Ezekiel 21:8-24

YAHWEH spoke to me again, saying, “Son of man, prophesy the message that I, the Lord, give you: “A sword, a sword of judgment has been sharpened and polished, sharpened for a great slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the dynasty of my son, Judah? No! The sword despises every such stick. I handed over the sword for someone to polish so he can use it, sharp, shiny, and ready for the hand of the executioner. Shout and wail, son of man, for the sword will come against my people, and all the leaders of Israel. They are thrown to the sword like the rest of my people. So beat your breast in anguish, for surely, I am testing my people. What if the scepter of Judah, despised by the sword, does not survive? I, Lord YAHWEH, have spoken. “So prophesy, son of man, and strike hand to hand in anger! Let the sword strike twice, even three times. For the sword is prepared for those to be slain, a mighty sword to terrify, with a great slaughter from every side! This sword will make them stumble and fall, and their hearts will melt with fear. I have posted the threatening sword at every gate to flash like lightning, polished for the slaughter. Slash to the right, and ready on the left, whichever way your blade turns! I also will strike hand to hand in anger and satisfy my fury! I, YAHWEH, have spoken.” Then YAHWEH said to me: “Son of man, mark out two roads for the king of Babylon to come with his sword; both should originate from the same land. Then put up a signpost at the place where the road branches off to the city. Mark out the routes for the sword to come to Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites, and to Judah, and its fortress of Jerusalem. For the king of Babylon is already at the place where the two roads begin. He is consulting his gods to decide which way to go by shuffling arrows and throwing them on the ground to see where they point. He asks his favorite idols for advice, and he examines the liver of a sacrificed animal. It tells him to take the road on the right leading to Jerusalem, so the king decides to go there. His plan is to ready the battering rams to be prepared when he gives the order for slaughter. His army will shout the battle cry and set up the battering rams against the gates. They will make siege ramps and construct siege towers. “The people of Jerusalem will believe that these omens are false, for they have made sworn treaties and think they are safe. But Nebuchadnezzar’s decision to attack will remind them of their sins against God, and as a result, they will be captured. Therefore, Lord YAHWEH says, ‘You have uncovered your waywardness by parading all your evil deeds. You flaunt your sins in everything you do. Because of this, your enemies will capture you by force!