1
Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the East Gate of the Lord's house, which faces eastward; and there at the door of the gate were twenty-five men, among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
2
And He said to me: "Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city,
3
who say, 'The time is not near to build houses; this city is the caldron, and we are the meat.'
4
Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man!"
5
Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me, "Speak! 'Thus says the Lord: "Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.
6
You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain."
7
Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Your slain whom you have laid in its midst, they are the meat, and this city is the caldron; but I shall bring you out of the midst of it.
8
You have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword upon you," says the Lord God.
9
"And I will bring you out of its midst, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and execute judgments on you.
10
You shall fall by the sword. I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.
11
This city shall not be your caldron, nor shall you be the meat in its midst. I will judge you at the border of Israel.
12
And you shall know that I am the Lord; for you have not walked in My statutes nor executed My judgments, but have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which are all around you." ' "
13
Now it happened, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell on my face and cried with a loud voice, and said, "Ah, Lord God! Will You make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?"