The Vision of the Measuring Line (Ezekiel 40:1–4)
1 UST Then I looked up and saw a man who was holding a measuring line. BSB BSB: Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 UST I asked him,“Where are you going?” He replied,“I am going to measure Jerusalem to find out how wide it is and how long it is.” BSB BSB: “Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”
3 UST Then the angel who had been talking to me went out, and another angel came out to meet him. BSB BSB: Then the angel who was speaking with me went forth, and another angel came forward to meet him
4 UST The second angel said to him,“Run and tell that young man this:‘Someday so many people and animals will live in Jerusalem that they will not all fit inside the city walls. Many of them will live outside the walls. BSB BSB: and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.
5 UST Yahweh says that he himself will protect the city all around, just as a wall of fire would protect it, and he will show everyone how great he is by living among his people in the city.’” BSB BSB: For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”
The Redemption of Zion (Hosea 3:1–5)
6 UST Yahweh declares,“Pay attention! You must flee from Babylonia, because I scattered you in every direction.” BSB BSB: “Get up! Get up! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD.
7 UST Yahweh says,“You people of Jerusalem who are still living in Babylon, escape from there! BSB BSB: “Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!”
8 UST This is what Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, says. In order to honor his people, he sent me to rebuke the nations that took away your valuable possessions. He says,‘Anyone who harms you harms what is most precious to me. BSB BSB: For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—
9 UST I am about to use my power against those nations, and the people who used to serve them will take back their possessions from them.’” When that happens, you will know that Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, sent me. BSB BSB: I will surely wave My hand over them, so that they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me.”
10 UST Yahweh says,“You people of Jerusalem, shout and be happy, because I am about to come to you and live among you!” BSB BSB: “Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD.
11 UST At that time, people from many nations will start worshiping Yahweh and become his people. He will live among all of you. Then you will know that Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, sent me to you. BSB BSB: “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
12 UST Yahweh will claim the people of Judah as his own special people in the land that he has set apart for himself, and he will once again choose Jerusalem as his city. BSB BSB: And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.
13 UST All people everywhere must be silent before Yahweh, because he has risen up from heaven, the holy place where he lives, and he is ready to act! BSB BSB: Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”