1. The Lord's Spirit lifted me up and took me to the east gate of the temple, where I saw twenty-five men, including the two leaders, Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah.
2. The Lord said, “Ezekiel, son of man, these men are making evil plans and giving dangerous advice to the people of Jerusalem.
3. They say things like, ‘Let's build more houses. This city is like a cooking pot over a fire, and we are the meat, but at least the pot keeps us from being burnt in the fire.’
4. So, Ezekiel, condemn them!”
5. The Lord's Spirit took control of me and told me to tell these leaders:I, the Lord God, know what you leaders are saying.
6. You have murdered so many people that the city is filled with dead bodies!
7. This city is indeed a cooking pot, but the bodies of those you killed are the meat. And so I will force you to leave Jerusalem,
8. and I'll send armies to attack you, just as you fear.