Ezekiel 20:12-20

12I also gave them my Sabbaths as a reminder of our relationship, so that they would know that I, the Lord, sanctify them.

13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not follow my statutes and they rejected my regulations (the one who obeys them will live by them), and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my rage on them in the wilderness and destroy them.

14I acted for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

15I also swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them to the land I had given them – a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

16I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols.

17Yet I had pity on them and did not destroy them, so I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.

18“‘But I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the practices of your fathers; do not observe their regulations, nor defile yourselves with their idols.

19I am the Lord your God; follow my statutes, observe my regulations, and carry them out.

20Treat my Sabbaths as holy and they will be a reminder of our relationship, and then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”