Ezekiel 22:23-31

New Century Version

Sins of the People

²³ The Lord spoke his word to me, saying: ²⁴ “Human, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not had rain or showers when God is angry.’ ²⁵ Like a roaring lion that tears the animal it has caught, Israel’s rulers make evil plans. They have destroyed lives and have taken treasure and valuable things. They have caused many women to become widows. ²⁶ Israel’s priests do cruel things to my teachings and do not honor my holy things. They make no difference between holy and unholy things, and they teach there is no difference between clean and unclean things. They do not remember my Sabbaths, so I am dishonored by them. ²⁷ Like wolves tearing a dead animal, Jerusalem’s leaders have killed people for profit. ²⁸ And the prophets try to cover this up by false visions and by lying messages. They say, ‘This is what the Lord God says’ when the Lord has not spoken. ²⁹ The people cheat others and steal. They hurt people who are poor and needy. They cheat foreigners and do not treat them fairly.

³⁰ “I looked for someone to build up the walls and to stand before me where the walls are broken to defend these people so I would not have to destroy them. But I could not find anyone. ³¹ So I let them see my anger. I destroyed them with an anger that was like fire because of all the things they have done, says the Lord God.”