Ezekiel 21:1-32 NET

[1] (21:6) The LORD' s message came to me: [2] "Son of man, turn toward Jerusalem and speak out against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel [3] and say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: Look, I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. [4] Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will go out from its sheath against everyone from the south to the north. [5] Then everyone will know that I am the LORD, who drew my sword from its sheath-it will not be sheathed again!' [6] "And you, son of man, groan with an aching heart and bitterness; groan before their eyes. [7] When they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you will reply, 'Because of the report that has come. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand will be limp; everyone will faint, and every knee will be wet with urine.' Pay attention-it is coming and it will happen, declares the Sovereign LORD." [8] The LORD' s message came to me: [9] "Son of man, prophesy and say: 'This is what the Lord says: "'A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also polished. [10] It is sharpened for slaughter, it is polished to flash like lightning! "'Should we rejoice in the scepter of my son? No! The sword despises every tree! [11] "'He gave it to be polished, to be grasped in the hand-the sword is sharpened, it is polished-giving it into the hand of the executioner. [12] Cry out and moan, son of man, for it is wielded against my people; against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered up to the sword, along with my people. Therefore, strike your thigh. [13] "'For testing will come, and what will happen when the scepter, which the sword despises, is no more? declares the Sovereign LORD.' [14] "And you, son of man, prophesy, and clap your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times! It is a sword for slaughter, a sword for the great slaughter surrounding them. [15] So hearts melt with fear and many stumble. At all their gates I have stationed the sword for slaughter. Ah! It is made to flash, it is drawn for slaughter! [16] Cut sharply on the right! Swing to the left, wherever your edge is appointed to strike. [17] I too will clap my hands together, I will exhaust my rage; I the LORD have spoken." [18] The LORD' s message came to me: [19] "You, son of man, mark out two routes for the king of Babylon's sword to take; both of them will originate in a single land. Make a signpost and put it at the beginning of the road leading to the city. [20] Mark out the routes for the sword to take: 'Rabbah of the Ammonites' and 'Judah with Jerusalem in it.' [21] For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road at the head of the two routes. He looks for omens: He shakes arrows, he consults idols, he examines animal livers. [22] Into his right hand comes the portent for Jerusalem-to set up battering rams, to give the signal for slaughter, to shout out the battle cry, to set up battering rams against the gates, to erect a siege ramp, to build a siege wall. [23] But those in Jerusalem will view it as a false omen. They have sworn solemn oaths, but the king of Babylon will accuse them of violations in order to seize them. [24] "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because you have brought up your own guilt by uncovering your transgressions and revealing your sins through all your actions, for this reason you will be taken by force. [25] "'As for you, profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of final punishment, [26] this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Tear off the turban; take off the crown! Things must change. Exalt the lowly; bring low the exalted! [27] A total ruin I will make it! Indeed, this will not be until he comes to whom is the right, and I will give it to him.' [28] "As for you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says concerning the Ammonites and their coming humiliation: "'A sword, a sword drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning- [29] while seeing false visions about you and reading lying omens about you-to place you on the necks of the profane wicked, whose day has come, the time of final punishment. [30] Return it to its sheath! In the place where you were created, in your native land, I will judge you. [31] I will pour out my anger on you; the fire of my fury I will blow on you. I will hand you over to brutal men, who are skilled in destruction. [32] You will become fuel for the fire-your blood will stain the middle of the land; you will no longer be remembered, for I, the LORD, have spoken.'"