Ezekiel 21:8-11, 18-22

GOD’s Message to me: “Son of man, prophesy. Tell them, ‘The Master says: “‘A sword! A sword! razor-sharp and polished, Sharpened to kill, polished to flash like lightning! “‘My child, you’ve despised the scepter of Judah by worshiping every tree-idol. “‘The sword is made to glisten, to be held and brandished. It’s sharpened and polished, ready to be brandished by the killer.’

GOD’s Message came to me: “Son of man, lay out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take. Start them from the same place. Place a signpost at the beginning of each road. Post one sign to mark the road of the sword to Rabbah of the Ammonites. Post the other to mark the road to Judah and Fort Jerusalem. The king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road and he decides by divination which of the two roads to take. He draws straws, he throws god-dice, he examines a goat liver. He opens his right hand: The omen says, ‘Head for Jerusalem!’ So he’s on his way with battering rams, roused to kill, sounding the battle cry, pounding down city gates, building siege works.