Ezekiel 11:1-25 ERV

[1] Then the Spirit carried me to the East Gate of the LORD's Temple. This gate faces the east, where the sun comes up. I saw 25 men there at the entrance of this gate. Some of the leaders were among them, including Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah. [2] Then God spoke to me and said, "Son of man, these are the men who make evil plans for this city. They always tell the people to do evil things. [3] These men say, 'We will be building our houses again very soon. We are as safe in this city as meat in a pot!' [4] So you must speak to the people for me. Son of man, prophesy against the people." [5] Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me. He said to me, "Tell them that this is what the LORD said: House of Israel, you are planning big things. But I know what you are thinking. [6] You have killed many people in this city. You have filled the streets with dead bodies. [7] Now, the Lord GOD says this: 'The dead bodies are the meat, and the city is the pot. But someone will come and take you out of this safe pot. [8] You are afraid of the sword, but I am bringing the sword against you!'" This is what the Lord GOD said. [9] He also said, "I will take you out of this city and give you to strangers. I will punish you. [10] You will die by the sword. I will punish you here in Israel, so you will know that I am the LORD. [11] Yes, this place will be the cooking pot, and you will be the meat cooking in it. I will punish you here in Israel. [12] Then you will know that I am the LORD. It was my law that you broke. You did not obey my commands. You decided to live like the nations around you." [13] As soon as I finished speaking for God, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died! I fell to the ground. I bowed with my face touching the ground and said, "Oh, Lord GOD, you are going to completely destroy all the survivors of Israel!" [14] But then the word of the LORD came to me. He said, [15] "Son of man, remember your brothers, the family of Israel. They were forced to leave their country, but I will bring them back. But now, the people living in Jerusalem are saying, 'Stay far away from the LORD. This land was given to us-it is ours!' [16] "So tell them this: The Lord GOD says, 'It is true, I forced my people to go far away to other nations. I did scatter them among many countries. But I will be their temple for a short time while they are in those other countries. [17] But you must tell those people that the Lord GOD will bring them back. I have scattered you among many nations, but I will gather you together and bring you back from those nations. I will give the land of Israel back to you. [18] When my people come back, they will destroy all the terrible, filthy idols that are here now. [19] I will bring them together and make them like one person. I will put a new spirit in them. I will take away that heart of stone, and I will put a real heart in its place. [20] Then they will obey my laws and my commands. They will do the things I tell them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.'" [21] Then God said, "But now, their hearts belong to those terrible, filthy idols, and I must punish those people for the bad things they have done." This is what the Lord GOD said. [22] Then the Cherub angels raised their wings and flew into the air. The wheels went with them. The Glory of the God of Israel was above them. [23] The Glory of the LORD rose into the air and left the city and stopped on the hill east of Jerusalem. [24] Then the Spirit lifted me into the air and brought me back to Babylonia. It brought me back to the people who were forced to leave Israel. I saw all this in the vision from God. Then the one I saw in the vision rose into the air and left me. [25] Then I spoke to the people in exile. I told them about everything the LORD showed me.