Ezekiel 21:9-17

9‘Son of man, speak my message to the people. Say, “This is what the Lord says: Look at my sword! It is sharp and it shines brightly.

10It is sharp and it is ready to kill people. It shines as bright as lightning! Should we trust in the power of our king? No! This sword does not respect any kingdom.

11Now it is sharp and it shines. It is ready for someone to take in their hand. It is ready for the killer to use it.”

12Cry aloud, son of man! This sword is ready to attack my people. It will attack all the leaders of Israel. It will destroy my people and their leaders. Because of that, show that you are very upset.

13I am ready to test my people. My sword does not respect the power of any king. So my people will not escape punishment. That is what the Almighty Lord says.

14So speak my message to warn my people, son of man. Then clap your hands together. My sword must attack them many times. It is ready to kill many people. It will attack them from all directions.

15So people will shake with fear. Many of them will fall down. My sword is ready to kill them at every gate of the city. It shines like lightning. It is ready to kill!

16My sword, attack quickly on your right side! Now turn and attack on your left side! Attack in every direction that you turn!

17Then I, too, will clap my hands together. Finally, my anger will finish. I, the Lord, have spoken.’