Ezekiel 1

1 In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, I was among the exiles by the Chebar River. The heavens opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 This was the fifth day of the month in the fifth year of King Joakim’s captivity. [a] 3 The Lord’s word came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar River, and the Lord’s hand came on me there. 4 I looked and saw a sweeping wind coming from the north. A great cloud was within it, surrounded by brightness and flashing fire. At its center was something like gleaming amber within the fire, and brightness was within it. 5 At its center was the likeness of four living creatures. Their appearance had a human likeness. 6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, their feet were winged, and sparks flashed like gleaming bronze. Their wings were light. 8 A human hand was beneath their wings on each of their four sides, and the four had faces. 9 Their faces did not turn when they moved. Each went straight ahead. 10 Each of the four had a human face, a lion’s face on the right, a calf’s face on the left, and an eagle’s face. † 11 The four had their wings spread above them. Each had two wings joined to those beside it and two covering its body. 12 Each went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit went, they went without turning. 13 Among the living creatures was something like burning coals, like lamps moving among them. The fire was bright, and lightning came from it. [b] 15 I looked and saw one wheel on the ground beside each of the four living creatures. 16 The wheels looked like beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their construction was like a wheel within a wheel. 17 They moved in any of the four directions without turning as they went. 18 Their rims did not turn, and they were high. I saw that all four rims were covered with eyes all around. 19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them. When the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose too. 20 Wherever the cloud moved, the spirit moved there. The wheels moved and rose with the living creatures because the spirit of life was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when they stood, the wheels stood; and when they rose from the ground, the wheels rose with them because the spirit of life was in the wheels. 22 Above the living creatures’ heads was the likeness of an expanse, looking like crystal and spread above their wings. 23 Their wings were spread beneath the expanse, one toward another. Each had two wings joined together, covering its body. 24 When they moved, I heard their wings like the sound of abundant water. When they stood, they lowered their wings. 25 Then a voice came from above the expanse over their heads. 26 Above the expanse was something like a sapphire stone, resembling a throne. High above the throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 From what appeared to be his waist upward, I saw something like amber. From his waist downward, I saw something like fire, with brightness all around him. 28 The surrounding brightness looked like a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the vision of the likeness of the Lord’s glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard someone speaking.