Ezekiel 16:1–14

Jerusalem the Unfaithful

16The Lord spoke to me again. ²“Mortal man,” he said, “point out to Jerusalem what disgusting things she has done. ³Tell Jerusalem what the Sovereign Lord is saying to her:

“You were born in the land of Canaan. Your father was an Amorite, and your mother was a Hittite.^{z 4}When you were born, no one cut your umbilical cord or washed you^a or rubbed you with salt or wrapped you in cloth. ⁵No one took enough pity on you to do any of these things for you. When you were born, no one loved you. You were thrown out in an open field.

⁶“Then I passed by and saw you squirming in your own blood. You were covered with blood, but I wouldn’t let you die. ⁷I made you grow like a healthy plant. You grew strong and tall and became a young woman.^b Your breasts were well formed, and your hair had grown, but you were naked.

⁸“As I passed by again, I saw that the time had come for you to fall in love. I covered your naked body with my coat and promised to love you. Yes, I made a marriage covenant with you, and you became mine.” This is what the Sovereign Lord says.

⁹“Then I took water and washed the blood off you. I rubbed olive oil on your skin. ¹⁰I dressed you in embroidered gowns and gave you shoes of the best leather, a linen headband, and a silk cloak. ¹¹I put jewels on you—bracelets and necklaces. ¹²I gave you a nose-ring and earrings and a beautiful crown to wear. ¹³You had ornaments of gold and silver, and you always wore clothes of embroidered linen and silk. You ate bread made from the best flour, and had honey and olive oil to eat. Your beauty was dazzling, and you became a queen. ¹⁴You became famous in every nation for your perfect beauty, because I was the one who made you so lovely.” This is what the Sovereign Lord says.