Ezekiel 21:1-7 ▼

1 This message came to me from the LORD:

2 |Son of Man, look toward Jerusalem, preach against its sanctuaries, and prophesy against Israel's land.

3 Declare to Israel, 'This is what the LORD says: |Watch out! I'm against you! I'm going to unsheathe my sword to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you.

4 Since I'm going to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you, I'll be unsheathing my sword against everyone from south to north.

5 Then everyone will know that I am the LORD, who unsheathed my sword, and who won't have to unsheathe it again.|'

6 |And now, Son of Man, you are to start groaning until you're sick to your stomach. You are to groan bitterly right in front of them.

7 When they'll ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you are to say, 'Because of the news that just arrived. Every heart will melt with fear, every hand will grow limp, every spirit will grow faint, and every knee will glisten with sweat.' Look! It has come and it will be fulfilled,| declares the Lord GOD.