1. "Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel. Tell them, 'Mountains of Israel, listen to the Lord's message.
2. The Lord and King says, "Your enemies made fun of you. They bragged, 'The hills you lived in for a long time belong to us now.' " '
3. "Ezekiel, prophesy. Say, 'The Lord and King says, "Your enemies destroyed you. They hunted you down from every side. So the rest of the nations took over your land. People talked about you. They told lies about you." ' "
4. Mountains of Israel, listen to the message of the Lord and King. He speaks to you mountains, hills, canyons and valleys. He speaks to you destroyed cities and deserted towns. The rest of the nations around you took everything of value away from you. They made fun of you.
5. So the Lord and King says, "My anger burns against those nations. I have spoken against them and the whole land of Edom. They were very happy when they took over my land. Deep down inside them they hated Israel. They wanted to take its grasslands.
6. "Ezekiel, prophesy about the land of Israel. Speak to the mountains, hills, canyons and valleys. Tell them, 'The Lord and King says, "My jealous anger burns against the nations. They have laughed at you."
7. So the Lord and King says, "I raise my hand and take an oath. I promise that the nations around you will also be laughed at.
8. " ' "Mountains of Israel, you will produce branches and bear fruit for my people Israel. They will come home soon.
9. I am concerned about you. I will look on you with favor. Farmers will plow your ground. They will plant seeds in it.
10. " ' "I will multiply the number of people who live in Israel. The towns will no longer be empty. Their broken-down houses will be rebuilt.
11. I will increase the number of your people and animals. They will have many babies. I will settle people in your towns, just as I did in the past. I will help you succeed more than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
12. " ' "I will let my people Israel walk there again. They will possess you. They will receive you as their own. You will never take their children away from them again." ' "