A new translation of
Chapter 47
Verses 1 - 12 [translator/editor
Stephen L. Cook of Virginia Theol. Seminary]
The Sacred River
Next the guide brought me
back to the entrance of the
temple building. Look:
water was streaming out
eastward from beneath the
temple's elevated platform,
since the Temple faced east.
The water was flowing down
from under the southern side
of the temple's facade, past
the south side of the central
altar. The man then took me
out of the Temple compound
by way of the outer north
gatehouse and led me around
on the outside to the outer
gatehouse that faces east.
And look: the water was gurgling
out on the south side of the
gatehouse.
As the man went on eastward with
a measuring line in his hand, he
measured off 580 yards [downstream
to the southeast, about 1/3 mile]. He
had me go through the water; the
water came up to my ankles. Then
he measured another 580 yards and
had me go through the water; it came
up to my knees. Another 580 yards
farther downstream, he had me go
through waist-deep water. He
measured 580 yards more, and there
it was a river that I was not able to
cross by wading. It was too deep to
cross except by swimming. The
water had swollen into what could
be crossed only by swimming --
an impassable river. Then he
said to me, Human One, are you
seeing this?
Then the guide brought me back,
returning me to the riverbank. When
I got there, Look! On the banks of
the river were very many trees, on
both sides. He said to me,
These waters are flowing out
toward the eastern region and
will go down into the Jordan
Valley and the Dead Sea -- the
sea of stagnant waters. Then
the waters of the Dead Sea are
healed and become fresh. Swarms
of living creatures will thrive
when the double river flows.
Fish will abound. These waters go
there down into the Jordan Valley
so that the waters of the Dead Sea
may be healed and become fresh.
Everything returns to life where
the river flows. People will
stand fishing on its banks from
Engedi to Eneglaim. The shores
will have nets drying in the sun.
They will catch an abundance of fish
there of all kinds, a variety like
that of the Great Sea (the Mediterranean).
Its swamps and marshes, however,
will not become fresh. They will
serve to supply salt. On each bank
of the river all kinds of trees will
grow to provide food. Their leaves
will never wither and their fruit will
never be exhausted. They will
produce fresh fruit every month,
because of their water source. It's
out from the sanctuary that
their waters come flowing. Their
fruit will provide food and their
leaves will be used for healing
people."
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