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.