But the people of Israel will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to Me. As I told you, the Israelites are a hard-headed, stubborn-hearted people.

Son of man, take to heart all the words I am speaking to you. Listen carefully to what I am saying.

In the nations where they have been taken as exiles, those who have been spared will remember Me—how I have been wounded by their promiscuous hearts that turned away from Me, how I have been hurt by their wandering eyes that desired lifeless idols. They will hate themselves for the evil they have done and for their detestable actions.

Eternal One: When they return home, they will demolish all the disgusting idols and remove all the shocking images from the land.

I will give them a new will—an undivided heart—and plant a new spirit within them; I will remove their cold, stony heart and replace it with a warm heart of flesh.

I am going to recapture the hearts of Israel, all of whom have deserted Me for their idols.”

How sick is your heart as you instigate all these vile perversions, the deeds of a brazen harlot?

Get rid of all your wicked ways! Acquire a new heart and a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, people of Israel?

Now as for you, son of man, groan as if your heart is breaking. Groan in front of people because of your bitter agony!

When 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.

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.

This is what the Eternal Lord has to say about Ammon: Eternal One: Because you have clapped your hands and stomped your feet, delighting with a malevolent heart against the land of Israel,

Your territory extends to the heart of the seas; your builders have perfected your beauty.

Commerce was bustling as Tarshish’s ships transported your goods. In the heart of the sea your docks were full, Tyre, and your business brought you glory and success.

Expert seafarers row you out into the high seas; there, a squall from the east shatters you in the heart of the sea!

All is lost: your treasures and goods and products along with all crew aboard—seafarers, pilots, carpenters, traders, and soldiers. Everyone and everything will sink into the heart of the sea when the ship is wrecked.

And they shout their dirge over your demise: “Who is like Tyre, sunken and silent in the heart of the sea?”

Eternal One: Son of man, go to the prince of Tyre, and give him this message. This is what I, Eternal Lord, have to say: Your heart is swollen with pride— a pride that says, “I am a god. I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.” But I assure you, prince, you are nothing more than a mortal man—a man of mortal destiny. Even though you have the self-confidence of a god, you are made entirely of flesh and blood.

Your knack for trade has built your wealth, but your success and riches have made your heart swell with pride.

They will force you down to the pit, and you will die the death of those struck down in the heart of the sea.

Your heart swelled with pride because of your beauty and talents. Your hunger for fame, your thirst for glory corrupted your wisdom. This is why I drove you to the ground and made an example out of you before a company of kings.

Foreigners who strike terror in the heart of the nations chopped it down and left it to rot. Its mighty branches crashed to the ground upon mountains and valleys. Its limbs shattered in ravines and littered rivers and streams. The tree was no longer a giant and no longer provided cool shade, so all the nations of the earth abandoned it.

I will disturb the hearts of many people across the world with accounts of your destruction. The news will travel to places you have never heard of or knew existed.

Because they infected the land, pouring out innocent blood and filling their hearts and homes with idols, I poured out My wrath upon them.

I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony heart and give you a willing, tender heart of flesh.