Ezekiel 21:14–16

14 “So then, son of man, prophesy

and strike your hands together.

Let the sword strike twice,

even three times.

It is a sword for slaughter—

a sword for great slaughter,

closing in on them from every side.

15 So that hearts may melt with fear

and the fallen be many,

I have stationed the sword for slaughter

at all their gates.

Look! It is forged to strike like lightning,

it is grasped for slaughter.

16 Slash to the right, you sword,

then to the left,

wherever your blade is turned.

14 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 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 Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

14 “Son of man, prophesy to them

and clap your hands.

Then take the sword and brandish it twice,

even three times,

to symbolize the great massacre,

the great massacre facing them on every side.

15 Let their hearts melt with terror,

for the sword glitters at every gate.

It flashes like lightning

and is polished for slaughter!

16 O sword, slash to the right,

then slash to the left,

wherever you will,

wherever you want.

14 “You therefore, son of man, prophesy,

And strike your hands together.

The third time let the sword do double damage.

It is the sword that slays,

The sword that slays the great men,

That enters their private chambers.

15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates,

That the heart may melt and many may stumble.

Ah! It is made bright;

It is grasped for slaughter:

16 “Swords at the ready!

Thrust right!

Set your blade!

Thrust left—

Wherever your edge is ordered!

14 “So, human, prophesy

and clap your hands.

Let the sword strike

two or three times.

It is a sword meant for killing,

a sword meant for much killing.

This sword surrounds the people to be killed.

15 Their hearts will melt with fear,

and many people will die.

I have placed the killing sword

at all their city gates.

Oh! The sword is made to flash like lightning.

It is held, ready for killing.

16 Sword, cut on the right side;

then cut on the left side.

Cut anywhere your blade is turned.

14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thy 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 that is deadly wounded, which entereth into their chambers. 15 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 Gather thee together, go to the right, set thyself in array, go to the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

14 And thou, son of man, prophesy, and smite thy hands together; for the strokes of the sword shall be doubled the third time: it is the sword of the slain, the sword that hath slain the great one, which encompasseth them privily. 15 In order that the heart may melt, and the stumbling-blocks be multiplied, I have set the threatening sword against all their gates: ah! it is made glittering, it is whetted for the slaughter. 16 Gather up strength, go to the right hand, turn thee, go to the left, whithersoever thy face is appointed.

14 So prophesy, son of man. 

Clap your hands! 

Let the sword strike again and again. 

It’s the sword for killing. 

It’s the sword for killing many people. 

It’s the sword that surrounds them. 

15 I have appointed my sword to slaughter people at all their gates 

so that their hearts will sink and many will die. 

Yes! It’s ready to flash like lightning. 

It’s polished to kill. 

16 Sword, cut to the right. 

Cut to the left 

or wherever your blade is turned. 

14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy

and clap your hands together.

Let the sword strike two times, even three.

It is a sword for massacre,

a sword for great massacre—

it surrounds them!

15 I have appointed a sword for slaughter

at all their gates,

so that their hearts may melt

and many may stumble.

Yes! It is ready to flash like lightning;

it is drawn for slaughter.

16 Slash to the right;

turn to the left—

wherever your blade is directed.

14 And you, mortal, prophesy;

strike hand to hand.

Let the sword fall twice, thrice;

it is a sword for killing.

A sword for great slaughter—

it surrounds them;

15 therefore hearts melt,

and many stumble.

At all their gates I have set

the point of the sword.

Ah! It is made for flashing;

it is drawn for slaughter.

16 Attack to the right!

Engage to the left!

—wherever your edge is directed.

14 And you, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands. And the sword will strike twice; let it happen a third time. It is a sword of the dead, the sword of the great dead that is surrounding them, 15 so that a heart melts, and the fallen multiply at all of their gates. I gave a sword for slaughter, and alas! It is made for flashing, it is grasped for slaughtering. 16 Gather together, strike to the right; cause to go to the left, where your edge is directed.

14 “Son of man, prophesy.

Clap your hands.

Let the sword strike twice.

Let it strike even three times.

It is a sword to kill people.

It is a sword to kill many people.

It is closing in on them from every side.

15 People’s hearts will melt away in fear.

Many will be wounded or killed.

I have prepared the sword to kill people

at all of their city gates.

It flashes like lightning.

It is in the killer’s hand.

16 Sword, cut to the right.

Then cut to the left.

Strike people down everywhere your blade is turned.

14 “You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together; and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword for the slain. It is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them,

15 that their hearts may melt, and many fall at all their gates. I have given the glittering sword. Ah! It is made for striking like lightning, it is wrapped up in readiness for slaughter.

16 “Show yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed.