Ezekiel 21:12-22

Complete Jewish Bible

¹²⁽⁷⁾Then, when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you will answer, ‘Because of the news, because it’s coming. All hearts will melt, all hands hang limp, all spirits faint and all knees turn to water; here, it’s coming, it will happen,’ says Adonai Elohim.”

¹³⁽⁸⁾The word of Adonai came to me: ¹⁴⁽⁹⁾“Human being, prophesy. Say that Adonai Elohim says to say this:

‘A sword, a sword has been sharpened and polished,
¹⁵⁽¹⁰⁾sharpened in order to slaughter and slaughter,
polished to flash like lightning.
But how can we rejoice?
My son rejects the rod
and every other stick.
¹⁶⁽¹¹⁾The sword was given to be polished,
so that it could be wielded;
it was sharpened and polished
to be placed in the slaughterer’s hand.’

¹⁷⁽¹²⁾“Shout and wail, human being, because it’s coming upon my people, upon all the leaders of Isra’el — they will be victims of the sword along with my people. Strike your thigh in remorse! ¹⁸⁽¹³⁾For a test is coming, and what if he rejects the rod again then? He will cease to exist,” says Adonai Elohim.

¹⁹⁽¹⁴⁾“Therefore, human being, prophesy and clap your hands together. Then the sword will strike twice, three times, the sword for victims, the sword for a great slaughter, coming from every direction. ²⁰⁽¹⁵⁾So that their hearts will melt, and many will stumble and fall, I have posted the point of the sword at every one of their gates. See how it flashes, sharpened for the kill!

²¹⁽¹⁶⁾“Sword!
Slash to the right; destroy to the left,
whichever way your edge is aimed!
²²⁽¹⁷⁾I too will clap my hands together
and satisfy my fury.

I, Adonai, have spoken.”

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