Tertullian · a new plain-English translation from the original language
[1] If, then, both allegorical scriptures and the logic of things and plain statements shed light on the resurrection of the flesh, even without naming that substance outright, how much more must those texts not be called into question which fix this hope upon the actual bodily substances by explicit mention? [2] Take Ezekiel: "A hand of the Lord," so he tells it, "fell upon me, and by the Spirit the Lord bore me out and set me down amid a valley thick with bones. [3] And he took me around them on every side, and see, there was a great multitude across the face of the valley, and see, they were utterly parched. And he asked me, Son of man, can these dry bones come to life? [4] And I answered, Lord God, you alone know. [5] And he told me, Prophesy concerning these bones and declare: Withered bones, listen to the word of the Lord: [6] so speaks the Lord God to these bones — see, I am sending breath into you and life will return, [7] and sinews I will lay upon you and flesh I will restore to you and skin I will draw over you and breath I will give you, and you shall live and recognize that I am the Lord. [8] And I spoke the prophecy just as I was told, and see, as I prophesied there came a sound, and see, a rattling, and the bones drew together, each bone to its bone: [9] and I watched, and see, sinews and flesh rose upon the bones, and skin covered them over above, yet no breath was in them still. [10] And he told me, Prophesy to the breath, son of man; prophesy, and tell the breath: Thus speaks the Lord God — approach from the four winds, O breath, and blow upon these who were slain, so life returns to them. [11] And I prophesied to the breath just as he directed me, and the breath came into them, and life returned, and they rose upright on their feet, a vast and mighty army. [12] And he told me, Son of man, this multitude of bones stands for the entire household of Israel; they themselves declare: Our bones have withered and our hope is gone, we are utterly severed. [13] So prophesy to them: See, I am throwing open your tombs and drawing you up from your tombs, my people, and guiding you into Israel's land, [14] and you shall recognize that I am the Lord once I have thrown open your tombs and drawn you up from your tombs, my people, [15] and my breath I will give you and you shall live, and I will plant you in a land of your own, and you shall recognize that I, the Lord, have both spoken and accomplished it, declares the Lord.