Tell them therefore, Thus says the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.

Behold, every one that uses proverbs shall use this proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

What mean you, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

As I live, says the Lord GOD, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

And he has given it to be polished, that it may be used: this sword is sharpened, and it is polished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shook his arrows, he consulted with images, he looked at the liver.

Behold, the princes of Israel, each one in you used his power to shed blood.

The people of the land have used oppression, and committed robbery, and have oppressed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

Therefore, as I live, says the Lord GOD, I will even do according to your anger, and according to your envy which you have used out of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged you.