Ezekiel

The Forest in Flames

The word of the Lord came to me in these words:

“Son of man, turn your face toward the south; speak out against the forest in the south.

Say to the forest: ‘O forest, hear the word of the Lord: I am about to set a fire that will burn every tree,both green and dry; its flames will not be quenched. From the south to the north, every face will be scorched.

Everyone will see that it is I, the Lord, who has caused it to burn, and it will not be put out.”

Then I said: “Lord God, they say I am always speaking in parables.”

But the word of the Lord came to me with these words:

“Son of man, look toward Jerusalem; speak your words to the Sanctuary and prophesy against Israel.

Say to Israel: I am coming against you; I will unsheathe my sword and cut off both the good and the wicked from you.

Yes, against both the good and the wicked. My sword is unsheathed against all people from north to south.

And everyone will know that I, the Lord, have unsheathed my sword; and it will remain unsheathed.

And you, son of man, cry out in the sorrow of a broken heart, groan in their presence.

When they ask you: ‘Why are you groaning?’ You will answer: ‘Because of what will happen; when you hear of it, every heart will melt, every hand will become limp, every spirit will faint, and knees shall be as weak as water.’ It is to happen; it has come, word of the Lord God.

Song of the Sword

The word of the Lord came to me:

“Son of man, prophesy and say on my behalf: The sword has been sharpened and polished.

It has been sharpened for slaughter.

The Lord has given it to be sharpened and polished, and it is in the hand of the executor.”

Cry out and wail, son of man, for this sword is meant for my people and the princes of Israel. They will be handed over to the sword, along with my people; beat your chest, word of the Lord.

The word of the Lord came to me:

And you, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands! The sword will strike, and strike again, for the slaughter, for the massacre.

Hearts mourn and people fall, for I have placed the sword at every gate for slaughter.

It has been sharpened and polished. O sword! Slash to the right, slash to the left, wherever you turn.

For my part, I clap my hands and unleash my fury; I, the Lord, have spoken.

The word of the Lord came to me in these words:

“Son of man, mark two roads for the coming of the king of Babylon’s sword. Both roads should depart from the same point.

At the start of each road, place a sign: the first directing the sword to Rammah of the Ammonites, and the second to Judah and the fortified city of Jerusalem.

The king of Babylon is now standing at the fork in the road, at the head of both paths, looking for a sign. He is shaking arrows, questioning the idols, and examining the liver of the sacrificial victims.

The lot falls on Jerusalem. Then he raises a battle cry, ‘Set a battering ram at the gates, build a ramp, and erect siege works.’

Those who have sworn allegiance to him in Jerusalem can’t believe it, but he remembers their guilt, and they are captured.

That is why the Lord has spoken: Your evil deeds have revealed your wickedness and exposed your sins. When I thought of you, sin was evident in all your actions. Because of this, you will be taken captive.

As for you, dishonored criminal, prince of Israel, your day and moment of punishment have arrived.

They will remove your turban and take away your crown. Everything will change: what is lowly will be raised up, and what is lofty will be brought down.

I will turn it into a ruin—such a ruin as has never been seen—until the one who is rightfully to rule comes, the one I will send.

And you, son of man, prophesy and say: This is the Lord’s word concerning the Ammonites and their insults. This is what you are to say: The sword is unsheathed for slaughter, polished and flashing for the work of destruction.

Beware of your false visions and lying omens when your sword is laid to the necks of the wicked, for their time has come and their punishment is near.

People of Ammon, put the sword back in its sheath. In your own land, in the land of your birth, you will be judged.

I will pour out my wrath on you; against you, I will breathe the fire of my fury; and I will hand you over to brutal men, experts in destruction.

You will be fuel for the fire; your blood will be spilled throughout the land; and you shall be remembered no more, for I, the Lord, have spoken.