CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 21 NLT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/ezekiel/21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/ezekiel/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NLT</a> > Ezekiel 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../ezekiel/20.htm" title="Ezekiel 20">◄</a> Ezekiel 21 <a href="../ezekiel/22.htm" title="Ezekiel 22">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/ezekiel/21.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">The LORD’s Sword of Judgment</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span><a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a>Then this message came to me from the LORD: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>“Son of man, turn and face Jerusalem and prophesy against Israel and her sanctuaries. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Tell her, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to unsheath my sword to destroy your people—the righteous and the wicked alike. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Everyone in the world will know that I am the LORD. My sword is in my hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.’</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>“Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign LORD says: It is coming! It’s on its way!’”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Then the LORD said to me, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>“Son of man, give the people this message from the Lord:</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1">“A sword, a sword</p><p class="line2">is being sharpened and polished.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>It is sharpened for terrible slaughter</p><p class="line2">and polished to flash like lightning!</p><p class="line1">Now will you laugh?</p><p class="line2">Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a></p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished;</p><p class="line2">it is being prepared for the executioner.</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>“Son of man, cry out and wail;</p><p class="line2">pound your thighs in anguish,</p><p class="line1">for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders—</p><p class="line2">everyone will die!</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>It will put them all to the test.</p><p class="line2">What chance do they have?<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a></p><p class="line2">says the Sovereign LORD.</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>“Son of man, prophesy to them</p><p class="line2">and clap your hands.</p><p class="line1">Then take the sword and brandish it twice,</p><p class="line2">even three times,</p><p class="line1">to symbolize the great massacre,</p><p class="line2">the great massacre facing them on every side.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Let their hearts melt with terror,</p><p class="line2">for the sword glitters at every gate.</p><p class="line1">It flashes like lightning</p><p class="line2">and is polished for slaughter!</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>O sword, slash to the right,</p><p class="line2">then slash to the left,</p><p class="line1">wherever you will,</p><p class="line2">wherever you want.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I, too, will clap my hands,</p><p class="line2">and I will satisfy my fury.</p><p class="line2">I, the LORD, have spoken!”</p><p class="hdg">Omens for Babylon’s King</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Then this message came to me from the LORD: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>“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— <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>one road going to Ammon and its capital, Rabbah, and the other to Judah and fortified Jerusalem. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>The 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>The omen in his right hand says, ‘Jerusalem!’ With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Again and again you remind me of your sin and your guilt. You don’t even try to hide it! In everything you do, your sins are obvious for all to see. So now the time of your punishment has come!</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>“O you corrupt and wicked prince of Israel, your final day of reckoning is here! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>This is what the Sovereign LORD says:</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1">“Take off your jeweled crown,</p><p class="line2">for the old order changes.</p><p class="line1">Now the lowly will be exalted,</p><p class="line2">and the mighty will be brought down.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Destruction! Destruction!</p><p class="line2">I will surely destroy the kingdom.</p><p class="line1">And it will not be restored until the one appears</p><p class="line2">who has the right to judge it.</p><p class="line1">Then I will hand it over to him.</p><p class="hdg">A Message for the Ammonites</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>“And now, son of man, prophesy concerning the Ammonites and their mockery. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD:</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1">“A sword, a sword</p><p class="line2">is drawn for your slaughter.</p><p class="line1">It is polished to destroy,</p><p class="line2">flashing like lightning!</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Your prophets have given false visions,</p><p class="line2">and your fortune-tellers have told lies.</p><p class="line1">The sword will fall on the necks of the wicked</p><p class="line2">for whom the day of final reckoning has come.</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>“Now return the sword to its sheath,</p><p class="line2">for in your own country,</p><p class="line1">the land of your birth,</p><p class="line2">I will pass judgment upon you.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>I will pour out my fury on you</p><p class="line2">and blow on you with the fire of my anger.</p><p class="line1">I will hand you over to cruel men</p><p class="line2">who are skilled in destruction.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>You will be fuel for the fire,</p><p class="line2">and your blood will be spilled in your own land.</p><p class="line1">You will be utterly wiped out,</p><p class="line2">your memory lost to history,</p><p class="line2">for I, the LORD, have spoken!”</p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">21:1 </span><span class="ft">Verses 21:1-32 are numbered 21:6-37 in Hebrew text.</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">21:10 </span><span class="ft">The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">21:13 </span><span class="ft">The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of <a href="http://www.tyndale.com">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.</a>, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../ezekiel/20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../ezekiel/22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/ezekiel/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>