From Swedenborg's Works

 

The Inner Meaning of the Prophets and Psalms #128

  
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128. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 5

It is represented how they have destroyed the sense of the letter. (2)

1-2 In part they have adulterated the sense of the letter, in part have falsified it, and in part forsaken it; nevertheless, they will continue to falsify it. (2)

3 They will profane all the truths of the church. (2)

5-7 Because they have perverted the truths of the church more than others, (3)

8-10 falsities have destroyed goods, and evils truths until nothing of good and truth is left; (3)

11-12 and because they have destroyed the church by profaning it, they will perish, as above. (3)

13 Afterward the church will be instituted among others, (11)

14-17 since all things of the Word, of doctrine and of the church have previously been consummated by profanities, and by evils and falsities. (3)

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for the permission to use this translation.

The Bible

 

Ezekiel 4:4-8

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4 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.

5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

7 Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.

8 And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.

      

The Bible

 

Ezekiel 4:3

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3 Take for yourself an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between you and the city: and set your face toward it, and it shall be besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.