Ezekiel 21:12-21

12“Son of man, cry out and wail; pound your thighs in anguish, for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders— everyone will die!

13It will put them all to the test. What chance do they have? says the Sovereign Lord.

14“Son of man, prophesy to them and clap your hands. Then take the sword and brandish it twice, even three times, to symbolize the great massacre, the great massacre facing them on every side.

15Let their hearts melt with terror, for the sword glitters at every gate. It flashes like lightning and is polished for slaughter!

16O sword, slash to the right, then slash to the left, wherever you will, wherever you want.

17I, too, will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

18Then this message came to me from the Lord:

19“Son of man, make a map and trace two routes on it for the sword of Babylon’s king to follow. Put a signpost on the road that comes out of Babylon where the road forks into two—

20one road going to Ammon and its capital, Rabbah, and the other to Judah and fortified Jerusalem.

21The king of Babylon now stands at the fork, uncertain whether to attack Jerusalem or Rabbah. He calls his magicians to look for omens. They cast lots by shaking arrows from the quiver. They inspect the livers of animal sacrifices.