Ezekiel 21:9-19

9 Son of man, prophesy , and say , Thus saith the LORD; Say , A sword, a sword is sharpened , and also furbished :
10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter ; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth ? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
11 And he hath 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: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
13 Because it is a trial , and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith 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: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers .
15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint , and their ruins be multiplied : ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
16 Go thee one way or other , either on the right hand , or on the left , whithersoever thy face is set .
17 I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest : I the LORD have said it.
18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying ,
19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come : both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. it contemneth...: or, it is the rod of my son, it despiseth every tree
  • [b]. terrors...: or, they are thrust down to the sword with my people
  • [c]. Because...: or, When the trial hath been, what then? shall they not also belong to the despising rod?
  • [d]. hands...: Heb. hand to hand
  • [e]. point: or, glittering, or, fear
The King James Version is in the public domain.