Ezekiel 11:1-13

1Then a spirit lifted me up and took me to the east gate of the Lord's temple. When I was there, near the entrance of the gate, I could see 25 men. Azzur's son Jaazaniah and Benaiah's son Pelatiah were among them. They were leaders of the people.

2The Lord said to me. ‘Son of man, these are the men who decide to do evil things in this city. They also give wicked advice to the people.

3They say, “It is not the right time now to build houses. This city is like a pot to cook meat on a fire. We are like the meat in that pot.”

4Son of man, you must speak my message to warn them.’

5Then the Lord's Spirit took hold of me. He said to me, ‘This is the Lord's message to the people: Tell them, “People of Israel, I know what you are saying. I know the thoughts that you have in your minds.

6You have killed many people in this city. The streets are full of the dead bodies of people that you have killed.”

7So this is what the Almighty Lord says: “The dead bodies that you have put in this city are the meat. And the city is the pot to cook them in. But as for you, I will remove you from it!

8You are afraid that an enemy will attack you. So I will bring an army to attack you.” That is what the Almighty Lord says.

9“I will remove you from this city. I will put you under the power of a foreign army. I will use them to punish you.

10Enemy soldiers will use their swords to kill you. I will punish you in your own country. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

11This city will not be like a pot where you can be safe. You will not be like the meat in that pot. I will punish you while you are still inside Israel.

12Then you will know that I am the Lord. You have not obeyed my rules or my laws. Instead, you have lived in the same wicked way as the nations around you.” ’

13While I was speaking the Lord's message, Benaiah's son Pelatiah died. Then I bent down low with my face towards the ground. I shouted, ‘Almighty Lord, do not do this! You will completely destroy all Israel's people who remain!’