Ezekiel 11:1-13

1The Spirit then lifted me up and brought me to the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, which faces east, and at the gate’s entrance were twenty-five men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people.

2The Lord said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked advice in this city.

3They are saying, ‘Isn’t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.’

4Therefore, prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man!”

5Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me, “You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord says: That is what you are thinking, house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your mind.

6You have multiplied your slain in this city, filling its streets with them.

7“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: The slain you have put within it are the meat, and the city is the pot, but I will take you out of it.

8You fear the sword, so I will bring the sword against you. This is the declaration of the Lord God.

9I will take you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners; I will execute judgments against you.

10You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

11The city will not be a pot for you, and you will not be the meat within it. I will judge you at the border of Israel,

12so you will know that I am the Lord, whose statutes you have not followed and whose ordinances you have not practiced. Instead, you have acted according to the ordinances of the nations around you.’”

13Now while I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out loudly, “Oh, Lord God! You are bringing the remnant of Israel to an end!”