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<!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 ISV</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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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="../">ISV</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">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/ezekiel/21.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">A Prophecy against Jerusalem</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span><span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:1 This v. is 21:6 in MT">a</a></span> 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, look toward Jerusalem, preach<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:2 Lit. Drop a word">b</a></span> against its sanctuaries, and prophesy against Israel’s land. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Declare to Israel, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Watch out! I’m against you! I’m going to unsheathe my sword to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Since I’m going to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you, I’ll be unsheathing my sword against everyone from south to north. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Then everyone will know that I am the LORD, who unsheathed my sword, and who won’t have to unsheathe it again.”’</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>“And now, Son of Man, you are to start groaning until you’re sick to your stomach.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:6 Lit. until your loins break">c</a></span> You are to groan bitterly right in front of them.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:6 Lit. bitterly before their eyes">d</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>When they’ll ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that just arrived. Every heart will melt with fear, every hand will grow limp, every spirit will grow faint, and every knee will glisten with sweat.’ Look! It has come and it will be fulfilled,” declares the Lord GOD.</p> <p class="heading">God’s Sword and Scepter</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>This message came to me from the LORD: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>“Son of Man, prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">‘A sword!</p> <p class="poetry2">A sword is being sharpened.</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s also being polished.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>It’s being sharpened for slaughter,</p> <p class="poetry2">and being polished to gleam like lightning.’</p> <p class="poetry2">“We shouldn’t be rejoicing, should we,</p> <p class="poetry2">while my Son’s scepter, the sword,</p> <p class="poetry2">is despising<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:10 The verb despising requires the Heb. antecedent the sword, which The Heb. lacks">e</a></span> every tree?<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:10 i.e. every living human being in Israel">f</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>It’s intended to be polished</p> <p class="poetry2">so it can be grasped in the hand.</p> <p class="poetry2">The sword is sharpened.</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s polished for placement</p> <p class="poetry2">into the hand of the executioner.”</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>‘Cry and wail, you Son of Man!</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s headed against my people.</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s also against all the princes of Israel,</p> <p class="poetry2">who have been tossed to the sword,</p> <p class="poetry2">along with my people.</p> <p class="poetry2">So it’s time to grieve like you mean it,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:12 Lit. So strike your thigh">g</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 marginbot"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>because testing is sure to come.</p> <p class="reg">‘In putting the sword to the test along with the scepter, it won’t keep on rejecting, will it?’ declares the Lord GOD.”</p> <p class="heading">A Double and Triple Judgment</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>“Now, Son of Man, prophesy</p> <p class="poetry2">as you strike your hands together.</p> <p class="poetry2">Let the sword that fatally wounds be doubled and tripled.</p> <p class="poetry2">That great, slaughtering sword closes in on them.</p> <p class="poetry2">I’ve set in place a slaughtering sword</p> <p class="poetry2">at the entrance to all their gates,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>so that their hearts melt</p> <p class="poetry2">and the number of those who stumble increase.</p> <p class="poetry2">I’ve set in place a slaughtering sword</p> <p class="poetry2">at the entrance to all their gates.</p> <p class="poetry2">Oh, no! It’s made like lightning.</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s drawn to slaughter.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Be sharp!</p> <p class="poetry2">Attack on the right,</p> <p class="poetry2">or parry to your left,</p> <p class="poetry2">wherever you point your sword.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:16 Lit. face">h</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I will also clap my hands;</p> <p class="poetry2">then my anger will subside.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:17 Lit. rest">i</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">I, the LORD have spoken it.”</p> <p class="heading">Two Pathways to Invasion</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>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>“Now, Son of Man, demarcate two pathways by which the sword of Babylon’s king will arrive in the land. Both pathways will lead from a single land.</p> <p class="reg">“Make a sign,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:19 Lit. hand">j</a></span> carving it out and installing it at the junction on the way to the city. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Set it to point one way for bringing the sword against Rabbah, the descendants of Ammon, and the other way against Judah and fortified Jerusalem.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>“Meanwhile, Babylon’s king is standing at the fork of the road,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:21 Lit. at the point of departure">k</a></span> where he can head in either of two directions, and that’s where he is practicing divination. Shaking his arrows, he’s asking questions of his teraphim while he examines livers. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>On his right hand he is divining against Jerusalem, preparing to set up battering rams, preparing<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:22 Lit. rams, to open the mouth">l</a></span> for the slaughter, getting ready to sound the alarm for battle,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:22 Lit. to shout">m</a></span> setting the battering rams in place at the gates, building siege mounds, and erecting a siege wall. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>In their view, it will seem to be a false prophecy, but because they swore allegiance, he’ll make them remember their guilt as he takes them captive.”</p> <p class="heading">Imminent Invasion</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 Lord GOD says: “Because you remembered your sins when your transgressions were uncovered, your sins are visibly evident in everything you’ve done. And since you’ve remembered them, you’ll be taken captive.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>“So now, you dishonored and wicked prince of Israel,</p> <p class="poetry2">whose day has come</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">in this time of final punishment,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>This is what the Lord GOD says:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">‘Remove your turban!</p> <p class="poetry2">Take off your crown!</p> <p class="poetry2">Things aren’t going to remain</p> <p class="poetry2">as they used to be.</p> <p class="poetry2">What is lowly will be exalted,</p> <p class="poetry2">and what is lofty will be brought low.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>A ruin! A ruin!</p> <p class="poetry2">I’m bringing about ruin!’</p> <p class="poetry2">But this also will not happen</p> <p class="poetry2">until he who has authority over it arrives,</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">because I’ll give it to him.”</p> <p class="heading">A Rebuke to Ammon</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 to the Ammonites that this is what the Lord GOD says to the Ammonites about their approaching humiliation:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“A sword! A sword is being drawn for slaughter.</p> <p class="poetry2">It’s polished to flash like lightning.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>When they see empty visions about you</p> <p class="poetry2">while they’re divining lies for you,</p> <p class="poetry2">to lay you on the necks of the wicked,</p> <p class="poetry2">who are fatally wounded,</p> <p class="poetry2">whose days have come,</p> <p class="poetry2">their time for punishment.</p> <p class="poetry1 marginbot"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Return it to its scabbard.</p> <p class="poetry2">“At the place where you were formed,</p> <p class="poetry2">in the land of your origin,</p> <p class="poetry2">there is where I’ll judge you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>I’m going to pour out my indignation all over you.</p> <p class="poetry2">I’ll blow my fierce wrath against you</p> <p class="poetry2">and deliver you into the control of brutal men</p> <p class="poetry2">who are skilled at destruction.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>You’ll be fuel<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:32 Lit. food">n</a></span> for the conflagration.</p> <p class="poetry2">Your blood will be spilled<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:32 The Heb. lacks spilled">o</a></span> throughout the land.</p> <p class="poetry2">You won’t be remembered anymore,</p> <p class="poetry2">now that I, the LORD, have spoken.”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 21:1 This v. is 21:6 in MT<br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 21:2 Lit. <i>Drop a word</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 21:6 Lit. <i>until your loins break</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 21:6 Lit. <i>bitterly before their eyes</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 21:10 The verb <i>despising</i> requires the Heb. antecedent <i>the sword</i>, which The Heb. lacks<br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 21:10 i.e. every living human being in Israel<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 21:12 Lit. <i>So strike your thigh</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 21:16 Lit. <i>face</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 21:17 Lit. <i>rest</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 21:19 Lit. <i>hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 21:21 Lit. <i>at the point of departure</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 21:22 Lit. <i>rams, to open the mouth</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 21:22 Lit. <i>to shout</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 21:32 Lit. <i>food</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 21:32 The Heb. lacks <i>spilled</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy 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