1. God's Spirit lifted me up and took me to the east gate of the Temple. There near the gate I saw 25 men, including Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, two leaders of the nation.
2. God said to me, “Mortal man, these men make evil plans and give bad advice in this city.
3. They say, ‘We will soon be building houses again. The city is like a cooking pot, and we are like the meat in it, but at least it protects us from the fire.’
4. Now then, denounce them, mortal man.”
5. The Spirit of the Lord took control of me, and the Lord told me to give the people this message: “People of Israel, I know what you are saying and what you are planning.
6. You have murdered so many people here in the city that the streets are full of corpses.
7. “So this is what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to you. This city is indeed a cooking pot, but what is the meat? The corpses of those you have killed! You will not be here — I will throw you out of the city!
8. Are you afraid of swords? I will bring men with swords to attack you.