Ezekiel 13:20-23

13:20 “‘Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says: Take note ¹  that I am against your wristbands with which you entrap people’s lives ²  like birds. I will tear them from your arms and will release the people’s lives, which you hunt like birds. 13:21 I will tear off your headbands and rescue my people from your power; ³  they will no longer be prey in your hands. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 13:22 This is because you have disheartened the righteous person with lies (although I have not grieved him), and because you have encouraged the wicked person not to turn from his evil conduct and preserve his life. 13:23 Therefore you will no longer see false visions and practice divination. I will rescue my people from your power, and you ⁴  will know that I am the Lord.’”

[13:20]  ¹ tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.

[13:20]  ² tn Heb “human lives” or “souls.”

[13:21]  ³ tn Heb “from your hand(s).” This refers to their power over the people.

[13:23]  ⁵ tn The Hebrew verb is feminine plural, indicating that it is the false prophetesses who are addressed here.