A reading from the book of the prophet, Ezekiel.

The angel brought me, Ezekiel, back to the entrance of the temple of the Lord.

And I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east.

For the facade of the temple was toward the east. The water flowed down from the

right side of the temple south of the altar. He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the

outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the right side. Then, when he had walked off to the east where I saw water trickling from the right side. Then when he had walked off to the

east with a measuring cord in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and had me weighed through

the water, which was ankle deep. He measured off another thousand and once more had me weighed through the water, which was now knee deep. He measured off another thousand and once more had me wade through the water,

which was now knee-deep. Again, he measured off a thousand and had me wade. The water was up to my

waist. Once more, he measured off a thousand, but there was now a river through which I could not wait, for the

water had risen so high it had become a river that could not be crossed except by swimming.

He asked me, have you seen this, son of man?

Then he brought me to the bank of the river where he had me sit. Along the bank of the

river I saw very many trees on both sides. He said to me, this water flows into the eastern

district down upon the Araba and empties into the sea the salt waters which it makes fresh

wherever the river flows every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live and there shall be

abundant fish for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fish, for wherever this water comes, the sea shall be made fresh.

Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow.

Their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.

Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.

Their fruit shall serve for food and their leaves for medicine. The word of the Lord.

The Lord of hosts is with us. Our stronghold is the God of Jacob. God of God is

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