4. I will cut off both good people and evil people from you. I will pull my sword from its sheath and use it against all people from south to north.
5. Then everyone will know that I am the Lord. They will know that I have pulled my sword from its sheath. My sword will not go back into its sheath again until it is finished.’
6. “Son of man, make sad sounds like a sad person with a broken heart. Make these sad sounds in front of the people.
7. Then they will ask you, ‘Why are you making these sad sounds?’ Then you must say, ‘Because of the sad news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear. All hands will become weak. Every spirit will become weak. All knees will be like water.’ Look, that bad news is coming. These things will happen!” This is what the Lord GOD said.
8. The word of the Lord came to me. He said,
9. “Son of man, speak to the people for me. Say this, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘Look, a sword, a sharp sword, and it has been polished.
10. The sword was made sharp for killing. It was polished to flash like lightning. My son, you ran away from the stick I used to punish you. You refused to be punished with that wooden stick.
11. So the sword has been polished. Now it can be used. The sword was sharpened and polished. Now it can be put in the hand of the killer.
12. “‘Son of man, shout out and scream because the sword will be used against my people and all the rulers of Israel. They wanted war—so they will be with my people when the sword comes. So slap your thigh to show your sadness,
13. because it is not just a test. You refused to be punished with the wooden stick, so what else should I use to punish you? A sword?’” This is what the Lord GOD said.
14. “Son of man, clap your hands to show your sadness, and speak to the people for me. Let the sword come down twice, no, three times! This sword is for killing the people. This is the sword for the great killing. This sword will cut into them.
15. Their hearts will melt with fear, and many people will fall. The sword will kill many people by the city gates. Yes, the sword will flash like lightning. It was polished to kill the people!
16. Sword, be sharp! Cut on the right side. Cut straight ahead. Cut on the left side. Go wherever your edge was chosen to go.
17. “Then I, too, will clap my hands and stop showing my anger. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
18. The word of the Lord came to me. He said,