8. Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
9. Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus hath the Lord said: Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
10. it is sharpened to slay victims; it is furbished that it may glitter; should we then make mirth? it despises the rod of my son, as every tree.
11. And he has given it to be furbished, that it may be handled; this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
12. Cry and howl, son of man, for it shall be upon my people; it shall be upon all the princes of Israel; fear of the sword shall be upon my people; therefore smite the thigh
13. because it shall be a trial. What shall be if it does not despise the rod? said the Lord GOD.
14. Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain; this is the sword of great slaughter that shall pierce them.
15. I have set the fear of the sword in all their gates, that their heart may faint and their ruins be multiplied; ah! it is made so that it might shine; it is prepared for the slaughter.
16. Go one way or other, either on the right hand or on the left, wherever thy face is set.
17. I will also smite my hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest; I the Lord have spoken.
18. The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
19. Also, thou son of man, show two ways from where the sword of the king of Babylon comes: both shall come forth out of the same land and draw an army; at the head of the way to the city thou shalt do this.
20. Show the way that the sword will come to Rabbath of the Ammonites and to Judah against Jerusalem, the defenced.
21. For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way at the head of the two ways to use divination; he made his arrows bright; he consulted with images; he looked in the liver.