Ezekiel 33:31
New International Version
My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.

New Living Translation
So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.

English Standard Version
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.

Berean Standard Bible
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

King James Bible
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

New King James Version
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

New American Standard Bible
And they come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them; for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart follows their unlawful gain.

NASB 1995
“They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain.

NASB 1977
“And they come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people, and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain.

Legacy Standard Bible
They come to you as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their greedy gain.

Amplified Bible
They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not practice them; for with their mouth they express loving devotion, but their heart goes after their (unlawful) gain.

Christian Standard Bible
So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So My people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest profit.

American Standard Version
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.

Contemporary English Version
So they all come and listen to you, but they refuse to do what you tell them. They claim to be faithful, but they are forever trying to cheat others out of their money.

English Revised Version
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you.[]They listen to what you say, but they don't do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits.

Good News Translation
So my people crowd in to hear what you have to say, but they don't do what you tell them to do. Loving words are on their lips, but they continue their greedy ways.

International Standard Version
Then they come to you as a group, sit down right in front of you as if they were my people, hear your words—and then they don't do what you say— because they're seeking only their own desires, they pursue ill-gotten profits, and they keep following their own self-interests.

Majority Standard Bible
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

NET Bible
They come to you in crowds, and they sit in front of you as my people. They hear your words, but do not obey them. For they talk lustfully, and their heart is set on their own advantage.

New Heart English Bible
They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they come to thee as the people come, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

World English Bible
They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they come in to you as the coming in of a people, "" And they sit before you—My people, "" And have heard your words, and they do not do them, "" For they are making unhealthy loves with their mouth, "" Their heart is going after their dishonest gain.

Young's Literal Translation
And they come in unto thee as the coming in of a people, And they sit before thee -- My people, And have heard thy words, and they do them not, For doting loves with their mouth they are making, After their dishonest gain their heart is going.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will come to thee, according to the coming of the people, and they will sit before thee my people, and they heard thy words, and they did them not: for they making loves with their mouth, their heart went after their plunder.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they come to thee, as if a people were coming in, and my people sit before thee: and hear thy words, and do them not: for they turn them into a song of their mouth, and their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they come to you, as if the people were entering, and my people sit before you. And they listen to your words, but they do not do them. For they turn them into a song for their mouth, but their heart pursues their own avarice.

New American Bible
My people come to you, gathering as a crowd and sitting in front of you to hear your words, but they will not act on them. Love songs are on their lips, but in their hearts they pursue dishonest gain.

New Revised Standard Version
They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not obey them. For flattery is on their lips, but their heart is set on their gain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the people come to you and sit before you, and they hear your words, but they will not do them, because their mouths are full of falsehood and they follow after the thoughts of their own hearts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the people are coming to you and are sitting before you and hearing your words, and they do not do them, because a lie is in their mouths, and it is after the mind of their heart they are going
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and come unto thee as the people cometh, and sit before thee as My people, and hear thy words, but do them not--for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They approach thee as a people comes together, and sit before thee, and hear thy words, but they will not do them: for there is falsehood in their mouth, and their heart goes after their pollutions.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Word of Jerusalem's Fall
30As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD!’ 31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. 32Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.…

Cross References
Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Mark 7:6-7
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Jeremiah 12:2
You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

Psalm 78:36-37
But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues. / Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

Isaiah 58:2
For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”

Jeremiah 7:9-10
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Hosea 6:4-6
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes. / Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. / For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they come to you as the people comes, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness.

Ezekiel 8:1
And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.

Ezekiel 14:1
Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

Ezekiel 20:1
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

they sit before thee as my people.

Jeremiah 6:16,17
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein

Jeremiah 43:1-7
And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words, …

Jeremiah 44:16
As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

for with

Deuteronomy 5:28,29
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken…

Psalm 78:36,37
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues…

Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Isaiah 28:13
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Jeremiah 23:33-38
And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD…

Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

but their

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Matthew 19:22
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Jump to Previous
Covetousness Desires Doting Express Expressed Gain Goes Hear Heard Hearing Heart Love Mouth Mouths Practice Profit Seated Shew Show Sit Themselves Usually Words
Jump to Next
Covetousness Desires Doting Express Expressed Gain Goes Hear Heard Hearing Heart Love Mouth Mouths Practice Profit Seated Shew Show Sit Themselves Usually Words
Ezekiel 33
1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17. He maintains his justice
21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25. he prophecies the desolation of the land
30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets














So My people come to you as usual
This phrase indicates a routine or habitual action, suggesting that the people of Israel regularly sought out the prophet Ezekiel. This reflects a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament where the Israelites would seek prophetic guidance during times of crisis or uncertainty. The phrase "as usual" implies a superficial engagement, highlighting a disconnect between their actions and their intentions. Historically, this period was marked by the Babylonian exile, a time when the Israelites were seeking answers and hope.

sit before you
Sitting before a prophet was a sign of respect and a desire to learn, similar to how disciples would sit at the feet of their teacher. This posture indicates a willingness to listen, yet the context reveals a lack of genuine commitment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting was also a position of judgment, suggesting that the people were evaluating Ezekiel's words rather than submitting to them.

and hear your words
Hearing in the biblical sense often implies obedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, where the Shema calls for Israel to "hear" and obey. However, the subsequent context in Ezekiel reveals a disconnect between hearing and doing. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God's people are called to be doers of the word, not just hearers (James 1:22).

but they do not put them into practice
This highlights the central issue of hypocrisy and disobedience. The Israelites' failure to act on God's words is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, where God desires obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). This phrase underscores the importance of living out one's faith, a principle echoed by Jesus in the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32).

Although they express love with their mouths
This phrase points to the superficiality of the people's devotion. It echoes Isaiah 29:13, where God laments that the people honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. This lip service is contrasted with the genuine love and obedience that God desires, as seen in the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart (Matthew 22:37).

their hearts pursue dishonest gain
The heart, in biblical terms, represents the center of one's being and intentions. Here, the heart's pursuit of dishonest gain reveals the true motivations of the people. This pursuit of material wealth and self-interest is condemned throughout Scripture, as in the warnings against greed and the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). The contrast between outward expressions and inward motivations is a key theme in Jesus' teachings, particularly in His rebukes of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:25-28).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God, called to be a watchman for the house of Israel, delivering God's messages to the people.

2. The People of Israel
The audience of Ezekiel's prophecies, often characterized by their disobedience and hard-heartedness.

3. God
The ultimate speaker through Ezekiel, expressing His disappointment with the people's insincere worship.

4. The House of Israel
Refers to the collective nation of Israel, often used to denote their covenant relationship with God.

5. The Watchman
A metaphor for Ezekiel's role, emphasizing his responsibility to warn the people of impending judgment.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Lip Service
It's easy to profess faith with our mouths while our hearts are far from God. True faith requires aligning our actions with our words.

The Role of the Heart
God desires genuine devotion. Our hearts should be fully committed to Him, not divided by personal gain or selfish desires.

The Importance of Obedience
Hearing God's word is not enough; we must also put it into practice. Obedience is a key indicator of genuine faith.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your heart and motives. Are you pursuing God's will or your own interests?

The Watchman's Responsibility
Like Ezekiel, we are called to be watchmen, sharing God's truth with others and living it out in our own lives.(31) As the people cometh.--In the original, according to the coming of a people--i.e., in crowds. In the following clause, "as my people," there is an emphasis on the pronoun, as the true people of God. Such was their outward bearing, while their inward disposition was far different.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So My people
עָ֞ם (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

come
וְיָב֣וֹאוּ (wə·yā·ḇō·w·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to you
אֵ֠לֶיךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

as usual,
כִּמְבוֹא־ (kim·ḇō·w-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards

sit
וְיֵשְׁב֤וּ (wə·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

before you,
לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and hear
וְשָֽׁמְעוּ֙ (wə·šā·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

your words;
דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ (də·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

but they do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

put them into practice.
יַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ (ya·‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

Although
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֣מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

express
עֹשִׂ֔ים (‘ō·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

love
עֲגָבִ֤ים (‘ă·ḡā·ḇîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 5690: Love, amative words

with their mouths,
בְּפִיהֶם֙ (bə·p̄î·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

their hearts
לִבָּ֥ם (lib·bām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

pursue
הֹלֵֽךְ׃ (hō·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

dishonest gain.
בִצְעָ֖ם (ḇiṣ·‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1215: Gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit


Links
Ezekiel 33:31 NIV
Ezekiel 33:31 NLT
Ezekiel 33:31 ESV
Ezekiel 33:31 NASB
Ezekiel 33:31 KJV

Ezekiel 33:31 BibleApps.com
Ezekiel 33:31 Biblia Paralela
Ezekiel 33:31 Chinese Bible
Ezekiel 33:31 French Bible
Ezekiel 33:31 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:31 They come to you as the people (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:30
Top of Page
Top of Page