Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin (continued)
Ezekiel 13
CHAPTER 13
Lecture Thirty-Fourth.
Ezekiel 13:1-3
1. And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
1. Et fuit sermo Iehovae ad me, dicendo,
2. Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the LORD;
2. Fili hominis, prophetiza contra prophetas Israel prophetizantes, et dic prophetizantibus ex corde suo, Audite sermonem Iehovah.
3. Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
3. Sic dicit Dominator Iehovah, Vae super prophetas stultos 272 qui ambulant post spiritum suum: et non viderunt.
He speaks of the exiled prophets, as will be evident from the context: for among the captives there were those who assumed the name of God, boasting themselves endowed with the prophetic spirit: but meanwhile they intruded into the office, and then vainly boasted in their deceptions. But the end which they proposed to themselves was to promise the people a speedy return, and so to will the favor of the multitude. For the captives were already almost broken-hearted by weariness: and seventy years was a long period. When therefore they heard of returning after three years, they easily suffered themselves to be deceived by such blandishments. But although God is so vehemently enraged against those impostors, it does not therefore follow that when he charges them with their crime, he absolves the people, or even extenuates their fault. Nor could the people object that they were deceived
272Or, "disgraceful." — Calvin.