I came to the exiles at Tel Abib, who lived by the Kebar River. I sat dumbfounded among them there, where they were living, for seven days.

I will punish you as an adulteress and murderer deserves. I will avenge your bloody deeds with furious rage.

Then everyone will know that I am the Lord, who drew my sword from its sheath – it will not be sheathed again!’

Slanderous men shed blood within you. Those who live within you eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains; they commit obscene acts among you.

They will repay you for your obscene conduct, and you will be punished for idol worship. Then you will know that I am the sovereign Lord.”

Set the empty pot on the coals, until it becomes hot and its copper glows, until its uncleanness melts within it and its rot is consumed.

They will descend from their ships – all who handle the oar, the sailors and all the sea captains – they will stand on the land.

“‘You said, “These two nations, these two lands will be mine, and we will possess them,” – although the Lord was there –

“‘You will provide a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering daily to the Lord; morning by morning he will provide it.

While I was watching in my mind’s visions on my bed, a holy sentinel came down from heaven.

It came to the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed against it with raging strength.

He will pitch his royal tents between the seas toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.

For the Israelites must live many days without a king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred fertility pillar, without ephod or idols.

They are all like bakers, they are like a smoldering oven; they are like a baker who does not stoke the fire until the kneaded dough is ready for baking.

Ephraim will be struck down – their root will be dried up; they will not yield any fruit. Even if they do bear children, I will kill their precious offspring.

and they cast lots for my people. They traded a boy for a prostitute; they sold a little girl for wine so they could drink.

Archers will not hold their ground; fast runners will not save their lives, nor will those who ride horses.

Those who devise sinful plans are as good as dead, those who dream about doing evil as they lie in bed. As soon as morning dawns they carry out their plans, because they have the power to do so.

You will be loyal to Jacob and extend your loyal love to Abraham, which you promised on oath to our ancestors in ancient times.

Then he cried out to me, “Look! The ones going to the northland have brought me peace about the northland.”