Ezekiel 12:23
New International Version
Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.

New Living Translation
Tell the people, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will put an end to this proverb, and you will soon stop quoting it.’ Now give them this new proverb to replace the old one: ‘The time has come for every prophecy to be fulfilled!’

English Standard Version
Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.’ But say to them: ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

King James Bible
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

New King James Version
Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” ’ But say to them, ‘ “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: “I will put an end to this proverb so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But tell them, “The days are approaching as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

NASB 1995
“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But tell them, “The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

NASB 1977
“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But tell them, “The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But speak to them, “The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

Amplified Bible
Therefore tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “I will put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel.’ But say to them, ‘The days have arrived, as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore say to them: This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel. But say to them: The days draw near, as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

American Standard Version
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the fulfilment of every vision.

Contemporary English Version
Now tell the people that I, the LORD, am going to prove that saying wrong. No one will ever be able to use it again in Israel, because very soon everything I have said will come true!

English Revised Version
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell the people, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: I will put a stop to the use of this proverb. You will no longer quote it in Israel.' Instead, tell them, 'The time is near when every vision will come true.

Good News Translation
Now tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, have to say about that. I will put an end to that proverb. It won't be repeated in Israel any more. Tell them instead: The time has come, and the predictions are coming true!

International Standard Version
Therefore you are to tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says, "I'm about to put an end to use of this proverb in Israel. It will never be used again as a proverb in Israel. Instead, tell them that the days are drawing near when every vision will be fulfilled.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ?I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.? But say to them: ?The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

NET Bible
Therefore tell them, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says: I hereby end this proverb; they will not recite it in Israel any longer.' But say to them, 'The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

New Heart English Bible
Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel'; but tell them, 'The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.

Webster's Bible Translation
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say to them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

World English Bible
Tell them therefore, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I will make this proverb to cease, and they will no more use it as a proverb in Israel;”’ but tell them, ‘“The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore say to them, Thus said Lord YHWH: I have caused this allegory to cease, "" And they do not use it as an allegory in Israel again, "" But speak to them: The days have drawn near, "" And every vision has spoken.

Young's Literal Translation
therefore say unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I have caused this simile to cease, And they use it not as a simile again in Israel, But speak to them: Drawn near have the days, And spoken hath every vision.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, say to them, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I caused this parable to cease, and they shall no more use it for a parable in Israel; but speak to them: The days drew near, and the word of every vision.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Say to them therefore: Thus saith the Lord God: I will make this proverb to cease, neither shall it be any more a common saying in Israel: and tell them that the days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, say to them: Thus says the Lord God: I will cause this proverb to cease, and it shall no longer be a common saying in Israel. And tell them that the days are approaching, and the word of every vision.

New American Bible
Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to that proverb; they shall never use it again in Israel. Say to them instead: “The days are at hand and every vision fulfilled.”

New Revised Standard Version
Tell them therefore, “Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall use it no more as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Tell them therefore, Thus says the LORD God: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say to them, The days are at hand when every vision shall come true.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, say to them: ‘Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS, I will bring this proverb to nothing, and they shall not speak this parable again in Israel, but say to them, “The days shall come near and every vision shall come to be”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Tell them therefore: Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them: The days are at hand, and the word of every vision.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord; I will even set aside this parable, and the house of Israel shall no more at all use this parable: for thou shalt say to them, The days are at hand, and the import of every vision.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Presumptuous Proverb
22“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’? 23Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.’ But say to them: ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled. 24For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel,…

Cross References
Jeremiah 1:12
“You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”

Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Daniel 9:12
You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

Matthew 5:18
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Revelation 22:6
Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”

Isaiah 48:3
I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

Jeremiah 29:10
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Zechariah 1:6
But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Tell them therefore, Thus said the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say to them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

I will

Ezekiel 18:3
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

Isaiah 28:22
Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

The days

Ezekiel 12:25
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 7:2,5-7,1-012
Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land…

Joel 2:1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

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Cause Cease Common Draw Effect End Fulfillment Fulfilment Hand Israel Longer Proverb Quote Sovereign Use Used Vision Word
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Cause Cease Common Draw Effect End Fulfillment Fulfilment Hand Israel Longer Proverb Quote Sovereign Use Used Vision Word
Ezekiel 12
1. Under the type of Ezekiel's removing
8. is shown the captivity of Zedekiah
17. Ezekiel's trembling shows the Jews' desolation
21. The Jews' presumptuous proverb is reproved
26. The speediness of the vision














Therefore tell them
This phrase is a directive from God to the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing the role of the prophet as a messenger. The Hebrew word for "tell" is "אָמַר" (amar), which means to say or declare. In the context of ancient Israel, prophets were often tasked with delivering God's messages to the people, serving as intermediaries between God and His people. This highlights the importance of obedience and the responsibility of conveying God's truth, regardless of the reception it might receive.

that this is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase underscores the authority of the message. The use of "Lord GOD" translates the Hebrew "אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (Adonai Yahweh), which combines the sovereign title "Adonai" with the personal name of God, "Yahweh." This combination emphasizes both God's supreme authority and His covenant relationship with Israel. It is a reminder that the message is not from Ezekiel himself, but from the Almighty, lending it divine weight and urgency.

I will put an end to this proverb
The "proverb" refers to a saying among the Israelites that questioned the fulfillment of prophetic visions. The Hebrew word for "proverb" is "מָשָׁל" (mashal), which can mean a parable, proverb, or byword. In this context, it was likely a cynical saying that expressed doubt in the prophetic messages. God's declaration to "put an end" to it signifies His intention to demonstrate His power and the certainty of His word, countering skepticism and disbelief.

and they will no longer quote it in Israel
This phrase indicates a future change in the mindset and speech of the Israelites. The cessation of quoting the proverb signifies a shift from doubt to belief. Historically, Israel had experienced periods of disbelief and rebellion, often leading to divine judgment. This promise of change suggests a coming time when God's actions will be so evident that doubt will be silenced, and His words will be vindicated.

But say to them
Here, God reiterates His command to Ezekiel to speak to the people. The repetition of the directive to "say" emphasizes the importance of the message and the urgency with which it must be delivered. It reflects the persistent nature of God's communication with His people, even in the face of their resistance or indifference.

The days are near
This phrase conveys a sense of imminence. The Hebrew word for "near" is "קָרוֹב" (qarov), which implies something that is close at hand. In the prophetic context, it serves as a warning that the fulfillment of God's words is approaching quickly. It challenges the complacency of the people and calls them to readiness and repentance.

when every vision will be fulfilled
The assurance that "every vision will be fulfilled" speaks to the reliability and certainty of God's prophetic word. The Hebrew word for "vision" is "חָזוֹן" (chazon), which refers to divine revelations given to prophets. This promise of fulfillment underscores the faithfulness of God to His word and His ultimate control over history. It serves as an encouragement to believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that He will bring them to pass in His perfect timing.

(23) The effect of every vision.--The sense would be made clearer by rendering "the accomplishment" of every vision.

Verse 23. - The prophet meets the current proverb with a counter proverb of his own: "The days are not far off, but have come near." Compare the language of the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), of our Lord (Matthew 4:17), of St. Paul (Romans 13:11). For the true prophet there is always a near fulfilment, though there may be also an ultimate and more complete reality of which that is the pledge and earnest. The "vision" shall not fail; every word (so in the Hebrew) shall become a reality.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
לָכֵ֞ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

tell
אֱמֹ֣ר (’ĕ·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

that this is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִה֒ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַר֮ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I will put an end
הִשְׁבַּ֙תִּי֙ (hiš·bat·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

to this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

proverb,
הַמָּשָׁ֣ל (ham·mā·šāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile

and in Israel
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

they will no longer
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

recite
יִמְשְׁל֥וּ (yim·šə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4911: To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble

it.’
אֹת֛וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

But
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

say
דַּבֵּ֣ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to them:
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘The days
הַיָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

are at hand
קָֽרְבוּ֙ (qā·rə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

when every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

vision
חָזֽוֹן׃ (ḥā·zō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2377: A sight, a dream, revelation, oracle

will be fulfilled.
וּדְבַ֖ר (ū·ḏə·ḇar)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 12:23 Tell them therefore Thus says the Lord (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 12:22
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