^{4 Ref} 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:

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

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

^{7 Ref} 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.

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

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

^{10 Ref} 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.

^{11 Ref} 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.

^{12 Ref} 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.

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

^{14 Ref} 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.

^{15 Ref} 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.

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

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