1. The Spirit lifted me up. And he brought me to the front gate of the Temple of the Lord. This gate faces east. I saw 25 men where the gate opens. I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah. They were leaders of the people. They were among these 25 men.
2. Then the Lord said to me, “Human being, these are the men who plan evil. And they give wicked advice in this city of Jerusalem.
3. They say, ‘It is almost time for us to build houses. This city is like a cooking pot. And we are like the best meat.’
4. So prophesy against them. Prophesy, human being.”
5. Then the Spirit of the Lord entered me. He told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: You have said these things, people of Israel. But I know what is going through your mind.
6. You have killed many people in this city. You have filled its streets with their bodies.
7. “So this is what the Lord God says: Those people you have killed and left in the middle of the city are like the best meat. And this city is like the cooking pot. But I will force you out of the city.
8. You have feared the sword. But I will bring a sword against you, says the Lord God.
9. I will force you out of the city. I will hand you over to strangers. I will surely punish you.
10. You will die by the sword. I will punish you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.