8. Say to the land of Israel, thus says Adonai Elohim: ‘Behold, I am against you. I will draw My sword from its sheath. I will cut off the righteous and the wicked from you.
9. Since I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will come out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north.
10. All flesh will know that I, Adonai, have drawn My sword from its sheath; it will not return any more.
11. As for you, son of man, groan, with breaking of your sides and with bitterness you will groan before their eyes.
12. Now when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you will say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, every hand will be limp, every spirit will be faint, and all knees will turn to water. Behold, it is coming, and it will happen!’” It is a declaration of Adonai Elohim.
13. The word of Adonai came to me saying,
14. “Son of man, prophesy and say, thus says Adonai, and say: ‘A sword! A sword! Sharpened and also polished!
15. Sharpened to slaughter ruthlessly! Polished so it will flash like lightning! Or should we rejoice? It is the rod, My son—despising every tree!
16. It is given to be polished, to be seized. The sword is sharpened, polished, to be put into the hand of the slayer.
17. Cry and wail, son of man! For it is against My people. It is against all the leaders of Israel. They are thrown over to the sword, along with My people. Therefore strike your thigh.
18. For it is a testing. What if they scorn even the rod? It must not be!” It is a declaration of Adonai.
19. You, son of man, prophesy. Strike your hands together. The sword will strike twice, even three times, a sword for the slain, a sword for a great slaughter—it surrounds them!
20. So that their hearts will melt and many will stumble and fall, I have set the point of the sword against all their gates. Alas! It is made for lightning, it is polished for slaughter.
21. Slash to the right, turn to the left—wherever your blade is meeting!
22. I also will clap My hands together. So I will satisfy My wrath. I, Adonai, have spoken.’”
23. The word of Adonai came to me saying: