And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month: there came men of the ancients of Israel to inquire of the Lord, and they sat before me.

Et factum est in anno septimo, in quinto, in decima mensis, venerunt viri de senioribus Israël ut interrogarent Dominum, et sederunt coram me.

And now it was the seventh year, the tenth day of the fifth month. Some of the Israelite leaders had come to visit me, asking what was the Lord’s will, and sat closeted with me.

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Et factus est sermo Domini ad me, dicens:

And this message I had from the Lord:

Son of man, speak to the ancients of Israel, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Are you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not answer you, saith the Lord God.

Fili hominis, loquere senioribus Israël, et dices ad eos: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Numquid ad interrogandum me vos venistis? vivo ego quia non respondebo vobis, ait Dominus Deus.

Son of man, tell the leaders of Israel this from the Lord God: Would you come to ask my will? As I am a living God, the Lord says, you shall have no answer.

If thou judgest them, if thou judgest, O son of man, declare to them the abominations of their fathers.

Si judicas eos, si judicas, fili hominis, abominationes patrum eorum ostende eis.

Arraign them, son of man, arraign them for their crimes; tell them what foul things their fathers did before them.

And say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand for the race of the house of Jacob: and appeared to them in the land of Egypt, and lifted up my hand for them, saying: I am the Lord your God:

Et dices ad eos: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: In die qua elegi Israël, et levavi manum meam pro stirpe domus Jacob, et apparui eis in terra Ægypti, et levavi manum meam pro eis, dicens: Ego Dominus Deus vester:

This shall be thy message to them from the Lord God: Long ago I made choice of Israel, plighted to Jacob my troth, when I made myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to be their own God,

In that day I lifted up my hand for them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt, into a land which I had provided for them, flowing with milk and honey, which excelleth amongst all lands.

in die illa levavi manum meam pro eis ut educerem eos de terra Ægypti, in terram quam provideram eis, fluentem lacte et melle, quæ est egregia inter omnes terras.

swore that I would take them away to the home I had destined for them, a land all milk and honey, the best of lands.

And I said to them: Let every man cast away the scandals of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Et dixi ad eos: Unusquisque offensiones oculorum suorum abjiciat, et in idolis Ægypti nolite pollui: ego Dominus Deus vester.

Only, I told them, his darling idolatries each man must set aside; not for you to be contaminated with the false gods of Egypt; I, the Lord, am your God.

But they provoked me, and would not hearken to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: and I said I would pour out my indignation upon them, and accomplish my wrath against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Et irritaverunt me, nolueruntque me audire: unusquisque abominationes oculorum suorum non projecit, nec idola Ægypti reliquerunt. Et dixi ut effunderem indignationem meam super eos, et implerem iram meam in eis, in medio terræ Ægypti.

All was defiance and disobedience; idolatry still cherished, the worship of Egypt’s gods still unforsaken. I was minded to let my anger have its way, glut my vengeance on them, there in Egypt.

But I did otherwise for my name’s sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, in the midst of whom they were, and among whom I made myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

Et feci propter nomen meum, ut non violaretur coram gentibus in quarum medio erant, et inter quas apparui eis ut educerem eos de terra Ægypti.

But no, I would be their champion, for my own honour’s sake; the heathen all around, that had witnessed my coming to deliver them, must not learn to hold my honour cheap.

Therefore I brought them out from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the desert.

Ejeci ergo eos de terra Ægypti, et eduxi eos in desertum.

So from Egypt I rescued them, and led them out into the desert.

And I gave them my statutes, and I shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them.

Et dedi eis præcepta mea, et judicia mea ostendi eis, quæ faciens homo vivet in eis.

There I gave them a law, made known to them the usages that bring life;

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

Insuper et sabbata mea dedi eis, ut essent signum inter me et eos, et scirent quia ego Dominus sanctificans eos.

bade them share my sabbath rest, that should be a token between me and them, a token that they were divinely set apart.

But the house of Israel provoked me in the desert: they walked not in my statutes, and they cast away my judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them: and they grievously violated my sabbaths. I said therefore that I would pour out my indignation upon them in the desert, and would consume them.

Et irritaverunt me domus Israël in deserto: in præceptis meis non ambulaverunt, et judicia mea projecerunt, quæ faciens homo vivet in eis, et sabbata mea violaverunt vehementer. Dixi ergo ut effunderem furorem meum super eos in deserto, et consumerem eos:

What did Israel then? Defied my anger, disobeyed my law, life-giving commandments cast away, left my sabbath all unhonoured. Should I give vent to my anger, and make an end of them, there in the desert?

But I spared them for the sake of my name, lest it should be profaned before the nations, from which I brought them out, in their sight.

et feci propter nomen meum, ne violaretur coram gentibus de quibus ejeci eos in conspectu earum.

And let the heathen see my work of deliverance half accomplished? For my honour’s sake, I must not.

So I lifted up my hand over them in the desert, not to bring them into the land which I had given them flowing with milk and honey, the best of all lands.

Ego igitur levavi manum meam super eos in deserto, ne inducerem eos in terram quam dedi eis, fluentem lacte et melle, præcipuam terrarum omnium:

But I swore, out in the desert, that the promised land, all milk and honey, best of lands, should never be theirs.

Because they cast off my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, and violated my sabbaths: for their heart went after idols.

quia judicia mea projecerunt, et in præceptis meis non ambulaverunt, et sabbata mea violaverunt: post idola enim cor eorum gradiebatur.

My will defied, my law forsaken, my sabbath neglected, a heart set on idols, they should learn to rue;

Yet my eye spared them, so that I destroyed them not: neither did I consume them in the desert.

Et pepercit oculus meus super eos, ut non interficerem eos: nec consumpsi eos in deserto.

had not my pity spared them, they should have died there and then, swallowed up in those wastes.

And I said to their children in the wilderness: Walk not in the statutes of your fathers, and observe not their judgments, nor be ye defiled with their idols:

Dixi autem ad filios eorum in solitudine: In præceptis patrum vestrorum nolite incedere, nec judicia eorum custodiatis, nec in idolis eorum polluamini.

To their sons, the desert-born, warning I gave: Not for you your fathers’ example, your fathers’ traditions, the contamination of the false gods they worshipped.

I am the Lord your God: walk ye in my statutes, and observe my judgments, and do them.

Ego Dominus Deus vester: in præceptis meis ambulate: judicia mea custodite, et facite ea,

I, the Lord, am your God; mine the laws you must follow, the usages you must cherish and obey;

And sanctify my sabbaths, that they may be a sign between me and you: and that you may know that I am the Lord your God.

et sabbata mea sanctificate, ut sint signum inter me et vos, et sciatis quia ego sum Dominus Deus vester.

my sabbath you must honour, in token that the Lord is the God you worship.

But their children provoked me, they walked not in my commandments, nor observed my judgments to do them: which if a man do, he shall live in them: and they violated my sabbaths: and I threatened to pour out my indignation upon them, and to accomplish my wrath in them in the desert.

Et exacerbaverunt me filii: in præceptis meis non ambulaverunt, et judicia mea non custodierunt ut facerent ea, quæ cum fecerit homo, vivet in eis, et sabbata mea violaverunt. Et comminatus sum ut effunderem furorem meum super eos, et implerem iram meam in eis in deserto.

But they too, the sons, defied me; my laws forsook, my life-giving usages forgot, my sabbaths profaned. There in the desert I would have given vent to my anger, let my vengeance take its toll of them,

But I turned away my hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, out of which I brought them forth in their sight.

Averti autem manum meam, et feci propter nomen meum, ut non violaretur coram gentibus de quibus ejeci eos in oculis earum.

but still I held my hand; for my own honour, the heathen must see my work of deliverance accomplished.

Again I lifted up my hand upon them in the wilderness, to disperse them among the nations, and scatter them through the countries:

Iterum levavi manum meam in eos in solitudine, ut dispergerem illos in nationes, et ventilarem in terras,

But once more in the desert I bound myself by an oath … I would scatter them among all the nations, spread them over the face of earth,

Because they had not done my judgments, and had cast off my statutes, and had violated my sabbaths, and their eyes had been after the idols of their fathers.

eo quod judicia mea non fecissent, et præcepta mea reprobassent, et sabbata mea violassent, et post idola patrum suorum fuissent oculi eorum.

men defiant of my will, contemptuous of my law, careless of my sabbath as ever, after the false gods of their fathers hankering still.

Therefore I also gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments, in which they shall not live.

Ergo et ego dedi eis præcepta non bona, et judicia in quibus non vivent.

Laws they should have, but for their harm, usages that brought, not life, but death;

And I polluted them in their own gifts, when they offered all that opened the womb, for their offences: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

Et pollui eos in muneribus suis, cum offerrent omne quod aperit vulvam, propter delicta sua: et scient quia ego Dominus.

guilty, they should stain themselves with fresh guilt by the very offerings they made, when they consecrated their first-born to the fire; they must have proof of my power at last.

Wherefore speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Moreover in this also your fathers blasphemed me, when they had despised and contemned me;

Quam ob rem loquere ad domum Israël, fili hominis, et dices ad eos: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Adhuc et in hoc blasphemaverunt me patres vestri, cum sprevissent me contemnentes,

They blasphemed me (tell Israel from the Lord God), those fathers of yours, and did me great despite.

And I had brought them into the land, for which I lifted up my hand to give it them: they saw every high hill, and every shady tree, and there they sacrificed their victims: and there they presented the provocation of their offerings, and there they set their sweet odours, and poured forth their libations.

et induxissem eos in terram super quam levavi manum meam ut darem eis: viderunt omnem collem excelsum, et omne lignum nemorosum, et immolaverunt ibi victimas suas, et dederunt ibi irritationem oblationis suæ, et posuerunt ibi odorem suavitatis suæ, et libaverunt libationes suas.

Scarce had I brought them into the promised land, when the sight of high mountain here, thick forest there, set them offering victims in honour of my rivals, burning incense, pouring libations!

And I said to them: What meaneth the high place to which you go? and the name thereof was called High-place even to this day.

Et dixi ad eos: Quid est excelsum, ad quod vos ingredimini? et vocatum est nomen ejus Excelsum usque ad hanc diem.

Well might I ask them, Whither resort you? And hill-resorts they are called to this day.

Wherefore say to the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: Verily, you are defiled in the way of your fathers, and you commit fornication with their abominations.

Propterea dic ad domum Israël: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Certe in via patrum vestrorum vos polluimini, et post offendicula eorum vos fornicamini:

Give the men of Israel, then, this message from the Lord God: Still the same ways your fathers went, still the same itch for things abominable?

And you defile yourselves with all your idols unto this day, in the offering of your gifts, when you make your children pass through the fire: and shall I answer you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not answer you.

et in oblatione donorum vestrorum, cum traducitis filios vestros per ignem, vos polluimini in omnibus idolis vestris usque hodie: et ego respondebo vobis, domus Israël? Vivo ego, dicit Dominus Deus, quia non respondebo vobis.

To this day, when you would make offering, you pass your sons through the fire; guilt of idolatry stains you yet, and shall I make answer to you, men of Israel? As I am a living God, the Lord says, you shall have no answer from me!

Neither shall the thought of your mind come to pass, by which you say: We will be as the Gentiles, and as the families of the earth, to worship stocks and stones.

Neque cogitatio mentis vestræ fiet, dicentium: Erimus sicut gentes et sicut cognationes terræ, ut colamus ligna et lapides.

Never think I will allow you to worship wood and stone like other races of men, your neighbours;

As I live, saith the Lord God, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

Vivo ego, dicit Dominus Deus, quoniam in manu forti, et in brachio extento, et in furore effuso, regnabo super vos.

as I am a living God, the Lord says, I mean to reign over you, though it should need all the exercise of my constraining power, all the outpouring of my vengeance.

And I will bring you out from the people, and I will gather you out of the countries, in which you are scattered, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

Et educam vos de populis, et congregabo vos de terris in quibus dispersi estis: in manu valida, et in brachio extento, et in furore effuso, regnabo super vos.

Rescued from many masters, summoned from many lands, you shall serve me perforce, my power constraining you, my vengeance threatening you.

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

Et adducam vos in desertum populorum, et judicabor vobiscum ibi facie ad faciem.

I will lead you out into a desert world, and there plead my cause against you,

As I pleaded against your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt; even so will I judge you, saith the Lord God.

Sicut judicio contendi adversum patres vestros in deserto terræ Ægypti, sic judicabo vos, dicit Dominus Deus.

as I did with your fathers long ago, in the desert confines of Egypt.

And I will make you subject to my sceptre, and will bring you into the bands of the covenant.

Et subjiciam vos sceptro meo, et inducam vos in vinculis fœderis.

I will force you under my sceptre, chain you to my covenant.

And I will pick out from among you the transgressors, and the wicked, and will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

Et eligam de vobis transgressores et impios, et de terra incolatus eorum educam eos, et in terram Israël non ingredientur: et scietis quia ego Dominus.

The rebels I will set apart, and though I summon them away from their banishment, they shall never return to the land of Israel; then you will know what manner of God you serve.

And as for you, O house of Israel: thus saith the Lord God: Walk ye every one after your idols, and serve them. But if in this also you hear me not, but defile my holy name any more with your gifts, and with your idols;

Et vos, domus Israël, hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Singuli post idola vestra ambulate, et servite eis. Quod si et in hoc non audieritis me, et nomen meum sanctum pollueritis ultra in muneribus vestris et in idolis vestris:

Come, then, says the Lord God, let each man have recourse to his own idol, and pay it due worship! If that counsel you will not follow, nor drag my name in the dust with foul rites and false gods …

In my holy mountain, in the high mountain of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel serve me; all of them I say, in the land in which they shall please me, and there will I require your firstfruits, and the chief of your tithes with all your sanctifications.

in monte sancto meo, in monte excelso Israël, ait Dominus Deus, ibi serviet mihi omnis domus Israël: omnes, inquam, in terra in qua placebunt mihi: et ibi quæram primitias vestras, et initium decimarum vestrarum, in omnibus sanctificationibus vestris.

On that holy mountain of mine, the Lord God says, that high mountain that looks down over Israel, all the race of Israel shall be my worshippers, favoured suitors in a favoured land; first-fruit and tithe, all your hallowings shall be awaited there.

I will accept of you for an odour of sweetness, when I shall have brought you out from the people, and shall have gathered you out of the lands into which you are scattered, and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

In odorem suavitatis suscipiam vos, cum eduxero vos de populis, et congregavero vos de terris in quas dispersi estis: et sanctificabor in vobis in oculis nationum.

Rescued from so many masters, summoned from so many lands, you shall be a fragrant offering; all my dealings with you the heathen shall acclaim,

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have brought you into the land of Israel, into the land for which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers.

Et scietis quia ego Dominus, cum induxero vos ad terram Israël, in terram pro qua levavi manum meam ut darem eam patribus vestris.

and you yourselves shall recognize my power, restored to the land of Israel, the land I promised to your fathers.

And there you shall remember your ways, and all your wicked doings with which you have been defiled; and you shall be displeased with yourselves in your own sight, for all your wicked deeds which you committed.

Et recordabimini ibi viarum vestrarum, et omnium scelerum vestrorum, quibus polluti estis in eis: et displicebitis vobis in conspectu vestro, in omnibus malitiis vestris quas fecistis.

False paths and foul misdoings you shall remember yet, and think with loathing of what you were;

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have done well by you for my own name’s sake, and not according to your evil ways, nor according to your wicked deeds, O house of Israel, saith the Lord God.

Et scietis quia ego Dominus, cum benefecero vobis propter nomen meum, et non secundum vias vestras malas, neque secundum scelera vestra pessima, domus Israël, ait Dominus Deus.

my power you shall know, men of Israel, says the Lord God; and that I was your benefactor, not for your deserts, that erred and sinned, but for my own honour’s sake.

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Et factus est sermo Domini ad me, dicens:

Word came to me from the Lord:

Son of man, set thy face against the way of the south, and drop towards the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field.

Fili hominis, pone faciem tuam contra viam austri, et stilla ad africum, et propheta ad saltum agri meridiani.

Look southward, son of man; pour out thy complaint towards the noon-day sun, and let the southern woodlands hear thee prophesy.

And say to the south forest: Hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will kindle a fire in thee, and will burn in thee every green tree, and every dry tree: the flame of the fire shall not be quenched: and every face shall be burned in it, from the south even to the north.

Et dices saltui meridiano: Audi verbum Domini: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Ecce ego succendam in te ignem, et comburam in te omne lignum viride, et omne lignum aridum: non extinguetur flamma succensionis: et comburetur in ea omnis facies ab austro usque ad aquilonem,

To the listening forest give this message from the Lord God: I mean to set thee alight, burn up green tree and dry; unquenchable, that flame shall scorch the faces of all beholders, northward and south alike;

And all flesh shall see, that I the Lord have kindled it, and it shall not be quenched.

et videbit universa caro quia ego Dominus succendi eam, nec extinguetur.

plain enough it shall be for all the world to see that it was I, the Lord, set it ablaze, and there is no quenching it.

And I said: Ah, ah, ah, O Lord God: they say of me: Doth not this man speak by parables?

Et dixi: A, a, a, Domine Deus: ipsi dicunt de me: Numquid non per parabolas loquitur iste?

Alas for pity, Lord God, said I, they are complaining already that I speak to them only in parables!