Ezekiel 21:8-17

New International Version

⁸The word of the Lord came to me: ⁹“Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘A sword, a sword,
sharpened and polished—
¹⁰sharpened for the slaughter,^(A)
polished to flash like lightning!

“‘Shall we rejoice in the scepter of my royal son? The sword despises every such stick.^(B)

¹¹“‘The sword is appointed to be polished,^(C)
    to be grasped with the hand;
it is sharpened and polished,
    made ready for the hand of the slayer.
¹²Cry out and wail, son of man,
    for it is against my people;
    it is against all the princes of Israel.
They are thrown to the sword
    along with my people.
Therefore beat your breast.^(D)

¹³“‘Testing will surely come. And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue? declares the Sovereign Lord.’

¹⁴“So then, son of man, prophesy
    and strike your hands^(E) together.
Let the sword strike twice,
    even three times.
It is a sword for slaughter—
    a sword for great slaughter,
    closing in on them from every side.^(F)
¹⁵So that hearts may melt with fear^(G)
    and the fallen be many,
I have stationed the sword for slaughter^[a]
    at all their gates.
Look! It is forged to strike like lightning,
    it is grasped for slaughter.^(H)
¹⁶Slash to the right, you sword,
    then to the left,
    wherever your blade is turned.
¹⁷I too will strike my hands^(I) together,
    and my wrath^(J) will subside.
I the Lord have spoken.^(K)”