Inside ·the cloud [or the fire; ^Lits midst] was what looked like four living creatures [Rev. 4:6–8], who ·were shaped like [had the appearance of] humans,

Their legs were straight. Their feet were like a calf’s hoofs and ·sparkled [gleamed] like ·polished [burnished] bronze [Rev. 1:15].

That was what their faces looked like. Their wings were spread out above. Each had two wings that touched one of the other living creatures and two wings that covered its body.

The wheels and ·the way they were made [their construction/structure] ·were like this [had this appearance]: They looked like sparkling ·chrysolite [or topaz; or beryl]. All four of them looked the same, like one wheel ·crossways inside [^Lin the middle of] another wheel.

The rims of the wheels were high and ·frightening [or awesome] and were full of eyes all around.

When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them. When the living creatures ·were lifted up [rose] from the ground, the wheels also ·were lifted up [rose].

Wherever the ·spirit [or wind] would go, the living creatures would go. And the wheels ·were lifted up [rose] beside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved. When the living creatures stopped, the wheels stopped. And when the living creatures ·were lifted [rose] from the ground, the wheels ·were lifted [rose] beside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

And under the ·dome [vault; expanse; or platform] the wings of the living creatures were stretched out straight toward one another. Each living creature also had two wings covering its body.

While he spoke to me, ·the Spirit [or a spirit; or a wind] entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard ·the Lord [^Lhim] speaking to me.

He ·opened [unrolled] the scroll in front of me. Written on the front and back were ·funeral songs, sad writings, and warnings about disaster [^Lwords of lament, mourning, and woe].

Then those who have escaped will remember me, as they live among the nations where they have been taken as captives. They will remember how I was ·hurt [grieved; crushed] ·because they were unfaithful to me [^Lby their adulterous heart] and turned away from me and ·desired to worship [by their eyes that have prostituted themselves with] their idols. They will ·hate [loathe] themselves because of ·the evil things they did that I hate [their abominations/detestable practices].

·They were proud of their beautiful jewelry [or They used God’s ornaments for their own prideful means; ^Cthe ornaments could refer to the temple treasures] and used it to make their ·idols [abominable images] and their ·evil statues, which I hate [detestable/abominable idols]. So I will turn their wealth into ·trash [filth; an unclean thing].

So I entered and looked, and ·I saw [^Llook; ^Tbehold] every kind of crawling thing [Lev. 11:20] and hateful beast [^Cunclean animal, ritually] and all the idols of the ·people [^Lhouse] of Israel, ·carved [engraved] on the wall all around [^Csuch images were idolatrous; Deut. 4:16–18; Rom. 1:23].

Standing in front of these carvings and idols were seventy of the elders of [^Lthe house of] Israel and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan. Each man had his ·pan for burning incense [censer] in his hand, and a ·sweet-smelling [fragrant] cloud of incense was rising.

Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the ·Temple [^Lhouse of the Lord]. There I saw about twenty-five men at the entrance to the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, between the ·porch [portico] and the altar. With their backs turned to the Temple of the Lord, they faced east and were worshiping the sun in the east.

Kill and destroy old men, young men and ·women [virgins], little children, and older women, but don’t touch any who have the mark on them. Start at my ·Temple [sanctuary].” So they started with the ·elders [or old men] who were in front of the ·Temple [^Lhouse].

While they were ·killing the people [striking them down], I was left alone. I bowed facedown on the ground and I cried out, “Oh, Lord God! Will you destroy ·everyone left alive in [the whole remnant of] Israel when you ·turn loose your anger [pour out your wrath] on Jerusalem?”

Now the ·living creatures [^Lcherubim] were standing on the south side of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] when the man went in. And a cloud filled the inner courtyard.

All their bodies, their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels were full of eyes all over. Each of the four living creatures had a wheel.

Then the ·living creatures [cherubim] ·flew [mounted; rose] up. They were the same living creatures I had seen by the Kebar ·River [Canal; 1:1].

These were the living creatures I had seen under the God of Israel by the Kebar ·River [Canal; 1:1]. I knew they were called cherubim.

Each one had four faces and four wings, and under their wings were things that looked like human hands.

Prophecies Against Evil Leaders

·The Spirit [or A spirit/or wind] lifted me up and brought me to the ·front [^Leastern] gate of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, which faces east. ·I saw [^TAnd behold] twenty-five men at the entrance of the gate, among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were ·leaders [princes; officials] of the people.

While I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I ·bowed [fell] facedown on the ground and ·shouted [cried out] with a loud voice, “·Oh no [Ah], Lord God! Will you completely destroy the ·Israelites who are left alive [remnant of Israel]?”