Ezekiel 38:1-11

1 God's Message came to me:
2 "Son of man, confront Gog from the country of Magog, head of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him.
3 Say, 'God, the Master, says: Be warned, Gog. I am against you, head of Meshech and Tubal.
4 I'm going to turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and drag you off with your whole army, your horses and riders in full armor - all those shields and bucklers and swords - fighting men armed to the teeth!
5 Persia and Cush and Put will be in the ranks, also well-armed, as will
6 Gomer and its army and Beth-togarmah out of the north with its army. Many nations will be with you!
7 "'Get ready to fight, you and the whole company that's been called out. Take charge and wait for orders.
8 After a long time, you'll be given your orders. In the distant future you'll arrive at a country that has recovered from a devastating war. People from many nations will be gathered there on the mountains of Israel, for a long time now a wasteland. These people have been brought back from many countries and now live safe and secure.
9 You'll rise like a thunderstorm and roll in like clouds and cover the land, you and the massed troops with you.
10 "'Message of God, the Master: At that time you'll start thinking things over and cook up an evil plot.
11 You'll say, "I'm going to invade a country without defenses, attack an unsuspecting, carefree people going about their business - no gates to their cities, no locks on their doors.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.