Ezekiel 12:21-25
“GOD’s Message came to me: ‘Son of man, what’s this proverb making the rounds in the land of Israel that says, ‘Everything goes on the same as ever; all the prophetic warnings are false alarms’? ‘Tell them, ‘GOD, the Master, says, This proverb’s going to have a short life!’ ‘Tell them, ‘Time’s about up. Every warning is about to come true. False alarms and easygoing preaching are a thing of the past in the life of Israel. I, GOD, am doing the speaking. What I say happens. None of what I say is on hold. What I say, I’ll do—and soon, you rebels!’ Decree of GOD the Master.’”
“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting my people free like birds set free from a cage. I will tear off the magic veils and save my people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the Lord. You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue my people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
The seeming difference in the first verses between these two translations disappears if we look closely. Both are addressing leadership, priests and false prophets. The NLT uses the metaphor of birds in a cage to describe the bondage placed upon the common people by their leaders false teaching. The Message emphasizes the teaching, ‘it is what it is’ and easy going preaching. It is no favor to soften, dilute, or deny the truth, allowing sin to go unchecked without warning of its consequences. Blindness does not prevent hitting a wall.
Lord, so many are blind and wounded. Help me to faithfully live and share the truth in ways they can see. Let healing fill our land and its people recover their sight.