(Ezekiel 28:25–26)
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This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh and said,
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“This is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says, ’Write for yourself in a scroll all the words that I have declared to you in a scroll.
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For look, days are coming-this is Yahweh’s declaration-when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah. I, Yahweh, have said it. For I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will possess it.’”
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These are the words that Yahweh declared concerning Israel and Judah,
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“For Yahweh says this, ’We have heard a trembling voice of dread and not of peace.
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Ask and see if a man bears a child. Why do I see every young man with his hand on his loins? Like a woman bearing a child, why have all their faces become pale?
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Woe! For that day will be great, with none like it. It will be a time of anxiety for Jacob, but he will be rescued from it.
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For it will be in that day-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts-that I will break the yoke off your neck, and I will shatter your chains, so foreigners will no longer enslave you.
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But they will worship Yahweh their God and serve David their king, whom I will make king over them.
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So you, my servant Jacob, do not fear-this is Yahweh’s declaration-and do not be dismayed, Israel. For see, I am about to bring you back from far away, and your descendants from the land of captivity. Jacob will return and be at peace; he will be secure, and there will be no more terror.
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For I am with you-this is Yahweh’s declaration-to save you. Then I will bring a complete end to all the nations where I have scattered you. But I will certainly not put an end to you, though I discipline you justly and will certainly not leave you unpunished.’
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For Yahweh says this, ’Your injury is incurable; your wound is infected.
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There is no one to plead your case; there is no remedy for your wound to heal you.
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All of your lovers have forgotten you. They will not look for you, for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy and the discipline of a cruel master because of your many iniquities and your innumerable sins.
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Why do you call for help for your injury? Your pain is incurable. Because of your many iniquities, your innumerable sins, I have done these things to you.
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So everyone who consumes you will be consumed, and all of your adversaries will go into captivity. For the ones who have plundered you will become plunder, and I will make all of the ones despoiling you a spoil.
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For I will bring healing on you; I will heal you of your wounds-this is Yahweh’s declaration-I will do this because they called you: Outcast. No one cares for this Zion.’”
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Yahweh says this, “See, I am about to bring back the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his homes. Then a city will be built on the heap of ruins, and a stronghold will exist again where it used to be.
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Then a song of praise and a sound of merriment will go out from them, for I will increase them and not diminish them; I will honor them so they will not be humbled.
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Then their people will be like before, and their assembly will be established before me when I punish all the ones who are now tormenting them.
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Their leader will come from among them. He will emerge from their midst when I draw him near and when he approaches me. If I do not do this, who would dare come close to me?-this is Yahweh’s declaration.
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Then you will be my people, and I will be your God.
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See, the tempest of Yahweh, his fury, has gone out. It is a continual tempest. It will whirl on the heads of the wicked people.
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Yahweh’s wrath will not return until it has carried out and brought into being his heart’s intentions. In the final days, you will understand it.”
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