1. The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
3. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."
4. Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
5. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.
6. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."
7. So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
9. Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."
10. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11. Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'
12. Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.
14. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.' "
(Ezek.37:1-14 NKJV)
Addendum:
Jesus tells the story of a man who asked his two sons to go and work in his vineyard. One agreed but did not go. The other refused but later relented and went. Jesus then points out that it is he who actually obeys the Father that inherits his kingdom (Mt 21:28-32). This shows salvation is earned by works of righteousness and not just through vain confessions.
Moreover, we are saved at the end of our walk with God and not at the beginning (1 Pet 1:9). The seed of the word of God may be planted in us initially. However, it might ultimately be unfruitful if it falls by the wayside, on stony places or among thorns (Mt 13:3-9). Jesus says those who endure to the end will be saved (Mt 24:13).
