁴ The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁵ “Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, ‘They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.’^(CA)

¹⁶ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary^(CB) for them in the countries where they have gone.’

¹⁷ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’^(CC)

¹⁸ “They will return to it and remove all its vile images^(CD) and detestable idols.^{(CE) 19} I will give them an undivided heart^(CF) and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone^(CG) and give them a heart of flesh.^{(CH) 20} Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.^(CI) They will be my people,^(CJ) and I will be their God.^{(CK) 21} But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols,^(CL) I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(CM)”

²² Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory^(CN) of the God of Israel was above them.^{(CO) 23} The glory^(CP) of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain^(CQ) east of it. ²⁴ The Spirit^(CR) lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia^[c] in the vision^(CS) given by the Spirit of God.

Then the vision I had seen went up from me, ²⁵ and I told the exiles everything the Lord had shown me.^(CT)