Ezekiel 33:31

29 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the abominations they have committed.’

30 As 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!’

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.

32 Indeed, 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.

33 So when it comes to pass—and surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
And they come unto thee as a people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they do them not; for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their dishonest gain.
BLB
And they come to you, like the coming of people, and they sit before you—My people, and they hear your words, and they will not do them; for they do loves with their mouth; their heart is pursuing after dishonest gain.
ÅB
Så kommer de til deg i store skarer, og de setter seg foran deg som mitt folk og hører dine ord, men de gjør ikke etter dem; for det som er etter deres smak, det gjør de, og til vinning står deres hu.
OTB
Og de kommer til deg som folk kommer, og sitter foran deg som mitt folk og hører dine ord, men de setter dem ikke ut i livet. Deres munn taler om kjærlighet, men deres hjerter jager etter urettferdig vinning.
B1930
Så kommer de til dig i store skarer, og de setter sig foran dig som mitt folk og hører dine ord, men de gjør ikke efter dem; for det som er efter deres smak, det gjør de, og til vinning står deres hu.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 78:36–37

    But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 13:22

    The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

    Read in context
  • James 1:22–24

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

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:28

    But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • James 2:14–16

    What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 8:1

    In the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, I was sitting in my house, and the elders of Judah were sitting before me; and there the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 44:16

    “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!

    Read in context