Ezekiel 11:1–13

Evil Rulers to Be Judged

1 Moreover, the aSpirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the Lord’s house which faced eastward. And behold, there were twenty-five men at the entrance of the gate, and among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and bPelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people.

2 He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and agive evil advice in this city,

3 who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. 2This acity is the pot and we are the flesh.’

4 “Therefore, aprophesy against them, son of man, prophesy!”

5 Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and He said to me, “Say, ‘Thus says the Lord, “So you think, house of Israel, for aI know 1your bthoughts.

6 “You have amultiplied your slain in this city, filling its streets with 1them.”

7 ‘Therefore, thus says the Lord 1God, “Your aslain whom you have laid in the midst of 2the city are the flesh and this city is the pot; but 3I will bbring you out of it.

8 “You have afeared a sword; so I will bbring a sword upon you,” the Lord God declares.

9 “And I will bring you out of the midst of 1the city and deliver you into the hands of astrangers and bexecute judgments against you.

10 “You will afall by the sword. I will judge you to the bborder of Israel; so you shall know that I am the Lord.

11 “This city will anot be a pot for you, nor will you be flesh in the midst of it, but I will judge you to the border of Israel.

12 “Thus you will know that I am the Lord; for you have not walked in My statutes nor have you aexecuted My ordinances, but have acted according to the ordinances of the bnations around you.” ’ ”

13 Now it came about as I prophesied, that aPelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said, “bAlas, Lord God! Will You bring the remnant of Israel to a complete end?”