Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 351
16:59–17:8
E ze k iel
339
“Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will give you what you
deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your cov
enant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were
young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will
remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters,
Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part
of our covenant. And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will
know that I am the Lord. You will remember your sins and cover your
mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the
Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give this
riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel. Give them this message
from the Sovereign Lord:
“A great eagle with broad wings and long feathers,
covered with many-colored plumage,
came to Lebanon.
He seized the top of a cedar tree
and plucked off its highest branch.
He carried it away to a city filled with merchants.
He planted it in a city of traders.
He also took a seedling from the land
and planted it in fertile soil.
He placed it beside a broad river,
where it could grow like a willow tree.
It took root there and
grew into a low, spreading vine.
Its branches turned up toward the eagle,
and its roots grew down into the ground.
It produced strong branches
and put out shoots.
But then another great eagle came
with broad wings and full plumage.
So the vine now sent its roots and branches
toward him for water,
even though it was already planted in good soil
and had plenty of water
so it could grow into a splendid vine
and produce rich leaves and luscious fruit.
