27. "Son of man, speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, 'The Lord and King says, "Your people spoke evil things against me long ago. They deserted me.
28. But I brought them into the land. I had taken an oath and promised to give the land to them. Then they offered sacrifices that made me very angry. They did it on every high hill and under every green tree. There they brought their sweet-smelling incense. And there they poured out their drink offerings.
29. Then I said to them, 'What? You are going to a high place?' " ' " That high place is called Bamah to this very day.
30. The Lord said to me, "Speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, 'The Lord and King says, "Are you going to pollute yourselves the way your people did? Do you long to see the statues of their evil gods?
31. You pollute yourselves by offering sacrifices to other gods. You even sacrifice your children in the fire. You continue to do those things to this very day. People of Israel, should I let you ask me for advice? I will not let you do that," announces the Lord and King. "And that is just as sure as I am alive.
32. " ' "You say, 'We want to be like the other nations. We want to be like all of the other people in the world. They serve gods that are made out of wood and stone.' But what you have in mind will never happen.
33. I will rule over you by reaching out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my burning anger out on you," announces the Lord and King. "And that is just as sure as I am alive.
34. " ' "I will bring you back from the nations. I will gather you together from the countries where you have been scattered. I will reach out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my burning anger out on you.
35. I will send you among the nations. There I will judge you face to face. It will be as if I were judging you in the desert again.
36. Long ago, I judged your people in the desert of Egypt. In the same way, I will judge you," announces the Lord and King.
37. " ' "I will take note of you as you pass under my shepherd's rod. I will separate those who obey me from those who do not. And I will give the blessings of the new covenant to those of you who obey me.