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Ezekiel 1

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day, while I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month — it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile — The LORD spoke directly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river

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The four living creatures

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day, while I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month — it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile — The LORD spoke directly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there. I looked, and a whirlwind came out of the north — a great cloud, fire folding in on itself, and brightness all around it. From within the fire came something like the colour of amber. Out of its middle came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their feet were straight, and the soles of their feet were like a calf’s hoof. They sparkled like the colour of burnished bronze. They had human hands under their wings on their four sides, and the four of them had their faces and their wings. Their wings joined one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead. As for their faces, each of the four had the face of a man, the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle. That's what their faces were like. Their wings were spread out above. Each one had two wings joined to another, and two covering their bodies. Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, and they did not turn as they moved. The living creatures looked like burning coals of fire, like lamps. Fire moved up and down among them; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. The living creatures ran and returned like a flash of lightning.

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month, while I was among the exiles by the river Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month — it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile — the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Kebar. And the hand of the Lord was on him there. And I looked, and a storm wind came out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing and brightness all round it. And out of the middle of it, out of the middle of the fire, was something like glowing metal. And out of the middle of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this is what they looked like: they had the likeness of a man. And each of them had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. They had human hands under their wings on their four sides, and the four of them had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined to each other. They didn't turn when they went. Each of them went straight ahead. As for what their faces looked like, the four of them had the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side, and the face of an ox on the left side. The four of them had the face of an eagle too. That's what their faces were like. Their wings were spread out above. Each one had two wings joined to another, and two covering their bodies. And each of them went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit was going, that's where they went, and they didn't turn when they went. As for what the living creatures looked like — they looked like burning coals of fire, like torches. It went up and down among the living creatures, and the fire was bright, and lightning came out of the fire. And the living creatures ran and came back, like a flash of lightning.

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

1

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day, while I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

Plain English

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month, while I was among the exiles by the river Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

King James Version, 1611

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

2

On the fifth of the month — it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile —

King James Version, 1611

In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,

3

The LORD spoke directly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

Plain English

the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Kebar. And the hand of the Lord was on him there.

King James Version, 1611

The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

4

I looked, and a whirlwind came out of the north — a great cloud, fire folding in on itself, and brightness all around it. From within the fire came something like the colour of amber.

Plain English

And I looked, and a storm wind came out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing and brightness all round it. And out of the middle of it, out of the middle of the fire, was something like glowing metal.

King James Version, 1611

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

5

Out of its middle came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.

Plain English

And out of the middle of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this is what they looked like: they had the likeness of a man.

King James Version, 1611

Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

6

Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings.

Plain English

And each of them had four faces, and each of them had four wings.

King James Version, 1611

And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

7

Their feet were straight, and the soles of their feet were like a calf’s hoof. They sparkled like the colour of burnished bronze.

Plain English

Their legs were straight, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze.

King James Version, 1611

And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

8

They had human hands under their wings on their four sides, and the four of them had their faces and their wings.

King James Version, 1611

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

9

Their wings joined one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.

Plain English

Their wings were joined to each other. They didn't turn when they went. Each of them went straight ahead.

King James Version, 1611

Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

10

As for their faces, each of the four had the face of a man, the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle.

Plain English

As for what their faces looked like, the four of them had the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side, and the face of an ox on the left side. The four of them had the face of an eagle too.

King James Version, 1611

As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

11

That's what their faces were like. Their wings were spread out above. Each one had two wings joined to another, and two covering their bodies.

King James Version, 1611

Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

12

Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, and they did not turn as they moved.

Plain English

And each of them went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit was going, that's where they went, and they didn't turn when they went.

King James Version, 1611

And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

13

The living creatures looked like burning coals of fire, like lamps. Fire moved up and down among them; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.

Plain English

As for what the living creatures looked like — they looked like burning coals of fire, like torches. It went up and down among the living creatures, and the fire was bright, and lightning came out of the fire.

King James Version, 1611

As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

14

The living creatures ran and returned like a flash of lightning.

Plain English

And the living creatures ran and came back, like a flash of lightning.

King James Version, 1611

And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

The wheels

And while I was looking at the living creatures, I saw one wheel on the ground beside the living creatures, for each of its four faces. The wheels and their workmanship looked like the colour of beryl. All four had the same likeness, and their appearance and workmanship were like a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they went, they went on their four sides, and they didn't turn when they went. Their rings were so high they were dreadful, and all four rings were full of eyes round about. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. And when the living creatures were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up too. Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, and the wheels rose with them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When they went, these went. When they stood still, these stood still. And when they were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up beside them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

And while I was looking at the living creatures, I saw one wheel on the ground beside the living creatures, for each of its four faces. The look of the wheels and how they were made was like the colour of beryl, and the four of them were all alike. And what they looked like and how they were made was like a wheel inside a wheel. When they went, they went on their four sides, and they didn't turn when they went. As for their rims, they were high and terrifying, and the rims of the four of them were full of eyes all round. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. And when the living creatures were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up too. Wherever the Spirit was going, that's where they went, and the wheels were lifted up beside them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When they went, these went. When they stood still, these stood still. And when they were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up beside them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

15

And while I was looking at the living creatures, I saw one wheel on the ground beside the living creatures, for each of its four faces.

King James Version, 1611

Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

16

The wheels and their workmanship looked like the colour of beryl. All four had the same likeness, and their appearance and workmanship were like a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

Plain English

The look of the wheels and how they were made was like the colour of beryl, and the four of them were all alike. And what they looked like and how they were made was like a wheel inside a wheel.

King James Version, 1611

The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

17

When they went, they went on their four sides, and they didn't turn when they went.

King James Version, 1611

When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.

18

Their rings were so high they were dreadful, and all four rings were full of eyes round about.

Plain English

As for their rims, they were high and terrifying, and the rims of the four of them were full of eyes all round.

King James Version, 1611

As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

19

And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. And when the living creatures were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up too.

King James Version, 1611

And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

20

Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, and the wheels rose with them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

Plain English

Wherever the Spirit was going, that's where they went, and the wheels were lifted up beside them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

King James Version, 1611

Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

21

When they went, these went. When they stood still, these stood still. And when they were lifted up off the ground, the wheels were lifted up beside them, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

King James Version, 1611

When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

The likeness of the glory

Above the heads of the living creatures was something like a crystal dome, awesome to look at, stretched out over their heads. Under the dome their wings stretched straight out toward one another. Each had two wings covering its body on one side and two on the other. When they moved, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty — the noise of a host. When they stood still, they let down their wings. A voice came from above the dome over their heads when they stood still and lowered their wings. Above the dome over their heads was something like a throne, looking like sapphire, and high above the throne was the likeness of a man. I saw something like glowing metal, like fire enclosed all around him, from his waist upward; and from his waist downward I saw the appearance of fire, with brightness all around. Like the bow in the cloud on a rainy day, so was the brightness around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell on my face and heard the voice of one speaking.

And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of a dome, like the colour of terrifying ice, stretched out over their heads above. And under the dome their wings were straight out, one towards the other. Each of them had two covering their body on this side and two covering their body on that side. And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings, like the sound of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty — the sound of a crowd, like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let their wings down. And there was a voice from over the dome above their heads when they stood still and let their wings down. And above the dome over their heads was the likeness of a throne, like sapphire stone to look at. And on the likeness of the throne, up above it, was the likeness of a man. And I saw something like glowing metal, like fire enclosed all round, from what looked like his waist upward. And from what looked like his waist downward I saw something like fire, and there was brightness all round him. Like the look of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, that's what the brightness all round was like. This was the look of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.

And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

22

Above the heads of the living creatures was something like a crystal dome, awesome to look at, stretched out over their heads.

Plain English

And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of a dome, like the colour of terrifying ice, stretched out over their heads above.

King James Version, 1611

And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

23

Under the dome their wings stretched straight out toward one another. Each had two wings covering its body on one side and two on the other.

Plain English

And under the dome their wings were straight out, one towards the other. Each of them had two covering their body on this side and two covering their body on that side.

King James Version, 1611

And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

24

When they moved, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty — the noise of a host. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

Plain English

And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings, like the sound of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty — the sound of a crowd, like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let their wings down.

King James Version, 1611

And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

25

A voice came from above the dome over their heads when they stood still and lowered their wings.

Plain English

And there was a voice from over the dome above their heads when they stood still and let their wings down.

King James Version, 1611

And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

26

Above the dome over their heads was something like a throne, looking like sapphire, and high above the throne was the likeness of a man.

Plain English

And above the dome over their heads was the likeness of a throne, like sapphire stone to look at. And on the likeness of the throne, up above it, was the likeness of a man.

King James Version, 1611

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

27

I saw something like glowing metal, like fire enclosed all around him, from his waist upward; and from his waist downward I saw the appearance of fire, with brightness all around.

Plain English

And I saw something like glowing metal, like fire enclosed all round, from what looked like his waist upward. And from what looked like his waist downward I saw something like fire, and there was brightness all round him.

King James Version, 1611

And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

28

Like the bow in the cloud on a rainy day, so was the brightness around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell on my face and heard the voice of one speaking.

Plain English

Like the look of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, that's what the brightness all round was like. This was the look of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.

King James Version, 1611

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.