Ezekiel 28 NCV

1. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

2. “Human, say to the ruler of Tyre: ‘This is what the Lord God says: Because you are proud, you say, “I am a god. I sit on the throne of a god in the middle of the seas.” You think you are as wise as a god, but you are a human, not a god.

3. You think you are wiser than Daniel. You think you can find out all secrets.

4. Through your wisdom and understanding you have made yourself rich. You have gained gold and silver and have saved it in your storerooms.

5. Through your great skill in trading, you have made your riches grow. You are too proud because of your riches.

6. “ ‘So this is what the Lord God says: You think you are wise like a god,

7. but I will bring foreign people against you, the cruelest nation. They will pull out their swords and destroy all that your wisdom has built, and they will dishonor your greatness.

8. They will kill you; you will die a terrible death like those who are killed at sea.

9. While they are killing you, you will not be able to say anymore, “I am a god.” You will be only a human, not a god, when your murderers kill you.

10. You will die like an unclean person; foreigners will kill you. I have spoken, says the Lord God.’ ”

11. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

12. “Human, sing a funeral song for the king of Tyre. Say to him: ‘This is what the Lord God says: You were an example of what was perfect, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13. You had a wonderful life, as if you were in Eden, the garden of God. Every valuable gem was on you: ruby, topaz, and emerald, yellow quartz, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and chrysolite. Your jewelry was made of gold. It was prepared on the day you were created.

14. I appointed a living creature to guard you. I put you on the holy mountain of God. You walked among the gems that shined like fire.

15. Your life was right and good from the day you were created, until evil was found in you.

16. Because you traded with countries far away, you learned to be cruel, and you sinned. So I threw you down in disgrace from the mountain of God. And the living creature who guarded you forced you out from among the gems that shined like fire.

17. You became too proud because of your beauty. You ruined your wisdom because of your greatness. I threw you down to the ground. Your example taught a lesson to other kings.

18. You dishonored your places of worship through your many sins and dishonest trade. So I set on fire the place where you lived, and the fire burned you up. I turned you into ashes on the ground for all those watching to see.

19. All the nations who knew you are shocked about you. Your punishment was so terrible, and you are gone forever.’ ”Prophecy Against Sidon

20. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

21. “Human, look toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her.

22. Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am against you, Sidon, and I will show my glory among you. People will know that I am the Lord when I have punished Sidon; I will show my holiness by defeating her.

23. I will send diseases to Sidon, and blood will flow in her streets. Those who are wounded in Sidon will fall dead, attacked from all sides. Then they will know that I am the Lord.God Will Help Israel

24. “ ‘No more will neighboring nations be like thorny branches or sharp stickers to hurt Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.

25. “ ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the people of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness when the nations see what I do for my people. Then they will live in their own land—the land I gave to my servant Jacob.

26. They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have punished all the nations around who hate them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’ ”