18. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
19. “Human being, mark two roads that the king of Babylon and his sword can follow. Both of these roads will start from the same country. And make signs where the road divides and one way goes toward the city.
20. One sign shows the road he can take with his sword to Rabbah. It is in the land of the Ammonites. And the other sign shows the road he can take to Judah and Jerusalem. Jerusalem is protected with strong walls.
21. The king of Babylon will come to where the road divides into two. He will use magic. He will throw lots with arrows. He will ask questions of his family idols. He will look at the liver of a sacrificed animal to learn where he should go.
22. The lots will tell him to go toward his right to Jerusalem. They will tell him these things: Use logs to break down the city gates. Shout the battle cry and give the order to kill. Build a dirt road to the top of the walls and devices to attack the walls.
23. The people of Jerusalem have made agreements with other nations to help them fight Babylon. So they will think this prediction is wrong. But the king of Babylon will remind them of their sin. And he will capture them.
24. “So this is what the Lord God says: ‘You have shown how sinful you are by turning against the Lord. Your sins are seen in all the things you do. So you will be taken captive by the enemy.
25. “‘You unclean and evil leader of Israel, you will be killed! The time of your final punishment has come.
26. This is what the Lord God says: Take off the turban. Take off the crown. Things will change. Those who are important now will be made unimportant. And those who are unimportant now will be made important.
27. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! This place will not be rebuilt until the one comes who has a right to be king. Then I will give it to him.’
28. “And you, human being, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Lord God says about the people of Ammon and their insults:A sword, a swordis pulled out of its holder.It is polished to kill and destroy.It will flash like lightning!
29. Prophets see false visions about youand prophesy lies about you.The sword will be put on the necksof these evil people who are to be killed.Their day has come.The time of your final punishment has come.
30. Put the sword back in its holder.I will judge you in the place where you were created.I will judge you in the land where you were born.