22. The omen in his right hand says, ‘Jerusalem!’ With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls.
23. The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.
24. “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign lord says: Again and again you remind me of your sin and your guilt. You don’t even try to hide it! In everything you do, your sins are obvious for all to see. So now the time of your punishment has come!
25. “O you corrupt and wicked prince of Israel, your final day of reckoning is here!
26. This is what the Sovereign lord says:“Take off your jeweled crown,for the old order changes.Now the lowly will be exalted,and the mighty will be brought down.
27. Destruction! Destruction!I will surely destroy the kingdom.And it will not be restored until the one appearswho has the right to judge it.Then I will hand it over to him.
28. “And now, son of man, prophesy concerning the Ammonites and their mockery. Give them this message from the Sovereign lord:“A sword, a swordis drawn for your slaughter.It is polished to destroy,flashing like lightning!
29. Your prophets have given false visions,and your fortune-tellers have told lies.The sword will fall on the necks of the wickedfor whom the day of final reckoning has come.
30. “Now return the sword to its sheath,for in your own country,the land of your birth,I will pass judgment upon you.
31. I will pour out my fury on youand blow on you with the fire of my anger.I will hand you over to cruel menwho are skilled in destruction.
32. You will be fuel for the fire,and your blood will be spilled in your own land.You will be utterly wiped out,your memory lost to history,for I, the lord, have spoken!”