So this is what the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> says: I vow<n id="1" /> that the nations around you will endure insults as well.p>

I will increase the number of people and animals on you; they will increase and be fruitful.<n id="1" /> I will cause you to be inhabited as in ancient times, and will do more good for you than at the beginning of your history.<n id="2" /> Then you will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc>.

Understand that<n id="1" /> it is not for your sake I am about to act, declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>. Be ashamed and embarrassed by your behavior, O house of Israel.p>

Like the sheep for offerings, like the sheep of Jerusalem<n id="1" /> during her appointed feasts, so will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8221;p>

I will put tendons<n id="1" /> on you and muscles over you and will cover you with skin; I will put breath<n id="2" /> in you and you will live. Then you will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8217;&#8221;p>

I will place my breath<n id="1" /> in you and you will live; I will give you rest in your own land. Then you will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc> &#8211; I have spoken and I will act, declares the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8217;&#8221;p>

Then they will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc> their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations, and then gathered them into their own land. I will not leave any of them in exile<n id="1" /> any longer.

<p class="bodytext">He said to me, &#8220;Son of man, I am sending you to the house<n id="1" /> of Israel, to rebellious nations<n id="2" /> who have rebelled against me; both they and their fathers have revolted<n id="3" /> against me to this very day.

<p class="bodytext">He said to me, &#8220;Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your belly with this scroll I am giving to you.&#8221; So I ate it,<n id="1" /> and it was sweet like honey in my mouth.p>

Say, &#8216;Mountains of Israel,<n id="1" /> Hear the word of the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>!<n id="2" /> This is what the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I am bringing<n id="3" /> a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.<n id="4" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth of the month,<n id="1" /> as I was sitting in my house with the elders of Judah sitting in front of me, the hand<n id="2" /> of the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> seized me.<n id="3" />

While they were striking them down, I was left alone, and I threw myself face down and cried out, &#8220;Ah, sovereign <sc>Lordsc>! Will you destroy the entire remnant of Israel when you pour out your fury on Jerusalem?&#8221;p>

But I will let a small number of them survive the sword, famine, and pestilence, so that they can confess all their abominable practices to the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8221;p>

For I, the <sc>Lordsc>, will speak. Whatever word I speak will be accomplished. It will not be delayed any longer. Indeed in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and accomplish it, declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>.&#8217;&#8221;p>

My hand will be against the prophets who see delusion and announce lying omens. They will not be included in the council<n id="1" /> of my people, nor be written in the registry<n id="2" /> of the house of Israel, nor enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>.p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;As for the prophet, if he is made a fool by being deceived into speaking a prophetic word &#8211; I, the <sc>Lordsc>, have made a fool of<n id="1" /> that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.

Even if these three men were in it, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>, they could not save their own sons or daughters; they would save only their own lives, and the land would become desolate.p>

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>, they could not save their own son or daughter; they would save only their own lives by their righteousness.p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;Because you did not remember the days of your youth and have enraged me with all these deeds, I hereby repay you for what you have done,<n id="1" /> declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>. Have you not engaged in prostitution on top of all your other abominable practices?p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;As surely as I live, declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>, surely in the city<n id="1" /> of the king who crowned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke &#8211; in the middle of Babylon he will die!