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Prophecy Against Ammon

25 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the people of Ammon and prophesy against them. Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord God. This is what the Lord God says: You ·were glad [L said, “Aha!”] when my ·Temple [sanctuary] was ·dishonored [defiled; profaned; C ritually], when the land of Israel was ·ruined [made desolate], and when the ·people [L house] of Judah ·were taken away as captives [went into exile]. So [L Look; T Behold] I am going to give you to the people of the East ·to be theirs [L as a possession]. They will set up their camps among you and make their ·homes [dwelling places] among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. I will make the city of Rabbah a pasture for camels and the land of Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the Lord. For this is what the Lord God says: You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet; you have ·laughed about all the insults you made [L rejoiced with the scorn/malice of your soul] against the land of Israel. So I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against you. I will give you to the nations as ·if you were treasures taken in war [plunder]. I will cut you off from the ·nations [peoples] and wipe you out of the ·countries [lands], and I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’

Prophecy Against Moab and Edom

“This is what the Lord God says: ‘Moab and ·Edom [L Seir] say, “[L Look; T Behold] The ·people [L house] of Judah are like all the other nations.” So I am going to ·take away the cities that protect Moab’s borders [open up Moab’s flank, starting with its frontier towns], the ·best cities in [L glory of] that land: Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 Then I will give Moab, along with the Ammonites, to the people of the East as their possession. Then, along with the Ammonites, Moab will not be a nation anymore. 11 So I will ·punish [execute judgments upon] the people of Moab, and they will know that I am the Lord.’

Prophecy Against Edom

12 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Edom took ·revenge [vengeance] on the ·people [L house] of Judah, and the Edomites became guilty because of it. 13 So this is what the Lord God says: I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against Edom, killing every human and animal in it. And I will ·destroy [lay waste; make desolate] Edom all the way from Teman [C district in central Edom] to Dedan [C territory in southern Edom] as they ·die in battle [L fall by the sword]. 14 I will use my people Israel to take revenge on Edom. ·So the Israelites will do to Edom what my hot anger demands [L …according to my anger and according to my wrath]. Then the Edomites will know what my ·revenge [vengeance] feels like, says the Lord God.’

Prophecy Against Philistia

15 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘The Philistines have taken revenge with ·hateful hearts [malice in their souls]. Because of their ·strong [or ancient; or never-ending] hatred, they have tried to destroy Judah. 16 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against the Philistines. I will ·kill [cut off] the Kerethites, and I will destroy those people still alive on the ·coast of the Mediterranean Sea [seacoast]. 17 I will do great acts of ·revenge [vengeance] to them and punish them in my anger. They will know that I am the Lord when I take ·revenge [vengeance] on them.’”

Prophecy Against Tyre

26 It was the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2); 586 bc], on the first day of the month. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], the city of Tyre has spoken against Jerusalem: ‘The ·city that traded with [L gate of] the nations is ·destroyed [broken]. ·Now we can be the trading center [L Its doors have swung open to me]. Since ·the city of Jerusalem [L it] is ruined, ·we can make money [L I will be filled].’ So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Tyre. I will bring many nations against you, like the sea ·beating its waves on your island shores [L brings up its waves]. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers. I will also scrape away her ·ruins [rubble; soil] and make her a bare rock. Tyre will be ·an island [L in the midst of the sea] where fishermen dry their nets. I have spoken, says the Lord God. ·The nations will steal treasures from Tyre [L She will become plunder for the nations]. Also, her ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore [mainland] across from the island will be ·destroyed by war [L slaughtered by the sword]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Nebuchadnezzar to Attack Tyre

“This is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I will bring a king from the north against Tyre. He is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, ·the greatest king [L king of kings], with his horses, chariots, horsemen, and a great army. He will destroy your ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore across from the island [mainland]. He will set up ·devices to attack you [siege works]. He will build a ·road of earth to the top of the walls [siege ramp]. He will raise his shields against you. He will ·bring logs to pound through [direct blows of battering rams against] your city walls, and he will break down your towers with his ·iron bars [or hammers; L swords]. 10 His horses will be so many that they will cover you with their dust. Your walls will shake at the noise of horsemen, wagons, and chariots. The king of Babylon will enter your city gates as men enter a city where the walls are broken through. 11 The hoofs of his horses will ·run over [trample] your streets. He will kill your ·army [or people] with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall down to the ground. 12 Also, his men will ·take away [plunder] your riches and will ·steal [loot] ·the things you sell [your merchandise]. They will break down your walls and destroy your ·nice [pleasant; luxurious] houses. They will throw your stones, ·wood [timber; trees], and ·trash [rubble; or soil] into the sea. 13 So I will stop your songs; the music of your ·harps [lyres] will not be heard anymore. 14 I will make you a bare rock, and you will be a place for ·drying [spreading] fishing nets. You will not be built again, because I, the Lord, have spoken, says the Lord God.

15 “This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: ·The people who live along the seacoast will [L Won’t the coastlands…?] ·shake with fear [tremble] ·when they hear about your defeat [or at the sound of your fall]. ·The injured will [L …when the wounded] groan as the ·killing [slaughter] takes place in you. 16 Then all the ·leaders [princes] of the ·seacoast [L sea] will get down from their thrones, take off their ·beautiful needlework [embroidered] clothes, and ·show how afraid they are [L clothe themselves with trembling]. They will sit on the ground and tremble ·all the time [continuously], ·shocked [appalled; aghast] when they see you. 17 They will begin singing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] about you and will say to you:

‘Famous city [C Tyre was a great maritime power], you have been destroyed!
    You have lost your sea power!
You and your ·people [inhabitants]
    had great power on the seas.
You made everyone around you
    afraid of you.
18 Now the ·people who live by the coast [coastlands will] tremble,
    ·now that [L on the day] you have fallen.
The ·islands [or coastlands] of the sea
    are ·afraid [terrified; dismayed] ·because you have been defeated [at your demise/passing].’

19 “This is what the Lord God says: I will make you ·an empty city [desolate; a ruin], like cities that ·have no people living in them [are uninhabited/deserted]. I will bring the ·deep ocean waters [L deep] over you, and the ·Mediterranean Sea [L great waters] will cover you. 20 At that time I will send you down to the ·place of the dead [pit] to ·join those who died long ago [the people of old/antiquity]. I will make you live with the dead ·below the earth [in the underworld] ·in places that are like old ruins [among ancient ruins]. You will not ·come back from there [or be inhabited] or have any place in the ·world [land] of the living again. 21 ·Other people will be afraid of what happened to you [or I will bring you to a terrible end], and it will be the end of you. People will look for you, but they will never find you again, says the Lord God.”

A Funeral Song for Tyre

27 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the city of Tyre. Speak to Tyre, which ·has ports for the Mediterranean Sea [L sits at the gateway to the Sea] and is a ·place for trade [merchant] for the people of many coastlands. ‘This is what the Lord God says:

Tyre, you have said,
“I am ·like a beautiful ship [L perfect in beauty].”

·You were at home on [L Your borders were in the heart of] the high seas.
Your builders made your beauty perfect.

They made all your boards
    of fir trees from ·Mount Hermon [L Senir].
They took a cedar tree from Lebanon
    to make a ship’s mast for you.

They made your oars
    from oak trees from Bashan.
They made your deck
    from cypress trees from the coast of ·Cyprus [L Kittim]
·and set ivory into it [inlaid with ivory].

Your sail of ·linen with designs sewed on it [embroidered linen] came from Egypt
    and ·became like a flag for you [served as your banner].
Your ·cloth shades over the deck [awnings] were blue and purple
    and came from the ·island [coastlands] of ·Cyprus [L Elisha; C a city on the east side of Cyprus and an older name for the island].
·Men [Residents; or Leaders] from Sidon [C a major city twenty-five miles north of Tyre] and Arvad [C a city on the Phoenician coast, north of Sidon] used oars to row you.
    Tyre, your skilled men were ·the sailors [or captains; pilots] on your deck.
·Workers [or Veteran craftsmen; L Elders] of Byblos were with you,
    putting caulk in your ship’s seams.
All the ships of the sea and their sailors
    came alongside to trade with you.

10 “‘Men of Persia, ·Lydia [L Lud; C a city in Asia Minor], and ·Put [C present-day Libya, in North Africa]
    were warriors in your ·navy [army]
and hung their shields and helmets on your sides.
    They ·made you look beautiful [gave you splendor].

11 Men of Arvad [v. 8] and ·Cilicia [L Helech; C southeast Asia Minor]
    guarded your city walls all around.
Men of Gammad [C an unknown location, perhaps northern Asia Minor]
    were in your watchtowers

and hung their shields around your walls.
They made your beauty perfect.

12 “‘People of Tarshish [C probably in southern Spain; Jonah 1:3] became traders for you because of your great wealth. They ·traded [exchanged] your goods for silver, iron, tin, and lead.

13 “‘People of ·Greece [L Javan], Tubal, and Meshech [C both in Asia Minor; 32:26] became merchants for you. They traded your goods for slaves and items of bronze.

14 “‘People of Beth Togarmah [C eastern Asia Minor; present-day Armenia] traded your goods for ·work [or chariot] horses, war horses [C either chariot of cavalry horses], and mules.

15 “‘·People of [L Sons of] Rhodes[a] [C an island off southwest coast of Asia Minor] became merchants for you, selling your goods on many coastlands. They brought back ivory tusks and ·valuable black wood [ebony] as your payment.

16 “‘People of Aram[b] [C Syria] ·became traders for [did business with] you, because you had so many good things to sell. They traded your goods for turquoise, purple cloth, ·cloth with designs sewed on [embroidered work], fine linen, coral, and rubies.

17 “‘People of Judah and Israel became merchants for you. They traded your goods for wheat from Minnith [C a town in Ammon, east of the Jordan River], and for ·meal [millet], honey, olive oil, and balm.

“‘People of Damascus [C the capital of Aram (Syria)] became traders for you because you have many good things and great wealth. They traded your goods for wine from Helbon [C a town north of Damascus], wool from Zahar [C an area northwest of Damascus], and barrels of wine[c] from Izal [C possibly present-day Yemen]. They received wrought iron, cassia [C a tree similar to the cinnamon tree; Ex. 30:24], and ·sugar cane [or calamus; C a fragrant reed] in payment for your ·good things [wares; merchandise].

20 “‘People of Dedan [C a territory in southern Edom] became merchants for you, trading saddle blankets for riding.

21 “‘People of Arabia and all the ·rulers [princes] of Kedar became traders for you. They received lambs, ·male sheep [rams], and goats in payment for you.

22 “‘The merchants of Sheba [C the southwestern Arabian peninsula, present-day Yemen] and Raamah [C a city in southern Arabia] became merchants for you. They traded your goods for all the best spices, ·valuable gems [precious stones], and gold.

23 “‘People of Haran [C a city in present-day eastern Turkey], Canneh [C unknown location], Eden [C in Mesopotamia near Haran], and the traders of Sheba [v. 22], Asshur [C a city south of Nineveh], and Kilmad [C an unknown location] became merchants for you. 24 They were paid with the best clothes, blue cloth, ·cloth with designs sewed on [embroidered work], carpets of many colors, ·and tightly wound ropes [or rolled up and tied with cords; or made of tightly knotted cords].

25 “‘·Trading ships [or The ships of Tarshish]
    carried ·the things you sold [your merchandise].
You were like a ship full of heavy cargo
    in the ·middle [L heart] of the sea.

26 The men who rowed you
    brought you out into the high seas,
but the east wind broke you to pieces
    in the ·middle [L heart] of the sea.

27 Your wealth, your ·trade [products], your goods,
    your seamen, your ·sailors [or captains], your ·workers [or caulkers],
your traders, your ·warriors [soldiers],
    and everyone else on board
sank into the ·sea [L heart of the sea]
    on the day ·your ship was wrecked [L of your fall].

28 The ·people on the shore shake with fear [L countryside shakes; or waves surge]
when your ·sailors [or captains] cry out.

29 All the men who row
    ·leave [disembark from; or abandon] their ships;
the seamen and the ·sailors [or captains] of other ships
    stand on the shore.

30 They cry loudly about you;
    they cry ·very much [bitterly].
They throw dust on their heads
    and roll in ashes.

31 They shave their heads for you,
    and they put on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth; C signs of sorrow and distress].
They ·cry and sob for you [weep over you with bitter souls];
    they ·cry loudly [mourn bitterly].

32 And in their ·loud crying [wailing]
    they sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for you:
“·No one was ever destroyed [L Who was…?] like Tyre,
    ·surrounded by [or like a tower in the middle of; or now silent in the midst of] the sea.”

33 When the goods you traded went out over the seas,
    you ·met the needs of [satisfied] many nations.
With your great wealth and ·goods [merchandise],
    you made kings of the earth rich.

34 But now you are ·broken [shipwrecked; shattered] by the sea
    ·and have sunk to the bottom [L in the depths of the waters].
Your ·goods [merchandise] and all the people on board
    have gone down with you.

35 All those who live along the ·shore [coastland]
    are ·shocked [appalled; aghast] by what happened to you.
Their kings are ·terribly afraid [horrified],
    and their faces ·show their fear [are troubled/contorted].

36 The traders among the nations hiss at you.
    You have ·come to a terrible end [or become a horror],
and you are gone forever.’”

Prophecy Against the King of Tyre

28 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], say to the ruler of Tyre: ‘This is what the Lord God says:

Because ·you are [L your heart is] proud,
    you say, “I am a god.
I sit on the ·throne [seat] of a god
    in the ·middle [L heart] of the seas.”
You think you are as wise as a god,
    but you are a ·human [mortal; man], not a god.

[L Look; T Behold] You ·think you are [L are] wiser than Daniel [14:14].
·You think you can find out all secrets [L No secret is hidden from you].

Through your wisdom and understanding
    you have made yourself rich.
You have ·gained [gathered] gold and silver
    ·and have saved it in [L in] your ·storerooms [treasuries].

Through your great skill in trading,
    you have made your riches grow.
·You are too [L Your heart is] proud
    because of your riches.

“‘So this is what the Lord God says:

[L Because] You think you are wise
like a god,

·but [L therefore, look/behold] I will bring foreign people against you,
    the ·cruelest [most ruthless] nations.
They will draw their swords
    ·and destroy all that your wisdom has built [L against your beauty and wisdom],
and they will ·dishonor [defile] your ·greatness [splendor].

They will ·kill you [L bring you down to the pit];
    you will die a ·terrible [violent] death
·like those who are killed at sea [or in the heart of the sea].

·While they are killing you [L In the presence of those killing you],
    ·you will not [L will you…?] be able to say anymore, “I am a god.”
You will be only a human, not a god,
    ·when your murderers kill you [L in the hands of those who kill you].

10 You will die ·like an unclean person [L the death of the uncircumcised];
·foreigners will kill you [L …in the hands of strangers/foreigners].

I have spoken, says the Lord God.’”

11 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 12 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the king of Tyre. Say to him: ‘This is what the Lord God says:

You were ·an example [the seal/signet] of what was perfect,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You ·had a wonderful life,
    as if you were in Eden [L were in Eden], the garden of God [C like Adam; Gen. 1—2].
Every valuable gem ·was on [covered] you:
    ·ruby [or carnelian], ·topaz [or chysolite], and ·emerald [or diamond],
    ·yellow quartz [or chrysolite], onyx, and jasper,
    ·sapphire [or lapis lazuli], turquoise, and ·chrysolite [or beryl; or emerald].
Your ·jewelry [settings and mounts] was made of gold.
    It was prepared on the day you were created.

14 I appointed a ·living creature [L cherub] to guard you.
    I put you on the holy mountain of God.
You walked among the ·gems that shined like fire [fiery stones].

15 ·Your life was right and good [L You were blameless in your ways]
    from the day you were created,
until ·evil [wickedness; unrighteousness] was found in you.

16 Because you traded with countries ·far away [or in abundance],
    you ·learned to be cruel [L were filled with violence], and you sinned.
So I ·threw you down [banished you] in ·disgrace [or defilement] from the mountain of God.
    And the ·living creature [L cherub] who guarded you
·forced you out [expelled you] from among the ·gems that shined like fire [fiery stones].

17 ·You became too [L Your heart was] proud
    because of your beauty.
You ·ruined [corrupted] your wisdom
    because of your ·greatness [splendor].
I threw you down to the ground.
    ·Your example taught a lesson to [or I made a spectacle of you before] other kings.

18 You ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; C ritually] your ·places of worship [sanctuaries]
    through your many sins and dishonest trade.
So I ·set on fire the place where you lived [L sent fire out from your midst],
    and the fire ·burned you up [consumed you].
I turned you into ashes on the ground
    ·for all those watching to see [L before the eyes of all who saw you].

19 All the nations who knew you
    are ·shocked [appalled; aghast] about you.
Your punishment was so terrible,
    and you are gone forever.’”

Prophecy Against Sidon

20 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 21 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her. 22 Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says:

I am against you, Sidon,
    and I will show my glory ·among [or within] you [C his manifest presence].
People will know that I am the Lord
    when I ·have punished Sidon [L execute judgments against her];
I will show my holiness ·by defeating [L in] her.

23 I will send ·diseases [a plague/pestilence] to Sidon,
    and blood will flow in her streets.
·Those who are wounded [or The slain] ·in Sidon will fall dead [L will fall in her midst],
    ·attacked from [L by the sword against it on] all sides.

Then they will know that I am the Lord.

God Will Help Israel

24 “‘No more will neighboring nations be like ·thorny branches [prickling briars] or sharp ·stickers [thorns] to ·hurt [L treat with contempt/scorn the house of] Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.

25 “‘This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the ·people [L house] of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness ·when the nations see what I do for my people [L in them in the sight of the nations]. Then they will live in their own land—the land I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have ·punished [executed judgments against] all the nations around who ·hate them [treat them with contempt; scorn them]. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’”

Prophecy Against Egypt

29 It was the tenth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month [C January 7, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and all Egypt. Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says:

[L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
    You are like a great ·crocodile [or monster; or dragon] that lies in the Nile River.
You say, “The Nile is mine;
    I made it for myself.”

But I will put hooks in your jaws,
    and I will make the fish of the Nile stick to your ·sides [scales].
I will pull you up out of your ·rivers [streams],
    with all the fish of your streams sticking to your ·sides [scales].

I will leave you in the ·desert [wilderness] ,
    you and all the fish from your ·rivers [streams].
You will fall onto the ·ground [open field];
    you will not be picked up or ·buried [L gathered].
I have given you to the ·wild animals [L beasts of the earth]
    and to the birds of the sky for food.

Then all the people who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord.

“‘·Israel tried to lean on you for help, but you were like a crutch made out of a weak stalk of grass [L Because you were a reed staff for the house of Israel…; Is. 36:6]. When their hands grabbed you, you ·splintered [broke] and tore open their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you ·broke [splintered] and made all their ·backs twist [or legs go wobbly; or loins shake].

“‘So this is what the Lord God says: I will ·cause an enemy to attack [L bring a sword against] you and kill your people and animals. Egypt will become an ·empty desert [desolate wasteland]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

“‘Because you said, “The Nile River is mine, and I have made it,” 10 I am against you and your ·rivers [streams]. I will destroy the land of Egypt and make it an ·empty desert [desolate wasteland] from Migdol [C in the north] to Aswan [C in the south], all the way to the border of Cush [C Ethiopia]. 11 No ·person or animal will walk [L foot of man shall pass through it and no foot of beast will pass] through it, and no one will live in Egypt for forty years. 12 I will make the land of Egypt ·the most deserted country of all [L a desolation among desolate lands]. Her cities will be ·the most deserted of all [a desolation among] ruined cities for forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries.

13 “‘This is what the Lord God says: After forty years I will gather Egypt from the nations where they have been scattered. 14 I will ·bring back the Egyptian captives [restore the fortunes of Egypt] and make them return to ·southern Egypt [L the land of Pathros], to the land ·they came from [of their ancestry/origin]. They will become a ·weak [lowly; insignificant] kingdom there. 15 It will be the ·weakest [most lowly/insignificant] kingdom, and it will never again ·rule [L exalt itself over] other nations. I will make it so ·weak [small] it will never again rule over the nations. 16 The Israelites will never again ·depend on [rely on; have confidence in] Egypt. Instead, ·Egypt’s punishment [L it] will remind the Israelites of their sin in turning to Egypt for help. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.’”

Egypt Is Given to Babylon

17 It was the twenty-seventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the first month, on the first day of the month [C April 26, 571 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 18 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army ·fight [L labor] hard against Tyre. Every soldier’s head was rubbed bare, and every shoulder was rubbed raw. But Nebuchadnezzar and his army gained ·nothing [or no wages] from ·fighting Tyre [L the labor he performed against her]. 19 So this is what the Lord God says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will ·take away Egypt’s people and its wealth and its treasures [L carry off its wealth and loot and plunder it] as pay for his army. 20 I am giving Nebuchadnezzar the land of Egypt as ·a reward [compensation] for working hard for me, says the Lord God.

21 “·At that time [L On that day] I will ·make Israel grow strong again [L cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel; Ps. 132:17], and I will ·let you, Ezekiel, speak to them [L give you an open mouth among them]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Egypt Will Be Punished

30 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Lord God says:

·Cry [Wail] ·and say [Alas; L Hah],
“·The terrible day is coming [L …for the day].”

[L For] The day is near;
    the ·Lord’s day of judging [L Day of the Lord] is near.
It is a ·cloudy day [day of clouds; C perhaps storm clouds, or indicating the presence of God; Joel 2:2; Ex. 19:9]
    and a time ·when the nations will be judged [L for the nations].

An ·enemy will attack [L sword will come against] Egypt,
    and Cush [C Ethiopia] will ·tremble with fear [be in anguish].
When the ·killing begins [L slain fall] in Egypt,
    her wealth will be ·taken away [carried off],
and her foundations will be torn down.

Cush, Put, ·Lydia [L Lud; 27:10], all ·Arabia [or all the foreigners; or all the mercenaries], ·Libya [L Kub], and ·some of my people who had made an agreement with Egypt [or the people of allied lands; L the sons of the land of the covenant] will fall ·dead in war [L by the sword with them].

“‘This is what the Lord says:

·Those who fight on Egypt’s side [Egypt’s supporters] will fall.
    The power she is proud of will ·be lost [collapse; come down].
From Migdol [C in northern Egypt] to ·Aswan [L Syene; C in southern Egypt],
    the people will fall ·dead in war [L by the sword]
says the Lord God.

They will be ·the most deserted [L desolate in the midst of desolate] lands.
Egypt’s cities will be ·the worst [L in the midst] of cities that lie in ruins.

Then they will know that I am the Lord
    when I set fire to Egypt
and when all ·those nations on her side [her helpers/allies] are crushed.

“‘·At that time [L On that day] I will send messengers in ships to frighten Cush [C Ethiopia], which ·now feels safe [is over-confident; or is complacent]. ·The people of Cush will tremble with fear [L Anguish will come upon them] ·when Egypt is punished [L in the day of Egypt]. And [L look; T behold] that time is sure to come.

10 “‘This is what the Lord God says:

I will destroy ·great numbers of people in [L the hordes of] Egypt
·through the power [L by the hand] of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

11 Nebuchadnezzar and his ·army [or people],
    the ·cruelest army [most ruthless] of any nation,
    will be brought in to destroy the land.
They will draw their swords against Egypt
    and will fill the land with ·those they kill [the slain].

12 I will make the streams of the Nile River become dry land,
    and then I will sell the land to evil people.
I will ·destroy [desolate] the land and everything in it
    through the ·power [L hand] of foreigners.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

Egypt’s Idols Are Destroyed

13 “‘This is what the Lord God says:
I will destroy the idols
    and ·take away [put an end to] the ·statues of gods from the city of [L images in] Memphis.
There will no longer be a ·leader [prince] in the land of Egypt,
    and I will spread fear through the land of Egypt.

14 I will make ·southern Egypt [L Pathros] ·empty [a desolation]
    and ·start a fire in [or set fire to] Zoan
and ·punish [execute judgment on] Thebes.

15 And I will pour out my anger against Pelusium [C a fortess in the eastern delta of the Nile River],
    the ·strong place [stronghold] of Egypt.
I will ·destroy [cut off] ·great numbers of people in [the hordes/armies of] Thebes.

16 I will set fire to Egypt.
    Pelusium [v. 15] will ·be in great pain [writhe in agony].
·The walls of Thebes will be broken open [Thebes will be breached],
    and Memphis will ·have troubles [or face enemies] every day.

17 The young men of ·Heliopolis [L On; C six miles northeast of Cairo] and Bubastis [C the capital of northern Egypt; forty miles northeast of Cairo]
    will fall dead ·in war [L by the sword],
and ·the people [or the cities; L they] will be taken away as captives.

18 In Tahpanhes [C in northeast Egypt] the day will be dark
    when I break ·Egypt’s power [L the yoke of Egypt].
    Then ·she will no longer be proud of her power [her proud strength will cease].
A cloud will cover Egypt,
    and her ·villages [L daughters] will be captured and taken away.

19 So I will ·punish [execute judgments on] Egypt,
and they will know I am the Lord.’”

Egypt Becomes Weak

20 It was in the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the first month, on the seventh day of the month [C April 29, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 21 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I have broken the ·powerful arm [L arm] of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. It has not been ·tied [bound] up, so it will not get well. It has not been wrapped with a bandage, so it will not be strong enough to hold a sword in war. 22 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I am against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong arm and the broken arm, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries. 24 I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and put my sword in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh. Then ·when he faces the king of Babylon [L before him] he will ·cry out in pain [groan] like a ·dying [mortally wounded] person. 25 So I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong, but the arms of the king of Egypt will ·fall [become limp]. Then people will know that I am the Lord when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he ·uses it in war [wields it; extends it] against the land of Egypt. 26 Then I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

A Cedar Tree

31 It was in the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the third month, on the first day of the month [C June 21, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], say to the king of Egypt and his people:

‘·No one [L Who…?] is like you in your greatness.
[L Look; T Behold] Assyria was once like a cedar tree in Lebanon
    with beautiful branches that shaded the forest.
It was ·very tall [a towering height];
    its top was among the clouds.

Much water made the tree grow;
    the deep springs made it tall.
Rivers flowed
    around ·the bottom of the tree [its place of planting]
and sent their ·streams [channels]
    to all other trees ·in the countryside [of the field].

So the tree was taller
    than all the other trees ·in the countryside [of the field].
Its ·limbs [boughs] became large and its branches long
    because of ·so much [abundant] water.

All the birds of the ·sky [heavens]
    made their nests in the tree’s ·limbs [boughs; Dan. 4:12, 21].
And all the ·wild animals [beasts of the field]
    gave birth under its branches.
All great nations
    lived in the tree’s shade.

So the tree was great and beautiful,
    with its long branches,
because its roots reached down to ·much [abundant] water.

The cedar trees in the garden of God [C Eden]
    were not as great as it was.
The ·pine [fir; juniper] trees
    ·did not have such great [could not equal its] ·limbs [boughs].
The plane trees
    did not have such branches.
No tree in the garden of God
    was as beautiful as this tree.

I made it beautiful
    with many branches,
and all the trees of Eden in the garden of God
    ·wanted to be like [envied] it.

10 “‘So this is what the Lord God says: The tree grew tall. Its top reached the clouds, and it became proud of its height. 11 So I handed it ·over to [L into the hand of] a mighty ruler of the nations for him to ·punish [deal with] it. Because it was ·evil [wicked], I ·got rid of it [threw it out; cast it aside]. 12 The ·cruelest [most ruthless] foreign nation cut it down and left it. The tree’s branches fell on the mountains and in all the valleys, and its ·broken limbs [boughs] were in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth left the shade of that tree. 13 The birds of the ·sky [heavens] live on the fallen tree. The wild animals live among the tree’s fallen branches. 14 So the trees that grow by the water will not ·be proud to be [or grow so] tall; they will not put their tops among the clouds. None of the trees that are watered well will grow that tall, because they all are ·meant [appointed; consigned] to die and go ·under the ground [or to the underworld; to the depths of the earth]. They will be with ·people who have died [mortals; L sons of men] and ·have gone down [those who descend] to the ·place of the dead [L pit].

15 “‘This is what the Lord God says: On the day ·when the tree [L it; C Assyria] went down to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol], I ·made the deep springs cry loudly [or caused mourning]. I ·covered them [or closed the deep over it] and held back their rivers, and the great waters ·stopped flowing [were restrained]. I dressed Lebanon ·in black [or with gloom; C in mourning for the great tree], and all the trees in the countryside ·were sad about it [wilted; fainted]. 16 I made the nations ·shake with fear [tremble; quake] at the sound of the tree falling when I brought it down to ·the place of the dead [Sheol]. It went to join those who ·have gone down [descend] to the ·grave [pit; C the trees represent other great nations that have fallen]. Then all the trees of Eden and the best and ·most beautiful [choicest] trees of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were comforted in the ·place of the dead below the earth [underworld; world below]. 17 These trees had also gone down with the great tree to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol]. They joined those who were killed ·in war [L by the sword] and those among the nations who had lived under the great tree’s shade.

18 “‘·So no tree [L Which of the trees…?] in Eden is equal to you [C Egypt], in ·greatness [glory; splendor] and ·honor [greatness; majesty], but you will go down to join the trees of Eden in the ·place below the earth [underworld]. You will lie among ·unclean people [L the uncircumcised], with those who were killed ·in war [L by the sword].

“‘This is about Pharaoh and all his ·people [hordes; armies], says the Lord God.’”

A Funeral Song

32 It was in the twelfth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month [C March 3, 585 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] about Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Say to him:

‘You are like a young lion [19:1–9] among the nations.
    You are like a ·crocodile [or monster; or dragon; 29:4] in the seas.
You ·splash [thrash] around in your streams
    and stir up the water with your feet,
    making the rivers muddy.

“‘This is what the Lord God says:

I will spread my net over you,
    and I will use a ·large group of [assembly of many] people
to ·pull [haul] you up in my net.

Then I will ·throw [cast; or abandon] you on the land
    ·dropping [hurling] you onto the ·ground [open field].
I will let the birds of the ·sky [heavens] ·rest [settle] on you
    and all the animals of the earth ·eat you until they are full [gorge themselves on you; Rev. 19:21].

I will scatter your flesh on the mountains
and fill the valleys with ·what is left of you [your remains; L your height].

I will drench the land with your flowing blood
    as far as the mountains,
and the ravines will be full of your flesh.

When I ·make you disappear [snuff/blot you out],
    I will cover the ·sky [heavens] and make the stars dark.
I will cover the sun with a cloud,
    and the moon will not shine.

I will make all the shining lights in the ·sky [heavens]
    become dark over you;
    I will bring darkness over your land,
says the Lord God.

I will ·cause many people to be afraid [L trouble the hearts of many peoples]
    when I bring ·you as a captive into other [or about your destruction among the] nations,
to lands you have not known.

10 I will cause many people to be shocked about you.
    Their kings will tremble with ·fear [horror] because of you
    when I ·swing [brandish] my sword in front of them.
They will ·shake [tremble] every moment
    on the day ·you fall [of your downfall];
each ·king [one] will ·be afraid [tremble] for his own life.

11 “‘So this is what the Lord God says:

The sword of the king of Babylon
will attack you.

12 I will cause your people to fall
    by the swords of mighty soldiers,
    the most ·terrible [ruthless] ·in the world [of nations].
They will ·destroy [shatter] the pride of Egypt
    and all its ·people [L hordes/armies will be destroyed].

13 I will also destroy all Egypt’s cattle
that live alongside much water.

The foot of a human will not ·stir [disturb] the water,
and the hoofs of cattle will not muddy it anymore.

14 So I will let ·the Egyptians’ [L their] water ·become clear [or calm; L sink; settle].
    I will cause their rivers to run ·as smoothly as [L like] olive oil,
says the Lord God.

15 When I make the land of Egypt ·empty [a desolation]
    and ·take [strip out; empty] everything that is in the land,
when I ·destroy [strike down] all those who live in Egypt,
    then they will know that I am the Lord.’

16 “This is the ·funeral song [lament; dirge] people will sing for Egypt. The ·women [L daughters] of the nations will ·sing [chant] it; they will ·sing [chant] it for Egypt and all ·its people [her hordes/armies], says the Lord God.”

Egypt to Be Destroyed

17 It was in the twelfth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], on the fifteenth day of the month [C March 17, 585 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 18 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·cry [wail] for the people of Egypt. Bring down Egypt, together with the ·women [L daughters] of the powerful nations; bring them down to the ·place of the dead below the earth [underworld; world below] to join those who go to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. 19 Say to them: ‘Are you more ·beautiful [or favored] than others? Go lie down [C in death] with ·those who are unclean [L the uncircumcised].’ 20 ·The Egyptians [L They] will fall among those killed ·in war [L by the sword]. The sword is ·ready [drawn; or appointed]; ·the enemy [L they] will drag Egypt and all her ·people [hordes; armies] away. 21 From the ·place of the dead [L midst of Sheol] the ·leaders of the mighty ones [or mighty leaders; warrior chiefs] will speak ·about [or to] ·the king of Egypt and the nations which help him [L him and his allies]: ‘The ·unclean [L uncircumcised], those killed ·in war [L by the sword], have come down here and ·lie dead [L lie].’

22 “Assyria and all its ·army [assembly; company] lie dead there. ·The graves of their soldiers [L Its graves] are all around. All were ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword], 23 and their graves were put in the deepest parts of the ·place of the dead [L pit]. ·Assyria’s army [L Her assembly/company] lies around its grave. When they ·lived on earth [L were in the land of the living], they ·frightened people [spread terror], but now all of them have been ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword].

24 “The nation of Elam [C a country east of Assyria; present-day Iran] is there with all its ·army [hordes] around its grave. All of them were ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword]. They had ·frightened people [L spread terror] ·on earth [L in the land of the living] and so went down ·unclean [L uncircumcised] to the ·lowest parts of the place of the dead [underworld; world below]. They must carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. 25 A ·bed [resting place] has been made for Elam [v. 24] ·with all those killed in war [among the slain]. The graves of her ·soldiers [hordes] are all around her. All Elam’s people are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They ·frightened people [spread terror] ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living], but now they must carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. ·Their graves are [or They are assigned a place; L They are set] with the rest who were killed.

26 “·Meshech and Tubal [or Meshech-tubal; C people from Asia Minor, southeast of the Black Sea; 27:13] are there with the graves of all their ·soldiers [hordes] around them. All of them are ·unclean [uncircumcised] and have been killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They also ·frightened people [spread terror] ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living]. 27 But they ·are not buried [L do not lie] with the ·other soldiers who were killed in battle [fallen warriors of] long ago,[d] those who went with their weapons of war to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol]. These soldiers had their swords laid under their heads and their ·shields [or iniquities; guilt] resting on their ·bodies [L bones]. These mighty soldiers used to ·frighten [terrorize] people ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living].

28 “You [C addressing Pharaoh, king of Egypt] will be broken and lie among ·those who are unclean [L the uncircumcised], who were killed ·in war [L by the sword].

29 “Edom is there also, with its kings and all its ·leaders [princes]. They were mighty, but now they lie [C in death] with those killed ·in war [L by the sword], with those who are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit].

30 “All the ·rulers [princes] of the north and all the Sidonians are there. Their strength frightened people, but they have gone down in shame with those who were killed. They are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], lying with those killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit].

31 “·The king of Egypt [L Pharaoh] and his army will see ·these who have been killed in war [L them]. Then he will be comforted for all his ·soldiers [hordes] killed ·in war [L by the sword], says the Lord God. 32 I ·made people afraid of the king of Egypt [or terrified him] ·while he lived on earth [L in the land of the living]. But he and all his ·people [hordes; armies] will lie among those who are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], who were killed ·in war [L by the sword], says the Lord God.”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 27:15 Rhodes Greek copies read “Rhodes.” Hebrew copies read “Dedan.”
  2. Ezekiel 27:16 Aram Some Hebrew copies read “Edom.”
  3. Ezekiel 27:18 barrels of wine Some Hebrew copies read “Vedan and Javan.”
  4. Ezekiel 32:27 long ago Greek copies read “long ago.” Hebrew copies read “of the uncircumcised.”

A Prophecy Against Ammon

25 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face against(A) the Ammonites(B) and prophesy against them.(C) Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you said “Aha!(D)” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated(E) and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile,(F) therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East(G) as a possession. They will set up their camps(H) and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.(I) I will turn Rabbah(J) into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep.(K) Then you will know that I am the Lord. For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have clapped your hands(L) and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel,(M) therefore I will stretch out my hand(N) against you and give you as plunder(O) to the nations. I will wipe you out from among the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy(P) you, and you will know that I am the Lord.(Q)’”

A Prophecy Against Moab

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because Moab(R) and Seir(S) said, “Look, Judah has become like all the other nations,” therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns—Beth Jeshimoth(T), Baal Meon(U) and Kiriathaim(V)—the glory of that land. 10 I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered(W) among the nations; 11 and I will inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”(X)

A Prophecy Against Edom

12 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because Edom(Y) took revenge on Judah and became very guilty by doing so, 13 therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stretch out my hand(Z) against Edom and kill both man and beast.(AA) I will lay it waste, and from Teman(AB) to Dedan(AC) they will fall by the sword.(AD) 14 I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger(AE) and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”(AF)

A Prophecy Against Philistia

15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because the Philistines(AG) acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice(AH) in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah, 16 therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines,(AI) and I will wipe out the Kerethites(AJ) and destroy those remaining along the coast.(AK) 17 I will carry out great vengeance(AL) on them and punish(AM) them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord,(AN) when I take vengeance on them.(AO)’”

A Prophecy Against Tyre

26 In the eleventh month of the twelfth[a] year, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:(AP) “Son of man, because Tyre(AQ) has said of Jerusalem, ‘Aha!(AR) The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper,’ therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea(AS) casting up its waves. They will destroy(AT) the walls of Tyre(AU) and pull down her towers; I will scrape away her rubble and make her a bare rock. Out in the sea(AV) she will become a place to spread fishnets,(AW) for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. She will become plunder(AX) for the nations,(AY) and her settlements on the mainland will be ravaged by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar[b](AZ) king of Babylon, king of kings,(BA) with horses and chariots,(BB) with horsemen and a great army. He will ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works(BC) against you, build a ramp(BD) up to your walls and raise his shields against you. He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and demolish your towers with his weapons.(BE) 10 His horses will be so many that they will cover you with dust. Your walls will tremble at the noise of the warhorses, wagons and chariots(BF) when he enters your gates as men enter a city whose walls have been broken through. 11 The hooves(BG) of his horses will trample all your streets; he will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars(BH) will fall to the ground.(BI) 12 They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea.(BJ) 13 I will put an end(BK) to your noisy songs,(BL) and the music of your harps(BM) will be heard no more.(BN) 14 I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets. You will never be rebuilt,(BO) for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.

15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands(BP) tremble(BQ) at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan(BR) and the slaughter takes place in you? 16 Then all the princes of the coast will step down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and take off their embroidered(BS) garments. Clothed(BT) with terror, they will sit on the ground,(BU) trembling(BV) every moment, appalled(BW) at you. 17 Then they will take up a lament(BX) concerning you and say to you:

“‘How you are destroyed, city of renown,
    peopled by men of the sea!
You were a power on the seas,
    you and your citizens;
you put your terror
    on all who lived there.(BY)
18 Now the coastlands tremble(BZ)
    on the day of your fall;
the islands in the sea
    are terrified at your collapse.’(CA)

19 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths(CB) over you and its vast waters cover you,(CC) 20 then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit,(CD) to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place[c] in the land of the living.(CE) 21 I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more.(CF) You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord.”(CG)

A Lament Over Tyre

27 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take up a lament(CH) concerning Tyre. Say to Tyre,(CI) situated at the gateway to the sea,(CJ) merchant of peoples on many coasts, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘You say, Tyre,
    “I am perfect in beauty.(CK)
Your domain was on the high seas;
    your builders brought your beauty to perfection.(CL)
They made all your timbers
    of juniper from Senir[d];(CM)
they took a cedar from Lebanon(CN)
    to make a mast for you.
Of oaks(CO) from Bashan
    they made your oars;
of cypress wood[e] from the coasts of Cyprus(CP)
    they made your deck, adorned with ivory.
Fine embroidered linen(CQ) from Egypt was your sail
    and served as your banner;
your awnings were of blue and purple(CR)
    from the coasts of Elishah.(CS)
Men of Sidon and Arvad(CT) were your oarsmen;
    your skilled men, Tyre, were aboard as your sailors.(CU)
Veteran craftsmen of Byblos(CV) were on board
    as shipwrights to caulk your seams.
All the ships of the sea(CW) and their sailors
    came alongside to trade for your wares.

10 “‘Men of Persia,(CX) Lydia(CY) and Put(CZ)
    served as soldiers in your army.
They hung their shields(DA) and helmets on your walls,
    bringing you splendor.
11 Men of Arvad and Helek
    guarded your walls on every side;
men of Gammad
    were in your towers.
They hung their shields around your walls;
    they brought your beauty to perfection.(DB)

12 “‘Tarshish(DC) did business with you because of your great wealth of goods;(DD) they exchanged silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise.

13 “‘Greece,(DE) Tubal and Meshek(DF) did business with you; they traded human beings(DG) and articles of bronze for your wares.

14 “‘Men of Beth Togarmah(DH) exchanged chariot horses, cavalry horses and mules for your merchandise.

15 “‘The men of Rhodes[f](DI) traded with you, and many coastlands(DJ) were your customers; they paid you with ivory(DK) tusks and ebony.

16 “‘Aram[g](DL) did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise,(DM) purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen,(DN) coral(DO) and rubies for your merchandise.

17 “‘Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat(DP) from Minnith(DQ) and confections,[h] honey, olive oil and balm(DR) for your wares.(DS)

18 “‘Damascus(DT) did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods.(DU) They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar 19 and casks of wine from Izal(DV) in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia(DW) and calamus.

20 “‘Dedan(DX) traded in saddle blankets with you.

21 “‘Arabia(DY) and all the princes of Kedar(DZ) were your customers; they did business with you in lambs, rams and goats.

22 “‘The merchants of Sheba(EA) and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices(EB) and precious stones, and gold.(EC)

23 “‘Harran,(ED) Kanneh and Eden(EE) and merchants of Sheba, Ashur(EF) and Kilmad traded with you. 24 In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.

25 “‘The ships of Tarshish(EG) serve
    as carriers for your wares.
You are filled with heavy cargo
    as you sail the sea.(EH)
26 Your oarsmen take you
    out to the high seas.
But the east wind(EI) will break you to pieces
    far out at sea.
27 Your wealth,(EJ) merchandise and wares,
    your mariners, sailors and shipwrights,
your merchants and all your soldiers,
    and everyone else on board
will sink into the heart of the sea(EK)
    on the day of your shipwreck.
28 The shorelands will quake(EL)
    when your sailors cry out.
29 All who handle the oars
    will abandon their ships;
the mariners and all the sailors
    will stand on the shore.
30 They will raise their voice
    and cry bitterly over you;
they will sprinkle dust(EM) on their heads
    and roll(EN) in ashes.(EO)
31 They will shave their heads(EP) because of you
    and will put on sackcloth.
They will weep(EQ) over you with anguish of soul
    and with bitter mourning.(ER)
32 As they wail and mourn over you,
    they will take up a lament(ES) concerning you:
“Who was ever silenced like Tyre,
    surrounded by the sea?(ET)
33 When your merchandise went out on the seas,(EU)
    you satisfied many nations;
with your great wealth(EV) and your wares
    you enriched the kings of the earth.
34 Now you are shattered by the sea
    in the depths of the waters;
your wares and all your company
    have gone down with you.(EW)
35 All who live in the coastlands(EX)
    are appalled(EY) at you;
their kings shudder with horror
    and their faces are distorted with fear.(EZ)
36 The merchants among the nations scoff at you;(FA)
    you have come to a horrible end
    and will be no more.(FB)’”

A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre

28 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man(FC), say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘In the pride of your heart
    you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne(FD) of a god
    in the heart of the seas.”(FE)
But you are a mere mortal and not a god,
    though you think you are as wise as a god.(FF)
Are you wiser than Daniel[i]?(FG)
    Is no secret hidden from you?
By your wisdom and understanding
    you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
    in your treasuries.(FH)
By your great skill in trading(FI)
    you have increased your wealth,(FJ)
and because of your wealth
    your heart has grown proud.(FK)

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Because you think you are wise,
    as wise as a god,
I am going to bring foreigners against you,
    the most ruthless of nations;(FL)
they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom(FM)
    and pierce your shining splendor.(FN)
They will bring you down to the pit,(FO)
    and you will die a violent death(FP)
    in the heart of the seas.(FQ)
Will you then say, “I am a god,”
    in the presence of those who kill you?
You will be but a mortal, not a god,(FR)
    in the hands of those who slay you.(FS)
10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised(FT)
    at the hands of foreigners.

I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, take up a lament(FU) concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘You were the seal of perfection,
    full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.(FV)
13 You were in Eden,(FW)
    the garden of God;(FX)
every precious stone(FY) adorned you:
    carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,
    topaz, onyx and jasper,
    lapis lazuli, turquoise(FZ) and beryl.[j]
Your settings and mountings[k] were made of gold;
    on the day you were created they were prepared.(GA)
14 You were anointed(GB) as a guardian cherub,(GC)
    for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
    you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways
    from the day you were created
    till wickedness was found in you.
16 Through your widespread trade
    you were filled with violence,(GD)
    and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
    and I expelled you, guardian cherub,(GE)
    from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud(GF)
    on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
    because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth;
    I made a spectacle of you before kings.(GG)
18 By your many sins and dishonest trade
    you have desecrated your sanctuaries.
So I made a fire(GH) come out from you,
    and it consumed you,
and I reduced you to ashes(GI) on the ground
    in the sight of all who were watching.(GJ)
19 All the nations who knew you
    are appalled(GK) at you;
you have come to a horrible end
    and will be no more.(GL)’”

A Prophecy Against Sidon

20 The word of the Lord came to me: 21 “Son of man, set your face against(GM) Sidon;(GN) prophesy against her 22 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I am against you, Sidon,
    and among you I will display my glory.(GO)
You will know that I am the Lord,
    when I inflict punishment(GP) on you
    and within you am proved to be holy.(GQ)
23 I will send a plague upon you
    and make blood flow in your streets.
The slain will fall within you,
    with the sword against you on every side.
Then you will know that I am the Lord.(GR)

24 “‘No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns.(GS) Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

25 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather(GT) the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered,(GU) I will be proved holy(GV) through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.(GW) 26 They will live there in safety(GX) and will build houses and plant(GY) vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment(GZ) on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.(HA)’”

A Prophecy Against Egypt

Judgment on Pharaoh

29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day, the word of the Lord came to me:(HB) “Son of man, set your face against(HC) Pharaoh king of Egypt(HD) and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.(HE) Speak to him and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I am against you, Pharaoh(HF) king of Egypt,
    you great monster(HG) lying among your streams.
You say, “The Nile(HH) belongs to me;
    I made it for myself.”
But I will put hooks(HI) in your jaws
    and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales.
I will pull you out from among your streams,
    with all the fish sticking to your scales.(HJ)
I will leave you in the desert,
    you and all the fish of your streams.
You will fall on the open field
    and not be gathered(HK) or picked up.
I will give you as food
    to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the sky.(HL)

Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord.

“‘You have been a staff of reed(HM) for the people of Israel. When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered(HN) and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.[l](HO)

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will bring a sword against you and kill both man and beast.(HP) Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

“‘Because you said, “The Nile(HQ) is mine; I made it,(HR) 10 therefore I am against you(HS) and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt(HT) a ruin and a desolate waste(HU) from Migdol(HV) to Aswan,(HW) as far as the border of Cush.[m](HX) 11 The foot of neither man nor beast will pass through it; no one will live there for forty years.(HY) 12 I will make the land of Egypt desolate(HZ) among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.(IA)

13 “‘Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered. 14 I will bring them back from captivity and return them to Upper Egypt,(IB) the land of their ancestry. There they will be a lowly(IC) kingdom.(ID) 15 It will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations.(IE) I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations. 16 Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence(IF) for the people of Israel but will be a reminder(IG) of their sin in turning to her for help.(IH) Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.(II)’”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Reward

17 In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:(IJ) 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar(IK) king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare(IL) and every shoulder made raw.(IM) Yet he and his army got no reward from the campaign he led against Tyre. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king(IN) of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder(IO) the land as pay for his army.(IP) 20 I have given him Egypt(IQ) as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord.(IR)

21 “On that day I will make a horn[n](IS) grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth(IT) among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(IU)

A Lament Over Egypt

30 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Wail(IV) and say,
    “Alas for that day!”
For the day is near,(IW)
    the day of the Lord(IX) is near—
a day of clouds,
    a time of doom for the nations.
A sword will come against Egypt,(IY)
    and anguish will come upon Cush.[o](IZ)
When the slain fall in Egypt,
    her wealth will be carried away
    and her foundations torn down.(JA)

Cush and Libya,(JB) Lydia and all Arabia,(JC) Kub and the people(JD) of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.(JE)

“‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall
    and her proud strength will fail.
From Migdol to Aswan(JF)
    they will fall by the sword within her,
declares the Sovereign Lord.
“‘They will be desolate
    among desolate lands,
and their cities will lie
    among ruined cities.(JG)
Then they will know that I am the Lord,
    when I set fire(JH) to Egypt
    and all her helpers are crushed.(JI)

“‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush(JJ) out of her complacency. Anguish(JK) will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come.(JL)

10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt
    by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar(JM) king of Babylon.(JN)
11 He and his army—the most ruthless of nations(JO)
    will be brought in to destroy the land.
They will draw their swords against Egypt
    and fill the land with the slain.(JP)
12 I will dry up(JQ) the waters of the Nile(JR)
    and sell the land to an evil nation;
by the hand of foreigners
    I will lay waste(JS) the land and everything in it.

I the Lord have spoken.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I will destroy the idols(JT)
    and put an end to the images in Memphis.(JU)
No longer will there be a prince in Egypt,(JV)
    and I will spread fear throughout the land.
14 I will lay(JW) waste Upper Egypt,
    set fire to Zoan(JX)
    and inflict punishment on Thebes.(JY)
15 I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,
    the stronghold of Egypt,
    and wipe out the hordes of Thebes.
16 I will set fire(JZ) to Egypt;
    Pelusium will writhe in agony.
Thebes will be taken by storm;
    Memphis(KA) will be in constant distress.
17 The young men of Heliopolis(KB) and Bubastis
    will fall by the sword,
    and the cities themselves will go into captivity.
18 Dark will be the day at Tahpanhes(KC)
    when I break the yoke of Egypt;(KD)
    there her proud strength will come to an end.
She will be covered with clouds,
    and her villages will go into captivity.(KE)
19 So I will inflict punishment(KF) on Egypt,
    and they will know that I am the Lord.’”

Pharaoh’s Arms Are Broken

20 In the eleventh year, in the first month on the seventh day, the word of the Lord came to me:(KG) 21 “Son of man, I have broken the arm(KH) of Pharaoh(KI) king of Egypt. It has not been bound up to be healed(KJ) or put in a splint so that it may become strong enough to hold a sword. 22 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt.(KK) I will break both his arms, the good arm as well as the broken one, and make the sword fall from his hand.(KL) 23 I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.(KM) 24 I will strengthen(KN) the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword(KO) in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan(KP) before him like a mortally wounded man. 25 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I put my sword(KQ) into the hand of the king of Babylon and he brandishes it against Egypt.(KR) 26 I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(KS)

Pharaoh as a Felled Cedar of Lebanon

31 In the eleventh year,(KT) in the third month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:(KU) “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes:

“‘Who can be compared with you in majesty?
Consider Assyria,(KV) once a cedar in Lebanon,(KW)
    with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest;
it towered on high,
    its top above the thick foliage.(KX)
The waters(KY) nourished it,
    deep springs made it grow tall;
their streams flowed
    all around its base
and sent their channels
    to all the trees of the field.(KZ)
So it towered higher(LA)
    than all the trees of the field;
its boughs increased
    and its branches grew long,
    spreading because of abundant waters.(LB)
All the birds of the sky
    nested in its boughs,
all the animals of the wild
    gave birth(LC) under its branches;
all the great nations
    lived in its shade.(LD)
It was majestic in beauty,
    with its spreading boughs,
for its roots went down
    to abundant waters.(LE)
The cedars(LF) in the garden of God
    could not rival it,
nor could the junipers
    equal its boughs,
nor could the plane trees(LG)
    compare with its branches—
no tree in the garden of God
    could match its beauty.(LH)
I made it beautiful
    with abundant branches,
the envy of all the trees of Eden(LI)
    in the garden of God.(LJ)

10 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud(LK) of its height, 11 I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,(LL) 12 and the most ruthless of foreign nations(LM) cut it down and left it. Its boughs fell on the mountains and in all the valleys;(LN) its branches lay broken in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth came out from under its shade and left it.(LO) 13 All the birds settled on the fallen tree, and all the wild animals lived among its branches.(LP) 14 Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined(LQ) for death,(LR) for the earth below, among mortals who go down to the realm of the dead.(LS)

15 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day it was brought down to the realm of the dead I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.(LT) 16 I made the nations tremble(LU) at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the realm of the dead to be with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees(LV) of Eden,(LW) the choicest and best of Lebanon, the well-watered trees, were consoled(LX) in the earth below.(LY) 17 They too, like the great cedar, had gone down to the realm of the dead, to those killed by the sword,(LZ) along with the armed men who lived in its shade among the nations.

18 “‘Which of the trees of Eden can be compared with you in splendor and majesty? Yet you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised,(MA) with those killed by the sword.

“‘This is Pharaoh and all his hordes, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

A Lament Over Pharaoh

32 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:(MB) “Son of man, take up a lament(MC) concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:

“‘You are like a lion(MD) among the nations;
    you are like a monster(ME) in the seas(MF)
thrashing about in your streams,
    churning the water with your feet
    and muddying the streams.(MG)

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘With a great throng of people
    I will cast my net over you,
    and they will haul you up in my net.(MH)
I will throw you on the land
    and hurl you on the open field.
I will let all the birds of the sky settle on you
    and all the animals of the wild gorge themselves on you.(MI)
I will spread your flesh on the mountains
    and fill the valleys(MJ) with your remains.
I will drench the land with your flowing blood(MK)
    all the way to the mountains,
    and the ravines will be filled with your flesh.(ML)
When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens
    and darken their stars;
I will cover the sun with a cloud,
    and the moon will not give its light.(MM)
All the shining lights in the heavens
    I will darken(MN) over you;
    I will bring darkness over your land,(MO)
declares the Sovereign Lord.
I will trouble the hearts of many peoples
    when I bring about your destruction among the nations,
    among[p] lands you have not known.
10 I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you,
    and their kings will shudder with horror because of you
    when I brandish my sword(MP) before them.
On the day(MQ) of your downfall
    each of them will tremble
    every moment for his life.(MR)

11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘The sword(MS) of the king of Babylon(MT)
    will come against you.(MU)
12 I will cause your hordes to fall
    by the swords of mighty men—
    the most ruthless of all nations.(MV)
They will shatter the pride of Egypt,
    and all her hordes will be overthrown.(MW)
13 I will destroy all her cattle
    from beside abundant waters
no longer to be stirred by the foot of man
    or muddied by the hooves of cattle.(MX)
14 Then I will let her waters settle
    and make her streams flow like oil,
declares the Sovereign Lord.
15 When I make Egypt desolate
    and strip the land of everything in it,
when I strike down all who live there,
    then they will know that I am the Lord.(MY)

16 “This is the lament(MZ) they will chant for her. The daughters of the nations will chant it; for Egypt and all her hordes they will chant it, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Egypt’s Descent Into the Realm of the Dead

17 In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:(NA) 18 “Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign(NB) to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, along with those who go down to the pit.(NC) 19 Say to them, ‘Are you more favored than others? Go down and be laid among the uncircumcised.’(ND) 20 They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged(NE) off with all her hordes.(NF) 21 From within the realm of the dead(NG) the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, ‘They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised,(NH) with those killed by the sword.’

22 “Assyria is there with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain, all who have fallen by the sword. 23 Their graves are in the depths of the pit(NI) and her army lies around her grave.(NJ) All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword.

24 “Elam(NK) is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword.(NL) All who had spread terror in the land of the living(NM) went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.(NN) 25 A bed is made for her among the slain, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are uncircumcised,(NO) killed by the sword. Because their terror had spread in the land of the living, they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are laid among the slain.

26 “Meshek and Tubal(NP) are there, with all their hordes around their graves. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword because they spread their terror in the land of the living. 27 But they do not lie with the fallen warriors of old,[q](NQ) who went down to the realm of the dead with their weapons of war—their swords placed under their heads and their shields[r] resting on their bones—though these warriors also had terrorized the land of the living.

28 “You too, Pharaoh, will be broken and will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.

29 “Edom(NR) is there, her kings and all her princes; despite their power, they are laid with those killed by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit.(NS)

30 “All the princes of the north(NT) and all the Sidonians(NU) are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised(NV) with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.(NW)

31 “Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them and he will be consoled(NX) for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord. 32 Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh(NY) and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.”(NZ)

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 26:1 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have month of the twelfth.
  2. Ezekiel 26:7 Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar, of which Nebuchadnezzar is a variant; here and often in Ezekiel and Jeremiah
  3. Ezekiel 26:20 Septuagint; Hebrew return, and I will give glory
  4. Ezekiel 27:5 That is, Mount Hermon
  5. Ezekiel 27:6 Targum; the Masoretic Text has a different division of the consonants.
  6. Ezekiel 27:15 Septuagint; Hebrew Dedan
  7. Ezekiel 27:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac Edom
  8. Ezekiel 27:17 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  9. Ezekiel 28:3 Or Danel, a man of renown in ancient literature
  10. Ezekiel 28:13 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  11. Ezekiel 28:13 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  12. Ezekiel 29:7 Syriac (see also Septuagint and Vulgate); Hebrew and you caused their backs to stand
  13. Ezekiel 29:10 That is, the upper Nile region
  14. Ezekiel 29:21 Horn here symbolizes strength.
  15. Ezekiel 30:4 That is, the upper Nile region; also in verses 5 and 9
  16. Ezekiel 32:9 Hebrew; Septuagint bring you into captivity among the nations, / to
  17. Ezekiel 32:27 Septuagint; Hebrew warriors who were uncircumcised
  18. Ezekiel 32:27 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text punishment