Ezekiel 47

1He brought me back to the entrance of the house, and there—water was flowing out from beneath the threshold of the house toward the east, for the front of the house faced east. The water was flowing down from beneath the south side of the house, south of the altar. 2He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around outside to the outer gate that faces east. There—the water was trickling out from the south side.

3As the man went out eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits and led me through the water—water up to the ankles. 4He measured another thousand and led me through the water—water up to the knees. He measured another thousand and led me through—water up to the waist. 5He measured another thousand: a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen—water deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.

6He said to me, “Have you seen this, mortal?” Then he led me and brought me back to the bank of the river. 7When I returned, there—on the bank of the river—were very many trees, on this side and on that side.

8He said to me, “These waters flow out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah. They enter the sea, the sea where the waters flow out, and the waters are healed. 9“Every living creature that swarms wherever the streams go will live. There will be very many fish, because these waters go there and are healed. Everything will live wherever the river goes. 10“Fishers will stand beside it, from En-gedi as far as En-eglaim. It will be a place for spreading nets. Its fish will be of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea—very many. 11“But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they are given over to salt. 12“On both banks of the river every kind of food tree will grow. Its leaves will not wither, and its fruit will not fail. Every month it will bear first fruit, because its water flows from the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaves for healing.”

13Thus says the LORD GOD: “This is the boundary by which you are to receive the land as an inheritance for the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. 14You shall inherit it, each one like another, the land that I raised my hand to give to your ancestors; this land shall fall to you as an inheritance.

15“This is the boundary of the land on the north side: from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon, toward Lebo-hamath, Zedad, 16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which lies between the boundary of Damascus and the boundary of Hamath, and Hazer-hattikon, which is toward the boundary of Hauran. 17The boundary shall run from the sea to Hazar-enan, along the boundary of Damascus, with the boundary of Hamath to the north. This is the north side.

18“The east side shall run between Hauran and Damascus, between Gilead and the land of Israel, along the Jordan, from the northern boundary to the eastern sea. You shall measure this as the east side.

19“The south side, toward the south, shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meriboth-kadesh, then along the wadi to the Great Sea. This is the south side toward the south.

20“The west side shall be the Great Sea, from the southern boundary to opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side.

21“You shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

22You shall assign it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and who have borne children among you. They shall be to you as native-born Israelites; with you they shall receive an inheritance by lot among the tribes of Israel. 23In whatever tribe the sojourner resides, there you shall give that person an inheritance,” declares the LORD GOD.