Ezekiel 21:8-13

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁸ And the word of the Lord came to me: ⁹ “Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, Say:

Or do we make mirth? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood. ¹¹ So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be handled; it is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer. ¹² Cry and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the princes of Israel; they are delivered over to the sword with my people. Smite therefore upon your thigh. ¹³ For it will not be a testing—what could it do if you despise the rod?” says the Lord God.