Ezekiel 21:9-17 ▼

9 “Son of man, prophesy and say, thus says the Lord: Say, ‘A sword, a sword is sharpened, also polished,

10 it is sharpened in order to slaughter a slaughter; it is polished in order that it may become lightning. Or should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? It is despising every such stick?

11 And He has given it to be polished, to grasp it in the palm; the sword is sharpened and it is polished, to be given it into the hand of the one slaying.

12 Cry and wail, O son of man! For it shall be upon my people; it is against all the princes of Israel! They are cast to the sword they will be upon My people! Therefore strike upon your thigh.

13 For there is a testing; and what if even the scepter it is despising does not continue!’ An utterance of the Lord YHWH.

14 ‘And you, son of man, prophesy and strike together the palm, and let the sword come twice—a third time—the sword of the slain! It is the sword of great slaughter that is surrounding them,

15 in order to melt the heart and to increase those stumbling. Against all their gates I have appointed a sword for slaughter. Ah, it is made as lightning; it is grasped for slaughter!

16 Slash, thrust right, set it, thrust left, wherever your face is appointed!

17 And I also will strike My palm to My palm, and My fury I will cause to rest.’ I, YHWH, have spoken.”