^{4 Ref} Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:

^{5 Ref} and all flesh shall know that I, Yahweh, have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more.

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

^{7 Ref} It shall be, when they tell you, Why do you sigh? that you shall say, Because of the news, for it comes; 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 comes, and it shall be done, says the Lord Yahweh.

⁸ The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

^{9 Ref} Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says Yahweh: Say, A sword, a sword, it is sharpened, and also furbished;

^{10 Ref} it is sharpened that it may make a slaughter; it is furbished that it may be as lightning: shall we then make mirth? the rod of my son, it condemns every tree.

^{11 Ref} It is given to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword, it is sharpened, yes, it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the killer.

^{12 Ref} Cry and wail, son of man; for it is on my people, it is on all the princes of Israel: they are delivered over to the sword with my people; strike therefore on your thigh.

^{13 Ref} For there is a trial; and what if even the rod that condemns shall be no more? says the Lord Yahweh.

^{14 Ref} You therefore, son of man, prophesy, and strike your hands together; and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the deadly wounded: it is the sword of the great one who is deadly wounded, which enters into their chambers.

^{15 Ref} I have set the threatening sword against all their gates, that their heart may melt, and their stumblings be multiplied: ah! it is made as lightning, it is pointed for slaughter.

^{16 Ref} Gather you together, go to the right, set yourself in array, go to the left, wherever your face is set.

^{17 Ref} I will also strike my hands together, and I will cause my wrath to rest: I, Yahweh, have spoken it.