The sword out of the sheath
And the LORD spoke to me: Son of man, set your face towards Jerusalem and drop your word towards the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel. And say to the land of Israel: This is what the LORD says. Look: I'm against you, and I'll pull my sword out of its sheath and cut off the righteous and the wicked from you. Because I'm going to cut off the righteous and the wicked from you, my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north. And all flesh will know that I the LORD have pulled my sword out of its sheath. It won't go back any more. So groan, son of man, with a broken back. Groan bitterly before their eyes. And when they say to you, Why are you groaning? — say: Because of the news. Because it's coming. And every heart will melt and every hand go limp, and every spirit will faint and every knee be weak as water. Look: it's coming and it'll be done, says the Lord GOD. And the LORD spoke to me: Son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the LORD says. Say: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished too. It's sharpened to do a slaughter. It's polished so it flashes. Should we then be glad? It sneers at the rod of my son, at every tree. And he's given it to be polished so it can be handled. This sword is sharpened and polished, to be given into the hand of the killer. Cry out and howl, son of man, because it's against my people, against all the princes of Israel. Terrors because of the sword will be on my people. So slap your thigh. Because it's a testing — and what if the sword sneers even at the rod? It won't be there any more, says the Lord GOD. So prophesy, son of man, and clap your hands together. Let the sword strike again and again — the sword that kills. It's the sword that brings down even the great, reaching right into their rooms. I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, so their hearts may faint and their ruins be multiplied. Ah! It is made bright; it is wrapped up for the slaughter. Go one way or the other — to the right or to the left, wherever your face is set. I'll clap my hands together too, and I'll make my fury rest. I the LORD have said it.
And the word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, set your face towards Jerusalem and drop your word towards the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel. And say to the land of Israel: This is what the Lord says. Look — I'm against you, and I'll pull my sword out of its sheath and cut off the righteous and the wicked from you. Because I'm going to cut off the righteous and the wicked from you, my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north. And all flesh will know that I the Lord have pulled my sword out of its sheath. It won't go back any more. So groan, son of man, with a broken back. Groan bitterly in front of their eyes. And when they say to you, Why are you groaning? — say: Because of the news. Because it's coming. And every heart will melt and every hand go limp, and every spirit will faint and every knee be weak as water. Look — it's coming and it'll be done, says the Lord God. And the word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord says. Say: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished too. It's sharpened to do a slaughter. It's polished so it flashes. Should we then be glad? It sneers at the rod of my son, at every tree. And he's given it to be polished so it can be handled. This sword is sharpened and polished, to be given into the hand of the killer. Cry out and howl, son of man, because it's against my people, against all the leaders of Israel. Terrors because of the sword will be on my people. So slap your thigh. Because it's a testing — and what if the sword sneers even at the rod? It won't be there any more, says the Lord God. So prophesy, son of man, and clap your hands together. Let the sword be doubled a third time — the sword of the killed. It's the sword of the great one who's killed, that goes into their rooms. I've set the point of the sword against all their gates, so their heart faints and plenty of them fall. It's made for flashing. It's wrapped up for the slaughter. Go one way or the other — to the right or to the left, wherever your face is set. I'll clap my hands together too, and I'll make my fury rest. I the Lord have said it.
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel, And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more. Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes. And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree. And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer. Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh. Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD. Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers. I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter. Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set. I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
And the LORD spoke to me:
And the word of the Lord came to me:
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Son of man, set your face towards Jerusalem and drop your word towards the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel.
Son of man, set your face towards Jerusalem and drop your word towards the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel.
Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
And say to the land of Israel: This is what the LORD says. Look: I'm against you, and I'll pull my sword out of its sheath and cut off the righteous and the wicked from you.
And say to the land of Israel: This is what the Lord says. Look — I'm against you, and I'll pull my sword out of its sheath and cut off the righteous and the wicked from you.
And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.
Because I'm going to cut off the righteous and the wicked from you, my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north.
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
And all flesh will know that I the LORD have pulled my sword out of its sheath. It won't go back any more.
And all flesh will know that I the Lord have pulled my sword out of its sheath. It won't go back any more.
That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.
So groan, son of man, with a broken back. Groan bitterly before their eyes.
So groan, son of man, with a broken back. Groan bitterly in front of their eyes.
Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.
And when they say to you, Why are you groaning? — say: Because of the news. Because it's coming. And every heart will melt and every hand go limp, and every spirit will faint and every knee be weak as water. Look: it's coming and it'll be done, says the Lord GOD.
And when they say to you, Why are you groaning? — say: Because of the news. Because it's coming. And every heart will melt and every hand go limp, and every spirit will faint and every knee be weak as water. Look — it's coming and it'll be done, says the Lord God.
And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
And the LORD spoke to me:
And the word of the Lord came to me:
Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the LORD says. Say: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished too.
Son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord says. Say: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished too.
Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
It's sharpened to do a slaughter. It's polished so it flashes. Should we then be glad? It sneers at the rod of my son, at every tree.
It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
And he's given it to be polished so it can be handled. This sword is sharpened and polished, to be given into the hand of the killer.
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
Cry out and howl, son of man, because it's against my people, against all the princes of Israel. Terrors because of the sword will be on my people. So slap your thigh.
Cry out and howl, son of man, because it's against my people, against all the leaders of Israel. Terrors because of the sword will be on my people. So slap your thigh.
Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
Because it's a testing — and what if the sword sneers even at the rod? It won't be there any more, says the Lord GOD.
Because it's a testing — and what if the sword sneers even at the rod? It won't be there any more, says the Lord God.
Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.
So prophesy, son of man, and clap your hands together. Let the sword strike again and again — the sword that kills. It's the sword that brings down even the great, reaching right into their rooms.
So prophesy, son of man, and clap your hands together. Let the sword be doubled a third time — the sword of the killed. It's the sword of the great one who's killed, that goes into their rooms.
Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, so their hearts may faint and their ruins be multiplied. Ah! It is made bright; it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
I've set the point of the sword against all their gates, so their heart faints and plenty of them fall. It's made for flashing. It's wrapped up for the slaughter.
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
Go one way or the other — to the right or to the left, wherever your face is set.
Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.
I'll clap my hands together too, and I'll make my fury rest. I the LORD have said it.
I'll clap my hands together too, and I'll make my fury rest. I the Lord have said it.
I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
The king at the crossroad
And the LORD spoke to me: And you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come by. Both of them will come out of one land. And pick a spot. Pick it at the head of the road to the city. Appoint a road for the sword to come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced. Because the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the head of the two roads, to look for a sign. He shakes the arrows and asks the household gods and looks at the liver. The sign for Jerusalem is at his right hand — to set up battering rams, to open the mouth for killing, to lift the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to throw up a ramp and build a siege wall. And it'll be like a false sign to them, those who've sworn oaths to him. But he'll remind them of their wrongdoing, so they're caught. So this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you've brought your wrongdoing to mind, so your rebellions are uncovered and your sins show in everything you do — because you've come to mind, you'll be taken by the hand. And you, filthy wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end — This is what the Lord GOD says: Take off the turban and lift off the crown. This won't be the same. Lift up the low one and bring down the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin — I'll make it. And it won't be there any more till he comes whose right it is, and I'll give it to him. And you, son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord GOD says about the Ammonites and their insults: A sword, a sword is drawn! It is polished for the slaughter, flashing as it strikes — While they see empty things for you and tell you lying fortunes, to bring you onto the necks of the wicked who are killed, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end. Should I put it back into its sheath? I'll judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born. And I'll pour out my anger on you. I'll blow on you with the fire of my fury and hand you over to brutal men, skilled at destroying. You'll be fuel for the fire. Your blood will be in the middle of the land. You won't be remembered, because I the LORD have spoken it.
And the word of the Lord came to me: And you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come by. Both of them will come out of one land. And pick a spot. Pick it at the head of the road to the town. Mark out a road for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah in fortified Jerusalem. Because the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the head of the two roads, to look for a sign. He shakes the arrows and asks the household gods and looks at the liver. The sign for Jerusalem is at his right hand — to set up battering rams, to open the mouth for killing, to lift the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to throw up a ramp and build a siege wall. And it'll be like a false sign to them, the ones who've sworn oaths to him. But he'll remind them of their wrongdoing, so they're caught. So this is what the Lord God says: Because you've brought your wrongdoing to mind, so your rebellions are uncovered and your sins show in everything you do — because you've come to mind, you'll be taken by the hand. And you, filthy wicked leader of Israel, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end — this is what the Lord God says: Take off the turban and lift off the crown. This won't be the same. Lift up the low one and bring down the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin — I'll make it. And it won't be there any more till he comes whose right it is, and I'll give it to him. And you, son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord God says about the Ammonites and about their insults. Say: A sword, a sword is pulled out. It's polished for the slaughter, to eat, so it flashes — while they see empty things for you and tell you lying fortunes, to bring you onto the necks of the wicked who are killed, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end. Should I put it back into its sheath? I'll judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born. And I'll pour out my anger on you. I'll blow on you with the fire of my fury and hand you over to brutal men, skilled at wrecking. You'll be fuel for the fire. Your blood will be in the middle of the land. You won't be remembered, because I the Lord have spoken it.
The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city. Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced. For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver. At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort. And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering: Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end. Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity. And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy. Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.
And the LORD spoke to me:
And the word of the Lord came to me:
The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
And you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come by. Both of them will come out of one land. And pick a spot. Pick it at the head of the road to the city.
And you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come by. Both of them will come out of one land. And pick a spot. Pick it at the head of the road to the town.
Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
Appoint a road for the sword to come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
Mark out a road for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah in fortified Jerusalem.
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
Because the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the head of the two roads, to look for a sign. He shakes the arrows and asks the household gods and looks at the liver.
For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
The sign for Jerusalem is at his right hand — to set up battering rams, to open the mouth for killing, to lift the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to throw up a ramp and build a siege wall.
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
And it'll be like a false sign to them, those who've sworn oaths to him. But he'll remind them of their wrongdoing, so they're caught.
And it'll be like a false sign to them, the ones who've sworn oaths to him. But he'll remind them of their wrongdoing, so they're caught.
And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
So this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you've brought your wrongdoing to mind, so your rebellions are uncovered and your sins show in everything you do — because you've come to mind, you'll be taken by the hand.
So this is what the Lord God says: Because you've brought your wrongdoing to mind, so your rebellions are uncovered and your sins show in everything you do — because you've come to mind, you'll be taken by the hand.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
And you, filthy wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end —
And you, filthy wicked leader of Israel, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end —
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
This is what the Lord GOD says: Take off the turban and lift off the crown. This won't be the same. Lift up the low one and bring down the high one.
this is what the Lord God says: Take off the turban and lift off the crown. This won't be the same. Lift up the low one and bring down the high one.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
A ruin, a ruin, a ruin — I'll make it. And it won't be there any more till he comes whose right it is, and I'll give it to him.
I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
And you, son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord GOD says about the Ammonites and their insults: A sword, a sword is drawn! It is polished for the slaughter, flashing as it strikes —
And you, son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord God says about the Ammonites and about their insults. Say: A sword, a sword is pulled out. It's polished for the slaughter, to eat, so it flashes —
And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
While they see empty things for you and tell you lying fortunes, to bring you onto the necks of the wicked who are killed, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end.
while they see empty things for you and tell you lying fortunes, to bring you onto the necks of the wicked who are killed, whose day has come when wrongdoing has come to its end.
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
Should I put it back into its sheath? I'll judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born.
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
And I'll pour out my anger on you. I'll blow on you with the fire of my fury and hand you over to brutal men, skilled at destroying.
And I'll pour out my anger on you. I'll blow on you with the fire of my fury and hand you over to brutal men, skilled at wrecking.
And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.
You'll be fuel for the fire. Your blood will be in the middle of the land. You won't be remembered, because I the LORD have spoken it.
You'll be fuel for the fire. Your blood will be in the middle of the land. You won't be remembered, because I the Lord have spoken it.
Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.