Ezekiel 21:1-7

Babylon as God’s Sword of Judgment 1In Hebrew texts 21:1-32 is numbered 21:6-37. The word of the LORD came to me: 2“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuary. Prophesy against the land of Israel 3and say to her: ‘This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. 4Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.

5Then all people will know that I the LORD have drawn my sword from its sheath; it will not return again.’ 6“Therefore groan, son of man! Groan before them with broken heart and bitter grief.

7And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.’ It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD .”