[21:1] The Lord spoke to me.
[21:2] “Mortal man,” he said, “denounce Jerusalem. Denounce the places where people worship. Warn the land of Israel
[21:3] that I, the Lord, am saying: I am your enemy. I will draw my sword and kill all of you, good and evil alike.
[21:4] I will use my sword against everyone from south to north.
[21:5] Everyone will know that I, the Lord, have drawn my sword and that I will not put it away.
[21:6] “Mortal man, groan as if your heart is breaking with despair. Groan in sorrow where everyone can watch you.
[21:7] When they ask you why you are groaning, tell them it is because of the news that is coming. When it comes, their hearts will be filled with fear, their hands will hang limp, their courage will fail, and their knees will tremble. The time has come; it is here.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.
[21:8] The Lord said to me,
[21:9] “Mortal man, prophesy. Tell the people what I, the Lord, am saying: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished.
[21:10] It is sharpened to kill, polished to flash like lightning. There can be no rejoicing, for my people have disregarded every warning and punishment.
[21:11] The sword is being polished, to make it ready for use. It is sharpened and polished, to be put in the hands of a killer.
[21:12] Howl in grief, mortal man; this sword is meant for my people and for all the leaders of Israel. They are going to be killed with all the rest of my people. Beat your breast in despair!
[21:13] I am testing my people, and if they refuse to repent, all these things will happen to them.
[21:14] “Now, mortal man, prophesy. Clap your hands, and the sword will strike again and again. It is a sword that kills, a sword that terrifies and slaughters.
[21:15] It makes my people lose courage and stumble. I am threatening their city with a sword that flashes like lightning and is ready to kill.
[21:16] Cut to the right and the left, you sharp sword! Cut wherever you turn.
[21:17] I also will clap my hands, and my anger will be over. I, the Lord, have spoken.”