A Prophecy against Jerusalem

22 This message came to me from the Lord: ² “Now, Son of Man, will you truly judge that blood-stained city? Then make her aware of all of her detestable practices.

³ “You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “The city keeps on shedding blood within her, hastening her time to be judged. She crafts idols that defile her.

⁴ “‘“You’re guilty because of the blood that you’ve shed. You were defiled by the idols that you’ve made. You’ve caused your judgment day to draw near and have even come to the end of^[a] your life. Therefore, I’ve made you an object of derision among the nations and to other^[b] lands. ⁵ Those who are both near and far away from you will scoff at you, because your reputation will be infamous and full of turmoil.

⁶ “‘“Watch out! Each of the princes of Israel has misused his authority to shed blood. ⁷ They’ve treated mothers and fathers among you with contempt. They’ve oppressed the foreigner among you. They’ve maltreated the orphan and the widow among you.

⁸ “‘“You have despised my sacred things and profaned my Sabbaths. ⁹ Slanderous men live among you, intent on shedding blood. They’ve eaten at the top of mountain shrines. They’ve crafted plans to do evil things among you. ¹⁰ They’ve revealed the nakedness of their father in your midst. They’ve humiliated those among you who were unclean due to their impurity. ¹¹ One of you commits detestable practices with his neighbor’s wife. Another sexually defiles his daughter-in-law. Another humiliates his sister, his own father’s daughter. ¹² They take bribes among you to shed blood. You’ve taken usury and exacted interest. You’ve gained control over your neighbor through extortion. And you’ve forgotten me,” declares the Lord God.

¹³ “Watch out! I’m vehemently angry about^[c] the unjust gains that you’ve earned, and about the blood that has been shed among you. ¹⁴ Can your heart stand up to this? Can your hands remain strong when I deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken and will fulfill this. ¹⁵ I’m going to disperse you among the nations and scatter you to other lands. I’m going to put an end to your uncleanness. ¹⁶ When you’ve been defiled in the sight of the nations, then you’ll know that I am the Lord.”’”