Ezekiel 11:1-13

New Century Version

Prophecies Against Evil Leaders

11 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the front gate of the Temple of the Lord, which faces east. I saw twenty-five men where the gate opens, among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders of the people. ² Then the Lord said to me, “Human, these are the men who plan evil and give wicked advice in this city of Jerusalem. ³ They say, ‘It is almost time for us to build houses. This city is like a cooking pot, and we are like the best meat.’ ⁴ So prophesy against them, prophesy, human.”

⁵ Then the Spirit of the Lord entered me and told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: You have said these things, people of Israel, and I know what you are thinking. ⁶ You have killed many people in this city, filling its streets with their bodies.

⁷ “So this is what the Lord God says: Those people you have killed and left in the middle of the city are like the best meat, and this city is like the cooking pot. But I will force you out of the city. ⁸ You have feared the sword, but I will bring a sword against you, says the Lord God. ⁹ I will force you out of the city and hand you over to strangers and punish you. ¹⁰ You will die by the sword. I will punish you at the border of Israel so you will know that I am the Lord. ¹¹ This city will not be your cooking pot, and you will not be the best meat in the middle of it. I will punish you at the border of Israel. ¹² Then you will know that I am the Lord. You did not live by my rules or obey my laws. Instead, you did the same things as the nations around you.”

¹³ As I prophesied, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I bowed facedown on the ground and shouted with a loud voice, “Oh no, Lord God! Will you completely destroy the Israelites who are left alive?”