Ezekiel 9

The mark and the destruction

1Then he called out loudly within my hearing: “Bring near those appointed over the city, each with a weapon of destruction in his hand!” 2Six men came from the direction of the upper gate facing north, each carrying a smashing weapon. Among them was a man dressed in linen, with a scribe’s writing kit at his waist. They came and stood beside the bronze altar. 3The glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherub where it had rested and moved to the threshold of the house. He called to the man dressed in linen with the writing kit at his waist. 4The LORD told him, “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over all the abominations committed within it.” 5To the others he said within my hearing, “Follow him through the city and strike. Let your eye spare no one; show no pity. 6Kill old men, young men, virgins, little children, and women—wipe them out. But do not go near anyone bearing the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men in front of the house. 7He said to them, “Defile the house and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” They went out and struck people down in the city.

Ezekiel’s protest

8As they struck, I was left alone. I fell facedown and cried, “Ah, Lord GOD! Will you destroy all who remain of Israel as you pour out your fury on Jerusalem?” 9He answered, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed and the city full of injustice. They say, ‘The LORD has abandoned the land. The LORD does not see.’ 10As for me, my eye will not spare, and I will show no pity. I will bring their ways down on their own heads.” 11Then the man dressed in linen, with the writing kit at his waist, brought back this report: “I have done everything you commanded me.”