The Lord's Will and Human Defiance
1 It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the Lord's will, and they sat down in front of me. 2 Then the Lord spoke to me. 3 “Mortal man,” he said, “speak to these leaders and tell them that the Sovereign Lord is saying: You have come to ask my will, have you? As surely as I am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken.
4 “Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did. 5 Tell them what I am saying. When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am the Lord your God. 6 It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 7 I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt, because I am the Lord their God. 8 But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt. 9 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt.
10 “And so I led them out of Egypt into the desert. 11 I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. 12 I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the Lord, make them holy. 13 But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them. 14 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt. 15 So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 16 I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath—they preferred to worship their idols.
17 “But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. 18 Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws and my commands. 20 Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the Lord your God.
21 “But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all. 22 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 23 So I made another vow in the desert. I vowed that I would scatter them all over the world. 24 I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served.
25 “Then I gave them laws that are not good and commands that do not bring life. 26 I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am the Lord.
27 “Now then, mortal man, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness. 28 I brought them to the land I had promised to give them. When they saw the high hills and green trees, they offered sacrifices at all of them. They made me angry by the sacrifices they burned and by the wine they brought as offerings. 29 I asked them: What are these high places where you go? So they have been called ‘High Places’ ever since. 30 Now tell the Israelites what I am saying: Why must you commit the same sins your ancestors did and go running after their idols? 31 Even today you offer the same gifts and defile yourselves with the same idols by sacrificing your children to them in the fire. And then you Israelites still come to ask what my will is! As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. 32 You have made up your minds that you want to be like the other nations, like the people who live in other countries and worship trees and rocks. But that will never be.
God Punishes and Forgives
33 “As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power. 34 I will show you my power and my anger when I gather you together and bring you back from all the countries where you have been scattered. 35 I will bring you into the ‘Desert of the Nations,’ and there I will condemn you to your face. 36 I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert,” says the Sovereign Lord.
37 “I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant. 38 I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
39 The Sovereign Lord says, “And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols. 40 There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts. 41 After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy. 42 When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the Lord. 43 Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did. 44 When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the Lord, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.
Fire in the South
45 The Lord spoke to me. 46 “Mortal man,” he said, “look toward the south. Speak against the south and prophesy against the forest of the south. 47 Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign Lord is saying: Look! I am starting a fire, and it will burn up every tree in you, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put it out. It will spread from south to north, and everyone will feel the heat of the flames. 48 They will all see that I, the Lord, set it on fire and that no one can put it out.”
49 But I protested, “Sovereign Lord, don't make me do it! Everyone is already complaining that I always speak in riddles.”
Banisirayilankoolu tententa ì la balambaatooyaa la
1 Sanji woorowulanjaŋo, kari luulunjaŋo tili tanjaŋo luŋo la le, Banisirayila alifaa doolu naata n yaa, ì siita n ñaatiliŋo la ka Yaawe* la lafoo ñininkaa. 2 Wo to le Yaawe la kumoo naata n kaŋ ko: 3 “Ite hadamadiŋo, a fo ñiŋ Banisirayila alifaalu ye ko, muŋ daliila le ye a tinna ì naata ka nte la lafoo ñininkaa? A be koyiriŋ ñaameŋ ko nte be baluuriŋ ne, hani feŋ, n te wo le fo la ì ye.” Maarii Yaawe le ye a fo.
4 “Ite hadamadiŋo, i faŋo ye ì kiitindi ka ì hakiloolu bulandi ì mumuñolu ye kuu haraamuriŋolu mennu ke, 5 a fo ì ye, nte Yaawe, ì Maariyo ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: Waati meŋ na ŋa Banisirayila tomboŋ, ŋa m faŋ lankenemayandi ì ye Misira bankoo kaŋ, ŋa n kali Yaakuba koomalankoolu ye jee le to ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti, ì Maariyo. 6 Wo luŋo la, ŋa n kali ì ye le ko, m be ì bondi la naŋ Misira bankoo kaŋ ne, ŋa ì samba bankoo kaŋ, ŋa daameŋ tomboŋ ì ye, keekewo niŋ liyo ka woyi daameŋ, banku ñiimaa baa, meŋ maŋ ñoŋ soto duniyaa kono. 7 Bituŋ n naata a fo ì ye ko, ì si wo batufeŋ haraamuriŋolu fayi, ì bee kiliŋ-kiliŋ naa ka ì jikoo loo mennu kaŋ ka ì batu, aniŋ ì kana ì faŋ kosondi Misirankoolu la wo jalaŋolu la. Kaatu nte le mu Yaawe ti, ì Maariyo.
8 “Bari ì muritita m ma le, ì balanta ka n lamoyi. Hani moo kiliŋ ne maŋ soŋ ka a koo dii Misirankoolu la wo jalaŋolu la, waraŋ ka a la wo batufeŋ haraamuriŋolu fayi, ì ka ì jikoo loo mennu kaŋ ka ì batu. Bituŋ m pareeta ka n na kamfaa bee jindi ì kaŋ naŋ ka ì mantoora Misira bankoo kaŋ.
9 “Bari niŋ ŋa wo ke nuŋ, wo be ke la n ye tookuyaa le ti bankoolu ye mennu be ì dandaŋolu la, kaatu wolu ye a je le ŋa m faŋ yitandi Banisirayilankoolu la ñaameŋ ka ì bondi naŋ Misira bankoo kaŋ. 10 Bituŋ n naata ì bondi naŋ Misira bankoo kaŋ ka naa keñewuloo* kono. 11 Ŋa n na yaamaroolu niŋ saratoolu dii ì la, ŋa ì karandi ì la, fo ì si bula noo ì nooma ka baluu. 12 Wo bee koolaa, ŋa Loobula Luŋo dii ì la, ka ke ì ye kambeŋo taamanseeroo ti, fo ì si a loŋ ko, nte Yaawe faŋo le ye ì tomboŋ, ka ì jankundi.
13 “Bari Banisirayilankoolu muritita m ma keñewuloo kono le. Ì maŋ soŋ ka n na luwaalu muta, ì ye ì koo dii n na yaamaroolu la, mennu si ì balundi noo. Ì maŋ n na Loobula Luŋo fanaa horoma muumeeke. Wo to le m pareeta ka n na kamfaa baa jindi naŋ ì kaŋ ka ì kasaara wo keñewuloo kono. 14 Bari m maŋ naa wo ke, kaatu wo be ke la n ye tookuyaa le ti. Wo bantala bankoolu* bee ye a je le ŋa Banisirayilankoolu bondi naŋ Misira bankoo kaŋ ñaameŋ. 15 Bari ŋa n kali ì ye keñewuloo kono le ko, n te itolu samba la wo bankoo kaŋ, ŋa ì laahidi ka meŋ dii ì la, keekewo niŋ liyo ka woyi daameŋ, aduŋ jee le naata ke banku ñiimaa baa ti meŋ maŋ ñoŋ soto duniyaa bee kono. 16 Ŋa n kali ì ye le, kaatu ì ye ì koo dii n na yaamaroolu niŋ n na saratoolu la le, ì maŋ soŋ ka bula ì nooma, ì maŋ naa n na Loobula Luŋo fanaa horoma. Ì ye ì ñaa tiliŋ jalaŋolu le la ka ì batu. 17 Bari m balafaata ì ye le, m maŋ naa ì kasaara keñewuloo kono ka ì turoo baŋ. 18 Bituŋ n naata a fo ì diŋolu ye ko, itolu maŋ ñaŋ na bula la ì la alifaalu la siloolu nooma, waraŋ ka ì la yaamari jawoolu muta, aduŋ ì maŋ ñaŋ na ka ì faŋ kosondi niŋ ì la alifaalu la jalaŋolu la.
19 “N ko ì ye ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti, ì Maariyo. Ì si bula n na saratoolu nooma aniŋ ì ye ì hakiloolu tu n na yaamaroolu to. 20 Ì si n na Loobula Luŋolu horoma, kaatu wolu le mu n niŋ ì teema taamanseeroo ti, ka ì hakiloolu bulandi ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti, ì la Alla.
21 “Bari ì diŋolu fanaa muritita m ma le. Ì maŋ soŋ bula la n na saratoolu nooma waraŋ ka ì hakiloolu tu n na yaamaroolu to, fo ì si baluu noo. Aduŋ ì maŋ ì hakiloolu tu n na Loobula Luŋolu to ka ì horoma. Wo to le m pareeta ka n na kamfaa bee jindi naŋ ì kaŋ, ka ì mantoora keñewuloo kono jee. 22 Bari n naata wo baayi le, kaatu wo be ke la n ye tookuyaa le ti. Wo bantala bankoolu bee ye a je le, ŋa Banisirayilankoolu bondi Misira bankoo kaŋ ñaameŋ. 23 Wo to le, ŋa n kali ì ye keñewuloo kono ko, m be ì janjandi la bantala bankoolu kaŋ ne taariŋ, ì ye tara duniyaa kono wo ñaama, 24 bayiri ì maŋ soŋ ka bula n na saratoolu nooma, ì ye ì koo dii n na yaamaroolu la, ì maŋ naa n na Loobula Luŋolu horoma. Bari ì ñaalu be looriŋ ì la alifaalu la jalaŋolu le kaŋ, ì ka ì batu. 25 Ŋa saratoolu niŋ yaamaroolu mennu dii ì la, ì maŋ nafaa soto ì ye, kaatu ì keta ì ye yankankatoo le ti diina ka baluu noo ì la. 26 Ŋa ì bula le ì ye ì faŋ kosondi ì la jani sadaalu* la. Wo le ye a saabu itolu bee ye ì diŋ foloolu dii ka ì ke jani sadaalu ti. Wo duŋ mu kuu jawu baa le ti. Ŋa ñiŋ toora siifaa laa ì kaŋ ne fo ì si a loŋ ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti.
27 “Wo kamma la, ite hadamadiŋo, a fo Banisirayilankoolu ye, nte Yaawe, ì Maariyo ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: Ali mumuñolu ye n tooñee le, ka ì koo dii n na aniŋ ka foroyaabaliyaa m ma. 28 Kabiriŋ ŋa ì samba naŋ bankoo kaŋ ŋa ì laahidi ka daameŋ dii ì la, ì ye n kamfandi jee to le. Kaatu ì ka beeyaŋ sadaalu bondi jalaŋ batudulaalu le to konko jaŋolu kaŋ santo aniŋ yiri biireeriŋolu koto taariŋ. Aduŋ ì ka cuuraayi seera diimaalu le siisindi ì la jalaŋolu ye jee ka ì seewondi, ì ka miŋ feŋ sadaalu fanaa boŋ wo sadaabodulaalu* to jee le. 29 Wo to le ŋa ì ñininkaa ko, ‘Muŋ ne ye a tinna ali ka taa wo batudulaa tintiŋolu* to?’ ” Bituŋ ì ye jee toolaa Bama la, meŋ kotoo mu batudulaa tintiŋo ti, fo ka naa bula bii la.
30 “Wo kamma la, a fo Banisirayilankoolu ye, nte Yaawe, ì Maariyo ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: Muŋ ne ye a tinna alitolu be ali faŋ kosondi la ko ali mumuñolu ye a ke nuŋ ñaameŋ niŋ ì la jalaŋ haraamuriŋolu la? 31 Ali ka ali diŋolu ke jani sadaalu ti, ka ali faŋ kosondi ali la jalaŋolu la, fo ka naa bula bii la. Fo ali si naa noo ka n na lafoo ñininkaa baŋ, a ye a tara ali ka ñiŋ kuu haraamuriŋ siifaalu ke? A be koyiriŋ ñaameŋ ko nte Yaawe be baluuriŋ ne, n te ali jaabi la hani feŋ ne la, ali ka n ñininkaa mennu la.
32 “Ali ka meŋ miira, wo nene te ke la ali ye. Ali ka ñiŋ ne fo ko, ‘M̀ be ke la le ko bantala banku moolu, ì ka yiroolu niŋ beroolu dadaa ñaameŋ, ka ì batu.’ ”
Yaawe la mantooroo aniŋ a la balafaa Banisirayila ye
33 Maarii Yaawe ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: “A be koyiriŋ ñaameŋ ko nte Yaawe be baluuriŋ ne, m be n na kamfaa baa jindi la ali kaŋ ne, ŋa ali mara m bulu sembemaa baa la ko mansakewo. 34 N na kamfaa waatoo la, m be ali diyaakuyaa bondi la naŋ niŋ m bulu sembemaa baa le la bantala bankoolu bee kaŋ, ali be janjandi daamennu to taariŋ. 35 Ŋa ali samba wo bantala bankoolu la keñewuloo kono, n niŋ ali ye duŋ kiitiyo kono jee, ñaa niŋ ñaa. 36 M be ali kiitindi la le ko ŋa ali mumuñolu kiitindi ñaameŋ, kabiriŋ ŋa ì bondi naŋ Misira bankoo kaŋ, ŋa ì samba Sinayi Keñewuloo kono.” Maarii Yaawe le ye a fo. 37 “M be a ke la le, fo ali bee si tara n na maroo koto, aniŋ ali bee si soŋ n na kambeŋo saratoolu la meŋ be n niŋ ali teema. 38 M be moolu bondi la ali kono le mennu muritita m ma, aniŋ junubekelaalu. M be ì bondi la naŋ bantala bankoolu kaŋ ne, ì be mutoo kono daamennu to. Bari ì te duŋ na Banisirayila bankoo kaŋ. Niŋ wo keta ali be a loŋ na ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti.”
39 Maarii Yaawe ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: “Wo to saayiŋ, alitolu Banisirayilankoolu, niŋ a diyaata ali ye, ali si taa ka ali la jalaŋolu batu, bari ñaato siniŋ, ali be i lamoyi la n na le, ali ye soŋ n na yaamaroolu la. Kaatu nte jankuta le. Ali te horomantaŋyaa tiliŋ na n too la kotenke niŋ ali la wo jalaŋolu la, ali ka mennu batu, aniŋ ali ka ali la sadaalu bo mennu ye.” 40 Maarii Yaawe ko: “Luŋ be sii la, alitolu Banisirayilankoolu bee be m batu la n na konko senuŋo* le kaŋ santo, Banisirayila bankoo kaŋ. Ali be ali la sadaalu samba la naŋ n ye jee le to, m be seewoo la mennu la. Ñinnu le mu sadaa jankuriŋolu ti ali be mennu samba la n ye naŋ. 41 Niŋ ŋa ali bo naŋ janjandiŋ bantala bankoolu kaŋ, aduŋ ŋa ali kafu ñoo ma ali fansuŋ bankoo kaŋ, ali la kuwo be n seewondi la le, ko cuuraayi seera diimaa ka n seewondi ñaameŋ. Aduŋ bantala banku moolu bee be a seedeyaa la le ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti meŋ jankuta. 42 Aduŋ niŋ ŋa ali samba naŋ Banisirayila bankoo kaŋ, ŋa ali mumuñolu laahidi ka meŋ dii ì koomalankoolu la, niŋ wo keta le, ali be a loŋ na ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti.
43 “Wo to le ali hakiloolu be bula la ali la daajika jawoolu la aniŋ ali la kebaaroolu bee, ali ye mennu ke, ka ali faŋ kosondi. Aduŋ ali si naa nimisa ali la wo kuu jawoolu bee la. 44 N too la kuwo le be a tinna la n niŋ ali ye janjuŋ. A maŋ ke ali la kuu jawu kewo waraŋ ali la tilimbaliyaa ti. Wo to le alitolu Banisirayilankoolu, ali be a loŋ na ko, nte le mu Yaawe ti. Nte Maarii Yaawe le ye a fo.”
Taakaa meŋ be bo la naŋ bulubaa karoo la
45 Yaawe la kumoo naata n kaŋ ko: 46 “Ite hadamadiŋo, i ñaa tiliŋ bulubaa karoo maafaŋo la, i ye ì kawandi ka ì dandalaa i ye kiilaariyaa kumoo fo wo moolu ma mennu be siiriŋ sutoo bulubaa karoo maafaŋo la. Ñiŋ dandalaaroo futandi ì ma, meŋ bota nte Yaawe bulu. 47 A fo sutukononkoolu ye ko, ì ye i lamoyi nte Yaawe la kumoo la. Nte Yaawe, ali Maariyo ye ñiŋ ne fo ko: ‘A fele m be dimbaa le duŋ na sutoo ñiŋ na, meŋ be yiri kitiŋolu niŋ yiri jaaroolu bee jani la, a te feŋ tu la jee. Aduŋ moo te a dimbaa dubeŋ noo la. A be janjaŋ na karoo bee le la. A be niilamaa feŋolu bee le jani la ka bo tonkoŋ ka taa fo tonkoŋ, a te feŋ kaari la. 48 Niŋ wo keta le, duniyaa bee be a loŋ na ko, nte Yaawe le ye ñiŋ dimbaa mala, moo te meŋ dubeŋ noo la.’ ”
49 Wo to le n woosiita ko, “Hee m Maarii Yaawe! Moolu ka jutunnayaa kumoolu le fo m ma ko, n ka tu ntaaliŋ kenseŋo doroŋ ne laa la ì ye, ka ì filindi.”
