Ezekiel 21:9-17 ▼

9 Mortal, prophesy and say: Thus says the Lord; Say: A sword, a sword is sharpened, it is also polished;

10 it is sharpened for slaughter, honed to flash like lightning! How can we make merry? You have despised the rod, and all discipline.

11 The sword is given to be polished, to be grasped in the hand; it is sharpened, the sword is polished, to be placed in the slayer’s hand.

12 Cry and wail, O mortal, for it is against my people; it is against all Israel’s princes; they are thrown to the sword, together with my people. Ah! Strike the thigh!

13 For consider: What! If you despise the rod, will it not happen? says the Lord GOD.

14 And you, mortal, prophesy; strike hand to hand. Let the sword fall twice, thrice; it is a sword for killing. A sword for great slaughter— it surrounds them;

15 therefore hearts melt and many stumble. At all their gates I have set the point of the sword. Ah! It is made for flashing, it is polished for slaughter.

16 Attack to the right! Engage to the left! —wherever your edge is directed.

17 I too will strike hand to hand, I will satisfy my fury; I the LORD have spoken.