Ezekiel 20:33-44 - God Punishes And Forgives

33 "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "with my powerful hand and outstretched arm, along with my wrath poured out, I'll reign as king over you. 34 I'll bring you out from the nations and gather you from the lands where you were scattered. With a powerful hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, 35 I'll bring you into the wilderness of the nations. I'll judge you right there, face to face. 36 Just as I judged your ancestors in the wilderness in the land of Egypt, so I'll judge you," declares the LORD. 37 "I'll cause you to pass under the rod until I will have brought you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I'll eliminate the rebels among you, along with those who are transgressing against me. I'll bring them out of the land where you've lived, but they won't be able to enter the land of Israel. Then you'll know that I am the LORD."

39 And now, you house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says, "Go ahead and serve your idols, both now and later, but later you'll listen to me, and you won't profane my sacred name again by your offerings and idols. 40 For on my holy mountain, on Israel's high mountains," declares the Lord GOD, "the whole of Israel's house all of it will serve me there in the land. I'll accept them there. And there I'll demand your offerings, the first fruits of your portions of all your sacred things. 41 "When I will have brought you from among the people and have gathered you from the lands where you were scattered, I'll accept you as a pleasing aroma. I'll reveal my holiness among you, and the entire world will see it. 42 Then you'll know that I, the LORD, brought you to the land of Israel, to the land that I promised to give to your ancestors. 43 You'll remember all your practices and evil actions by which you've become defiled. You'll loathe yourselves because of all the evil things you've done. 44 Then you'll know that I am the LORD, when I will have dealt with you for the benefit of my own reputation and not according to your evil attitudes or corrupt practices, you house of Israel," declares the Lord GOD.


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