1. One day, some of Israel's leaders came to me and asked for a message from the Lord.
2. While they were there, the Lord said:
3. Ezekiel, son of man, these men have started worshipping idols, though they know it will cause them to sin even more. So I refuse to give them a message!
4. Tell the people of Israel that if they sin by worshipping idols and then go to a prophet to find out what I say, I will give them the answer their sins deserve.
5. When they hear my message, perhaps they will see that they need to turn back to me and stop worshipping those idols.
6. Now, Ezekiel, tell everyone in Israel:I am the Lord God. Stop worshipping your disgusting idols and come back to me.
7. Suppose one of you Israelites or a foreigner living in Israel rejects me and starts worshipping idols. If you then go to a prophet to find out what I say, I will answer
8. by turning against you. I will make you a warning to anyone who might think of doing the same thing, and you will no longer belong to my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord and that you have sinned against me.
9. If a prophet gives a false message, I am the one who caused that prophet to lie. But I will still reject him and cut him off from my people,