Hezekiel 20

1 Le ƒe adrelia ƒe ɣleti atɔ̃lia ƒe ŋkeke ewolia gbe la, Israel ƒe ametsitsi aɖewo va gbe bia ge Yehowa, eye wonɔ anyi ɖe nye ŋkume.

And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

2 Tete Yehowa ƒe nya va nam be,

Then came the word of the LORD to me, saying,

3 “Ame vi, ƒo nu na Israel ƒe ametsitsiwo, eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Esiae nye nya si Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔ. Nyee mieva gbe bia gea? Meta nye agbe be nyemana miabia gbem o. Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.’

Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

4 “Ame vi, àdrɔ̃ ʋɔnu woa? Àdrɔ̃ ʋɔnu woa? Ekema tsɔ wo fofowo ƒe ŋunyɔnuwɔnawo ɖo woƒe ŋkume,

Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

5 eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Nya si Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye gbe si gbe metia Israel la, mekɔ nye asi dzi, meka atam na Yakob ƒe aƒe ƒe dzidzimeviwo, eye meɖe ɖokuinye fia wo le Egipte. Mekɔ nye asi dzi hegblɔ na wo be, “Nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu la.”

And say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up my hand to them, saying, I am the LORD your God;

6 Gbe ma gbe la, meka atam na wo be makplɔ wo ado goe le Egipte ayi anyigba aɖe si medi da ɖi na wo la dzi, anyigba si dzi notsi kple anyitsi tsana le. Anyigba sia nyo wu bubuawo katã.

In the day that I lifted up my hand to them, to bring them forth from the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

7 Megblɔ na wo be, “Mia dometɔ ɖe sia ɖe naɖe asi le aklamakpakpɛ dzodzro siwo dzi mieda ŋku ɖo la ŋu, eye migagblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo kple Egipte legbawo o. Nyee nye Aƒetɔ Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu la.”

Then said I to them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

8 “‘Ke wodze aglã ɖe ŋutinye, eye womeɖo tom o; womeɖe asi le aklamakpakpɛ dzodzro siwo dzi woda ŋku ɖo la ŋu o, eye womeɖe asi le woƒe Egipte legbawo hã ŋu o. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku akɔ ɖe wo dzi eye magblẽ nye dɔmedzoe ɖe wo ŋu le Egipte.

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

9 Ke le nye ŋkɔ ta, mekplɔ wo do goe tso Egipte dukɔ la me. Mewɔ nu sia be womagado gu nye ŋkɔ le dukɔ siwo dome wonɔ, ame siwo dome meɖe ɖokuinye fia Israel le.

But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them forth from the land of Egypt.

10 Eya ta mekplɔ wo dzoe le Egipte yi gbegbe la.

Therefore I caused them to go forth from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

11 Metsɔ nye ɖoɖowo na wo, eye mena wonya wo to nye seawo me, elabena ame si awɔ nye seawo dzi la, anɔ agbe.

And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which if a man doeth, he shall even live in them.

12 Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, metsɔ nye Dzudzɔgbewo na wo abe dzesi si le mía dome ene, ale be woanya be, Yehowae wɔ wo wozu kɔkɔe.

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

13 “‘Ke Israelviwo dze aglã ɖe ŋunye le gbegbe la. Womelé nye ɖoɖowo me ɖe asi o, ke boŋ wogbe nye seawo, togbɔ be ame si wɔa nye seawo dzi la, anɔ agbe. Wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku akɔ ɖe wo dzi, eye matsrɔ̃ wo le gbegbe la.

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man doeth, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

14 Ke le nye ŋkɔ ta, mewɔ nu si aɖe nye ŋkɔ tso gudodoe me le dukɔ siwo ŋkume meɖe wo tso Egipte le.

But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

15 Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, mekɔ nye asi dzi heka atam na wo le gbea dzi be nyemakplɔ wo ayi anyigba si mena wo, anyigba si dzi notsi kple anyitsi bɔ ɖo, anyigba si nya kpɔna wu bubuawo katã la dzi o;

Yet also I lifted up my hand to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

16 elabena wogbe nye seawo, womezɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu o, wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo, eye woƒe dzi ku ɖe woƒe legbawo ŋu.

Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

17 Ke mekpɔ nublanui na wo, eye nyemetsrɔ̃ wo le gbea dzi o.

Nevertheless my eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

18 Megblɔ na wo viwo le gbea dzi be, “Migazɔ ɖe mia fofowo ƒe ɖoɖowo nu o, migawɔ woƒe sewo dzi o, eye migagblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo kple woƒe legbawo o.

But I said to their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:

19 Nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu. Mizɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu, eye miakpɔ egbɔ be yewowɔ ɖe nye seawo dzi.

I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

20 Miwɔ nye Dzudzɔgbewo kɔkɔe be woanye dzesi anɔ mia dome. Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu.”

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.

21 “‘Ke ɖeviawo dze aglã ɖe ŋunye. Womezɔ ɖe nye ɖoɖowo nu o, eye womekpɔ egbɔ be yewoawɔ ɖe nye seawo dzi o, togbɔ be mena wonya be, ame siwo wɔ ɖe wo dzi la anɔ agbe hafi. Wogblẽ kɔ ɖo na nye Dzudzɔgbewo. Ale megblɔ be matrɔ nye dziku kple dɔmedzoe helĩhelĩ akɔ ɖe wo dzi le gbea dzi.

However the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man doeth, he shall even live in them; they profaned my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

22 Gake megbugbɔ nye asi ɖe megbe, eye le nye ŋkɔ ta la, mewɔ nu si mado gu nye ŋkɔ le dukɔ siwo ŋkume mekplɔ wo dzoe le la gbɔ o.

Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

23 Kpe ɖe esia ŋu la, mekɔ nye asi dzi, eye meka atam na wo le gbea dzi be mama wo ɖe dukɔwo dome, eye makaka wo ɖe anyigbawo dzi,

I lifted up my hand to them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

24 elabena womewɔ ɖe nye sewo dzi o, ke wogbe nye ɖoɖowo, wodo gu nye Dzudzɔgbewo, eye woƒe ŋkuwo biã ɖe wo fofowo ƒe legbawo ŋu.

Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.

25 Metsɔ ɖoɖo siwo menyo o kple se siwo nu womate ŋu anɔ agbe ɖo o la hã na wo.

Therefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments by which they should not live;

26 Mena woto woƒe nunana si nye woƒe ŋgɔgbevi ɖe sia ɖe tsɔtsɔ sa vɔe la me gblẽ kɔ ɖo na wo ɖokui, ale be mana be vɔvɔ̃ naɖo wo, eye woanya be nyee nye Yehowa.’

And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

27 “Eya ta Ame vi, ƒo nu na Israelviwo, eye nàgblɔ na wo be, ‘Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: le esia me hã la, mia fofowo gblɔ busunyawo ɖe ŋunye esi wotrɔ le yonyeme.

Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

28 Esi mekplɔ wo va anyigba si meka atam be mana wo dzi, eye wokpɔ to kɔkɔ aɖe alo ati aɖe si do wusuu la, afi ma wowɔa vɔsawo kple vɔsanunanawo le, eye wodoa dziku nam. Wodoa dzudzɔʋeʋĩwo, eye wowɔa woƒe nunovɔsawo.’

For when I had brought them into the land, for which I lifted up my hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

29 Ale mebia wo be, ‘Nuxeƒe kae nye esi mieyi?’” (Woyɔa teƒe sia be “Bama” si gɔmee nye nuxeƒe va se ɖe egbe.)

Then I said to them, What is the high place to which ye go? And its name is called Bamah to this day.

30 “Eya ta gblɔ na Israel ƒe aƒe la be, ‘Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: Ɖe miado gu mia ɖokuiwo abe ale si mia fofowo wɔ, biã ŋku ɖe aklamakpakpɛ dzodzrowo ŋua?

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye harlotry after their abominations?

31 Ne mietsɔ mia viwo sa vɔe le dzo me abe nunana ene la, mieyi gudodo mia ɖokuiwo dzi kple miaƒe legbawo va se ɖe egbe. Ɖe mana miabia gbem mahã, O! Israel ƒe aƒe? Meta nye agbe be nyemaɖe mɔ miabia gbem o’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even to this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

32 “‘Miebe míedi be míanɔ abe dukɔ bubuwo ene, abe xexemetɔwo ene, ame siwo subɔa ati kple kpe! Ke nu si le ta me na mi la, mava eme gbeɖe o.’

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

33 Aƒetɔ Yehowa be, ‘Meta nye agbe be maɖu mia dzi kple asi sesẽ kple abɔ si medo ɖe dzi kple dɔmedzoe si matrɔ akɔ ɖi la.

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

34 Makplɔ mi vɛ tso dukɔwo dome, eye maƒo ƒu mi tso anyigba siwo dzi miekaka ɖo la kple asi sesẽ kpakple dɔmedzoe si matrɔ akɔ ɖi la.

And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries in which ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.

35 Makplɔ mi ayi dukɔwo ƒe gbedzi, eye le ŋkume kple ŋkume, le afi ma la, mabu fɔ mi.

And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.

36 Mahe to na mi abe ale si mehe to na mia fofowo le Egipte gbegbe la ene.’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.

As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, saith the Lord GOD.

37 ‘Malé ŋku ɖe mia ŋu, mianɔ nye ameƒoti te, eye makplɔ mi ade nubabla ƒe sewo te.

And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:

38 Maɖe ame siwo dze aglã ɖe ŋutinye la ɖa le mia dome. Togbɔ be makplɔ wo adzoe le anyigba si dzi wole hã la, womaɖo afɔ Israelnyigba dzi o. Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa.’

And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

39 “Miawo ya la, O! Israel ƒe aƒe, ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi. ‘Miyi, eye miasubɔ miaƒe legbawo, mia dometɔ ɖe sia ɖe. Ke emegbe la, miaɖo tom kokoko, eye miagado vlo nye ŋkɔ kɔkɔe la kple miaƒe vɔsawo kple legbawo o.

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and after this also, if ye will not hearken to me: but profane ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

40 Elabena le nye to kɔkɔe si nye Israel ƒe to kɔkɔ la dzi la, Israel ƒe aƒe blibo la asubɔm le anyigba ma dzi, eye le afi ma la, maxɔ wo.’ Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe. ‘Le afi ma la, mahiã miaƒe nunana xɔasiwo kple miaƒe vɔsa kɔkɔewo.

For on my holy mountain, on the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

41 Maxɔ mi abe dzudzɔdodo ʋeʋĩwo ene ne meɖe mi tso dukɔwo dome, eye meƒo ƒu mi tso anyigba siwo dzi wokaka mi ɖo la.

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries in which ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

42 Ekema mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, ne mekplɔ mi va ɖo Israelnyigba si mekɔ asi dzi heka atam be matsɔ ana mia fofowo la dzi.

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers.

43 Le afi ma la, miaɖo ŋku miaƒe nɔnɔme kple nu siwo katã miewɔ hegblẽ kɔ ɖo na mia ɖokuiwo la dzi, eye ŋukpe alé mi ɖe nu vɔ̃ siwo katã miewɔ la ta.

And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, in which ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

44 Mianya be nyee nye Yehowa, ne mehe to na mi le nye ŋkɔ ta, eye menye le miaƒe mɔ vɔ̃wo kple miaƒe nu gbegblẽwo wɔwɔ nu o.’ O! Israel ƒe aƒe, Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.”

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

45 Yehowa ƒe nya va nam be,

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

46 “Ame vi, trɔ mo ɖo ɖe dziehe lɔƒo, gblɔ nya tsi tsitre ɖe dziehenyigba ŋu, eye nàgblɔ nya ɖi ɖe Negebnyigba ƒe avewo ŋuti.

Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

47 Gblɔ na ave si le Negeb la be, ‘Se Yehowa ƒe nya. Ale Aƒetɔ Yehowa gblɔe nye esi: Esusɔ vie matɔ dzo wò, eye dzo la afia wò atiwo katã, ati mumuwo kple ƒuƒuawo siaa. Womatsi dzo la o, eye wòafia ŋkume ɖe sia ɖe tso dziehe yi anyiehe.

And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned in it.

48 Ame sia ame akpɔe be nye Yehowae do dzo la, eya ta womatsii o.’”

And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

49 Eye megblɔ be, “Aa, Aƒetɔ Yehowa! Wole gbɔgblɔm tso ŋunye be, ‘Menye lo ko dom wòle oa?’”

Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?