New Living Translation (NLT)
Ezekiel 21
8 Then the LORD said to me,
9 “Son of man, give the people this message from the Lord: “A sword, a sword is being sharpened and polished.
10 It is sharpened for terrible slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Now will you laugh? Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!
11 Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished; it is being prepared for the executioner.
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!
13 It 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.
15 Let their hearts melt with terror, for the sword glitters at every gate. It flashes like lightning and is polished for slaughter!
16 O sword, slash to the right, then slash to the left, wherever you will, wherever you want.
17 I, too, will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
18 Then this message came to me from the LORD:
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