The End Has Come

7 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel:

“‘Then you will know that I am the Lord.’^(F)

⁵ “This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Then you will know that it is I the Lord who strikes you.^(O)

“‘Then they will know that I am the Lord.^(BC)’”

Idolatry in the Temple

8 In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders^(BD) of Judah were sitting before^(BE) me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there.^{(BF) 2} I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man.^[c] From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal.^{(BG) 3} He stretched out what looked like a hand^(BH) and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up^(BI) between earth and heaven and in visions^(BJ) of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court,^(BK) where the idol that provokes to jealousy^(BL) stood. ⁴ And there before me was the glory^(BM) of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain.^(BN)

⁵ Then he said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol^(BO) of jealousy.

⁶ And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable^(BP) things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary?^(BQ) But you will see things that are even more detestable.”

⁷ Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. ⁸ He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there.

⁹ And he said to me, “Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.” ¹⁰ So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls^(BR) all kinds of crawling things and unclean^(BS) animals and all the idols of Israel.^{(BT) 11} In front of them stood seventy elders^(BU) of Israel, and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan was standing among them. Each had a censer^(BV) in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense^(BW) was rising.^(BX)

¹² He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness,^(BY) each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord does not see^(BZ) us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’” ¹³ Again, he said, “You will see them doing things that are even more detestable.”

¹⁴ Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and I saw women sitting there, mourning the god Tammuz.^{(CA) 15} He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? You will see things that are even more detestable than this.”

¹⁶ He then brought me into the inner court^(CB) of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar,^(CC) were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun^(CD) in the east.^(CE)

¹⁷ He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things^(CF) they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence^(CG) and continually arouse my anger?^(CH) Look at them putting the branch to their nose! ¹⁸ Therefore I will deal with them in anger;^(CI) I will not look on them with pity^(CJ) or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen^(CK) to them.”

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Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,^(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged^(B) more strictly.^{(C) 2} We all stumble^(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say^(E) is perfect,^(F) able to keep their whole body in check.^(G)

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.^{(H) 4} Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.^(I) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(J) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(K) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(L)

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^(M)

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{(N) 10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?^(O) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(P) by their good life, by deeds^(Q) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(R) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(S) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(T) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(U) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(V) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(W) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(X) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(Y) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{(Z) 18} Peacemakers^(AA) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(AB)