Ezekiel 40
40On April 28, during the twenty-fifth year of our captivity—fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem—the Lord took hold of me.H2568H6242H8141H1546H7218H8141H6218H2320H702H6240H8141H310H5892H5221H6106H3117H3027H3068H9352In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city.H4759H430H935H776H3478H5117H3966H1364H2022H4011H5892H50453As he brought me nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze standing beside a gateway entrance. He was holding in his hand a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod.H935H376H4758H4758H5178H6616H6593H3027H4060H7070H5975H81794He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”H376H1696H1121H120H7200H5869H8085H241H7760H3820H7200H4616H7200H935H5046H7200H1004H34785I could see a wall completely surrounding the Temple area. The man took a measuring rod that was 10 1/2 feet long and measured the wall, and the wall was 10 1/2 feet thick and 10 1/2 feet high.H2346H2351H1004H5439H376H3027H4060H7070H8337H520H520H2948H4058H7341H1146H259H7070H6967H259H70706Then he went over to the eastern gateway. He climbed the steps and measured the threshold of the gateway; it was 10 1/2 feet front to back.H935H8179H6440H1870H6921H5927H4609H4058H5592H8179H259H7070H7341H259H5592H259H7070H73417There were guard alcoves on each side built into the gateway passage. Each of these alcoves was 10 1/2 feet square, with a distance between them of 8 3/4 feet along the passage wall. The gateway’s inner threshold, which led to the entry room at the inner end of the gateway passage, was 10 1/2 feet front to back.H8372H259H7070H753H259H7070H7341H8372H2568H520H5592H8179H681H197H8179H1004H259H70708He also measured the entry room of the gateway.H4058H197H8179H1004H259H70709It was 14 feet across, with supporting columns 3 1/2 feet thick. This entry room was at the inner end of the gateway structure, facing toward the Temple.H4058H197H8179H8083H520H352H8147H520H197H8179H100410There were three guard alcoves on each side of the gateway passage. Each had the same measurements, and the dividing walls separating them were also identical.H8372H8179H1870H6921H7969H6311H7969H6311H7969H259H4060H352H259H406011The man measured the gateway entrance, which was 17 1/2 feet wide at the opening and 22 3/4 feet wide in the gateway passage.H4058H7341H6607H8179H6235H520H753H8179H7969H6240H52012In front of each of the guard alcoves was a 21-inch curb. The alcoves themselves were 10 1/2 feet on each side.H1366H6440H8372H259H520H1366H520H8372H8337H520H8337H52013Then he measured the entire width of the gateway, measuring the distance between the back walls of facing guard alcoves; this distance was 43 3/4 feet.H4058H8179H1406H8372H1406H7341H2568H6242H520H6607H660714He measured the dividing walls all along the inside of the gateway up to the entry room of the gateway; this distance was 105 feet.H6213H352H8346H520H352H2691H5439H817915The full length of the gateway passage was 87 1/2 feet from one end to the other.H6440H8179H2978H6440H197H6442H8179H2572H52016There were recessed windows that narrowed inward through the walls of the guard alcoves and their dividing walls. There were also windows in the entry room. The surfaces of the dividing walls were decorated with carved palm trees.H331H2474H8372H352H6441H8179H5439H361H2474H5439H6441H352H856117Then the man brought me through the gateway into the outer courtyard of the Temple. A stone pavement ran along the walls of the courtyard, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto the pavement.H935H2435H2691H3957H7531H6213H2691H5439H7970H3957H753118This pavement flanked the gates and extended out from the walls into the courtyard the same distance as the gateway entrance. This was the lower pavement.H7531H3802H8179H5980H753H8179H8481H753119Then the man measured across the Temple’s outer courtyard between the outer and inner gateways; the distance was 175 feet.H4058H7341H6440H8481H8179H6440H6442H2691H2351H3967H520H6921H682820The man measured the gateway on the north just like the one on the east.H8179H2435H2691H6440H1870H6828H4058H753H734121Here, too, there were three guard alcoves on each side, with dividing walls and an entry room. All the measurements matched those of the east gateway. The gateway passage was 87 1/2 feet long and 43 3/4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves.H8372H7969H7969H352H361H4060H7223H8179H753H2572H520H7341H2568H6242H52022The windows, the entry room, and the palm tree decorations were identical to those in the east gateway. There were seven steps leading up to the gateway entrance, and the entry room was at the inner end of the gateway passage.H2474H361H8561H4060H8179H6440H1870H6921H5927H7651H4609H361H644023Here on the north side, just as on the east, there was another gateway leading to the Temple’s inner courtyard directly opposite this outer gateway. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.H8179H6442H2691H8179H6828H6921H4058H8179H8179H3967H52024Then the man took me around to the south gateway and measured its various parts, and they were exactly the same as in the others.H3212H1870H1864H8179H1870H1864H4058H352H361H406025It had windows along the walls as the others did, and there was an entry room where the gateway passage opened into the outer courtyard. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1/2 feet long and 43 3/4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves.H2474H361H5439H2474H753H2572H520H7341H2568H6242H52026This gateway also had a stairway of seven steps leading up to it, and an entry room at the inner end, and palm tree decorations along the dividing walls.H7651H4609H5930H361H6440H8561H259H259H35227And here again, directly opposite the outer gateway, was another gateway that led into the inner courtyard. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.H8179H6442H2691H1870H1864H4058H8179H8179H1870H1864H3967H52028Then the man took me to the south gateway leading into the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.H935H6442H2691H1864H8179H4058H1864H8179H406029Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those in the others. It also had windows along its walls and in the entry room. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1/2 feet long and 43 3/4 feet wide.H8372H352H361H4060H2474H361H5439H2572H520H753H2568H6242H520H734130(The entry rooms of the gateways leading into the inner courtyard were 14 feet across and 43 3/4 feet wide.)H361H5439H2568H6242H520H753H2568H520H734131The entry room to the south gateway faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.H361H2435H2691H8561H352H4608H8083H460932Then he took me to the east gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.H935H6442H2691H1870H6921H4058H8179H406033Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those of the others, and there were windows along the walls and in the entry room. The gateway passage measured 87 1/2 feet long and 43 3/4 feet wide.H8372H352H361H4060H2474H361H5439H2572H520H753H2568H6242H520H734134Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.H361H2435H2691H8561H352H4608H8083H460935Then he took me around to the north gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.H935H6828H8179H4058H406036The guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room of this gateway had the same measurements as in the others and the same window arrangements. The gateway passage measured 87 1/2 feet long and 43 3/4 feet wide.H8372H352H361H2474H5439H753H2572H520H7341H2568H6242H52037Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard, and it had palm tree decorations on the columns. There were eight steps leading to its entrance.H352H2435H2691H8561H352H4608H8083H460938A door led from the entry room of one of the inner gateways into a side room, where the meat for sacrifices was washed.H3957H6607H352H8179H1740H593039On each side of this entry room were two tables, where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.H197H8179H8147H7979H7979H7819H5930H2403H81740Outside the entry room, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, were two more tables.H3802H2351H5927H6607H6828H8179H8147H7979H312H3802H197H8179H8147H797941So there were eight tables in all—four inside and four outside—where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared.H702H7979H702H7979H3802H8179H8083H7979H781942There were also four tables of finished stone for preparation of the burnt offerings, each 31 1/2 inches square and 21 inches high. On these tables were placed the butchering knives and other implements for slaughtering the sacrificial animals.H702H7979H1496H68H5930H520H2677H753H520H2677H7341H259H520H1363H3240H3627H7819H5930H207743There were hooks, each 3 inches long, fastened to the foyer walls. The sacrificial meat was laid on the tables.H1004H8240H259H2948H3559H5439H7979H1320H713344Inside the inner courtyard were two rooms, one beside the north gateway, facing south, and the other beside the south gateway, facing north.H2351H6442H8179H3957H7891H6442H2691H3802H6828H8179H6440H1870H1864H259H3802H6921H8179H6440H1870H682845And the man said to me, “The room beside the north inner gate is for the priests who supervise the Temple maintenance.H1696H2090H3957H6440H1870H1864H3548H8104H4931H100446The room beside the south inner gate is for the priests in charge of the altar—the descendants of Zadok—for they alone of all the Levites may approach the Lord to minister to him.”H3957H6440H1870H6828H3548H8104H4931H4196H1121H6659H1121H3878H7131H3068H833447Then the man measured the inner courtyard, and it was a square, 175 feet wide and 175 feet across. The altar stood in the courtyard in front of the Temple.H4058H2691H3967H520H753H3967H520H7341H7251H4196H6440H100448Then he brought me to the entry room of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of the opening to the entry room, and they were 8 3/4 feet thick. The entrance itself was 24 1/2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were an additional 5 1/4 feet long.H935H197H1004H4058H352H197H2568H520H2568H520H7341H8179H7969H520H7969H52049The entry room was 35 feet wide and 21 feet deep. There were ten steps leading up to it, with a column on each side.H753H197H6242H520H7341H6249H6240H520H4609H5927H5982H352H259H259
Ezekiel 41
41After that, the man brought me into the sanctuary of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of its doorway, and they were 10 1/2 feet thick.H935H1964H4058H352H8337H520H7341H6311H8337H520H7341H6311H7341H1682The doorway was 17 1/2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of it were 8 3/4 feet long. The sanctuary itself was 70 feet long and 35 feet wide.H7341H6607H6235H520H3802H6607H2568H520H2568H520H4058H753H705H520H7341H6242H5203Then he went beyond the sanctuary into the inner room. He measured the walls on either side of its entrance, and they were 3 1/2 feet thick. The entrance was 10 1/2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were 12 1/4 feet long.H935H6441H4058H352H6607H8147H520H6607H8337H520H7341H6607H7651H5204The inner room of the sanctuary was 35 feet long and 35 feet wide. “This,” he told me, “is the Most Holy Place.”H4058H753H6242H520H7341H6242H520H6440H1964H559H6944H69445Then he measured the wall of the Temple, and it was 10 1/2 feet thick. There was a row of rooms along the outside wall; each room was 7 feet wide.H4058H7023H1004H8337H520H7341H6763H702H520H5439H1004H54396These side rooms were built in three levels, one above the other, with thirty rooms on each level. The supports for these side rooms rested on exterior ledges on the Temple wall; they did not extend into the wall.H6763H6763H7969H6763H7970H6471H935H7023H1004H6763H5439H270H270H7023H10047Each level was wider than the one below it, corresponding to the narrowing of the Temple wall as it rose higher. A stairway led up from the bottom level through the middle level to the top level.H7337H5437H4605H6763H4141H1004H4605H5439H1004H7341H1004H4605H5927H8481H5945H84848I saw that the Temple was built on a terrace, which provided a foundation for the side rooms. This terrace was 10 1/2 feet high.H7200H1363H1004H5439H4328H6763H4393H7070H8337H679H5209The outer wall of the Temple’s side rooms was 8 3/4 feet thick. This left an open area between these side roomsH7341H7023H6763H2351H2568H520H3240H1004H6763H100410and the row of rooms along the outer wall of the inner courtyard. This open area was 35 feet wide, and it went all the way around the Temple.H3957H7341H6242H520H5439H1004H543911Two doors opened from the side rooms into the terrace yard, which was 8 3/4 feet wide. One door faced north and the other south.H6607H6763H3240H259H6607H1870H6828H259H6607H1864H7341H4725H3240H2568H520H543912A large building stood on the west, facing the Temple courtyard. It was 122 1/2 feet wide and 157 1/2 feet long, and its walls were 8 3/4 feet thick.H1146H6440H1508H6285H1870H3220H7657H520H7341H7023H1146H2568H520H7341H5439H753H8673H52013Then the man measured the Temple, and it was 175 feet long. The courtyard around the building, including its walls, was an additional 175 feet in length.H4058H1004H3967H520H753H1508H1140H7023H3967H520H75314The inner courtyard to the east of the Temple was also 175 feet wide.H7341H6440H1004H1508H6921H3967H52015The building to the west, including its two walls, was also 175 feet wide. The sanctuary, the inner room, and the entry room of the TempleH4058H753H1146H6440H1508H310H862H3967H520H6442H1964H197H269116were all paneled with wood, as were the frames of the recessed windows. The inner walls of the Temple were paneled with wood above and below the windows.H5592H331H2474H862H5439H7969H5048H5592H7824H6086H5439H776H2474H2474H368017The space above the door leading into the inner room, and its walls inside and out, were also paneled.H6607H6442H1004H2351H7023H5439H6442H2435H406018All the walls were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim.H6213H3742H8561H8561H3742H3742H3742H8147H644019One face—that of a man—looked toward the palm tree on one side. The other face—that of a young lion—looked toward the palm tree on the other side. The figures were carved all along the inside of the Temple,H6440H120H8561H6440H3715H8561H6213H1004H543920from the floor to the top of the walls, including the outer wall of the sanctuary.H776H6607H3742H8561H6213H7023H196421There were square columns at the entrance to the sanctuary, and the ones at the entrance of the Most Holy Place were similar.H4201H1964H7251H6440H6944H4758H475822There was an altar made of wood, 5 1/4 feet high and 3 1/2 feet across. Its corners, base, and sides were all made of wood. “This,” the man told me, “is the table that stands in the Lord’s presence.”H4196H6086H7969H520H1364H753H8147H520H4740H753H7023H6086H1696H7979H6440H306823Both the sanctuary and the Most Holy Place had double doorways,H1964H6944H8147H181724each with two swinging doors.H1817H8147H1817H8147H4142H1817H8147H259H1817H8147H1817H31225The doors leading into the sanctuary were decorated with carved cherubim and palm trees, just as on the walls. And there was a wooden roof at the front of the entry room to the Temple.H6213H1817H1964H3742H8561H6213H7023H5646H6086H6440H197H235126On both sides of the entry room were recessed windows decorated with carved palm trees. The side rooms along the outside wall also had roofs.H331H2474H8561H3802H197H6763H1004H5646
Ezekiel 42
42Then the man led me out of the Temple courtyard by way of the north gateway. We entered the outer courtyard and came to a group of rooms against the north wall of the inner courtyard.H3318H2435H2691H1870H6828H935H3957H1508H1146H6828 2This structure, whose entrance opened toward the north, was 175 feet long and 87 1/2 feet wide.H6440H753H3967H520H6828H6607H7341H2572H520 3One block of rooms overlooked the 35-foot width of the inner courtyard. Another block of rooms looked out onto the pavement of the outer courtyard. The two blocks were built three levels high and stood across from each other.H6242H6442H2691H7531H2435H2691H862H6440H862H7992 4Between the two blocks of rooms ran a walkway 17 1/2 feet wide. It extended the entire 175 feet of the complex, and all the doors faced north.H6440H3957H4109H6235H520H7341H6442H1870H259H520H6607H6828 5Each of the two upper levels of rooms was narrower than the one beneath it because the upper levels had to allow space for walkways in front of them.H5945H3957H7114H862H398H2007H8481H8484H1146 6Since there were three levels and they did not have supporting columns as in the courtyards, each of the upper levels was set back from the level beneath it.H8027H5982H5982H2691H680H8481H8484H776 7There was an outer wall that separated the rooms from the outer courtyard; it was 87 1/2 feet long.H1447H2351H5980H3957H1870H2435H2691H6440H3957H753H2572H520 8This wall added length to the outer block of rooms, which extended for only 87 1/2 feet, while the inner block—the rooms toward the Temple—extended for 175 feet.H753H3957H2435H2691H2572H520H6440H1964H3967H520 9There was an eastern entrance from the outer courtyard to these rooms.H3957H3996H935H6921H935H2007H2435H2691 10On the south side of the Temple there were two blocks of rooms just south of the inner courtyard between the Temple and the outer courtyard. These rooms were arranged just like the rooms on the north.H3957H7341H1444H2691H1870H6921H6440H1508H6440H1146 11There was a walkway between the two blocks of rooms just like the complex on the north side of the Temple. This complex of rooms was the same length and width as the other one, and it had the same entrances and doors. The dimensions of each were identical.H1870H6440H4758H3957H1870H6828H753H3651H7341H4161H4941H6607 12So there was an entrance in the wall facing the doors of the inner block of rooms, and another on the east at the end of the interior walkway.H6607H3957H1870H1864H6607H7218H1870H1870H1903H6440H1448H1870H6921H935 13Then the man told me, “These rooms that overlook the Temple from the north and south are holy. Here the priests who offer sacrifices to the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. And because these rooms are holy, they will be used to store the sacred offerings—the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.H559H6828H3957H1864H3957H6440H1508H6944H3957H3548H7138H3068H398H6944H6944H3240H6944H6944H4503H2403H817H4725H6918 14When the priests leave the sanctuary, they must not go directly to the outer courtyard. They must first take off the clothes they wore while ministering, because these clothes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building complex open to the public.”H3548H935H3318H6944H2435H2691H3240H899H8334H6944H3847H3847H312H899H7126H5971 15When the man had finished measuring the inside of the Temple area, he led me out through the east gateway to measure the entire perimeter.H3615H4060H6442H1004H3318H1870H8179H6440H1870H6921H4058H5439 16He measured the east side with his measuring rod, and it was 875 feet long.H4058H6921H7307H4060H7070H2568H520H3967H7070H4060H7070H5439 17Then he measured the north side, and it was also 875 feet.H4058H6828H7307H2568H3967H7070H4060H7070H5439 18The south side was also 875 feet,H4058H1864H7307H2568H3967H7070H4060H7070 19and the west side was also 875 feet.H5437H3220H7307H4058H2568H3967H7070H4060H7070 20So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate what was holy from what was common.H4058H702H7307H2346H5439H2568H3967H753H2568H3967H7341H914H6944H2455
Ezekiel 43
43After this, the man brought me back around to the east gateway.H3212H8179H8179H6437H1870H69212Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory.H3519H430H3478H935H1870H6921H6963H6963H7227H4325H776H215H35193This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came to destroy Jerusalem. I fell face down on the ground.H4758H4758H7200H4758H7200H935H7843H5892H4759H4758H7200H5104H3529H5307H64404And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.H3519H3068H935H1004H1870H8179H6440H1870H69215Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.H7307H5375H935H6442H2691H3519H3068H4390H10046And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple, while the man who had been measuring stood beside me.H8085H1696H1004H376H5975H6817The Lord said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.H559H1121H120H4725H3678H4725H3709H7272H7931H8432H1121H3478H5769H6944H8034H1004H3478H2930H4428H2184H6297H4428H11168They put their idol altars right next to mine with only a wall between them and me. They defiled my holy name by such detestable sin, so I consumed them in my anger.H5414H5592H5592H4201H681H4201H7023H2930H6944H8034H8441H6213H3615H6399Now let them stop worshiping other gods and honoring the relics of their kings, and I will live among them forever.H7368H2184H6297H4428H7368H7931H8432H576910“Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins. Let them study its plan,H1121H120H5046H1004H1004H3478H3637H5771H4058H850811and they will be ashamed of what they have done. Describe to them all the specifications of the Temple—including its entrances and exits—and everything else about it. Tell them about its decrees and laws. Write down all these specifications and decrees as they watch so they will be sure to remember and follow them.H3637H6213H3045H6699H1004H8498H4161H4126H6699H2708H6699H8451H3789H5869H8104H6699H2708H621312And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.H8451H1004H7218H2022H1366H5439H6944H6944H8451H100413“These are the measurements of the altar: There is a gutter all around the altar 21 inches deep and 21 inches wide, with a curb 9 inches wide around its edge. And this is the height of the altar:H4060H4196H520H520H520H2948H2436H520H7341H520H1366H8193H5439H259H2239H1354H419614From the gutter the altar rises 3 1/2 feet to a lower ledge that surrounds the altar and is 21 inches wide. From the lower ledge the altar rises 7 feet to the upper ledge that is also 21 inches wide.H2436H776H8481H5835H8147H520H7341H259H520H6996H5835H1419H5835H702H520H7341H52015The top of the altar, the hearth, rises another 7 feet higher, with a horn rising up from each of the four corners.H741H2025H702H520H741H4605H702H716116The top of the altar is square, measuring 21 feet by 21 feet.H741H8147H6240H753H8147H6240H7341H7251H702H725317The upper ledge also forms a square, measuring 24 1/2 feet by 24 1/2 feet, with a 21-inch gutter and a 10 1/2-inch curb all around the edge. There are steps going up the east side of the altar.”H5835H702H6240H753H702H6240H7341H702H7253H1366H5439H2677H520H2436H520H5439H4609H6437H692118Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood when the altar is built.H559H1121H120H559H136H3069H2708H4196H3117H6213H5927H5930H2236H181819At that time, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who minister before me, are to be given a young bull for a sin offering, says the Sovereign Lord.H5414H3548H3881H2233H6659H7138H8334H5002H136H3069H1121H1241H6499H240320You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.H3947H1818H5414H702H7161H702H6438H5835H1366H5439H2398H372221Then take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.H3947H6499H2403H8313H4662H1004H2351H472022“On the second day, sacrifice as a sin offering a young male goat that has no physical defects. Then cleanse and make atonement for the altar again, just as you did with the young bull.H8145H3117H7126H8163H5795H8549H2403H2398H4196H2398H649923When you have finished the cleansing ceremony, offer another young bull that has no defects and a perfect ram from the flock.H3615H2398H7126H1121H1241H6499H8549H352H6629H854924You are to present them to the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the Lord.H7126H6440H3068H3548H7993H4417H5927H5930H306825“Every day for seven days a male goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock will be sacrificed as a sin offering. None of these animals may have physical defects of any kind.H7651H3117H6213H3117H8163H2403H6213H1121H1241H6499H352H6629H854926Do this each day for seven days to cleanse and make atonement for the altar, thus setting it apart for holy use.H7651H3117H3722H4196H2891H4390H302727On the eighth day, and on each day afterward, the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and peace offerings of the people. Then I will accept you. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”H3117H3615H8066H3117H1973H3548H6213H5930H4196H8002H7521H5002H136H3069
Ezekiel 44
44Then the man brought me back to the east gateway in the outer wall of the Temple area, but it was closed.H7725H1870H8179H2435H4720H6437H6921H54622And the Lord said to me, “This gate must remain closed; it will never again be opened. No one will ever open it and pass through, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered here. Therefore, it must always remain shut.H559H3068H8179H5462H6605H376H935H3068H430H3478H935H54623Only the prince himself may sit inside this gateway to feast in the Lord’s presence. But he may come and go only through the entry room of the gateway.”H5387H5387H3427H398H3899H6440H3068H935H1870H197H8179H3318H18704Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.H935H1870H6828H8179H6440H1004H7200H3519H3068H4390H1004H3068H5307H64405And the Lord said to me, “Son of man, take careful notice. Use your eyes and ears, and listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the Lord’s Temple. Take careful note of the procedures for using the Temple’s entrances and exits.H3068H559H1121H120H7760H3820H7200H5869H8085H241H1696H2708H1004H3068H8451H7760H3820H3996H1004H4161H47206And give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign Lord: O people of Israel, enough of your detestable sins!H559H4805H1004H3478H559H136H3069H1004H3478H7227H84417You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary—people who have no heart for God. In this way, you defiled my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. In addition to all your other detestable sins, you have broken my covenant.H935H1121H5236H6189H3820H6189H1320H4720H2490H1004H7126H3899H2459H1818H6565H1285H413H84418Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.H8104H4931H6944H7760H8104H4931H47209“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord.H559H136H3069H1121H5236H6189H3820H6189H1320H935H4720H8432H1121H347810And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness.H3881H7368H3478H8582H8582H310H1544H5375H577111They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people.H8334H4720H6486H8179H1004H8334H1004H7819H5930H2077H5971H5975H6440H833412But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord.H8334H6440H1544H1004H3478H4383H5771H5375H3027H5002H136H3069H5375H577113They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the detestable sins they have committed.H5066H3547H5066H6944H6944H5375H3639H8441H621314They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties.H5414H8104H4931H1004H5656H621315“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord.H3548H3881H1121H6659H8104H4931H4720H1121H3478H8582H7126H8334H5975H6440H7126H2459H1818H5002H136H306916They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements.H935H4720H7126H7979H8334H8104H493117“When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.H935H8179H6442H2691H3847H6593H899H6785H5927H8334H8179H6442H2691H100418They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.H6593H6287H7218H6593H4370H4975H2296H315419When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.H3318H2435H2691H2435H2691H5971H6584H899H8334H3240H6944H3957H3847H312H899H6942H5971H89920“They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.H1548H7218H6545H7971H3697H3697H721821The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.H3548H8354H3196H935H6442H269122They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women.H3947H802H490H1644H3947H1330H2233H1004H3478H490H354823They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.H3384H5971H6944H2455H3045H2931H288924“They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations. And the priests themselves must obey my instructions and decrees at all the sacred festivals, and see to it that the Sabbaths are set apart as holy days.H7379H5975H8199H8199H4941H8104H8451H2708H4150H6942H767625“A priest must not defile himself by being in the presence of a dead person unless it is his father, mother, child, brother, or unmarried sister. In such cases it is permitted.H935H4191H120H2930H1H517H1121H1323H251H269H376H293026Even then, he can return to his Temple duties only after being ceremonially cleansed and then waiting for seven days.H310H2893H5608H7651H311727The first day he returns to work and enters the inner courtyard and the sanctuary, he must offer a sin offering for himself, says the Sovereign Lord.H3117H935H6944H6442H2691H8334H6944H7126H2403H5002H136H306928“The priests will not have any property or possession of land, for I alone am their special possession.H5159H5159H5414H272H3478H27229Their food will come from the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people—the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Whatever anyone sets apart for the Lord will belong to the priests.H398H4503H2403H817H2764H347830The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first samples of each grain harvest and the first of your flour must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes.H7225H1061H8641H8641H3548H5414H3548H7225H6182H1293H5117H100431The priests may not eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by another animal.H3548H398H5038H2966H5775H929
Psalms 43
43Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars.H8199H430H7378H7379H3808H2623H1471H6403H4820H5766H376 2For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?H430H4581H2186H1980H6937H3906H341 3Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.H7971H216H571H5148H935H6944H2022H4908 4There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!H935H4196H430H410H8057H1524H3658H3034H430H430 5Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!H7817H5315H1993H3176H430H3034H3444H6440H430
Dublin, OH
, during the twenty-fifth year of our captivity—fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem—the Lord took hold of me.H2568
