7. When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign lord says: It is coming! It’s on its way!’”
8. Then the lord said to me,
9. “Son of man, give the people this message from the Lord:“A sword, a swordis being sharpened and polished.
10. It is sharpened for terrible slaughterand polished to flash like lightning!Now will you laugh?Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!
11. Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished;it is being prepared for the executioner.
12. “Son of man, cry out and wail;pound your thighs in anguish,for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders—everyone will die!
13. It will put them all to the test.What chance do they have?says the Sovereign lord.
14. “Son of man, prophesy to themand clap your hands.Then take the sword and brandish it twice,even three times,to symbolize the great massacre,the great massacre facing them on every side.
15. Let their hearts melt with terror,for the sword glitters at every gate.It flashes like lightningand is polished for slaughter!
16. O sword, slash to the right,then slash to the left,wherever you will,wherever you want.
17. I, too, will clap my hands,and I will satisfy my fury.I, the lord, have spoken!”
18. Then this message came to me from the lord:
19. “Son of man, make a map and trace two routes on it for the sword of Babylon’s king to follow. Put a signpost on the road that comes out of Babylon where the road forks into two—
20. one road going to Ammon and its capital, Rabbah, and the other to Judah and fortified Jerusalem.
21. The king of Babylon now stands at the fork, uncertain whether to attack Jerusalem or Rabbah. He calls his magicians to look for omens. They cast lots by shaking arrows from the quiver. They inspect the livers of animal sacrifices.
22. The omen in his right hand says, ‘Jerusalem!’ With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls.