Ezekiel 21:1-17

The Voice

21 The word of the Eternal once again came to me with a similar message.

Eternal One: ²Son of man, look toward Jerusalem, and speak against My temple. Prophesy against the whole land of Israel, ³and tell the land of Israel what the Eternal One says: “Pay attention. I am against you. I will draw My sword from its sheath and kill both the righteous and the wicked who live within your borders. ⁴Because I am going to kill everyone, both good and evil, all flesh from south to north will feel the wrath of My sword! ⁵Then everyone all over the world will know I, the Eternal One, have drawn My sword from its sheath and do not intend to return it.”

God tells Ezekiel to act out His message. He must demonstrate what it will be like when the bad news arrives of what has happened back home in Jerusalem.

⁶Now as for you, son of man, groan as if your heart is breaking. Groan in front of people because of your bitter agony! ⁷When they see you, they will ask you, “Why all this loud and noisy groaning?” Answer them this way: “I am groaning because of the horrible news that is coming. Every heart will melt, every hand will fall limp, every spirit will grow faint, and every knee will become as weak as water. So pay attention. The time is near! It is going to happen soon.”

So said the Eternal Lord.

⁸The word of the Eternal came to me.

Eternal One: ⁹Son of man, prophesy, and tell them this message is from the Eternal.

    A sword! Yes, a sword—
        keenly sharpened and polished.
¹⁰    A razor-sharp blade honed to slaughter anything in its path,
        polished to flash like lightning!

Should we celebrate My son’s scepter?
The sword repulses every such bit of wood.

¹¹    My sword is sent to be polished till radiant,
        comfortably wielded.
    It is keenly sharpened and brightly burnished,
        ready for the hand of the slayer.
¹²    Cry out and wail, son of man!
        My sword is against My people;
    It swings for all the princes of Israel.
        I have deserted them all—princes and people—to the wrath of My sword!
        Therefore, beat your thigh, Ezekiel, in front of everyone
    So they understand what a tragedy this is.
¹³    For the test will come;
        so what happens if the sword repulses the scepter
    And the scepter is gone?
        I, the Eternal Lord, say this to you.

¹⁴    As for you, son of man, prophesy;
        clap your hands loudly!
    Let the sword strike two, even three times!
        It is a sword honed and polished to massacre!
    This sword is ready for the great slaughter,
        coming after them on all sides.
¹⁵    Hearts will melt, and masses will fall
        because I have placed the tip of the blade at every city gate!
    Oh, this beautiful instrument flashes like lightning;
        it’s wrapped and ready for slaughter.
¹⁶    Now, My sword, thrust to the right—
        and slash to the left!
    Be ready to attack wherever the blade is turned.
¹⁷    I will clap My hands together,
        and I will cool My wrath once judgment has been executed.
    I, the Eternal One, have spoken.