Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 384
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IMMERSE
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PROPHETS
33:15-33
their sins and do what is just and right. For instance, they might give back
a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey my life-giving
laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live
and not die. None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have
done what is just and right, and they will surely live.
“Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they
who are not doing what’s right. For again I say, when righteous people turn
away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die. But if
wicked people turn from their wickedness and do what is just and right,
they will live. O people of Israel, you are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing
what’s right.’ But I judge each of you according to your deeds.”
On January 8, during the twelfth year of our captivity, a survivor from Je
rusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!” The previous evening
the Lord had taken hold of me and given me back my voice. So I was able
to speak when this man arrived the next morning.
Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, the scat
tered remnants of Israel living among the ruined cities keep saying, ‘Abra
ham was only one man, yet he gained possession of the entire land. We are
many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’ So tell these
people, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You eat meat with blood
in it, you worship idols, and you murder the innocent. Do you really think
the land should be yours? Murderers! Idolaters! Adulterers! Should the
land belong to you?’
“Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live,
those living in the ruins will die by the sword. And I will send wild animals
to eat those living in the open fields. Those hiding in the forts and caves
will die of disease. I will completely destroy the land and demolish her
pride. Her arrogant power will come to an end. The mountains of Israel
will be so desolate that no one will even travel through them. When I have
completely destroyed the land because of their detestable sins, then they
will know that I am the Lord.’
“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper
about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the
prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to
be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no
intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and
their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like
someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on
an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! But when
