Add parallel Print Page Options

The Lord said to me: Son of man, pay close attention, look carefully, and listen intently to everything I tell you about all the statutes and laws of the Lord’s house. Pay close attention to the entrance into the temple and all the exits of the sanctuary. Say to that rebellious house, the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Enough of all your abominations, house of Israel! You have admitted foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, into my sanctuary to profane it when you offered me food, the fat and blood.[a] Thus you have broken my covenant by all your abominations.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 44:7–14 According to Ezekiel, the Levites’ priestly role is reduced to the performance of menial tasks as punishment for their misdeeds (cf. vv. 10–14). This demotion was enforced during the restoration of Temple worship under Ezra and Nehemiah; this may explain the small number of Levites willing to return to Jerusalem after the exile.

The Lord said to me, “Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations and instructions regarding the temple of the Lord. Give attention to the entrance(A) to the temple and all the exits of the sanctuary.(B) Say to rebellious Israel,(C) ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough of your detestable practices, people of Israel! In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart(D) and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant.(E)

Read full chapter