Ezekiel 21:22-32

It tells him to take the road on the right leading to Jerusalem, so the king decides to go there. His plan is to ready the battering rams to be prepared when he gives the order for slaughter. His army will shout the battle cry and set up the battering rams against the gates. They will make siege ramps and construct siege towers. “The people of Jerusalem will believe that these omens are false, for they have made sworn treaties and think they are safe. But Nebuchadnezzar’s decision to attack will remind them of their sins against God, and as a result, they will be captured. Therefore, Lord YAHWEH says, ‘You have uncovered your waywardness by parading all your evil deeds. You flaunt your sins in everything you do. Because of this, your enemies will capture you by force! “ ‘As for you, wicked and unholy prince of Israel, Lord YAHWEH has a message for you. Your doom is approaching. Your time is up, and I will put an end to your crimes. Take off your royal turban and remove your crown. Everything is about to be turned upside down. Lowly ones will be raised up, and those who seem important now will become nobodies. A ruin, a ruin, I will make this city a ruin —until the one arrives, the rightful ruler. Then I will hand him the crown to rule.’ ” YAHWEH “Son of man, prophesy and announce what I, Lord YAHWEH, say to the mocking Ammonites: ‘A sword, a sword is drawn and ready for slaughter! It is a sharp, polished sword to flash like lightning and to destroy. The visions you had are false. When you consulted your gods about what would happen, their answers were lies. Your day of judgment has come! It’s high time for your punishment to reach its climax. The sword is going to cut off your heads! “ ‘Put the sword back in its scabbard. I will punish you in the land where you were born, the land of your origin. I will vent my fury on you, blow the fire of my rage against you, and hand you over to brutal men whose skill is destruction. You will be fuel for the fire. Babylonian blood will flow in your homeland, and no one will remember anything about you. I, YAHWEH, have spoken.’ ”