A Vision Of The Avenging Sword Of Yahweh

1 (a)And the word of the Lord came to me saying,

1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

1 (a)The word of the Lord came to me again:

1 This message came to me from the LORD:

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

2 “Son of man, (A)set your face toward Jerusalem, and (b)(B)speak against the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel;

2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,

2 “Son of man, turn your face toward(A) Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel,

2 "Son of Man, look toward Jerusalem, preach against its sanctuaries, and prophesy against Israel's land.

2 “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and direct your [prophetic] word against the sanctuaries; prophesy against the land of Israel

3 and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, (C)I am against you; and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the (D)righteous and the wicked.

3 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.

3 and say to it: This is what the Lord says: I am against you.(B) I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off both the righteous and the wicked from you.

3 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.

3 and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am against you and will draw My sword out of its sheath and I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.

4 Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go forth from its sheath against (E)all flesh from south to north.

4 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:

4 Since I will cut off(b) both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will therefore come out of its sheath against everyone from the south to the north.(C)

4 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.

4 Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go from its sheath against all flesh from south to north,

5 Thus all flesh will know that I, the Lord, have drawn My sword out of its sheath. It will (F)not return to its sheath again.”’

5 That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.

5 So all the people will know that I, Yahweh, have taken My sword from its sheath—it will not be sheathed again.(D)

5 Then everyone will know that I am the LORD, who unsheathed my sword, and who won't have to unsheathe it again."'

5 and all living will know [without any doubt] that I the Lord have drawn My sword out of its sheath; it will not be sheathed again.”’

6 As for you, son of man, groan with breaking (c)heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight.

6 Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.

6 “But you, son of man, groan! Groan bitterly with a broken heart(c) right before their eyes.

6 "And now, Son of Man, you are to start groaning until you're sick to your stomach. You are to groan bitterly right in front of them.

6 As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight.

7 And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the (G)news that is coming; and (H)every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will (d)faint and all knees will (e)be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,’ declares the Lord (f)God.”

7 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.

7 And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ then say: Because of the news that is coming.(E) Every heart will melt, and every hand will become weak. Every spirit will be discouraged, and every knee will turn to water. Yes, it is coming and it will happen.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

7 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.

7 And when they say to you, ‘Why do you sigh and groan?’ you shall answer, ‘Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt and all hands will be frail, and every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,’ says the Lord God.”

8 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

8 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

8 The word of the Lord came to me:

8 This message came to me from the LORD:

8 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

9 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord.’ Say,(I)A sword, a sword sharpenedAnd also polished!

9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:

9 “Son of man, prophesy: This is what the Lord says! You are to proclaim:A sword!(F) A sword is sharpenedand also polished.(G)

9 "Son of Man, prophesy and say, "This is what the Lord GOD says: "A sword! A sword is being sharpened. It's also being polished.

9 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord.’ Say,‘A sword, a sword [from Babylon] is sharpenedAnd also polished!

10 ‘Sharpened to make a (J)slaughter,Polished (g)to flash like lightning!’Or shall we rejoice, the (h)rod of My son (K)despising every tree?

10 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.

10 It is sharpened for slaughter,polished to flash like lightning!Should we rejoice?The scepter of My son,the sword despises every tree.(d)

10 It's being sharpened for slaughter, and being polished to gleam like lightning.' "We shouldn't be rejoicing, should we, while my Son's scepter, the sword, is despising every tree?

10 ‘It is sharpened to make a slaughter,Polished to flash and glimmer like lightning!’Shall we then rejoice [when such a disaster approaches]? But it rejects and views with contempt the scepter of My son [Judah].(A)

11 It is given to be polished, that it may be handled; the sword is sharpened and polished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

11 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.

11 The sword is given to be polished,to be grasped in the hand.It is sharpened, and it is polished,to be put in the hand of the slayer.(H)

11 It's intended to be polished so it can be grasped in the hand. The sword is sharpened. It's polished for placement into the hand of the executioner."

11 The sword [of Babylon] is ready to be polished so that it may be handled and put to use; the sword is sharpened and polished to be put in the hand of the slayer (Nebuchadnezzar).

12 (L)Cry out and wail, son of man; for it is against My people, it is against all the (M)officials of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with My people, therefore strike your thigh.

12 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.

12 Cry out and wail, son of man,for it is against My people.It is against all the princes of Israel!They are given over to the sword with My people.Therefore strike your thigh in grief.(I)

12 "Cry and wail, you Son of Man! It's headed against my people. It's also against all the princes of Israel, who have been tossed to the sword, along with my people. So it's time to grieve like you mean it,

12 Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against My people; it is against all the princes of Israel. They are thrown to the sword along with My [terrified] people. Therefore strike your thigh and strike your chest [in grief].

13 For there is a testing; and what if even the (i)rod which despises will be no more?” declares the Lord God.

13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

13 Surely it will be a trial!And what if the sword despises even the scepter?The scepter will not continue.(e)This is the declaration of the Lord God.

13 because testing is sure to come. "In putting the sword to the test along with the scepter, it won't keep on rejecting, will it?' declares the Lord GOD."

13 For this sword has been tested [on others]; and what if it views with contempt the scepter [of Judah]? The scepter shall be no more [but shall be swept away],” says the Lord God.

14 “You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together; and let the sword be (N)doubled the third time, the sword for the slain. It is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them,

14 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.

14 Therefore, son of man, prophesyand clap your hands together.(J)Let the sword strike two times, even three.It is a sword for massacre,a sword for great massacre—it surrounds(f) them!

14 "Now, Son of Man, prophesy as you strike your hands together. Let the sword that fatally wounds be doubled and tripled. That great, slaughtering sword closes in on them. I've set in place a slaughtering sword at the entrance to all their gates,

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together; and let the sword be doubled the third time [in intensity], the sword for the slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter which surrounds them [so that no one can escape, even by hiding in their inner rooms],

15 that their (O)hearts may melt, and many (P)fall at all their (Q)gates. I have given the glittering sword. Ah! It is made for striking like lightning, it is wrapped up in readiness for slaughter.

15 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.

15 I have appointed a sword(K) for slaughter(g)at all their gates,so that their hearts may meltand many may stumble.Yes! It is ready to flash like lightning;(L)it is drawn(h) for slaughter.

15 so that their hearts melt and the number of those who stumble increase. I've set in place a slaughtering sword at the entrance to all their gates. Oh, no! It's made like lightning. It's drawn to slaughter.

15 so that hearts may melt, and many will fall at their gates. I have given the glittering sword. Ah! It is made [to flash] like lightning; it is pointed and sharpened for slaughter.

16 (j)Show yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your (k)edge is appointed.

16 Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

16 Slash to the right;turn to the left—wherever your blade is directed.

16 Be sharp! Attack on the right, or parry to your left, wherever you point your sword.

16 Turn O sword and cut right or cut left, whichever way your thirst for blood and your edge direct you.

17 I will also clap My hands together, and I will (l)(R)appease My wrath; I, the Lord, have spoken.”

17 I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.

17 I also will clap My hands together,and I will satisfy My wrath.(M)I, Yahweh, have spoken.”

17 I will also clap my hands; then my anger will subside. I, the LORD have spoken it."

17 I will also strike My hands together, and I will cause My wrath to rest. I the Lord have spoken.”

The Sword Of The King Of Babylonia

18 The word of the Lord came to me saying,

18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

18 Then the word of the Lord came to me:

18 This message came to me from the LORD:

18 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

19 “As for you, son of man, (m)(S)make two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come; both of them will go out of one land. And (n)make a signpost; (o)make it at the head of the way to the city.

19 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.

19 “Now you, son of man, mark out two roads that the sword of Babylon’s king can take. Both of them should originate from the same land. And make a signpost at the fork in the road to each city.

19 "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.

19 “As for you, son of man, mark out two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come, both starting from the same land. And make a signpost; place it at the head of the way to the city.

20 You shall (p)mark a way for the sword to come to (T)Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into (U)fortified Jerusalem.

20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

20 Mark out a road that the sword can take to Rabbah of the Ammonites(N) and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

20 "Make a sign, carving it out and installing it at the junction on the way to the city. 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.

20 You shall point out a way for the [Babylonian] sword to come to Rabbah [the capital] of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

21 For the king of Babylon stands at the (q)parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use (V)divination; he (W)shakes the arrows, he consults the (r)(X)household idols, he looks at the liver.

21 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.

21 For the king of Babylon stands at the split in the road, at the fork of the two roads, to practice divination: he shakes the arrows, consults the idols, and observes the liver.

21 "Meanwhile, Babylon's king is standing at the fork of the road, 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.

21 For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows, he consults the teraphim (household idols), he looks at the liver [of an animal for an omen].

22 Into his right hand came the divination, ‘Jerusalem,’ to (Y)set battering rams, to open the mouth (s)for slaughter, to lift up the voice with a battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up ramps, to build a siege wall.

22 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.

22 The answer marked(i) Jerusalem appears in his right hand, indicating that he should set up battering rams,(O) give the order to(j) slaughter, raise a battle cry, set battering rams against the gates, build a ramp, and construct a siege wall.

22 On his right hand he is divining against Jerusalem, preparing to set up battering rams, preparing for the slaughter, getting ready to sound the alarm for battle, setting the battering rams in place at the gates, building siege mounds, and erecting a siege wall.

22 In his right hand is the lot marked for Jerusalem: to set battering rams, to open the mouth calling for destruction, to lift up the voice with a war cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to put up assault ramps, and to build siege walls.

23 And it will be to them like a false divination in their eyes; (Z)they have sworn solemn oaths. But he (AA)brings iniquity to remembrance, that they may be seized.

23 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.

23 It will seem like false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians,(k)(P) but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured.

23 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."

23 It will seem like a false divination in their eyes, those who have sworn solemn oaths [of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar]. But he will remind them of their guilt [by rebelling and violating their oath], that they may be caught.(B)

24 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your deeds your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you will be seized with the hand.

24 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.

24 “Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your actions, since you have done this, you will be captured by them.

24 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.

24 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have caused your guilt to be remembered, in that your rebellion is uncovered, so that your sins appear in everything that you do—because you have come to mind, you will be seized with the hand [of the enemy].

25 And you, O slain, wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose (AB)day has come, in the time of the (t)punishment of the end,’

25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

25 And you, profane and wicked prince of Israel,(l)(Q)the day has come(R)for your punishment.”(m)

25 "So now, you dishonored and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come in this time of final punishment,

25 And you, O dishonored and wicked one [Zedekiah], the prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of final punishment is here,’

26 thus says the Lord God, ‘Remove the turban and take off the (AC)crown; this will (u)no longer be the same. (AD)Exalt that which is low and abase that which is high.

26 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.

26 This is what the Lord God says:Remove the turban, and take off the crown.Things will not remain as they are;(n)exalt the lowly and bring down the exalted.(S)

26 This is what the Lord GOD says: "Remove your turban! Take off your crown! Things aren't going to remain as they used to be. What is lowly will be exalted, and what is lofty will be brought low.

26 thus says the Lord God, ‘Remove the turban and take off the crown; things shall not remain as they have been. Exalt that which is low and abase the high.

27 (AE)A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make it. This also will be no more until (AF)He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.’

27 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.

27 A ruin, a ruin,I will make it a ruin!Yet this will not happenuntil He comes;(T)I have given the judgment to Him.(o)

27 A ruin! A ruin! I'm bringing about ruin!' But this also will not happen until he who has authority over it arrives, because I'll give it to him."

27 A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! It shall no longer exist until He comes whose right it is [to reign], and I will give it to Him.’(C)

A Sword And The Ammonites

28 “And you, son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God concerning the sons of Ammon and concerning their (AG)reproach,’ and say: ‘A sword, a sword is drawn, polished for the slaughter, to cause it (v)to (AH)consume, that it may be like lightning—

28 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:

28 “Now prophesy, son of man, and say: This is what the Lord God says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt. You are to proclaim:A sword! A swordis drawn for slaughter,polished to consume,(U) to flash like lightning.

28 And now Son of Man, prophesy to the Ammonites that this is what the Lord GOD says to the Ammonites about their approaching humiliation: "A sword! A sword is being drawn for slaughter. It's polished to flash like lightning.

28 “And you, son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God concerning the sons of Ammon and concerning their reproach (disgrace),’ and say: ‘A sword, a sword is drawn for the slaughter; it is sharpened and polished to put an end [to everything], and to flash like lightning,

29 while they see for you (AI)false visions, while they divine lies for you—to place you on the necks of the wicked who are slain, whose day has come, in the (AJ)time of the (w)punishment of the end.

29 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.

29 While they offer false visions(V)and lying divinations about you,the time has come to put youto the necks of the profane wicked ones;the day has comefor your punishment.(p)

29 When they see empty visions about you while they're divining lies for you, to lay you on the necks of the wicked, who are fatally wounded, whose days have come, their time for punishment.

29 while they (Ammonite prophets) see false visions [of peace] for you, while they divine lies [of escape] for you—to place you [of Ammon] on the headless bodies of the wicked who are slain, whose day has come, whose time of the final punishment is here.

30 (AK)Return it to its sheath. In the (AL)place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you.

30 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.

30 Return it to its sheath!(W)I will judge you(q)in the place where you were created,in the land of your origin.

30 Return it to its scabbard. "At the place where you were formed, in the land of your origin, there is where I'll judge you.

30 Return the sword to its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin (birth), I will judge you.

31 I will (AM)pour out My indignation on you; I will (AN)blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and I will give you into the hand of brutal men, (x)(AO)skilled in destruction.

31 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.

31 I will pour out My indignation on you;I will blow the fire of My fury on you.(X)I will hand you over to brutal men,skilled at destruction.

31 I'm going to pour out my indignation all over you. I'll blow my fierce wrath against you and deliver you into the control of brutal men who are skilled at destruction.

31 I will pour out My indignation on you [sons of Ammon]; I will blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and I will place you in the hand of brutal men, skilled in destruction.

32 You will be (y)(AP)fuel for the fire; your blood will be in the midst of the land. You will (AQ)not be remembered, for I, the Lord, have spoken.’”

32 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.

32 You will be fuel for the fire.Your blood will be spilled in the land.You will not be remembered,(Y)for I, Yahweh, have spoken.”

32 You'll be fuel for the conflagration. Your blood will be spilled throughout the land. You won't be remembered anymore, now that I, the LORD, have spoken."

32 You will be fuel for the fire; your blood will be in the midst of the land. You will not be remembered, for I the Lord have spoken.’”(D)

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