3. Tell her, ‘This is what the lord says: I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to unsheath my sword to destroy your people—the righteous and the wicked alike.
4. Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north.
5. Everyone in the world will know that I am the lord. My sword is in my hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.’
6. “Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart.
7. When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign lord says: It is coming! It’s on its way!’”
8. Then the lord said to me,
9. “Son of man, give the people this message from the Lord:“A sword, a swordis being sharpened and polished.
10. It is sharpened for terrible slaughterand polished to flash like lightning!Now will you laugh?Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!
11. Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished;it is being prepared for the executioner.
12. “Son of man, cry out and wail;pound your thighs in anguish,for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders—everyone will die!
13. It will put them all to the test.What chance do they have?says the Sovereign lord.
14. “Son of man, prophesy to themand clap your hands.Then take the sword and brandish it twice,even three times,to symbolize the great massacre,the great massacre facing them on every side.