English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

1In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

1In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

2On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin),

2On the fifth day of the month--it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile--

3the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

3the word of the LORD came directly to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar Canal. The LORD's hand was on him there.

4As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.

4I looked, and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber.

5And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness,

5The likeness of four living creatures came from it, and this was their appearance: They looked something like a human,

6but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings.

6but each of them had four faces and four wings.

7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze.

7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, sparkling like the gleam of polished bronze.

8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus:

8They had human hands under their wings on their four sides. All four of them had faces and wings.

9their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went.

9Their wings were touching. The creatures did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.

10As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.

10Their faces looked something like the face of a human, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle.

11Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

11That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body.

12And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.

12Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved.

13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

13The likeness of the living creatures was like the appearance of blazing coals of fire or like torches. Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it.

14And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

14The creatures were darting back and forth like flashes of lightning.

15Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.

15When I looked at the living creatures, there was one wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures.

16As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel.

16The appearance of the wheels and their craftsmanship was like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their appearance and craftsmanship was like a wheel within a wheel.

17When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went.

17When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved.

18And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.

18Their rims were tall and awe-inspiring. Each of their four rims were full of eyes all around.

19And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose.

19When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose.

20Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

20Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, the creatures went in the direction the Spirit was moving. The wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

21When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

21When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.

22Over the heads of the living creatures the likeness of an expanse was spread out. It gleamed like awe-inspiring crystal,

23And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body.

23and under the expanse their wings extended one toward another. They each also had two wings covering their bodies.

24And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

24When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of a huge torrent, like the voice of the Almighty, and a sound of tumult like the noise of an army. When they stopped, they lowered their wings.

25And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

25A voice came from above the expanse over their heads; when they stopped, they lowered their wings.

26And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.

26Something like a throne with the appearance of lapis lazuli was above the expanse over their heads. On the throne, high above, was someone who looked like a human.

27And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

27From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be his waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around him.

28Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance 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 one speaking.

28The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD's glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.