2. Ezekiel, son of man, tell the people of Israel that I am saying:Israel will soon come to an end! Your whole country is about to be destroyed
3. as punishment for your disgusting sins. I, the Lord, am so angry
4. that I will show no pity. I will punish you for the evil you've done, and you will know that I am the Lord.
5. There's never been anything like the coming disaster.
6. And when it comes, your life will be over.
7. You people of Israel are doomed! Soon there will be panic on the mountaintops instead of celebration.
8. I will let loose my anger and punish you for the evil things you've done. You'll get what you deserve.
9. Your sins are so terrible, that you'll get no mercy from me. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have punished you.
10. Disaster is near! Injustice and arrogance are everywhere,
11. and violent criminals run free. None of you will survive the disaster, and everything you own and value will be shattered.
12. The time is coming when everyone will be ruined. Buying and selling will stop,
13. and people who sell property will never get it back, because all of you must be punished for your sins. And I won't change my mind!
14. A signal has been blown on the trumpet, and weapons are prepared for battle. But no one goes to war, because in my anger I will strike down everyone in Israel.
15. War, disease, and starvation are everywhere! People who live in the countryside will be killed in battle, and those who live in towns will die from starvation or deadly diseases.
16. Anyone who survives will escape into the hills, like doves who leave the valleys to find safety.All of you will moan because of your sins.
17. Your hands will tremble, and your knees will go limp.
18. You will put on sackcloth to show your sorrow, but terror will overpower you. Shame will be written all over your faces, and you will shave your heads in despair.