Ezekiel 14:1-11 - Condemnation Of Israel's Idolatrous Elders

¹ Later, some men from the elders of Israel came to visit me. After they had sat down in my presence, ² this message came to me from the LORD. ³ "Son of Man, these men have taken idols into their hearts. They've placed the stumbling block that is their own iniquity right in front of their faces. Should I be consulted by them at all?

⁴ Therefore, speak up and tell them, "This is what the Lord GOD says, "Every person from Israel's house who follows his idols and sets the stumbling block that is his own sin in front of his face, and then consults a prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to how many idols he embraces. ⁵ I'll do this in order to capture the hearts of Israel's house who have become alienated from me due to all of their idols."'"

⁶ "Therefore you are to tell Israel's house, "This is what the Lord GOD says, "Turn away! Turn away from your idols, and abandon your detestable practices! ⁷ For when a native Israeli or a resident alien abandons me to set up idols in his heart behind my back, and then places the stumbling block of his iniquity right in front of his own face, then approaches a prophet to inquire of me on behalf of his own self-interest, I, the LORD will answer him myself. ⁸ I'm determined to oppose that person and make him an example. Proverbs will be written about him when I eliminate him from my people. Then you'll know that I am the LORD."'"

⁹ "Now as to the prophet, if through deceit he delivers a message, I the LORD have deceived that prophet! I'll reach out in opposition to him and exterminate him from among my people Israel. ¹⁰ They'll bear the consequences of their guilt, and the prophet will be just as guilty as the one who seeks that prophet's guidance. ¹¹ Then Israel's house won't wander away from me again, nor will they defile themselves again with all their transgressions. They'll become my people and I'll be their God," declares the Lord GOD.