Rebellious Israel Renewed

³⁰ “Therefore say to the Israelites: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves^(A) the way your ancestors did and lust after their vile images?^(B)

³¹ When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children^(A) in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.^(B)

³⁹ “‘As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols,^(A) every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name^(B) with your gifts and idols.^(C)

⁴⁰ For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel,^(A) declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings^(B) and your choice gifts,^[a] along with all your holy sacrifices.^(C)

⁴⁴ You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake^(A) and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(B)’”

¹⁸ “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross^(A) to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace.^(B) They are but the dross of silver.^(C)

²¹ Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary^(A)—the stronghold in which you take pride,^(B) the delight of your eyes,^(C) the object of your affection. The sons and daughters^(D) you left behind will fall by the sword.^(E)

⁶ Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord.

“‘You have been a staff of reed^(A) for the people of Israel.

²¹ “On that day I will make a horn^[a](A) grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth^(B) among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.^(C)”