Ezekiel 28:14–26

¹⁴I appointed a living creature to guard you.

I put you on the holy mountain of God.

You walked among the gems that shined like fire.

¹⁵Your life was right and good

from the day you were created,

until evil was found in you.

¹⁶Because you traded with countries far away,

you learned to be cruel, and you sinned.

So I threw you down in disgrace from the mountain of God.

And the living creature who guarded you

forced you out from among the gems that shined like fire.

¹⁷You became too proud

because of your beauty.

You ruined your wisdom

because of your greatness.

I threw you down to the ground.

Your example taught a lesson to other kings.

¹⁸You dishonored your places of worship

through your many sins and dishonest trade.

So I set on fire the place where you lived,

and the fire burned you up.

I turned you into ashes on the ground

for all those watching to see.

¹⁹All the nations who knew you

are shocked about you.

Your punishment was so terrible,

and you are gone forever.’ ”

Prophecy Against Sidon

²⁰The Lord spoke his word to me, saying: ²¹“Human, look toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her. ²²Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says:

I am against you, Sidon,

and I will show my glory among you.

People will know that I am the Lord

when I have punished Sidon;

I will show my holiness by defeating her.

²³I will send diseases to Sidon,

and blood will flow in her streets.

Those who are wounded in Sidon will fall dead,

attacked from all sides.

Then they will know that I am the Lord.

God Will Help Israel

²⁴“ ‘No more will neighboring nations be like thorny branches or sharp stickers to hurt Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.

²⁵“ ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the people of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness when the nations see what I do for my people. Then they will live in their own land—the land I gave to my servant Jacob. ²⁶They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have punished all the nations around who hate them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’ ”