Ezekiel 9:3–7

3 Then the glory of the God of Israeli rose from above the cherub where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. He called to the man clothed in linen and carrying writing equipment. 4 “Pass throughout the city of Jerusalem,” the Lord said to him, “and put a mark on the foreheadsj of the men who sigh and groank over all the detestable practices committed in it.”

5 He spoke to the others in my hearing: “Pass through the city after him and start killing; do not show pity or spare them!l 6 Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, as well as the children and older women,m but do not come near anyone who has the mark.n Begin at my sanctuary.”o So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. 7 Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain.p Go!” So they went out killing people in the city.