Ezekiel 47

Water from the temple

1He brought me back to the temple entrance. Water was flowing east from beneath its threshold, for the temple faced east. The water flowed down from beneath the temple’s right side, south of the altar. 2He led me out through the north gate and around outside to the outer gate facing east. Water was trickling from its right side. 3The man went east with a measuring cord in his hand. He measured a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. 4He measured another thousand and led me through knee-deep water. He measured another thousand and led me through waist-deep water. 5He measured another thousand. Now it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen, deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. 6He asked me, “Have you seen this, son of man?” Then he led me back to the riverbank. 7When I returned, I saw very many trees along both banks of the river. 8He told me, “This water flows into the eastern region and down into the Arabah. When it enters the sea, the sea’s waters are healed. 9Every living creature that swarms wherever the streams go will live. There will be very many fish, because this water comes there and heals the waters. Everything will live wherever the river goes. 10Fishermen will stand along it. From En-gedi to En-eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. Its fish will be of many kinds, as numerous as the fish of the Great Sea. 11But its marshes and pools will not be healed; they will be left for salt. 12Every kind of food tree will grow along both riverbanks. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fresh fruit each month because their water comes from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

The land’s boundaries

13This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you must divide the land as an inheritance among Israel’s twelve tribes. Joseph will have two portions. 14You must inherit equal shares. I raised my hand in an oath to give this land to your ancestors, and it will fall to you as an inheritance. 15“This is the land’s boundary: on the north, from the Great Sea along the road to Hethlon, toward Zedad, 16Hamath, Berothah, and Sibraim, which lies between the territories of Damascus and Hamath, and Hazer-hatticon on the border of Hauran. 17The boundary will run from the sea to Hazar-enon, along the northern border of Damascus, with Hamath’s territory to the north. This is the northern side. 18“On the east, between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead and Israel’s land, the Jordan forms the boundary. Measure from the boundary down to the eastern sea. This is the eastern side. 19“On the south, the boundary runs from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Wadi to the Great Sea. This is the southern side. 20“On the west, the Great Sea is the boundary, up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the western side.

An inheritance for residents

21“Divide this land among yourselves according to Israel’s tribes. 22Allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the resident foreigners among you who have children among you. You must treat them like native-born Israelites; they will receive an inheritance with you among Israel’s tribes. 23In whatever tribe a resident foreigner lives, there you must give that person an inheritance, declares the Lord GOD.”