1. The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the front gate of the Temple of the Lord, which faces east. I saw twenty-five men where the gate opens, among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders of the people.
2. Then the Lord said to me, “Human, these are the men who plan evil and 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.”
5. Then the Spirit of the Lord entered me and told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: You have said these things, people of Israel, and I know what you are thinking.
6. You have killed many people in this city, filling 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 and hand you over to strangers and punish you.
10. You will die by the sword. I will punish you at the border of Israel so you will know that I am the Lord.