Study Desk

The enemy hunted our steps, So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come.

Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They pursued us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.

We have to pay for our drinking water; Our wood comes to us at a price.

Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.

The crown has fallen from our head [our honor is covered with dust]! Woe to us, for we have sinned!

As for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, Foxes and the jackals prowl over it.

Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them,

Now as I looked at the living beings, I saw one wheel on the ground beside the living beings, for each of the four of them.

Wherever the spirit went, the beings went in that direction. And the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit or life of the living beings was in the wheels.

Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those came to a stop, these came to a stop; and whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them, for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

"As for them, whether they listen or refuse [to listen]—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know and be fully aware of the fact that there has been a prophet among them.

"And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words; though briars and thorns are all around you and you sit among scorpions, neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.

"But you shall speak My words to them whether they will listen or refuse [to listen], for they are [most] rebellious.

"As for you, son of man, listen to what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I am giving you."

"For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel,

yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you and obey you, since they are not willing to listen to Me and obey Me, for the entire house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate.

Then I came to the exiles who lived beside the River Chebar at Tel Abib. I sat there for seven days [in the place] where they were living, overwhelmed with astonishment [by my vision and the work before me].

"When I say to the wicked, 'You will certainly die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to tell him to turn from his wicked way to save his life, that same evil man will die in his sin, but you will be responsible for his blood.

"Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness (right standing with God) and sins, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered; but you will be responsible for his blood.

"As for you, son of man, they will put ropes on you and bind you with them so that you cannot go out among them.