Ezekiel 21:9-17

9"Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say: "A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished,

10sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! (Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood.)

11So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer.

12Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people. It is against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Strike therefore upon your thigh.

13For it will not be a testing—what could it do if you despise the rod?" declares the Lord God.

14"As for you, son of man, prophesy. Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter, which surrounds them,

15that their hearts may melt, and many stumble. At all their gates I have given the glittering sword. Ah, it is made like lightning; it is taken up for slaughter.

16Cut sharply to the right; set yourself to the left, wherever your face is directed.

17I also will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury; I the Lord have spoken."